8 th SIPAM Annual Meeting Split, Croatia, june 2005 Constraints and future developments towards enhancing SIPAM at National and Regional level Carla Iandoli, SIPAM Italy NC

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 outputs Short term output: (already discussed) Updating NASO Study on the market for aquaculture marine species in Non EU countries Status and trend of the main Mediterranean cultured species Status 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 realize Within 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 trends Constraints: 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 outputs Market study for the introducing new aquaculture species (i.e. tilapia case) Socio economic study on employment involved in the sector (productivity per country)

Legal framework Constraints: develop management systems in a pro-active way in order to provide consumer assurance of product safety; possible trade barriers Expected outputs Guidelines for traceability and labelling Harmonization of national legislation

Environmental Constraints: competition for space and between users of the coastal zone areas Expected outputs Environmental 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?