Primary Industries Ministerial Delegation to Palestine The ......discuss ways whereby each government may benefit from collaborating on particular issues. One particular area in which

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES MINISTERIAL DELEGATION TO

PALESTINE - THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP -

- NOVEMBER 2005 -

TRIP REPORT

DR STEVE KENNELLY CHIEF SCIENTIST

Ministerial Delegation to Palestine, Nov’05 – Kennelly

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................. 2

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 3

HISTORICAL AND ECONOMIC OVERVIEW OF PALESTINE ................................. 4

AGRICULTURE ......................................................................................................... 6

Opportunities for NSWDPI Involvement In Palestinian Agriculture ......................... 7

WILD FISHERIES .................................................................................................... 10

Opportunities for NSW DPI Involvement in Palestinian Wild Fisheries ................. 18

AQUACULTURE...................................................................................................... 20

Opportunities for NSW DPI Involvement in Palestinian Aquaculture..................... 24

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INTRODUCTION In October, 2005, the Minister for Agriculture from the Palestinian National Authority met with the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Minerals and Natural Resources to discuss ways whereby each government may benefit from collaborating on particular issues. One particular area in which this was seen as having significant potential was in the exchange of technologies, especially in the fields of aquaculture and wild harvest fisheries. It was decided that, as a first step, the NSW Minister would send a delegation comprised of the NSW DPI Chief Scientist and the Fisheries Ministerial Liaison Officer to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to discuss possible areas of collaboration with staff from the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and to identify the next steps that should be taken in establishing this collaboration. The trip was to be a fact-finding tour, involving significant networking and inspection of sites and facilities with an emphasis on the potential areas of benefit that would be gained in working with Palestinians on establishing aquaculture industries. The trip to Palestine occurred in November 2005 and involved a hectic pace of meetings, seminars and inspections throughout much of the Palestinian territory including a great deal of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This report outlines the findings of this trip. It briefly outlines the background situation (at the time of the visit) in this ever-changing part of the world and then describes the information gleaned from the trip on potential areas for collaboration for NSWDPI with the Palestinian Authority in agricultural, wild fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The report mostly concentrates on the aquaculture and wild fisheries sectors, because these were highlighted prior to, and during, the trip as areas where NSWDPI may have the greatest potential to make a difference in Palestine.

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HISTORICAL AND ECONOMIC OVERVIEW OF PALESTINE Palestine came under the British Mandate at the close of the Second World War until 1948, when the state of Israel was established. As a result, more than one million Palestinians moved into the West Bank and Gaza Strip and neighbouring Arab countries. The West Bank of the Jordan River came under Jordanian control; the Gaza Strip was administered by Egypt until 1967. Following the Six Day War in 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This had a significant impact on internal and foreign investment in the Palestinian economy, resulted in restrictions on trade and the confiscation of significant land and water resources. Economic activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was subject to Israeli security and policies, the Palestinian economy became intertwined with the Israeli economy and incurred distortions in markets. There was also a significant deterioration in Palestinian infrastructure, services and institutions. The Palestinian National Authority was established and Palestinian leadership returned to the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the Oslo Accord in 1993. The total area of the West Bank is 5842km2 and the Gaza Strip is 365km2. Based on a 1997 survey, the total population is approximately 2.89 million. 1.869 million in the West Bank and 1.02 million in the Gaza Strip. In 1997, the gross domestic product was estimated at around US$4,173 million and per capita income was estimated at US$1500. According to United Nations estimates, approximately 40% of the West Bank and Gaza population (1.4 million people) are “food insecure” and a further 30% (1.1 million people) are under threat of becoming food insecure should current conditions persist. The Palestinian National Authority has gradually been implementing several projects to improve infrastructure and services. Some sectors of the economy have witnessed growth, but the agriculture sector has declined in relative terms.

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Figure 1: The West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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AGRICULTURE The agricultural sector serves as the primary or secondary source of income for the majority of Palestinian families. Palestinian agriculture is characterised by depending on family labour, particularly in rain-fed farming and sheep breeding. In the 1970’s, the agricultural sector played a key role in the national economy, contributing 37% of GDP. In the 1980’s this contribution declined to 22%. Following the Gulf War, the agriculture sector absorbed unemployed people arriving from the Gulf as well as labourers who could no longer reach their jobs in Israel. Employment in agriculture reached its peak in 1992, accounting for 40% of the labour force. The establishment of the Palestinian National Authority was accompanied by a period of growth and an increase in basic infrastructure and services. However, rapid growth in other sectors of the economy resulted in a decline in the relative contribution of the agricultural sector despite growth occurring in absolute terms. The agricultural sector continues to play an important role in satisfying the food requirements of the nation. 91%, 90%, 61% and 35% of vegetables, white meat, milk and red meat consumed in Palestine, respectively, are Palestinian products. A great deal of the Palestinian production of citrus and vegetables occurs in greenhouses that are highly productive in terms of quantity and quality (Figs. 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Visiting an experimental

greenhouse in Jericho.

Figure 3: Palestinian greenhouses produce

extremely high quality products.

Most livestock are raised in the West Bank and goats and sheep are estimated to number 772,000 and cattle number approximately 21,000 (Figs 4, 5 and 6). There are also approx. 36 million broiler birds (24 million in the West Bank and 12 million in Gaza).

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Figure 4: Camels, sheep and goats heading

towards Jericho.

Figure 5: A typical sheep farm in the West

Bank where the family home is also the family farm.

Figure 6: West Bank sheep are mainly raised for their meat.

Average annual rainfall ranges between 100-700 mm in Palestine. The wet season occurs between November and May. The agricultural sector consumes an estimated 64% of total water consumption across all sectors. In 1997, agricultural production in Palestine was valued at $787 million, of which $476 million (60.5%) was attributed to plant production and $311 million (39.5%) to animal production. In 1997, total Palestinian imports were estimated at $2164 million of which agricultural imports constituted approx. 20%. 1997 commodity exports reached approximately $258 million of which agricultural exports constituted approximately 23%.

Opportunities for NSWDPI Involvement In Palestinian Agriculture

Our trip identified two areas in particular in Palestinian agriculture that may have significant potential for future collaborations with NSW DPI. These were in the areas of dryland cropping practices and olive production using “Holy Land” olives. Dryland farming is considered by the Palestinian Authority to be quite weak in Palestine, despite the fact that much of the region’s agriculture would lend itself to dryland farming practices. Most previous and current projects using funds from

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donating countries concerned irrigation-based farming and its associated infrastructure, rather than developing practices to deal with dryland farming. There is a recognition by Palestinian officials, however, that greater attention needs to be placed on all aspects of dryland farming. Some work along these lines has started in Hebron and Janin with minimum tillage projects involving wheat, chickpeas and barley. One project in particular involved a group from South Australia using AUSAID funding who began to design cultivators that were suitable for stony soils but, like many projects in this part of the world, this project stopped prematurely (Fig. 7).

Figure 7: A South Australian planter abandoned at the Agriculture research station near Janin. Our trip recognised that a follow-up delegation from NSW DPI to Palestine should explore ways of assisting the Palestinian Authority and farmers to develop dryland farming practices. Such a trip should involve one or more of NSW DPI’s well-respected experts in this area, ideally led by Dr Bob Martin who also has significant experience working in this particular area in developing countries. Palestine produces huge quantities of olives and has done so for millenia (Fig 8). Traditional olive markets for Palestinian growers used to be in Jordan, the Gulf countries and Saudi-Arabia and most olives that are now grown in Yemen, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai were introduced from Palestine. However, after 30 years of occupation and associated restrictions to Palestinian growers, Jordan and Syria have stepped into this market and have become among the major olive oil producing countries in the region. Palestine has therefore lost their traditional markets for olives, and is now looking for new markets in the Far East, Australia and Europe.

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Figure 8: “Holy Land” olive fields are all over the West Bank. On the hilltop in the distance is an

Israeli settlement. In particular, Palestinian Department of Agriculture officials are looking for niche markets for Palestinian olives because they believe they have two competitive advantages: (1) Their olives are the definitive “Holy Land” olives and can be marketed as such; and (2) they are grown organically, without chemical fertilisers. Officials believe that there is great potential to export olive transplants and cultivars to places like Australia to establish olive trees of the historic, traditional “Holy Land” varieties. However, since the Israeli occupation there has been no research classifying the varieties. A possible area for collaboration with NSW DPI may be research involving our Dr Clarie Beckinham to classify Palestinian varieties of olives with a view to introduce the best or most appropriate varieties to Australia.

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WILD FISHERIES The wild fisheries sector in Palestine is basically restricted to commercial fishing in the waters off the Gaza Strip (there is very little recreational fishing in Palestine). Presently, the annual catch is 3,978 tons and approximately 3,000 persons work in the sector as active fishermen, with an equivalent number employed in associated industries (repair, marketing, mechanical workshops, boat building, etc.) (Tables 1 and 2). It is estimated that about 40,000 people depend for their livelihood on the fisheries sector in the Gaza Strip. Whilst the fisheries sector in Gaza is relatively small compared to those of neighbouring countries, for the economy of Gaza, which lacks significant natural resources, has high unemployment and a shortage of job opportunities, the fishery sector provides significant employment, income and an important source of high protein food. The Gaza Strip is 42 km long, between 6 and 12 km wide and covers an area of 365 km2. It is situated in the south-east of the Mediterranean, between Israel and Egypt. The fishing area off the Gaza Strip extends 20 nm into the Mediterranean Sea along the coastline (Fig. 9). Within this territory there are 2 additional buffer zones closed to Gazan fishing vessels. One is a 1.5 nm wide corridor along the northern border with the Israel, and the other is a 1 nm wide corridor zone along the southern border with Egypt. These are military areas and Gazan vessels are not permitted access.

Figure 9: The Palestinian fishing zone off the Gaza Strip.


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Table 1 - Annual fish production

Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Production (tons) 1200 1500 2200 2360 3888 3618 3650 2623 1950 2378 1506 2951 3978

Table 2 - Number and type of vessels and fishermen in 2005

Ports Trawlers Purse seiners Purse seiner

(Hasaka) Hasaka

motorized (hooks and

gillnets)

Feluka and hasaka Without engines

Total No. of fishermen

Gaza 18 50 60 126 157 411 1375 Der Balah 1 31 70 - 102 550 Khan Younis - 9 5 45 26 85 655 Rafah - 9 28 39 33 109 418 Total 18 69 124 280 216 707 2998


The town of Gaza is the largest landing site for commercial fisheries in the Gaza Strip and is the only site with a man-made sea-wall to protect moored vessels from the open sea (Fig 10). The headquarters of the Palestinian Authority’s Directorate of Fisheries (DoF) (Fig 11) and key stakeholders are also based in Gaza. Dir elbalah, Khan younis and Rafah are much smaller fishing towns than Gaza with far fewer facilities and no sea walls.

Figure 10: Gaza’s seaport has major infilling problems and lacks dockside infrastructure.

Figure 11: The headquarters of the

Directorate of Fisheries in Gaza. The trawlers in the Gaza Strip’s commercial fishing fleet are the largest vessels in the sector (Fig 12).

Figure 12: A Gazan trawler and other shanshullas and hasakas in the seaport at Gaza.

They are locally built wooden vessels (from 14 m to 24 m in length) and daily land a wide variety of demersal fish and crustaceans (our visit revealed a surprisingly similar mix of species to those caught off NSW – see Figs 13 to 16).

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Figure 13: A typical store at the Gazanfish market.

Figure 14: The types of species were similar

to what one might see at the Sydney Fish Market.

Figure 15: Shrimp and squid.

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Figure 16: Palestinian mullet.

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Purse seiners (shanshulla) are also wooden and approximately 13m in length. They are used mainly for seasonal fishing, especially on sardines. Hasaka is the smallest category of vessels, typically 5-7m, made locally of fibreglass and powered by outboard engines of 20-40 hp (Fig. 17). Their main fishing method is gill netting and long lining although there is an increasing trend to upgrade the vessels so that they can operate as small purse seiners. Felukas are hasakas without motors, operated by oars and are used in very small-scale fishing. Fishermen in Gaza earn most of their annual income during the sardine seasons (spring and autumn, when banks of migrating sardines pass the Gaza Strip).

Figure 17: Shanshullas and hasakas on the beachfront at Gaza.

The head of DoF, Mr Tariq Saqr notes that all the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, including the area near Gaza is relatively unproductive in terms of fish compared to the rest of the Mediterranean. The main reason is said to be due to the construction of the High Dam in the Nile River in 1970 at Aswan in Egypt. Before this dam was constructed, the annual flooding of the Nile carried large quantities of nutrients to the Mediterranean Sea, leading to large quantities of fish. After the dam was built, there was no flooding, fewer nutrients and less fish available to commercial fisheries. It was reported to us that commercial fishing activities off Gaza suffered considerably under Israeli occupation, particularly during the Intifada. It is estimated, for example, that during the Intifada until December 2004, losses to the fishing sector due to

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Israeli restrictions were over US$1.8 million and 2233 fishing days. It is also estimated that such restrictions have reduced the fishery sector’s contribution to the national economy from approx. 4% to 1%. There has been, however, a recent increase in fishing activities following the Israeli redeployment from Gaza but the Palestinian fisheries sector continues to be limited by such things as restrictions on fishing areas imposed by the Interim Agreement with Israel and security restrictions on transport of fish products from Gaza to the West Bank and exports to other countries. One of the most significant problems encountered by the fishing sector concerns getting fish to markets. Israeli checkpoints have applied various control procedures that involve long waiting periods for delivery of goods. One method involves a “back to back” procedure, consisting of unloading the goods on one side of a checkpoint for checking by soldiers and dogs, and then re-loading the goods on the other side of the checkpoint. Such operations can take a great deal of time and, in the heat of the Middle East, are obviously less than ideal for the transport of fresh fish.

Figure 18 and 19: Israeli checkpoints, barriers and a permanent wall all restrict Palestinian

movement throughout the country, including agricultural and fish products.

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Other problems affecting the commercial fishing sector of Gaza include over-exploitation of accessible fish stocks, excess fishing capacity (particularly for the trawl fisheries), relatively weak fishermen associations, a lack of adequate marketing infrastructure (particularly a fish marketing hall in Gaza with proper refrigeration – see below), an absence of laboratories to test and enforce quality and hygiene standards for local and imported fish, inadequate launching and landing infrastructure, poor and unsafe working conditions at sea, inadequate regulations and limited enforcement. Basic marketing infrastructure for the Gazan fishing industry is inadequate. Marketing of fish currently takes place on the street near the Fisheries Directorate building (Fig. 11). This poses hazards to consumer health as the fish are often in the sun for a lengthy period of time and come in contact with bacteria and pollutants from animals and automobile traffic in the street. The three landing sites in Southern Gaza (Khan-Younis, Dei al-Balah, Rafah) also lack appropriate equipment and facilities for boat launching and landing, icing fish, and fishermen supplies. Launching and landing services is provided by a private business in each area, the only available flaked ice provider is in Gaza City itself, and fishing equipment must be stored away from the beach area. In addition there are many rocks at the landing sites that damage boats. Fisheries management practices are currently few but do exist (e.g., zoning for inshore and trawler fisheries). Also, some initiatives related to fisheries management (e.g., closed seasons, withdrawal of small fish from markets) have been undertaken. The DoF is currently benefiting from a project funded by Denmark’s DANIDA, whose activities have attempted to address some of the key problems affecting this sector including the provision of a research vessel (Fig 20).

Figure 20: The research vessel provided by Denmark currently under repair.

At the time of our visit, DoF was strengthening its capacities in administration and fisheries management expertise and it is hoped that the division will play a major role in the near future in fisheries management. The DoF and the fishermen’s cooperative have projects and proposals that require support from international

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organizations, such as building the Gaza seaport, but these have been hindered by the restrictions and violence of recent years. For example, work on the Gaza seaport has been suspended since October 2000. Director Saqr stresses the importance of developing this seaport. “The problem of not having a seaport obliges us to use bulldozers to pull boats from the sea, damaging the wooden boats. A seaport will allow us to use boats made of iron. Inside the port we are busy now establishing a railway system for pulling the boats and returning them back to sea, so as not to use bulldozers in the future, and reduce damage to the boats” (Fig 21).

Figure 21: The lack of a proper seaport has led to fishing infrastructure and vessels being simply

stacked on the beaches of the Gaza Strip. In an overview document describing plans for enhancing wild harvest fisheries, the Palestinian Authority identified several strategies to improve the commercial fishing sector of Gaza. These include: Improving fishing boat landing sites in Southern Gaza. Establishing a modern fish marketing auction hall in Gaza with ancillary services

and equipment. Overcoming trade barriers for fish and fishing, especially those that hinder

exports of high-value species. Introduction and enforcement of appropriate regulatory measures such as: a

licensing system for each type of fishery; seasonal restrictions; gear specifications; minimum sizes of species caught; occupational safety for fishermen, etc.

Establishing a testing laboratory for fish with appropriate equipment and training. Strengthening the capacities of DoF in fisheries management, law enforcement

and in research and monitoring of fish resources.

Opportunities for NSW DPI Involvement in Palestinian Wild Fisheries

Whilst some of the above description of wild harvest fisheries in Palestine sounds pessimistic, our discussions with officials from DoF, and the many documents we received, indicated that the government is not only well aware of the significant issues facing this fishing sector, but is also well aware of many of the solutions. Staff were very well versed in fisheries management, research and compliance techniques

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used throughout the world and what is required to implement a “western-style” fisheries management regime. For example, their knowledge of, and implementation of, recent by-catch reduction techniques for trawling was particularly noteworthy - while we were there, we provided additional information (DVDs and reports) on the latest advances that NSWDPI have made in this area. It is clear that the chief factor that hinders implementation of the latest fisheries research, management and compliance regimes in Palestine is simply the fact that the fishing sector (and therefore the Directorate) have had (and continue to have) much more pressing problems to deal with than the establishment of a western-style fisheries regime. These problems concern basic infrastructure (such as proper harbours, refrigeration and transport systems), restrictions on the areas allowed to be fished off Gaza and the transport of fish to markets. We were convinced that, in such areas, NSW DPI’s experience and expertise and therefore ability to assist was minimal. Our visit affirmed that, if there was one key and immediate need for the enhancement of the Gazan wild fisheries sector, it would be to build the much-needed seaport and establish proper dockside infrastructure. Then, the next biggest priority would be to work on decreasing the Israeli restrictions on the trading and transport of fish around the country and internationally. Once such basic issues are addressed and the Palestinian Authority is able to focus resources on an advanced wild fisheries research/management/compliance system, NSWDPI’s expertise in such areas would be able to assist via joint projects . One proposed US$2,000,000 project aims to improve fisheries infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. The chief outputs from the project include the establishment of an auction hall with ancillary cooling and ice production units and a laboratory equipped to perform basic tests for quality. If successful, such a project will go some way to enhancing the wild fisheries sector of Gaza and eventually allow DOF officials to focus on implementing an advanced fisheries research / management / compliance regime. It would be at this later stage that NSW DPI’s expertise would prove most beneficial.

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AQUACULTURE Aquaculture is a very new activity in Palestine, beginning soon after the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and its Directorate General of Fisheries (DoF). At that time, it was determined that there were opportunities to assist in raising the wealth of farmers via aquaculture. Some small projects were established by the private sector, but they mostly failed because of a variety of factors including the fact that the staff involved had little experience or expertise in the field. At the time of our visit, the upgrading of expertise in this area was a high priority for the DoF. Palestine’s two parts (Gaza and West Bank) have very different climates and topographies: Gaza is located along the coastal plain of the Mediterranean and the West Bank is located amongst mountains, deserts and spring-fed water sources. Because of these factors, many issues to be dealt with in the two regions in developing an aquaculture industry are quite different. In the Gaza Strip, fresh water is very scarce as seawater intrudes into the subterranean freshwater aquifer. This means that saltwater aquaculture may have the best potential for development there with some possibilities to pump seawater from the Mediterranean to farmers’ fields. However, Gazan soil is very permeable, so any use of earthen ponds would require significant lining or else a closed system. There are also brackish wells in Gaza which may be appropriate for certain species of fish. However, the Gaza Strip is one of the most crowded areas in the world, so land values are quite high, meaning that any land-based aquaculture industry must be able to produce quite profitable outputs, in a relatively short time, or else focus on sea-based cage culture. In the West Bank, the main sources of water rely on fixed springs, natural ponds and ground water (Figs 22 and 23). Jericho, in particular, has several permanent springs, and there are many artesian wells throughout the West Bank. It is recognised by Palestine Authority officials that the best potential methods for developing aquaculture would involve modifying existing irrigation systems to integrate fish farms into the irrigation ponds that are fed by fixed, permanent springs or artesian bores. However, being a desert environment, there are also major temperature differentials between day and night which will need to be resolved in raising particular species. Some irrigation ponds on private farms (particularly around Jericho) are currently used in very small scale aquaculture to produce fish with agricultural crops (Figs 24 and 25). This is done to try to augment the income of these quite poor farmers. It is also believed that the waste products from fish farming in these irrigation ponds may enhance soil fertility. There is also a small irrigation pond at the Dept of Agriculture’s headquarters in Jericho that can be used to trial fish farming in such ponds (Fig. 26).

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Figure 22: A permanent spring in Jericho.

Figure 23: Pumping water from an artesian

bore in Jericho.

Figure 24: Tilapia in an irrigation pond near Jericho.

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Figure 25: An irrigation pond near Jericho that feeds several farms. The farmer’s family have

attempted to grow some tilapia here.

Figure 26: The DoF’s research irrigation pond

in Jericho.

Of particular significance is a government-run experimental aquaculture station that was established with funding from the Netherlands as a trial tilapia farm (Figs 27 to 32). It has, unfortunately been abandoned for some time and requires a significant injection of capital to re-establish it. Nevertheless, this facility remains the best potential site for initiating aquaculture development in the West Bank. In addition to the above region-specific issues, there are a few issues that are consistent throughout Palestine in trying to establish an aquaculture industry. These include: a general lack of expertise and experience in the techniques involved in aquaculture (an area that NSW DPI in particular may be able to assist - see below); the same marketing and fish transport problems as outlined earlier for wild harvest fish caused by restrictions in movements of goods throughout the region; the lack of a supply of fingerlings - there is no hatchery in Palestine; and the generally high cost in upfront investment to establish aquaculture farms. The Palestinian Authority have identified several strategies to try to initiate the aquaculture industry. These include: Training staff in DOF to assist the private sector in establishing aquaculture

projects. Conducting general, technical and administrative development programs to

upgrade DOF staff and the private sector through regional, local training programs.

Establish an academic studies program in aquaculture. Develop infrastructure to support the guidance and research underpinning

aquaculture, especially the establishment of disease labs, water quality testing facilities and experimental stations.

Establish experimental stations in Gaza and the West Bank to be research and training centres.

Establish hatcheries in Gaza and West Bank. Identify and test new fish species able to adapt to Palestine. Support public and private projects with fingerlings and fish feeds. Conduct a complete survey throughout Palestine to identify the most suitable

areas for aquaculture. Survey appropriate water resources and their potential for use in aquaculture.

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Figure 27: The water tank that supplies

freshwater for the experimental aquaculture facility outside Jericho.

Figure 28: The abandoned raceway ponds at

the facility.

Figure 29: The ponds at the facility were

covered under a greenhouse.

Figure 30: Some of the experimental tanks.

Figure 31: Significant investment went into

establishing this facility.

Figure 32: The facility has some cool rooms, freezers and labs – all now abandoned.

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Opportunities for NSW DPI Involvement in Palestinian Aquaculture

It is worth noting that Israel has been very successful in establishing a productive aquaculture sector and, because much of the geographical features of Israel and Palestine are similar, there clearly exists the potential for Palestine to also develop a significant aquaculture industry. Obviously, because of Israel’s record in this area, better political relations between Palestine and Israel, and subsequent improvements in the technological transfer of aquaculture expertise and improved (or even shared) marketing of aquaculture products between the two countries, would be the quickest, most direct route to establish an aquaculture sector in Palestine. However, in the absence of such positive relations, Palestine is seeking assistance and technology transfer from other agencies with expertise in aquaculture such as NSW DPI. Our trip revealed that it is in this area in particular that NSW DPI may be able to have the greatest impact in assisting Palestine. The major recommendation from this trip is therefore that the next initiative in a collaborative relationship between NSW DPI and the Palestinian Authority should include a significant aquaculture component. NSW DPI employs some of the world’s leading aquaculture scientists. Their leader, Dr Geoff Allan is recognised internationally and has an extensive network of colleagues throughout the world, having recently been President of the World Aquaculture Society. He is therefore ideally placed to assist in advising on how Palestine might realize its potential in aquaculture. The key recommendation from this Ministerial delegation to Palestine (and that of this report) is therefore to send Dr Allan to Palestine under the overall objective of identifying possible joint projects in aquaculture that would, in the first instance, lead to a significant aquaculture industry in the West Bank, specifically around the Jericho area. In particular, Dr Allan should identify potential training programmes required for DoF staff and farmers, appropriate aquaculture species that may be suitable for integration into the irrigation ponds present in the region, and how maximal utility may be derived from the currently mothballed aquaculture research facility near Jericho.

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Documents

Primary Industries Ministerial Delegation to Palestine The ......discuss ways whereby each government may benefit from collaborating on particular issues. One particular area in which