Acquaculture project formulation

This document is intended primarily as didactic material for use in training courses in aquaculture project formulation. It can also be read as a text in its own right by government administrators and planners, particularly in developing countries, and by commercial investors in aquaculture. The first part of the document contains a broad introduction to project formulation, describing the integration of aquaculture projects within development plans, the organization and management of project formulation projects, and the stages of the project cycle. It is not only important for projects to be satisfactorily integrated into the economy of the sub-sector, but also that those responsible for project formulation should be aware of the practical problems which may arise in project implementation. Project formulation and implementation, therefore, are described briefly here as a single entity, consisting of twelve phases, and the more frequently occurring problems encountered in project implementation are described. Illustrations of three actual aquaculture projects are given to show the diversity which may be encountered by planners. The second part of the document is concerned only with the six phases of project formulation, encompasing project identification, preparation, and appraisal. The sequence of activities carried out within each phase are described within 17 steps, each including further activities or tasks. Drawing on the characteristics of these illustrative models particular attention is given to differences of approach between the public and private sectors.