ICLARM - FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT (INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT)

Evaluation covers the period 8/7/79-8/6/80 and is based on a review conducted by a 4-person A.I.D. team at the Manila offices of ICLARM. In the three years since ICLARM was established, it has become an important center of fisheries research and technology development. Evaluators affirmed that at a relatively modest cost, A.I.D. is achieving the project"s stated purpose. Research is being conducted using less costly fish -- tilapia, milkfish, and mullet -- rather than such luxury species as shrimp, prawns, or eels. Low-value energy inputs are being employed to keep production costs down. In the case of capture fisheries, studies are being undertaken to examine the problems of artisanal fishermen and obstacles relating to fish processing, transportation, and marketing. Overall, however, ICLARM is still too young to evaluate the extent of its outputs. Because ICLARM was initially established by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, it has been branded a US-dominated institution by other donors and has not received sufficient support from them. In future projects, the U.S. should be careful to determine that intended multi-donor projects do indeed have a broad base of support before making a unilateral contribution. Evaluators recommend allocation of the third and last increment of project funds ($300,000 of a total of $800,000 for the present three-year grant). A recommendation regarding possible A.I.D. funding for the fourth and fifth years of the project would be premature at this time. ICLARM should be urged to seek out international donors for the long-term support of the Center. In addition, ICLARM should attempt to extend its program activities to Africa, Latin America, and the Near East. The evaluation team report is appended (PD-AAG-275-F1).