RSSA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES : SMALL SCALE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

Evaluation covers the period 12/79-12/80 and is based on personal experience. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is implementing the project. NMFS has provided superior technical assistance in such areas as stock assessment, resource management, and surveillance of coastal fisheries. Particular achievements include interesting West African Missions in a regional program of artisanal fisheries development; shifting A.I.D."s emphasis from producing luxury fish such as shrimp to low-energy input systems on small farms dealing with tilapia and milkfish; evaluating shrimp industry potential in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador; assisting in an inventory of U.S. technical assistance to overseas fisheries programs; visiting aquaculture developments in mainland China; helping West African nations survey their coastal resources and monitor treaties with foreign fleets; and writing papers on A.I.D."s role in fisheries development and on factors influencing the economic feasibility of aquaculture in LDC"s. A.I.D should seek legislation to offset the influence of foreign commercial fishing fleets in coastal waters and develop a program to manage LDC"s fisheries resources for local benefit. The Resource Support Services Agreement mechanism, which has given A.I.D. a needed rapid response capability not available through other channels, should be renewed for one year. The project"s future is threatened, however, since only one of three full-time advisor positions are filled, and the senior advisor has retired. As a result, the Intergovernment Participating Agreement for an aquaculturalist was dropped and A.I.D."s project manager was temporarily reappointed elsewhere. The lack of continuity between a new senior advisor and the project manager may adversely affect management of DS/AGR"s fisheries programs. Follow-up on recruitment of all vacant positions is recommended, as is payment of wages which NMFS owes to a former student trainee.