Opening Session
1- The working group meeting on environmental aspects of aquaculture management in the Mediterranean (EAM) as follow up to the recommendations of the seminar on the EAM Network (Athens, 14–15 June 1993) was held in Biarritz from 8 to 10 September 1993.
2- The meeting was opended by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Hassan Akrout, who welcomed all the participants and thanked the host country and specially Mr. Olivier Ledoux, who assists in the organisation of the meeting. Mr. H. Akrout made a brief resume of the background of this meeting, highlighted expectation and invited the meeting to take into consideration the 25% reduction in the RAB budget.
3- The Officials of the meeting were elected as follows:
| - Chairman | : | Mr. Kouyoumjian Hratch | (Lebanon) |
| - Rapporteur | : | Mr. Ivan Katavic | (Croatia) |
| - Rapporteur | : | Mr. Mohiedine Belkhir | (MEDRAP) |
4- The agenda was adopted with minor modification.
5- The Project Coordinator gave a brief introduction of the EAM Network activities during 1994–1995. This was followed by a general discussion.
Participants, in particular, stressed that the Network is a long term aim whose viability and sustainability will be assured by the active support and participation of the interested parties.
Presentation and Discussion of Activities
6- Mr. A. Orbi (Morocco) presented the proposed activities related to “Lagoon management” item 1. The general content was accepted, and budgetary allocations to the proposed activities should be included.
7- Mr. L. Chouba (Tunisia) presented the proposed activites related to “Interaction between aquaculture and environment” item 2. In the discussion that followed, it was suggested to highlight the fact that intensive fish cage culture must be included in the program of activities and that modeling, in this context, should relate the assessment method, since modeling is along-term goal. It was suggested that the output formulated be redifined to focus specifically on environmental impacts of coastal intensive cage culture in particular the effects on water column and seabed.
8- Mr. I. Katavie (Croatia) presented the item 3; “Selection and protection of sites suitable for aquaculture”. The general content was accepted and it was suggested to concentrate primarily on site selection procedure. Site protection has to be incorporated within the activity
9- Mr. Ph. Ferlin (France) introduced the “Ecologically sound integrated management of molluse culture”. He mentioned that in this context, the major activity is the monitoring network in mollusc culture zones in the Mediterranean. He stressed the importance of the EAM network and the importance of securing long term program and funding.
10- In the general discussion that followed, it was stressed that an EAM Network aims at becoming a permanent regional reality. In this context, updating and dissemination of available information is considered an important output of the network.
11- The project Coordinator mentioned the necessity of beeing pragmatic and realistic in view of budgetary restriction. He mentioned the PAP/RAC contribution of 120.000 USD for 1994–1995. As regards MEDRAP funds, 60.000 USD should be available for 1994. The need for identifying other donors has to be followed up. He also insited on the fact that the proposed activitie3s should be planed with the available funds.
12- The Chairman, in view of all that has been saggested a slight revision of the four activities presented. He stressed the need for uniform approach both in form and context within the available budgetary constraints. In particular, he said that each activity should have a well defined objective(s), output(s), workplan (s) (1994,1995, separately budget). There is an additional need for the identification of partners and interactions.
The activities were revised, discussed and accepted by the meeting. They form an integral part of the meeting report
13- The working group briefly considered the present title of the EAM network “Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Management in the Mediterranean” as well as a possible alternative title “Enviornment and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean Region” - EAM network-.
14- The final report, in its revised form was adopted. It will be part of long term of EAM network program when adopted by next MEXRAP II Steering Committee meeting (Lebanon, November 93) and by PAP/RAC.
Closing Session
15- The Project Coordinator tanked all paricipants for their active contribution and for the conclusion.
16- The Chairman, on behalf of all participants thanked the organiser, the Project Coordinator, the presenters of the four activities, FAO and all present for their positive contribution. He expressed his gratitude for O. Ledoux and IFREMER.
17- The meeting adjourned at 13 p. m, September 1993.
