| The NCM (National Centre for Mariculture) in Eilat, part of IOLR (Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research) has been like an orphaned child, tossed from one ‘foster home' to another within the government. More and more jobs have been cut back and the survival of the NCM itself has been cast in doubt; and with it, the future of mariculture in Israel which, as natural resources dwindle, becomes ever more important rather than less as time goes on.
Today (Sunday 5.10.08) the Ministers of Infrastructure and Agriculture, Benyamin Ben Eliezer and Shalom Simchon, respectively, are announcing the transfer of the NCM from the Ministry of Infrastructure to the Ministry of Agriculture's "Makhon Vulcani" agricultural research administration at a festive ceremony in Beit Dagan. This marks the culmination of the long struggle and uncertainty regarding the future of the NCM, continued funding sources for its important activity, and the future of its employees. Integration of the NCM's researchers with those of the Makhon Vulcani will enhance NCM's research and development opportunities through cooperation with renowned researchers in generic fields.
According to the agreement, the NCM will be under the Ministry of Agriculture's responsibility, including funding. Until now NCM had been operating as a government company as part of its IOLR (Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research). NCM, located on the North Beach near the Jordanian border, is a research institute engaging in development of technologies for farming fish and other marine creatures with commercial value. Its research creates an infrastructure for development of an innovative branch of mariculture in Israel that takes advantage of sea water and brackish water, and establishment of accompanying biotechnological industries.
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The institute's major fields of research include control of fish reproduction; raising of fingerlings; genetic enhancement of fish; development of feeds for fish and fingerlings; identification, prevention, and treatment of fish diseases; development of intensive growing systems for fish; and development of poly-trophic growing systems for fish, invertebrates, and algae.
Mariculture requires permanent and continuous research and development for purposes of future development and improvement of existing technologies. The challenges for development are many and varied: Farming in the open sea, farming in land-based ponds, adaptation and development of new marine fauna, coping with limited water resources, examining of environmental effects, and more.
The demand for mariculture products is constantly growing due to recognition of their nutritional value and due to the global food crisis. In contrast, the supply of fishing and marine creatures in nature, particularly in our region, is diminishing. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of fresh water, the need for mariculture in salt water or in the sea grows more acute. NCM's continued existence under a new aegis is a positive development on both the local and a more global level.
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