These considerations are based on the premise of a growing need for an international posture in aquaculture and essential interfacing with solving of world food problems. Recognition is also made of the unique oceanographic/climatic conditions in the Gulf of Elat which lend themselves to advancement of the proposed applied research.
The gilthead bream Sparus auratus is a prime marine species for intensive culture. The extensive programme on this fish at Elat can serve as a template for this and other species to dovetail with current efforts elsewhere. The integrated investigations involved will undoubtedly advance “payoff dates” for economically-sound mariculture. Such model systems are a critical need in the establishment of realistic directions for maricultural endeavours. Baseline data being derived with the gilthead bream can be applied to species such as the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax and other marine fish. Certainly these efforts can avoid the many pitfalls which have occurred in certain marine fish “candidates” such as the pompano.
Successful spawning and grow-out work on the gilthead bream at Elat is immediately applicable to other programmes, notably in on-site training and data exchange. The basic/ applied fish nutrition programme, especially that of larval specimens, and the pathobiology/ nutrition studies are fundamental to successful marine fish culture. Technical exchange and programmatic coordination is needed with counterpart programmes.
World food problems in general are extant in countries in warmer portions of the world. Similarly, more and more applied efforts in mariculture are situated in temperature to tropical regions. Various mariculture efforts, especially those in the United States, are increasing directing attention to use of thermal effluents in aquatic animal culture. All of these considerations are germane to the unique climatic location of the Elat facility where it can effectively culture specimens in a year-round warm water pollution-free environment under essential technologically advanced conditions. In essence, this unit has the potential to serve as a quality field monitoring site for segments of aquaculture in general, incorporating all of the necessary parameters culminating in economically successful ventures. Innovations in integrated aquaculture/agriculture ventures, using solar energy and water conservation, can be readily studied at Elat and system information applied to comparable regions elsewhere.
Sound logistics involved and ready access to outstanding national technology academic/ research centres suggest that the Slat station can realistically serve as a demonstration/ evaluation unit for many aquaculture programmes. The limited number and availability of such units will continue to be a serious problem in bringing basic aquaculture from the laboratory stage to commercial fruition.
Active participation in the emerging mariculture effort in Israel can help to firmly establish roles of various countries in Marine fish farming on an international basis. Coordination of effort is urgently needed to make mariculture a viable reality. Problem-solving facilities such as the unit at Elat can serve an essential role in this consideration and result in a sound programme of technical aid in fish culture to third world countries. The present and proposed Israeli mariculture effort should be closely evaluated in terms of facilitating and accelerating attainment of that goal.
