The Government of Israel, assisted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are engaged on a project concerned with the development of marine and brackish water aquaculture. Its purpose is to develop marine farming in Israel, in particular, to supply the information needed for marine farming enterprises and to guide research in marine farming.
The consultant spent three weeks in Israel (18 April to 8 Nay 1974) at the request of the Israeli Government on preparatory activity to provide advice on future research and development activities in marine and estuarine aquaculture. The consultancy was the first of two phases set forth in a proposal approved in September 1973, the second phase to consist of work by a senior consultant who would work in Israel for 12 months (or more) to assist local scientists in the conduct of mariculture research and development.
The general matters to be considered in the course of the work and thus to receive attention during both phases are (1) to evaluate the possibilities of marine farming in Israel (2) to advise on research needed for establishing successful marine farming. Among specific questions, the following are to be considered! (a) choice of organisms to be raised (b) choice of localities to establish farms (c) methods of rearing specific organisms (d) solution of problems of nutrition, diseases and others. In the course of the project advice should be given on the most useful kinds of training to be provided for Israeli aquaculture workers, including specific places where they might be sent, lengths of stay, and kinds of training to be sought.
The terms of reference of the present consultancy were to assist in the formulation of a work plan for the main project by “carrying on detailed discussions on the best and most efficient ways of using the available consultant months, and to choose the best possible experts”. Advice was requested on the kinds of equipment needed for the work, particularly items which might be provided by the UNDP. The Project Document included a list of such equipment which was to be reviewed during the present first phase of the consultancy.
In the course of the consultancy the following places were visited and persons interviewed.
1. The headquarters of The Oceanographic and Limnological Research Ltd. (OLRL) of Israel, in Haifa. This agency is the arm of the government responsible for fisheries and aquatic research and development in Israel, including mariculture. The persons met included Admiral Yohag Ben-Nun, Director General, Dr. Abraham Golik, Chief of Scientific Affairs, Dr. O.H. Oren, Head of Fisheries Research, Dr. G.W. Kissil, Marine Farming Unit, Eilat.
2. The Eilat Marine Biology Research Station. This Station is the property of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, but OLRL shared in the building expenses, and occupies part of the laboratory and other space. It is from here that mariculture development for Israel is directed and most of the research is conducted. At Eilat the following were consulted: Dr. O.W. Kissil, Mr. Hillel Gordin, Mr. Arye Hughes-Games, Dr. Elan Paperno, Laboratory Director.
3. Nuweiba, on the Gulf of Aqaba, the site of a moshev (a cooperative community) where six fish ponds are to be built and to be operated experimentally by OLRL in cooperation with the moshev.
4. Dahab, a new kibbutz on the Gulf of Aqaba, south of Eilat, where experiments in cage culture are planned.
5. Laboratories of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where experiments are being started on the culture of the freshwater/brackishwater shrimp Macrobrachium. This is outside the OLRL, but exchange of information is planned between the research groups. The scientists involved are Dr. Ban Cohen and Dr. Maurice Sussman; their fields of studies are in molecular biology.
6. Nir David Laboratory, where research on pond culture takes place, mostly in relation to fish diseases and parasites. This laboratory is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Division. Research is conducted on carp/tilapia/mullet pond culture. This laboratory will be able to give assistance to brackish water fish culture when it develops.
7. Ginnosar Laboratory, under the OLRL, where water quality research is conducted on Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galillee).
8. Dor, a laboratory and experimental pond establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture, where research on genetics, feeding and other aspects of pond culture takes place. The Director reviewed its work. Dr. Rom Moav, geneticist of the Hebrew University was there, and described his duties. Mullet, Macrobrachium and penaeid shrimp work is being conducted in brackish water and will be contributed to the culture activity in this medium, but at the moment little activity in this field is under way. But the considerable background in fish nutrition, genetics and other matters will be of help to the brackish water culture development.
9. Dr. Adam Ben Tuvia was consulted on the fishery biology and brackish water culture research of himself and colleagues at the Hebrew University.
