The specific objectives of the pilot project have been referred to earlier; as a medium to longer-term goals, the project should also be capable of development as rapidly as feasible to a large scale, self supporting project of commercial production size. It is thus important to reconcile:
- the need for sufficient development time to ensure the reliable and efficient operation of what is still a relatively sophisticated form of aquaculture;
- the need for a rapid expansion of production to meet the growing national needs for marine fish;
- the need for efficient utilization of the resources and facilities of the area, including the rehabilitation of the general surrounds to the site.
To meet the requirements, a modular concept is proposed, incorporating the means for rapid and reliable expansion once specific performance goals have been achieved at each stage. With this, the pilot project as defined will form the initial module, which can then be expanded and replicated, initially within the site, and then possibly elsewhere, to achieve as rapid a rate of development as possible. The design of the pilot module must therefore be capable both of adapting well to the local quarry site and also of being used, with minimal adaptation, in other areas.
The basic unit of production will comprise a hatchery and early rearing unit providing controlled conditions for the production of seed stock, and ongrowing units for production to market size, together with support services (water, air, power, access, etc.) office, laboratory and other accommodation. As identified in the initial proposal, production will be based on the intensive culture of seabass (D. labrax), with seabream (S. aurata) as a possible alternative. As an additional species, tilapia (O. mossambicus) may also be considered. In the quarry site itself, waste waters from the intensive culture units may be used to supply semi-intensive production of seabream, and possibly mullets; though this will not add significantly to production, it may provide a useful basis for work in suitable areas elsewhere, as well as bringing the quarry site into the fullest possible use from the initial stages. As the main goal is rapid development of production, semi-intensive aquaculture would however, only have a secondary priority.
As an outline to the proposed size, several options can be considered:
pilot, 50 t, intermediate, 100 t, final phase, 250/300 t
In the first of these (which corresponds approximately to the original appraisal project), the small pilot project minimizes initial costs, while permitting the development and adaptation of technology. Development timing may however be rather slow; the intermediate scale represents the actual “module” size of commercial production. The second system has a small sub-module size, which can be replicated to the standard module size of 80 t, which is then the basis for further longer-term expansion. The third system commences with the 50 t module as the initial development, which is then replicated to the required level.
Of these, the second option probably represents the best balance between initial risk and potential for rapid expansion, though an accelerated combination of (a) and (c), with the 5 t operation incorporated within the 50 t project, while more expensive initially, would allow more rapid development to commercial production Levels. The precise strategy will be governed by the practicalities of sizing individual units within the site, and will be discussed more fully later.
Professional development: the use of a “modular” concept, though possessing some inflexibility in its widespread use in every location, has the significant advantage of providing a standardized system on which training and professional development may be based. However, to achieve a significant production over a short timescale requires a substantial and well-coordinated activity in the selection of suitable staff and their training; on site in the pilot project, in special training sessions locally, and in overseas visits and training programmes. Of all the resources required for successful aquaculture development, this will be perhaps the most critical in determining the actual rate of expansion of marine aquaculture in the Jamahariya. Details of specific staffing, training requirements, and timescales are provided later.
Implementation/timing of expansion: An outline of the overall timing of development, and of the activities of the pilot project, is shown in Fig. 1 which illustrates the longer term projections under ‘standard’ and ‘optimal’ assumptions. This is discussed in more detail later.
