Ithaca Case Study

"Ithaca Island"
Aquaculture Case Study

Prepared for Glascow May 2004

By Denis Lacroix

(special thanks to D. de Montbrison, M.E. Hosatte, F. René and D. Ritzen)

INTRODUCTION

This study case has been specially prepared for the student workshop, Glascow, 20-21 May 2004

The initial scheme of this study case has been designed and improved since 1997 through different courses, in particular the international course on aquaculture of the University of Gent, Belgium. The concept is that a group of students engage in a debate about an aquaculture development plan  for an imaginary island based in Southern Europe. Many details are given concerning the island in order to allow to some students, named “experts”, to prepare an initial draft development plan. The rest of the students are divided into five groups representing respectively; the State of Ithaca, a Bank consortium, Tourist Board, a group of potential investors and a group of environmentalists (“EcoLobby”).

The group of “experts”, which acts as a study office named “AquaStudio”, has to prepare a development plan for aquaculture for the whole country.

Taking into consideration the environmental, financial and socioeconomic factors it must propose an aquaculture develop plan. This involves the selection of species (Molluscs, Fish, Crustacean, Algae, Reptiles…) according to the relevance of sites, and the numerous assets and drawbacks of the local situation. They must considering the markets (local and international), the rules and regulations, the level of skills, etc…

5/5/04
In the next few days all participants will be split into their groups and will be given some introductory information.

OBJECTIVE
A successful multi-species development plan for aquaculture

- Food for local consumption
- Development in harmony with other coastal users (tourism, fisheries etc)
- Export Income (Europe and other major markets (Japan or USA)