Research Support

Preparation of the Continuation Plan 1996–2001 entailed a review of current aquaculture literature and discussions with many aquaculturists to determine research needs and constraints to aquaculture development. In addition to limited knowledge of various aspects of production systems, lack of access to training and to information were found to restrict aquaculture development. In response to these needs, the program created research support as a separate building block of its proposed research activities. Research support activities build capacity through technology transfer, information management, and networking.

Central Database and Information Management and Networking are the two branches of the CRSPs research support activities in this period. Annual activity reports for these two projects make up this chapter. During the Eighth Work Plan, a third research support component, Education Development, worked toward strengthening human capacity in participating CRSP countries. The program's human capacity development activities in the reporting period have been carried out in part by the Information Management and Networking Component and in part under specific research projects (see Effluents and Pollution Research, p. 35).