Annex 2

Workshop Programme

Justification

In Asia, the increasing area still being opened for aquaculture productioncontinuing expansion of aquaculture production areas and the need to achieve higher yields in existing production areas (i.e. intensification) have created a great demand for aquaculture feeds. A large proportion (of foodfish produced in the developing countries in Asia are the non-carnivorous species (carp, tilapia, milkfish and others) which are grown mostly by small farms. These farms require farm-level technologies that wouldill help them increase production with little adverse impact on the environment and using as much as possible locally available feed resources, using locally available feed resources to the extent possible. Similar objectives are crucial to the profitable and sustainable farming of the carnivorous finfishes as well as shrimp -- which in Asia are raised to earn morgrown to increase farm income and to earn foreign exchange.

The sustainability and profitability of commercial aquaculture operations depends largely on feeds. Among semi-intensive andIn the case of intensive systems, feed makes up over 50 percent of operating costs; with semi-intensive systems, profitabilityprofitability of semi-intensive systems also depends much on the efficiency of supplemental feed and natural food utilization. For either system, the critical factor for economic performance is optimising the nutritional requirement with available resources and making the most efficient use of thesquality of feeds through efficient use of available resources. This requires knowledge of the nutritional requirements of the species, which determines feed formulations for the species as well as its feeding managementthe feeding strategy.

FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the ADB/NACA Aquaculture Sustainability Action Plan emphasize the importance of feed management and nutrition in environmentally sustainable aquaculture, and encourage R & D activities that aim at replacing fish meal with plant-origin ingredients, developing optimum feed management practices that improve FCR and reduce risks of feed-related water pollution, and use of locally available ingredients. The proposed co-operative research programme will be focused to address one or more of these areas; potential target achievements and activities are indicated below.

Development objective: An environmentally sustainable and economically viable expansion of aquaculture production with low pollution and cost-efficient feed and optimal feed management for semi-intensive and intensive culture systems.

Targeted achievementsTargeted achievements:

1. Improved knowledge of nutritional requirements of main identified culture species (as basis for feed formulation)
2. More efficient and cost-effective feeds for main cultured species
3. Environmentally friendly feed formulations and feeding management strategies
4. Cost-effective supplemental feed management for semi-intensive systems
5. Data base ofn regional feed sources
6. Information exchange system among researchers and feed technologists in the region
7. Trained researchers, technicians and progressive farmers

Target Beneficiaries:

Small farmers would benefit from the more cost-effective feed formulations and more productive guidelines for feeding management. Commercial aquaculturists would benefit largely from economical and environmentally friendly feed formulations while the non-aquaculture sector, while other resource users would face much less threat from discharges that procon 1/2

are polluted by uneaten feed and feed residues. Secondary beneficiaries would be athe farm-made feed manufacturing sector, which could be encouraged by the results while commercial feed producers would also benefit from the improved knowledge on nutritional requirements of the major species which they could use to also improve the efficiency of their formulations.

Regional collaboration would involve the following activities:

1. Analysis of technology gaps in feed and feed management
2. Research on selected key technology gaps (e.g. feeding strategies, nutritional requirements, fishmeal replacement, low cost feed from local ingredients)
3. Preparation /adaptation of guidelines for feed development and quality control
4. Survey of local sources of feed, both animal and plant origin and collation of studies on their nutritive values as well as present and potential uses in feed formulations
5. Developing training handbooks for feed technologists, extension technicians, and farmers.
6. Collation and sharing of research information on feed and nutrition of the target species
7. Establishment of a regional information exchange system for researchers and feed technologists
8. Training of researchers, technicians and progressive farmers

Existing facilities and staff of participating countries will mostly be utilized for the research and related activities. However, as necessary, facilities will be upgraded and equipment acquired. Essential facilities would include be small-scale or pilot-size feed mills; analytical instruments for proximate analysis of feed ingredients; amino acid analyser; temperature and DO controlled indoor wet lab, outdoor farm facilities for feed trials, etc.

Duration:

Medium term i.e. 3-5 years

Project Concept 2

The contribution of aquaculture and aquaculture-based fisheries to nutrition and food security in developing areas as well as in resource-poor rural areas is hindered by shortage of quality seed of cultured species and of commercially important fish stocks that need enhancement or rehabilitation.

The increasing practice of stocking reservoirs, floodplain lakes, and other inland water bodies, as part of rural development strategies, has created considerable demand for massive seed supplies, particularly of cyprinids. Much of this seed is extracted from wild stocks, putting pressure on wild fish stocks. At the same time, the production of seed inputs for stocking has become a major expense to Governments. There is urgent need to develop cost-effective methods for mass production of seeds of selected species, including hatchery and nursery practices, (and to document available mature technologies) to improve the economic and ecological sustainability of the practice. The enhancement of commercial fish stocks and protection of endangered species are also making demands for broodstock development and mass seed production technologies for new species. [Article 9.3.5 of the Code of Practice for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), cited in FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries No. 5, Aquaculture Development, states that where appropriate, "states should promote research and, when feasible, the development of culture techniques to protect and enhance stocks of endangered species".]

National objectives of increasing production from aquaculture-- through intensification, expansion of areas under aquaculture production and increased efficiency in the use of resources, as well as the diversification of species to expand markets, are creating increasing demand for better quality seed and technologies for mass seed production of new species.

Meeting these demands can be facilitated by regional collaboration on research for the development and/or standardization of technology for broodstock development and quality seed production, as well as the collation and dissemination of information on mass seed production for species of concern to the region. The proposed regional collaboration on the above problem area would be in support of an objective common to many countries of the region -- confirmed by the FAO/NACA regional study of aquaculture research priorities and capacities as a common national priority -- of increasing fish production through aquaculture and enhanced fisheries by, among other means, making available cheaper and better quality production inputs; including seed.

The project is addressed directly at the problems of unreliable supply of good quality seed for culture and stock enhancement due to the lack of standardized breeding and mass seed production techniques for cultured and culturable species, and inadequate knowledge on broodstock development, breeding and fry rearing of commercially important fish species that are now being depleted or requiring urgent rehabilitation measures. endangered. The regional collaborative approach also addresses the issues related to the adequacy of national and institutional resources, trained research manpower and communication among researchers.

Development objective: Adequate supply of quality seed in support of expansion of aquaculture production and enhancement of fishery stockies and endangered species.

Targeted achievements:

1. Improved and, standardized techniques for broodstock development and seed production/seed production for selected species.
2. Enhancement, conservation andFacilitation of enhancement, conservation, rehabilitation of fishery stocks, including. endangered species through replenishment.
3. Introduction of certain desirable species and their breeding technology for diversification of aquaculure in interested countriesture in interested countries, in compliance with the articles of the CCRF.
4. Improved capabilities of researchers, technicians and farmers in broodstock development, breeding and seed production and fry rearing techniques.

Target Beneficiaries

The intermediate beneficiaries would be the research and extension services of governments by having new or better knowledge and more effective techniques that can be promoted to the industry; tfor transmission to target users. The ultimate beneficiaries are the fish farmers, hatchery operators as well as the rural communities that derive food and livelihood from aquaculture and culture-based fisheries, and conservation of endangered species.

The regional collaboration would basically involve the following activities:

1. Identification of information gaps and weaknesses in technology
2. Research on selected key technology gaps
3. Collation and sharing of research information on broodstock development, breeding and hatchery - nursery management techniques
4. Preparation of manuals and training and training/extension material.
5. Establishment of a regional information exchange system on seed production, including collation of research information on species of regional interest, statistics on seed production and utilization, species diversification and introductions, etc.

Resource requirements

Existing staff and facilities of participating centres and institutions will carry out the research activities although technicians and skilled farm labour may need to be contract-hired. Facilities will be upgraded and equipment acquired if needed. Facilities will include: broodstock tanks and ponds, hatchery systems, and nursery ponds. Essential equipment will probably include Hach kits, power generators, water pump and circulation system, aeration system and nets and gears. Support will be needed for workshops of network members and for training activities.

Duration:

Medium term (3-5 years)

Project Concept 3

Aquaculture is overwhelmingly concentrated in the developing world, which accounts for 85% of output and where over the past 10 years (1984-1994 ) it has grown at a rate of 137% of output by quantity, and where over the past 11 years (1984-1995 ) production quantity has grown at a rate of 11% per year, or 5 times more than developed countries. Apart from important low input systems, which provide low cost food and much needed animal protein for local consumption, export of high value species, such as shrimps and prawns, has in some countries helped earn foreign exchange and improve their balance of payments position. However, the progress of aquaculture has been slowed by diseases, one of the most serious constraints in the Asian region to securing more food and farm income from aquaculture. Recent outbreaks of fish epizootics such as epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) and crustacean diseases such as white spot, have caused serious economic losses to farmers throughout the region. The losses in 1990 alone were estimated as US$ 1.4 billion, but the situation continues to deteriorate with 1994/95 losses estimated at US$ 3.0 billion.

With growing movement and There are also serious "downstream" effects (e.g. increased use of drugs and chemicals, and related potential hazard to consumers; negative impact on trade and the environment, etc.) which compound the problem. With the growing trend towards intensification of production, as well as the increasing trade in live aquatic animals and seed, the problem can be expected to increase. This these losses will continue to increase, andwill tend to heighten the concern for the sustained contribution of aquaculture to food security, unless concerted efforts are made to develop and implement appropriate aquatic health management measures. In the absence of any regional comprehensive and participatory aquatic animal health management programme the situation is bound to aggravate quicklyThere is urgent need for regional collaboration in this regard.

The proposed collaborative regional project is intended to address a number of problems related to the prevention and control of aquatic diseases. These may include:

1. Scarcity of healthy fish and shrimp seed supplies
2. Limited capacity for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of aquatic diseases
3. Lack of basic information on host-pathogen-environment interaction
4. Lack of systems /epidemiological approaches in health management
5. Increasing transboundary movement of live aquatic organisms and lack of regional guidelines for aquatic animal quarantine, health certification and health management

Development objective: Reduction of losses from diseases and increased aquaculture production and production efficiency.

Targeted achievements

1. Improved productivity of hatcheries/nurseries and grow out production systems
2. Development of technical capacity for mass production of disease-resistant seed
3. Reduced use of chemicals and drugs
4. Trained personnel and improved diagnostic facilities
5. Guidelines for health risk reduction
6. Database / information on pathogen status / health management and related research results
7. Improved capacity to develop disease resistant broodstock of selected species

Target beneficiaries:

Hatchery operators, farmers (small-scale and commercial) and communities deriving food and livelihood from culture based fisheries; governments (from guidelines for health management, certification and quarantine); consumers, both local and in importing countries (from reduced use of chemicals and drugs); national trade (by improved marketability of products).

1. Identification of species of top priority for the study
2. Identification of farm-level risk factors associated with disease outbreak
3. Research on selected topics, such as: (a) disease resistance in the selected target species⁵ (b) immune systems of the target species and development of vaccines against communicable diseases of economic importance, (c) pathogen-host-environment interactions (systems approach to health management), and (d) rapid, reliable and cost-effective diagnostic methods for screening broodstock and seed at the production points.
4. Development of general guidelines for health management at the national level
5. Development of regional guidelines on quarantine and health certification for transboundary movement of aquatic animals
6. Capacity building through training of field and laboratory staff on selected aspects of health management.
7. Development of databases/information system for sharing of information.

Participating countries and institutions (indicative )

The regional co-operative research programme will make use of the existing facilities and staff of participating institutions for this. However, certain level of strengthening may be needed in terms of laboratory and field facilities and partial support for the purchase of supplies including laboratory chemicals and biologicals. Support will be required for regional workshops/seminars and/or regular meetings of network members, and for training.

Duration:

Medium term(3-5 years)

Although growth in the region’s aquaculture production has been impressive, expansion and intensification of aquaculture have led to shrimp and fish disease outbreaks and given rise to certain environmental concerns. Aquaculture is being called upon to increase production to meet the demand for fish protein at a time when population pressures and economic development are increasing the pressure on the region’s resource base. It is inevitable in such circumstances that more attention is given to the efficient use of resources in aquaculture and responsible environmental management. Whilst appropriate aquaculture technology and systems management can contribute to fish supply, efficient use of resources and environmental improvement, it is unfortunate that poorly planned and operated farms and use of inappropriate technology have in some cases led to localised environmental impacts and social conflicts with other coastal and inland resource users.

The FAO/NACA regional study on aquaculture research priorities and capacities has shown that governments give high priority to improving the environmental management of aquaculture. Among the common problems encountered:

1. Lack of capacity at various levels (government, community, farm level) for effective environmental management of aquaculture.
2. Lack of appropriate institutional and policy/legal framework for responsible aquaculture, including difficulties in enforcement of existing legislation.
3. Need for strategies which successfully integrate aquaculture into coastal and inland systems (particularly coastal areas, inland lakes, reservoirs and watersheds, and agricutural farming systems).
4. Need for environmentally sound aquaculture technologies.

Such problems are widely recognised in the ADB/NACA Regional Aquaculture Sustainability Action Plan and FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

Development objective: Reduction of economic losses from diseases and increased aquaculture production. Improved environmental, social and economic sustainability of aquaculture.

Development objective: Improved environmental, social and economic sustainability of aquaculture.

1. Quantification of environmental impacts of existing major aquaculture systems, including social and economic dimensions, at the national level, as an aid to policy and planning.
2. Methodologies for guiding environmentally friendly and responsible development.
3. Trained people in systems approaches to environmental management of aquaculture.
4. Improved policy and institutional arrangements for promoting envirornmentally and socialnmentally and social responsible coastal and inland aquaculture development.
5. Environmentally sound technologies.
6. Increased efficiency of water resource use.
7. Identification of best management practices and code(s) of practice governing the planning and operational management of aquaculture farms.
8. Enhanced database and information exchange system for wide dissemination of management and policy information to stakeholders (farmers, resource users, governments, supporting agencies).

Target beneficiaries: The ultimate beneficiaries are aquaculture farmers, particularly the small-scale farmers. The immediate beneficiaries would include the researchers, government personnel, farmers and other stakeholders participating in the research network.

The regional collaboration would involve:

1. Cooperative research and information exchange on environmental management systems (EMS), including appropriate technologies and operational management strategies.
2. Systems oriented case studies on specific culture systems/environments to assess problems and developsuggest guiding solutions to existing social and environmental problems.
3. Development of guidelines for policy, institutional and legal arrangements for environmental management of aquaculture.
4. Collection and collation of data collection on environmental requirements of aquaculturethe major cultured species.
5. Methodologies for guiding environmentally friendly and responsible development.
6. Sharing of information/training programmes on successful/unsuccesful approasful approaches to environmental management of aquaculture.

Resource Requirements

Participating institutions and countries would provide project staff and administrative support, including operating cost at national level. Some countries may require external support for some aspects of national activities. Additional resources would be required to support activities at regional level, e.g., development/establishment of project methodologies, project co-ordination, including consultation and management meetings, training, preparation of manuals/reviews and training materials, and dissemination of project outputs.

Medium term, 3-5years

Aquaculture is being taskedcalled upon to make up or at least reduce the shortfall of food fish supply caused by static landings from capture fisheries. To do so, the sector must address a number of issues, including lack of an enabling macro-environment, inadequate development planning and management, competition for resources and the sustainability of some production systems.

Co-ordinated planning and collaboration among many agencies and organizations in both private and public sectors, including fishfarmers and fishfarming communities farmers and fish farming communities, and among development sectors is needed to address these complex issues. Filling the gaps in the information base, through research, and improving the utilization of existing information will also be necessary. Past be necessary. Although past, technology-oriented research hasaquaculture development research efforts in Asia and other regions have focused mainly on technical constraints to development. Although technological innovations have resulted in major increases in production, other critical components -- such as legislation, policies and institutions -- which areinstitutional and management aspects of aquaculture research and development -- which are now vitally needed to support and guide the rapidly expanding sector, have not been adequately developed. The lag in the development of appropriate policies and guidelines/legislation for the management of aquaculture research and development has resulted, in some instances, in social and environmental problems.

The survey responses of the 14 Asian countries/regions⁶ (in the FAO-NACA regional study on aquaculture research priorities and capacities) showed that one of the major impediments to effective development and management of the aquaculture sector, including the planning and management of development-oriented research, is weak weak institutional linkages and uncoordinated planning. It was indicated that the existing processes of aquaculture development and research priority setting are not effective, thus frequently resulting in poorly targeted research that address field problems and supporting management and policy decisions. . Poor utilization of research results was largely attributed to these constraints. These findings agree with the conclusions of earlier studies, and suggest a general lack of progress in addressing institutional issues. Accordingly, the proposed collaborative programme is intended to assist in addressing some of these key shortcomings.

Development objectives: The overall objective of this project is to strengthen national capability in aquaculture development and research management and planning.

Indicative targeted achievements:

1. StrengthenStrengthened national capabilities in aquaculture research and development planning and management.
2. Improved understanding of relationships among agencies, organizations and sectors that are concerned with aquaculture development and/or compete for use of the same resource bases, e.g., land and water.
3. Guidelines and strategies that will facilitate co-ordinated planning and institutional and interagency linkages.
4. Improved information support mechanisms and contents for aquaculture planning and management.

It is expected that the project would help increase the relevance of aquaculture research programmes to national development needs, and the sustainability of aquaculture development, as well as improve the supporting information services for aquaculture planning and management.

Target beneficiaries: The direct target beneficiaries of this project are the national agencies that are responsible for development and management of aquaculture sector, and the agencies that are responsible for aquaculture development research planning and management.

Project objectives will be approached through training, case studies and the development of guidelines and tools to facilitate development and research planning and management. Indicative aActivities will include:

1. Training of planners on: (i) methods utilized in the planning, prioritization and management of development-oriented research in support of development plans; and (ii) procedures for the assessment of development potential and constraints i.e. sector studies( i.e. sector studies);
2. Case studies to (i) illustrate weakness: (i) illustrate weaknesses in existing planning and management processes and examine options for more effective strategies; (ii) analysze functional relaittionships and flow of information amng allong agencies and sectors that participate in planning and management of research and development; and (iii) determine the adequacy of information and information services in support of planning and management, and suggest means for their improvement;
3. Reviews and studies of information needs to facilitate planning and management of aquaculture research and development, options/strategies for establishing cost-effective information services as needed; and
4. Preparation of tools/guidelines (e.g. on sector study, sustainability indicators for aquaculture, etc).

Resource Requirements

Participating institutions and countries would provide project staff and administrative support, including operating cost at national level. Some countries may require external support for some aspects of national activities. Additional resources would be required to support activities at regional level, e.g., development/establishment of project methodologies, project co-ordination, including consultation and management meetings, training, preparation of manuals/reviews and training materials, and dissemination of project outputs.

Duration: Medium term (3 years)

More than 90% of global aquaculture production (1995) comes from Asia, but 70% of this production is accounted for by one country -- China. Despite its long history in the region, aquaculture remains a relatively minor agricultural activity, compared to crop agriculture and animal husbandry, in many developing countries of Asia. There is considerable room for the sustainable expansion of rural aquaculture in many countries of the region. Many farmers culture fish inefficiently and there are a large number of new entrants who could benefit from rural aquaculture as a source of food and income. But considerable research is still required for aquaculture to realize its potential contribution to rural development and to food security in rural areas.

Most small-scale farmers who culture fish, or have the potential to culture fish are crop and livestock farmers from a great variety of farming systems. To contribute effectively to increasing farm incomes, aquaculture probably needs to be integrated with other farming practices. In view of the wide range of ecological, economic and social variables which influence rural aquaculture, a localised farming systems approach to research and development is needed. However, till very recently, national research systems dominated by biological scientists have rarely assessed small-scale farming system, household needs and resources in order to place aquaculture technology in real world perspective; nor has research been carried out on the most appropriate extension messages and extension channels to widely disseminate research results. To-down (on-station) technology development and transfer, based exclusively on reductionist approaches to research, have proven to be ineffective; there is urgent need for interdisciplinary on-farm participatory research planning and implementation.

The situation has resulted in disruption of the research-development continuum, improper identification of research issues, irrelevant or poorly oriented research, and ineffective use of research results, leading to very frequent failure of development efforts.

A regional collaborative approach is required to introduce farming systems research and extension (FSR&E) methodologies to aquaculture researchers.

Development objective: Promotion of rural aquaculture to provide food and income for resource-poor farmers and food for low-income consumers, thereby contributing to food security.

Targeted achievements/Specific objectives:

1. Increased use of farming systems research and extension( FSR&E) methodologies in national aquaculture research systems
2. Improved capabilities of researchers in national aquaculture systems in FSR & E
3. Improved research methodologies and development approaches involving partnership with farmers, local government and NGOs

Target beneficiaries: The ultimate beneficiaries would be small-scale farmers (producers) and low income consumers. Intermediate beneficiaries would be government scientists and extension workers who would be better able to identify research issues, conduct more relevant and better targeted research, and disseminate research results to end users.

The regional collaboration may involve :

1. Regional workshops on national experiences in FSR & E of collaborating countries. An initial workshop to identify appropriate approaches followed by subsequent workshops to share project experiences.
2. The establishment of FSR&E pilot projects in specific areas of representative countries involving partnerships with researchers, local development agencies (district and provincial levels) and farmers.
3. On-the-job training and short course training
4. The establishment of a regional information network for FSR&E in aquaculture.

Participating institutions and countries would provide project staff and administrative support, including operating cost at national level. It will be necessary to identify individuals within the national research systems with a systems perspective. Some countries may require external support for some aspects of national activities. Additional resources would be required to support activities at regional level, e.g., development/establishment of project methodologies, project co-ordination, including consultation and management meetings, training, workshops/seminars, case studies, preparation of training materials, and dissemination of project outputs.

Duration: Medium term (5 years)

There is a voluminous amount of existing information on aquaculture technologies and research methodologies which do not reach planners, policy-makers, researchers, extension officers, educators and farmers at the time they are needed and in a useful form. This situation is wasteful of already scarce resources in that the useful application of existing information and technology, and the build up of new and better knowledge is hampered, and research efforts are duplicated.

The lack of appropriate methods and mechanisms for information delivery and sharing within the region have been repeatedly cited as two major problems that face R & D workers and information users. The hardware and application programmes are available and becoming more affordable and powerful with time. However, there is still a lack of personnel who possess the skills to use these knowledge processing and transmission tools properly, and have an adequate understanding of the problems and needs of the sector to be able to provide an effective information service to the various users of aquaculture knowledge and technology.

Political will and commitment are essential for resolving this problem. For various reasons, there has been a general lack of conviction about the value of maintaining necessary data bases and information systems, resulting in insufficient or discontinuous support to efforts in this area. Policy makers and planners must recognize that collection and effective utilization of information are necessary for achieving sound policies and planning of research and development. There is need to incorporate aquaculture information policies into national and regional aquaculture development plans and to establish/strengthen national and regional information programmes with appropriate mandates and resources.

The proposed project is intended to help increase awareness and access to aquaculture knowledge. Although this does not constitute research in the specific sense of the word, it is a basic prerequisite and major supporting service for both research and development, as can be noted from the information requirements of each of the preceding project concepts.

Development objective: Enhance aquaculture development through the improved utilization of existing knowledge in aquaculture and related fields.

Targeted achievements: these may include contributions to the following objectives:

1. Strengthened national and regional information delivery and sharing
2. Trained information specialists
3. Increased relevance (content and form) of information to targeted users

Target beneficiaries:

Policy makers, planners, researchers, educators, extension officers, and producers.

Regional collaboration may involve the following activities:

1. Determination of information needs in the context of national aquaculture programmes
2. Analysis of the functional relationships among activities involved in the planning and management of research and development programmes
3. Assessment of skill requirements
4. Training covering fields of identified expertise required for planning, implementation and management of information programmes.
5. Promotion of the use of common and compatible methods of aquaculture data and information handling in the region
6. Establishment of a regional information system
7. Development and/or adaptation of methods and mechanisms to facilitate effective technology transfer

Participating institutions and countries would provide project staff and administrative support, including operating cost at national level. Some countries may require external support for some aspects of national activities. It will be necessary to enlist the participation of universities that have well-developed programmes in development communications and journalism. Additional resources would be required to support activities at regional level, e.g., development/establishment of project methodologies, project co-ordination, including consultation and management meetings, training, workshops/seminars, case studies, preparation of training materials, and dissemination of project outputs.

Duration: Medium term ( 3 years).