2. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

2.1 RESEARCH COLLABORATION

The overall schedule of research collaboration is noted in Table 1, and is discussed briefly below.

In June 1975, Dr. Kissil visited Dr. Meyers' laboratory at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, to initiate a basis for cooperation and exchange of information in diet development for marine fish. This included study of ingredient sources and composition, rationale of dietary formulation, methodology for various approaches to manufacture of water-stable preparations and evaluation of the Elat programme in terms of a nutrition development plan. Further discussions were held at the International Center for Aquaculture at Auburn, Alabama. From all of the aforementioned, a general plan of activity assignment was generated.

Primary attention during the period July–October and November 1975 was directed to actual ordering of experimental materials, design of protocols for subsequent visit and preparation of specific diets for preliminary evaluation within the specific mariculture system at Elat. Emphasis was placed on maximizing the nutrition research capability of the Elat facility.

The period during November/December was spent in Slat based on the objectives already noted.

Efforts during January–February 1976 will, in the main, constitute work at Dr. Meyers' laboratory, in production of dietary preparations for the hatchery/post-hatchery/grow-out programme to begin, commencing with the artificial diet programme in February/March 1976. Emphasis will be placed on establishment of a wide range of experimental flexibility in terms of test diets.

The second period of consultantship is planned to take place during March/April 1976, geared largely to actual research participation and evaluation of all dietary preparations in terms of animal survival, growth, etc

The programme of advisory activities for the Spring 1976 period will be correlated with the spawning of Sparus auratus currently maintained in culture at Elat. A more definitive picture of spawning status will be available by mid-mid-January 1976, with a spawning peak probably in March 1976. A three-year class is available in culture which has spawned successfully at Elat in March 1975. Progeny of this group (approximately 20–30 specimens) comprise the present F-1 generation of approximately 20 animals. These latter animals, maintained in ponds with lower night temperatures, may spawn in 1976. However, primary attention will be directed towards the initial (older) spawning population in view of previous spawning success with this age class.

Follow-up is planned in evaluation of data, especially study of post-hatchery response.

Additional collaboration is planned from July 1976 well into 1977, based on grow-out diet study, pond analysis, and design of 1977 hatchery to post-hatchery work, based on data from the 1976 period.

Table 1

SCHEDULE OP COLLABORATION/CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES

The schematic outline below represents the overall sequence of previous and current research collaboration relative to the Elat Mariculture Programme. Details are noted in the accompanying text.

2.2 SITE VISITS

The Consultant was in residence at the Mariculture Laboratory in Slat during the main part of the period indicated. One objective was to become familiar with ancillary fish farming/feed formulation facilities in Israel and ancillary activities of potential significance to the effort at Elat. In this regard, site visits were made to the following:

1. Headquarters of Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Ltd,, Haifa (Yohay Ben-Nun, Director General, A. Book, Chief Scientist, O. Oren);

2. Fish Culture Research Station, Dor. Meeting with Dr. Balfour Hepher on freshwater fish farming, feed development and waste utilization in aquaculture;

3. Ambar Feed Cor., (J. Rimski, Head, Nutrition Department) for review of byproducts utilization for use in grow-out diets;

4. Kibbutz Pan Shmuel. Inspection of Carp/Tilapia culture and fish breeding operations.
   Fish Disease Laboratory, Nir David (S. Sarig, M, Tal)
   Kibbutz Ma'ayan Zwi (J. Scherzer, Director of Fish Ponds). Conference on fresh water fish ponds, feeding methods and supplemental fertilization as related to fish production.
   Kibbutz Yot Vata (H. Gordin). Inspection of Tilapia and brackish water ponds and waste availability for supplemental feeding of pond systems;

5. Department of Food Technology and Industrial Research Center, Technion, Haifa. Conference on engineering aspects of food/feed production and use of pilot equipment in flake development (using double drum dryer unit) and spray dryer for small particle production. Scheduling of pilot plant use for Elat operation evaluated;

6. Kibbutz Mevo Hamma. Evaluation of geothermal springs and nursery/pond operation for prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) cultivation;

7. Ginossar, Lake Kinneret. Examination of high intensity cultivation concept (using compressed air)in pond cultivation;

8. Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Meeting with Dr. D. Cohen on Macrobrachium culture and related feed/nutrition problems.