Regional Workshop 5: Improving Methods for Regional Aquaculture Development and Promotion J. Richard Arthur Peter Deupmann FAO International Consultant FAO Legal Department Barriere, CANADA FAO, Rome

Purpose of the Workshop The objectives of the workshop were: To review the current status of risk analysis for aquatic animals in the 5 participating countries To provide introductory training in risk analysis to participants

The Participants and Venue The Workshop was held from 20-24 October 2014 in Podgorica, Montenegro The 27 participants included representatives from: Bosnia and Herzegovina (2) Croatia (1) Macedonia (2) Montenegro (16) Serbia (2) + 10 facilitators(FAO-HQ: 3, International Consultants: 3, TCDC Consultants: 2, National Consultants: 2)

Workshop Contents The workshop had six major components: Introductory Remarks and Presentations Session 1: Aquaculture Development And Promotion Session 2: Aquatic Animal Health Legislation Session 3: Regional Aquaculture Development Working Group Exercise: Plenary “Brainstorming Session” on Issues and Constraints to Regional Aquaculture Session 4: Way Forward

Workshop Outputs The expected outputs of the workshop were: Participants trained in the basics of aquaculture development and promotion Participants updated on the status of aquaculture development and promotion in the participating countries FAO Regional Legislation Review presented and discussed Recommendations for future needs and activities related to aquaculture development and promotion made Agreement to draft a "Sarajevo Declaration" The Workshop Report

Session 1: Aquaculture Development and Promotion Session 1 set the stage for the working group and plenary discussions to follow. It was comprised of presentations on: Trends in global aquaculture (Dr Rohana Subasinghe) Trends in regional aquaculture (Dr Sanin Tanković) Country presentations: National aquaculture development and promotion: current status and future goals Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dr Vildana Tahirović) Croatia (Dr Ivica Sučec, co-authored with Zoran Radan) Macedonia (Dr Biljana Strojmanovska) Montenegro (Dr Nikol Bajčeta, jointly with Dr Milena Krasić) Serbia (Dr Tatjana Labus) Aquaculture development and promotion: what is it and what is in it? (Dr Rohana Subasinghe).

Session 2: Aquatic Animal Health Legislation FAO presented the draft Comparative analysis of national legal frameworks relevant for aquatic animal health of the countries of Western Balkans. The report provides: overview of legal frameworks for all 5 countries identification of gaps, overlaps and inconsistencies; and recommendations for strengthening national legal frameworks in accordance with international standards. The presentation and its conclusions and recommendations was followed by lively discussion! Dr Ivica Sučec then presented a summary of Croatia's experiences in meeting EU requirements

Comparative Legislative Review Objectives Comparative analysis of national legal frameworks related to aquatic animal health LEGAL REPORT Identify issues that could be strengthened Provide recommendations for improvement Enable consistency of national measures throughout the region

Clarifications A recommendation does not imply that the regulatory framework and procedures are inadequate for purposes of international trade A recommendation shows that an issue is not addressed in law (but perhaps technical procedures exist) Not all procedures should be addressed in law, but law must provide enabling provisions for further regulation and management

Methodology Key regulatory issues to ensure compliance with OIE AAHC (selection): Designation of Compent Authorities Powers of inspectors Designation of official and reference laboratories Authorizations procedures of fish farms and related businesses Procedures on disease reporting and reportable diseases Control measures Zoning and compartmentalization powers Export ,including certification procedures Import Feed safety

Methodology (continued) Desk analysis of national legal instruments Individual consultations with national officials Presentation of draft report at Podgorica workshop (fall 2014) Comments and further input incorporated Focus on legal instruments (non-binding best practices, guidance material was not considered)

Findings Bosnia & Herz. Croatia FYROM Montenegro Serbia P P/S S P/S/T Competent authorities P Inspectors P/S Laboratories S Authorization of farms / business Responsibility of operators Notification & notifiable diseases P/S/T P/S (pending input) S/T Contingency planning Primary (P), Secondary (S) legislation to be amended/developed. Technical (T) documents to be developed

Findings (continued) Bosnia & Herz Croatia FYROM Montenegro Serbia P S Zoning & compartmental-ization P S surveillance Control measures Export & international health certificate P/S Import Pharmaceuticals Primary (P), Secondary (S) legislation to be amended/developed. Technical (T) documents to be developed Findings (continued)

Session 3: Regional Aquaculture Development Dr Subasinghe (FAO) presented thoughts on the development of a Regional Strategy for Aquaculture Development in the West Balkans). After listing the region's strengths and weaknesses, he highlighted: the region's good potential for aquaculture expansion the possibility of promoting fish and shellfish for health benefits and to the tourist industry the potential for branded niche products Factors conducive to the development of a regional strategy include: similar country characteristics lengthy historical relationships shared river systems established regional cooperation among states and the private sector.

Working Group Exercise: Plenary “Brainstorming Session” on issues and constraints to regional aquaculture Regulation and licensing of aquaculture enterprises Issuing of aquaculture licenses for new enterprises is excessively time consuming; the farm registration process entails too many administrative steps; simplified procedures are needed All countries are doing transposition of legislation (standards), making space for some investments

should provide financial support for aquaculture development that is proportional to the sector’s contribution to agriculture and the national economy Several institutions are often involved in aquaculture development, policy, regulation, etc., often with a lack of communication among them; establishing a single agency for the fisheries sector may be useful Working Group Exercise: Plenary “Brainstorming Session” on issues and constraints to regional aquaculture Government policy Fishery departments should be established Lack of ideas concerning aquaculture development Lack of political will to develop aquaculture Frequent changes of senior management sometimes make long-term planning and action difficult An aquaculture strategy is essential; aquaculture development and promotion should be part of a national agriculture policy Establishing a fishery group that includes economists/business planners, fishery producers, feed producers, nutritionists, etc. may be useful

Government policy (continued) should provide financial support for aquaculture development that is proportional to the sector’s contribution to agriculture and the national economy Several institutions are often involved in aquaculture development, policy, regulation, etc., often with a lack of communication among them; establishing a single agency for the fisheries sector may be useful Government policy (continued) Several institutions are often involved in aquaculture development, often with a lack of intercommunication; consider establishing a single agency for the fisheries sector Registration of fishfarms is often complex, involving many different institutions; governments should make the process easier; make one focal point for registration of farms A financial fund is needed (restocking, collector, purification) Government must recognize its interest in the sector Water capacity is not fully used Governments should provide financial support that is proportional to the sector’s contribution to agriculture & GDP

Mariculture should be promoted in Montenegro Consumers, fish producers, official staff and other stakeholders need to be educated in the economic, social and health benefits provided by aquaculture Mariculture should be promoted in Montenegro Consumers, fish producers, official staff and other stakeholders need to be educated in the economic, social and health benefits provided by aquaculture should provide financial support for aquaculture development that is proportional to the sector’s contribution to agriculture and the national economy Several institutions are often involved in aquaculture development, policy, regulation, etc., often with a lack of communication among them; establishing a single agency for the fisheries sector may be useful Working Group Exercise: Plenary “Brainstorming Session” on issues and constraints to regional aquaculture Aquaculture promotion Poor due to low levels of fish consumption in the region; lack of traditions of fish consumption has not been addressed by the state Health benefits should be more widely promoted; many human diseases can be prevented by consuming fish Consumers should be educated in the differences between fish produced by aquaculture and those from wild fisheries Seasonal consumption of fish should be promoted (e.g. via presentations at hotels)

Mariculture should be promoted in Montenegro Consumers, fish producers, official staff and other stakeholders need to be educated in the economic, social and health benefits provided by aquaculture Mariculture should be promoted in Montenegro Consumers, fish producers, official staff and other stakeholders need to be educated in the economic, social and health benefits provided by aquaculture should provide financial support for aquaculture development that is proportional to the sector’s contribution to agriculture and the national economy Several institutions are often involved in aquaculture development, policy, regulation, etc., often with a lack of communication among them; establishing a single agency for the fisheries sector may be useful Working Group Exercise: Plenary “Brainstorming Session” on issues and constraints to regional aquaculture Aquaculture promotion (continued) An educational marketing approach is needed; stakeholders should be reached by e.g. radio, tv and newspapers Mariculture should be promoted in Montenegro Consumers, fish producers, official staff and other stakeholders need to be educated in the economic, social and health benefits provided by aquaculture

Session 4: The Way Foreward - Outcomes of the Workshop and Future Actions Dr Tanković summarized the strengths and weaknesses of aquaculture development as follows: Strengths All countries has good freshwater resources Two countries has reasonable coastline and marine resources Land resources are limited in all countries, but expansion of aquaculture is still possible All countries are small, with populations of 0.6 to 4.5 million, but have good per capita GDPs, ranging from USD 15 000 to 23 000 All countries are reasonably food secure but with significant imports All countries have healthy populations (75 year life expectancy) with but ample room for better health Local markets are small but have significant room for local produce There is reasonable institutional capacity but this needs improvement Some policy and legal frameworks exist, but improvements are needed to better include aquaculture There is potential to promote aquaculture products for their health benefits, to the tourist industry and for the marketing of branded niche products

Session 4: The Way Foreward - Outcomes of the Workshop and Future Actions Weaknesses Low fish consumption Low consumer preference Low fish production No adequate local seed No adequate feed Lack of political will Lack of educational programmes Lack of aquaculture strategies Administrative bureaucracy Long licensing procedures No one has convinced the politicians Lack of business plans Unclear how to influence governments

Future Actions Activities that need to be accomplished to complete the project include: National Workshops to be held in five participating countries (Nov 2014–Jan 2015) Terminal Workshop to be held in Sarajevo (April 2015) All publications (Surveillance Manual, Diagnostic Manual, Legal Review, Workshop Report Compilation) to be prepared for printing (April/May 2015) Final draft of the "Sarajevo Declaration" to be prepared before the Closing Workshop

Thank you!