The lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka: site for study of aquaculture development within farmer-managed irrigation systems and methodology for participatory situation appraisal

The aims of this paper are twofold. Firstly to characterise rural poverty and to give a broad overview of the agro-ecological, climatic and socio-economic conditions in Sri Lanka which shape poverty. Secondly to present the methodology employed to screen suitable field research areas and the techniques subsequently used to carry out Rapid Rural Appraisal in two upper-watersheds villages. Also presented are details of a concurrent stakeholder analysis that aimed to investigate the capacity of secondary stakeholders to promote sustainable aquatic resource development and to invite their participation in the formulation of a participatory research agenda.[PDF contains 58 pages]

The nature of small-scale farmer managed irrigation systems in North West Province, Sri Lanka and potential for aquaculture

RRAs were carried out in two Small Tank Cascade systems (STCs) of North West Province, Sri Lanka (less than 1000 ha total watershed area). A total of 21 tanks and 7 villages were investigated with primary emphasis on two upper watershed communities. The two systems differ primarily in their resource base; namely rainfall, natural forests and proximity to large scale perennial irrigation resources. [PDF contains 86 pages]

Potential for poverty focused integration of aquaculture into irrigation systems in Batticaloa District

The visit highlighted the vital contribution of the inland fisheries sector to provision of basic food security within the uncleared area (farmers report very low consumption frequencies for all other fish or meat protein substitutes). A 30-mile system of Brackish water lagoons which demarcates the cleared and uncleared areas is the main source of retailed fish in the uncleared area. Second in importance is the inland tank fishery, where the bulk of production emanates from 17 major irrigation reservoirs. [PDF contains 29 pages]

Technologies for Measuring Currents in Coastal Environments, Portland, Maine, October 26-28, 2005:workshop proceedings

The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) Workshop entitled "Technologies for Measuring Currents in Coastal Environments" was held in Portland, Maine, October 26-28, 2005, with sponsorship by the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS), an ACT partner organization. The primary goals of the event were to summarize recent trends in nearshore research and management applications for current meter technologies, identify how current meters can assist coastal managers to fulfill their regulatory and management objectives, and to recommend actions to overcome barriers to use of the technologies. The workshop was attended by 25 participants representing state and federal environmental management agencies, manufacturers of current meter technologies, and researchers from academic institutions and private industry. Common themes that were discussed during the workshop included 1) advantages and limitations of existing current measuring equipment, 2) reliability and ease of use with each instrument type, 3) data decoding and interpretation procedures, and 4) mechanisms to facilitate better training and guidance to a broad user group. Seven key recommendations, which were ranked in order of importance during the last day of the workshop are listed below. 1. Forums should be developed to facilitate the exchange of information among users and industry: a) On-line forums that not only provide information on specific instruments and technologies, but also provide an avenue for the exchange of user experiences with various instruments (i.e. problems encountered, cautions, tips, advantages, etc). (see References for manufacturer websites with links to application and technical forums at end of report) b) Regional training/meetings for operational managers to exchange ideas on methods for measuring currents and evaluating data. c) Organize mini-meetings or tutorial sessions within larger conference venues. 2. A committee of major stakeholders should be convened to develop common standards (similar to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) committee) that enable users to switch sensors without losing software or display capabilities. (pdf contains 28 pages)

Developing a viable fish farming industry in Nigeria -- an alternative strategy to the strategy in the Green Revolution Programme

A study was embarked upon with the twin objectives of reviewing the Green Revolution Strategy for accelerating fish production in the country and proposing an alternative strategy, a private sector approach. Some of the programmes listed in the Green Revolution are very necessary for developing a viable - fish farming industry and that money spent under such programmes is money well spent. Programmes that are also desirable but need to be considerably expanded were identified. Other programmes have been criticised on the grounds that the method chosen to achieve the desired objectives is fraught with dangers if sufficiently long run view of fisheries development is taken

A review of manpower training for Nigeria's fishing industry

An examination is made of the organization and administration of fisheries training institutes in Nigeria, highlighting their inadequacies in achieving required goals. A systems approach to fisheries manpower training is described which is based on 4 principles: 1) wholeness; 2) systematization; 3) compatibility; and 4) optimization