8 th SIPAM Annual Meeting

Split, Croatia, 21-23 june 2005

Constraints and future developments towards enhancing SIPAM at National and Regional level

Carla Iandoli, SIPAM Italy NC

c.iandoli@icram.org

There is an increasing demand for reliable data and information as well as for

reporting on aquaculture developments, constraints and needs

National and international data is now an integral part of a planning and decision

making process

Further development of the aquaculture industry must take a holistic approach to culturing technologies, socio-economics, natural resources and the environment, so that sustainability can be achieved. The

momentum of the sustainability dialogue in aquaculture has increased dramatically in

recent years.

One of the functions of the GFCM is to promote the sustainable development of

aquaculture in the Region and to promote programmes for marine and brackish

water aquaculture and coastal fisheries enhancement (Art.III GFCM agr)

CAQ has to provide coordination in dealing with the broader aspects of aquaculture in

a more integrated manner using the networks as a tool for this purpose and as

a staring point (FAO 1996)

SIPAM is an entity of the GFCM Commission to contribute to

aquaculture development through the flow of aquaculture information among

the partecipating countries in the Region

SIPAM, through the network TECAM, EAM and SELAM could answer the

demand from all stakeholders involved in the decision process of planning a

sustainable aquaculture

SIPAM should become an operative policy instrument of the GFCM, by providing

decision support dana

SIPAM should be able to respond to changing demand and different needs,

identified year by year, in order to become a user driven system (GFCM/XXIX/2005/Dma.8)

It’ s time to do it!How to realize these goals?

By giving a scientific approach SIPAM NC should belong to scientific

institute, rather than Public Administration CAQ should function like GFCM SAC, with

sub committe Reactivate, as stated in the 4th CAQ session, the

networks. Renames them as CAQ Sub Committees on Technology, Socio Economic and Environmental matters (FAO FR n. 770)

CAQ representatives have to indicate for each country a list of experts in the three fields

Strengthen collaboration among the CAQ, SIPAM and Sub Committee

CAQ, SIPAM and Sub Committee have finally to produce outputs, not simply offer data

Identification of needs Constitution of a “Team Leaders”

among representatives of GFCM, CAQ, SIPAM and its Sub Committees, identifing common issues

The “Team” has to focus on policy and strategic issues of regional concern, identified year by year

Elaboration of outputs

The “Team” will have the duty to coordinate the elaboration of the

identified reports made by the experts of the Sub Committees

SIPAM support to GFCM CAQ outputsShort term output: (already discussed)

Updating NASOStudy on the market for aquaculture marine

species in Non EU countriesStatus and trend of the main Mediterranean

cultured speciesStatus and trends of bluefin tuna farming

Medium long term outputs

Issues

The development of Mediterranean aquaculture can happen only through the

integration, among the countries, of markets, governance and internal policies through a gloabl partnership. Given effect to the CCFR, application of the art.9 will

be the major challenge to secure long term sustainability

Key actions Efforts towards the adoption of the

Code by all countries is a tool capable to promote responsible fisheries in the Region

Elaborate Mediterranean aquaculture policy, starting from Consultation on the Application of Article 9 of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible fisheries (CCFR) in the Mediterranean

CAQ, SIPAM and its networks could establish a common platform for discussion, capable to monitor the adoption of the Code and eventually speed up national adoption

How to realizeWithin the SIPAM network activate a

fora among the countries on the status of the application of the art.9 since the consultation in 1999

The result of the fora will be instrument to set up a common policy strategy for the Mediterranean aquaculture, with a holistic approach

Technology Constraints: improvements capable in minimizing the effects of mariculture on

the environment.

Expected outputs guidelines for technology improvements

i.e. feed technology and feed management, minimization of waste production

Aquaculture development trendsConstraints: lacking of a management

strategy for restoration and sustainability of coastal ecosystem, coastal fisheries and coastal communities

Expected outputs guidelines of site selection where

aquaculture is suitable, with indication of carrying capacity

Regional Protocols for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Socio economic Need: to transform aquaculture from

being a production driven business to a consumer oriented; lacking of socio economic data (i.e. employment)

Expected outputsMarket study for the introducing new

aquaculture species (i.e. tilapia case)Socio economic study on employment

involved in the sector (productivity per country)

Legal frameworkConstraints: develop management

systems in a pro-active way in order to provide consumer assurance of product safety; possible trade barriers

Expected outputsGuidelines for traceability and labellingHarmonization of national legislation

Environmental Constraints: competition for space and

between users of the coastal zone areas

Expected outputsEnvironmental resource assessment:

inventories of marine, coastal and inlands natural resources

Guidelines for environmentally friendly methods of production: elaboration of aquaculture indicators

Elaboration of Good Practice Guidelines for Integrated Coastal Zones Management

In conclusion Mediterranean aquaculture is facing a number of challenges in

terms of market and of the environment. Its future will depend on its ability to become economically self-sufficient

and its capacity to respond to environmental constraints.

GFCM CAQ and its networks could face and anwer these challenges?