Comprehensive review of Auburn University 211(d) grant on aquaculture

Special evaluation covers the period 1970-1974 and is based on document review and discussions with AU officials. The project has established AU as the premier institution in the world in the area of warm-water aquaculture. AU has provided excellent on-campus training and educational opportunities (49 students trained), although funds for Ph.D.-level research by LDC students are lacking. On the other hand, although AU has done everything requested, it has demonstrated little initiative and has had insufficient communication with AID/W, other donors, and other institutions involved in aquaculture. Moreover, AU, in focusing on fishery production, has made little effort in broader areas (such as the importance of aquaculture to LDC national goals or rural development). AU has made little use of social science disciplines and and has made only limited efforts to define state-of-the-art aquaculture technology. In addition, AU's annual reports have not adequately documented the achievement of project objectives. It is recommended that the grant be extended with emphasis on the following areas: (1) broadening the discipline base AU applies to aquaculture and strengthening AU's total systems competence; (2) expanding AU's capabilities in project and national planning; (3) defining specific training and research outputs; (4) establishing linkages; (5) preparing a comprehensive state-of-the-art examination of potentials, accomplishments, limits, and impediments in LDC aquaculture development, with emphasis on questions concerning the rural poor (e.g., low-input, low-cost, energy-saving technology; income distribution; employment generation; and knowledge transfer techniques) and on interrelated, country-specific, fishery development policies; and (6) developing a complementary relationship with the University of Rhode Island fisheries program. Finally, recruitment of a full-time fisheries expert is deemed essential. Attached to the document is AU's response.