Document of
The World Bank
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Report No. 13089
PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
SECOND FISHERIES PROJECT
(CREDIT 1320- MAL)
AND
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
(CREDIT 1025-YAR)
THIRD FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
(CREDIT 1274-YDR)
MAY 27, 1994
Operations Evaluation Department
This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of
their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.


ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AE             -      Agriculture Economist
AFESD          -      Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
CACB           -      Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank
FAO/CP         -      Food and Agriculture Organization/Cooperative Program
DANIDA         -      Danish International Development Agency
DMP            -      Dhekunuge Masgathumuge Project
DOF            -      Department of Fisheries
EEC            -      European Economic Community
FAO            -      Food and Agriculture Organization
FMDC           -      Fisheries Manpower Development Center
FPID           -      Fisheries Project Implementation Department
FTPP           -      Felivaru Tuna Processing Plant
GCDFR          -      General Corporation for Development of Fish Resources
GOM            -      Government of Maldives
GOY            -      Government of Yemen
GRP            -      Glass Reinforced Plastic
IDA            -      International Development Agency
IFAD           -      International Fund for Agricultural Development
KV             -      Kilovolt
MENA           -      Middle East and North Africa Region
MFW            -      Ministry of Fish Wealth
MNC            -      Maldives Nippon Corporation
MOA            -      Ministry of Agriculture
MOF            -      Ministry of Fisheries
MSY            -      Maximum Sustainable Yield
NCFM           -      National Corporation for Fish Marketing
OED            -      Operations Evaluation Department
OPEC           -      Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
PAR            -      Performance Audit Report
PCFW           -      Public Corporation for Fish Wealth
PCRs           -      Project Completion Reports
PDRY           -      People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
PIU            -      Project Implementation Unit
PPAM           -      Project Performance Audit Memorandum
ROY            -      Republic of Yemen
SDR            -      Special Drawing Rights
STO            -      State Trading Organization
TA             -      Technical Assistance
UNDP           -      United Nations Development Project
GLOSSARY
Demersal       -      Fish found near the bottom of the sea
Dhoni          -      Traditional fishing boat, Maldives
Houris         -      Traditional Yemeni fishing boats
Mariculture    -      Salt water agriculture
Masdhoani     -       Plural of masdhoni
Masdhoni       -      Traditional boat for tuna fishing, Maldives
Pelagic        -      Of the ocean surface on the open sea, as distinguished from
coastal waters
Sambuks        -      Traditional Yemeni fishing boats
Skipjack       -      Tuna species, a major food source for Maldivian people


FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
THE WORLD BANK
Washington, D.C. 20433
U.S.A.
Offte of Direator-Gwenal
Opeation Evaluation
May 27, 1994
MEMORANDUM TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND THE PRESIDENT
Subject:   Performance Audit Report on
THE REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES - Second Fisheries Project (Cr.1320-MAL)
THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN - Fisheries Development Project (Cr.1025-YAR) and
Third Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1274-YDR)
Attached is the Performance Audit Report on the Republic of the Maldives-Second
Fisheries Project (Cr. 1320-MAL), and the Republic of Yemen-Fisheries Development Project (Cr.
1025-YAR) and Third Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1274-YDR) prepared by the Operations
Evaluation Department.
Although implemented in different ecological conditions, these three projects provide
implementation experience on how marketing and credit support to artisanal fishermen can be
decentralized, and vessels and land facilities improved.
The PAR confirms that the projects had satisfactory outcomes.  Institutional
achievements were substantial in the Maldives Second Fisheries and Yemen Third Fisheries, the two
projects for which sustainability is likely.
Fish production did increase in the three projects, and the PAR noted that
improvements in marketing, credit, and mechanized vessels are more likely to succeed when the
fishermen are involved and their concerns taken into account. Delays due to procurement and
contracting complexities occurred in all cases soon after effectiveness, a problem which shows the
need for training and supervision support on procurement issues at the beginning of implementation.
The PAR supports the Bank 1982 Sector Policy Paper on Fishery Development, which
calls for countries to monitor the supply of natural resources and regulate their use. The PAR
confirms that IDA should systematically assess the Borrower's capacity to monitor natural resources
at appraisal and during supervision, and should provide support in coordination with other
development agencies as appropriate.
Attachment
This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of
their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.


护
产


FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
Second Fisheries Project (Credit 1320-MAL)
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1025-YAR)
Third Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1274-YDR)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Preface  . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  i
Basic  D ata  Sheets  .................................................  iii
Evaluation  Summary  ...............................................  ix
I.  BACKGROUND  ...............................................  I
A udit Context  ..............................................  I
11.  THE  PROJECTS  ..............................................  I
A.  Republic of the Maldives: Second Fisheries Project (Cr. 1320-MAL) ............  1
Project Background  ...........................................  I
Project D esign  ..............................................  2
Project Implementation  .........................................  3
Project  Results  ..............................................  4
Evaluation  Findings and  Issues  ....................................  6
B.  Republic of Yemen: Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1025-YAR)  ............  9
Project Background  ...........................................  9
Project D esign  ..............................................  9
Project Implementation  .........................................  10
Project  Results  ..............................................  11
Evaluation  findings and  Issues  ....................................  12
C.  Republic of Yemen: Third Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1274-YDR) ........  15
Project Background  ...........................................  15
Project  D esign  ..............................................  15
Project Implementation  .........................................  16
Project Results  ..............................................  16
Evaluation  Findings and  Issues  ....................................  17
III. OVERALL  FINDINGS AND  ISSUES  .................................  20
Fisheries  Resources  ...........................................  20
Fisheries Project Administration  ...................................  20
1
"This report was prepared by Josette Murphy (Task Manager) and C.E.Patrick Watson (Consultant), who audited
the projects in July and August 1993. Carl& Sarmiento provided the administrative support.'
This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance ofole'r
official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.


Fish Marketing .     ............................................. 21
Fisheries Credit    ............................................. 21
Fishing Vessels      ............................................. 22
Table 1:   Republic of the Maldives - Second Fisheries Project
Summary of Fisheries Statistics; Project Area, 1987-1992 ................   23
Table 2:   Republic of the Maldives - Second Fisheries Project
Felivaru Tuna-Processing Plant - Raw Material Supplies
Summary of Fish Purchases (Metric Tons)   ......................... 23
Table 3:   Republic of the Maldives: Second Fisheries Prices
Average Annual World Skipjack Tuna Project   ....................... 24
Table 4:   Republic of Yemen: Fisheries Development Project
Summary of Fishing Fleet Statistics ..............................          24
Table 5:   Republic of Yemen: Fisheries Development Project
GCDFR Revenue from Hodeidah Auction Fish Market ..................          25
Table 6:   Republic of Yemen: Fisheries Development Project
ROY - Red Sea Coastal Fish Landings ............................            25
Table 7:   Republic of Yemen: Third Fisheries Development Project
Gulf of Aden Fish Production 1980-1990   .......................... 26
ANNEX - Comments from the Republic of the Maldives
Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture ..........................        27
Ministry of Finance and Treasury  ............................ 28
MAPS
Republic of the Maldives: IBRD 16116R, IBRD 16117R and IBRD 16832
Republic of Yemen: IBRD 14788R


PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
Second Fisheries Project (Credit 1320-MAL)
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1025-YAR)
Third Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1274-YDR)
PREFACE
This is a Performance Audit Report (PAR) for a cluster of three fisheries projects: the
Republic of the Maldives Second Fisheries Project (Credit 1320-MAL), and the Republic of Yemen
Fisheries Development (Credit 1025-YAR) and Third Fisheries Development Projects (Credit 1274-YDR).
Each of these projects focus on the artisanal fishing sector, and they include interventions
in fish marketing, provision of credit for fishing fleet mechanization, and new vessel construction.
Although they were implemented in different ecological conditions, they provide implementation
experience on improvement of vessels and land facilities for artisanal fishing, and on decentralization of
marketing and credit support.
Credit 1320-MAL, in the amount of US$5.0 million for the Second Fisheries Project, was
approved in January 1983. The original Closing Date (December 1989) was extended twice to June
1991, and the project was fully disbursed. The project was cofinanced by the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (US$2.3 million), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
(US$0.9 million equivalent), and the Norwegian Government (US$5.6 million equivalent).
Credit 1025-YAR, in the amount of US$17.0 million for the Fisheries Development
Project, was approved in May 1980. The original Closing Date (June 1986) was extended four times
until June 1990. The project was 91 percent disbursed. It was cofinanced with Danish International
Development Agency (DANIDA) (US$4.0 million equivalent).
Credit 1274-YEM, in the amount of US$60 million for the Third Fisheries Development
Project, was approved in June 1982. The original Closing Date (June 1988) was extended three times
to June 1991. The project was fully disbursed. It was cofinanced by the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (US$4.9 million equivalent), the European Economic Community (US$3.4
million equivalent), and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) (US$8.8 million
equivalent).
This PAR draws on the Project Completion Reports (PCRs) for all three projects,
prepared in 1992 (by the East Asia and Pacific Regional office for the Maldives Second Fisheries Project,
and by the former Middle East and North Africa Regional Office for the Yemen Fisheries Development
and Third Fisheries Development Projects). It makes use of the PAR for the First Fisheries Project in
the Maldives (Cr. 0907-MAL, OED Report No. 5587 of April 1985), and the PAR for the Second
Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 0932-YDR) in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (OED
Report No. 7959 of June 1989). It also draws from the experience of cofinanciers on the audited
projects.
The Staff Appraisal Reports, President's Reports, Credit and Project Agreements,
Supervision Reports, and the project files were reviewed, and discussions held with Bank staff.


- ii -
An OED mission visited the Republic of the Maldives and the Republic of Yemen in July-
August 1993 and discussed the outcomes and effectiveness of IDA's assistance with government officials,
beneficiaries and individuals familiar with the projects concerned. A draft of this Audit was sent to both
Governments for review, and comments received from the Republic of the Maldives are attached as an
Annex. Their kind cooperation and valuable assistance is gratefully acknowledged.
While generally confirming the ratings assigned on the basis of the PCRs, this Audit
provides additional information on the importance of fish stock monitoring and on ways to make
marketing and credit services more accessible to artisanal fishermen.


- 111 -
PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES
Second Fisheries Project
(Cr. 1320-MAL)
BASIC DATA SHEET
Basic Project Data
Item                             Appraisal           Actual or         Actual as % of
Expectation      Current Estimate    Appraisal Estimate
Total Project Cost (US$ mil.)       12.6                14.9                118%
Loan Amount (US$ mil.)              5.0                 5.8                 115%
Cofinancing Total                   7.0                 8.7                125%
IFAD                         2.2                 2.3                104%
OPEC                         0.9                 0.9                 94%
N.G.                         4.1                 5.6                137%
Economic Rate of Return             27%                14.4%                 -
Institutional Performance
Cumulative Estimated and Actual Disbursements
FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92
Appraisal Estimate (US$ mil.)  0.30    1.30  3.10  4.10   4.60  4.90    5.00     -      -
Actual (US$ mil.)                -     0.24  0.87  1.49   2.75  4.13    4.69   5.50   5.74   5.759
Actual as % of Appraisal (%)    0%    18.46 28.06 36.34  59.78 84.29   93.80 110.00 114.80 115.00
Date of Final Disbursement:   August 28, 1991
In terms of SDR, the total disbursements constituted 98% of the Credit amount of SDR 4.8 million.
Project Dates
Item                      Date Planned          Date Revised           Date Actual
IdentificationY                                                        07/80
Preparation                                                            09/81
Appraisalg-                                                           03-04/82
Negotiations              11/29/82                                     11/29/82
Board Approval            01/25/83                                     01/25/83
Loan Signature IDA/IFAD   02/18/83                                     02/18/83
Loan Signature OPEC       04/15/83                                     05/25/83
Grant (Norwegian)                                                      05/25/83
Loan Effectiveness        05/19/83              07/15/83               08/30/83
Ioan Completion           06/30/89              06/30/90               12/31/90
Ioan Closing              12/31/89              12/31/90               06/30/91
The project was identified during the supervision of the First Fisheries Project.
Decision Memorandum meeting 18 May 1982.


- iv -
Staff inputs
(Staff Weeks)
FY80 FY81 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 TOTAL
Prcappraisal    0.2   7.9   15.3                                                                           23.4
Appraisal                   31.3   18.6                                                                    49.9
Negotiation                        3.8                                                                      3.8
Supervision                        4.4    8.9  15.3    17.1    10.6   15.2     3.9     4.2   2.9    7.9    90.4
Other                 07     --A -1-A-j
TOTAL           0.2   8.6   49.0   30.3   8.9  15.3    17.1    10.6   15.2     3.9     4.2   2.9   7.9     174.1
Mission Data
Stage of                         No. of Persons  No. of Days       Type of       Performance Type of Problem
Project Cycle       MonthlYear     la Field       in Field      Specializationf    Rating
Identification'        07/80          n/a           n/a              n/a              -       -
Preparation            01/82          5              20         PS,E,RE,M,FD          -       -
Appraisal              05/82          3              21           FS,RE,CE            -       -
Supervision I         03-04/83        3              7            FS,RE,NA            1       -
Supervision II         11/83          2              4              FS,CE             2       Long delay in
(M&T) contract
negotiations.
Supervision In         03/85           1             10              AB               2       Design issues and
Disagreement with
consultant (T).
Supervision IV       106-07/85        3              10           AE,FS,NA            3       Change in project
concept. Need to
change designs
(M&T).
Supervision V          06/86           1             10             ACE               2       Problems with fuel
distribution
component (M).
Supervision VI        11-12/86        2              16            ACE,NA             2       Problem with fishing
boat design (T).
Supervision VII        08/87          3              10           ACE,E,NA            2       Construction delays
(T.
Supervision VIII       03/88          4              10         ACE,FS,CS,NA          1       -
Supervision IX        03-04/89         1             7              ACE               1       -
Supervision X          10/89           1             5               PS               1      -
Type of specialisation: PS = Fisheries Specialist, E = Engineer, RE = Refrigeration Engineer, M = Marketing, NA = Naval
Architect, PD = Fuel Distribution Expert, CE = Civil Engineer, AE = Agriculture Economist, ACE = Agriculture Credit
Economist, and CS = Credit Specialist.
Performance Rating: 1 = no significant problems, 2 - moderate problems-significant but not critical deviations from project
goal, 3 - major problems-requiring special attention and intensive supervision.
Project was identified during the supervision of Fisheries I.


-v -
PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
MIsherles Development Project
(Cr. 1025-YAR)
BASIC DATA SHEET
Basic Project Data
Item                             Appraisal             Actual or          Actual as % of
Expectation        Current Estimate      Appraisal Estimate
Total Project Cost (US$ mil.)      30.0                  24.0                  80%
Loan Amount (US$ mil.)              17.0                 15.4                  91%
Cofinancing Total                   4.0                  4.0                  100%
DANIDA                       4.0                  4.0                  100%
Economic Rate of Return            28%                   13%                    -
Institutional Performance
Cumulative Estimated and Actual Disbursements
FY81 FY82 FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY90
Appraisal Estimate (US$ mil.)  2.22  6.90  13.40 16.40  17.00 -   -       -     -      -
Actual (US$ mil.)          0.14    0.50  3.70  6.40   9.00  9.70  10.00   10.30 12.20  15.38
Actual as % of Appraisal (%)  6.35  7.24  27.61 39.02  52.94 57.05 58.82  60.58 71.76  90.00
Date of Final Disbursement:  January 31, 1991
Project Dates
Itan                     Date Planned           Date Revised          Date Actual
Identification                                                        01/75 (777)
Executive Project Summary
Preparation                                                           06/77
Appraisal                 09/79                                       10179
Credit Negotiations       03/80                                       04/80
Board Approval                                                        05/20/80
Credit Signature                                                      06/06/80
Credit Effectivenes       10/06/80                                    04/14/81
Credit Closing            06/30/86              06/30/87              06/30/90
06/30/88
06/30/89
06/30/90
Credit Completion         06/30/85                                    06/01/91


-Vi -
Staff Inputs
(Staff Weeks)
F F80        81     82  F83   F84   F5    F86    FY87  F8    FY89   FY90  F91   F92   TOTAL
75-79
Preappr.    87.6  33.1                                                                               120.7
Appraisal         66.7                                                                               66.7
Negotiat.          3.2                                                                                3.2
Supervis.          1.1   8.7  11.9  32.2   11.9  24.2  15.4   5.6   15.2  11.2   8.5    6.5   2.7    155.1
Other             138    ---       ---       -    -----         -     -      -     -       -     _J§A
TOTAL       89.8 117.9   8.7  11.9   32.2  11.9  24.2  15.4    5.7  15.2  11.2   5.5    6.5   2.7    361.8
Mission Data
Stage of                          No. of Persons   No. of Days            Type of
Project Cycle       Month/Year       in Field       in Field           Specialization'        RatingW
Preparation           1976/1978
Appraisal               10/79
Supervision I           12/81            4              7               FA,FS,NA,E               2
Supervision II          12/82            3              6                 E,PE,FS                2
Supervision 111         06/83            4             10            E,PE,AC/MA,NA               3
Supervision IV          07/84            3              7                FA,NA,FS                3
Supervision V           12/84            4             12       E,Ag.Cr.SplFA,PE,Sm.Sc.FS        3
Supervision VI          10/85            2             18                Ag.Ec.,FS               3
Supervision VII         02/86            2             11                Ag.Ec.,FS               2
Supervision VIII        04/86            1              5                   FA                   2
Supervision IX          12/86            2             10               AG.EC.,FS                2
Supervision X           10/87            1             11                   FS                   2
Supervision XI          05/88            2             12                Ag.Ec.,FS               3
Supervision XII         03/89            2              6                Ag.Ec.,FS               3
Supervision XIII        10/89            1              7                  Ag.Ec.                3
Supervision XIV         11/89            1                                 Ag.Ec.                3
FA = Financial Assistant, FS - Fisheries Specialist, NA - Naval Architect, E - Economist,
PS = Port Engineer, AC/MA = Accountant/Management Analyst, Ag.Ec - Agricultural Economist,
Ag.Cr.SplFA = Agricultural Credit Specialist/Financial Analyst, and Sm.Sc.FS = Small Scale Fisheries Specialist.
k/      Performance Status Rating: 1 = Problem Free or Minor Problem, 2 = Moderate Problem, and 3 - Major Problems.


- vii -
PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Third FIsherles Development Project
(Cr. 1274-YEM)
BASIC DATA SHEET
Basic Project Data
Item                             Appraisal       Revised   Actual or      Actual as % of
Expectation                 Current     Appraisal Estimate
Estimate
Total Project Cost (US$ mil.)      21.4            29.4       31.7            148%
Loan Amount (US$ mil.)              6.0            6.0        6.9             115%
Cofinancing Total                   8.3            8.7        18.3            219%
IFAD                        4.9             4.9        5.7             115%
EEC                         3.4             3.8        3.4             111%
A.F.                         -              8.7        8.8            101%
Economic Rate of Return            23%              -         17%              -
Institutional Performance
Cumulative Estimated and Actual Disbursements
FY83 FY84 FY85 FY86 FY87 FY88 FY89 FY0 FY91 FY92
Appraisal Estimate (US$ mil.)  0.60   3.20  5.60  5.80   5.90  5.90     -     -      -
Actual (US$ mil.)              0.01   0.17  0.32  0.72   0.78  1.40   4.51  5.70   6.54   6.90
Actual as % of Appraisal (%)   1.66   5.31  5.71 12.41  13.22 23.72  76.44 96.61 110.84 116.94
Date of Final Disbursement:  September 30, 1991
Project Dates
Iten                     Date Planned          Date Revised          Date Actual
Identification             -om
Preparation                                                          04-05/81
Appraisal                                                            09-10/81
Credit Negotiations      -                                           05/6-11/82
Board Approval                                                       06/24/82
Credit Signature                                                     08/11/82
Credit Effectivenes      -                                           02/28/83
Credit Closing           06/30/88              12/31/89              06/30/91
06/30/90
Credit Completion        12/31/87                                    12/31/91


- viii -
Staff Inputs
(Staff Weeks)
FY   FY80   FY81  FY82   FY83   FY84  FY85   FY86  FY87   FY88   FY89  FY90   FY91  FY92 FY93 TOTAL
78-79
Preappraisal  3.1  10.9  57.1   18.8                                                                           89.9
Appraisal           0.3         52.5                                                                           52.8
Negotiation                      4.1                                                                            4.1
Supervision                            7.5   13.9   18.0  11.3   11.5   10.2  11.7   10.3   7.0   14.7  0.1   116.2
Other       .       0.3   0.5   12.0                       02     -                                               1
TOTAL        3.2   11.5  57.6   87.4   7.5   13.9   18.0  11.5   11.5   10.2  11.7   10.3   7.0   14.7  0.1   276.1
Mission Data
Stage of                         No. of Persons   No. of Days        Type of       Ratin'   Type of Problem
Project Cycle        Month/Year      in Field      in Field       Specialization!
Identification,FMDC '  09/80      Cons. Firm
Identification, IFD#  06-07/80         3              30            CE,PS,MS
Preparation           04-05/81          4                          FS,TS,E,CE
Appraisal             09-10/81         5                         FA,E,TS,FS,CE
Supervision 1           11/82          3               8             E,PE,PS          1
Supervision II          10/83          2               7              E,PE            2     Delay in recruitment of
consulting engineers.
Supervision III         06/84          3               8            FA,IS,NA          2     Above delay continues.
Problems in selecting
Yemenis for training.
Supervision IV!'        11/84          3               9            E,ACS,PE          2
Supervision Vf'         05/85          2              11             ACS,FS           2     Problems of BID
evaluation + award.
Supervision VI'         05/86          2              10             AE,FS            2
Supervision VII'        04/87          2               9              AE,E            2     Cost over UN. Project
Director appointment.
Supervision VIII        11/87          2              19              AE,E            2     Recruitment of Project
Director.
Supervision IX          06/88          3               8            AE,E,TS           2
Supervision X           12/88          2              10             AE,NA            2     Procurement of training
vessels.
Supervision XI          06/89          2               4              AE,E            2
Supervision XII         11/89          2               5              AE,E            2
Supervision XIII        03/90          2              12              AE,E            2
Supervision XIV         06/91          3              17            AE,NA,IS          2
CE = Civil Engineer, PS = Fisheries Specialist, MS = Marine Surveyor, E = Economist, PE  Ports Engineer, PA = Financed
Analyst, ACS = Agriculture Credit Specialists, AE = Agriculture Economist, NA = Naval Architect, IS = Institutions Specialist,
TS = Training Specialist.
Rating: 1 = Problem Free or Minor Problem, 2 = Moderate Problem, and 3 = Major Problems.
Study carried out by FAO consultants, financed by Kuwait Trust Fund.
d   Study by FAO/Red Sea Regional Project UNDP FAO/IC Supervision.
Combined with Supervision of Fisheries II.
Including 6 days for Supervision of Fisheries II.
/ Including Supervision of Fisheries II.


PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
Second Fisheries Project (Credit 1320-MAL)
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1025-YAR)
Third Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1274-YDR)
EVALUATION SUMMARY
Introduction                                     training and institutional development, but made
no provision for assessing fish resources.
1.     Fishing  is the principal means of
livelihood in the Republic of the Maldives and   4.     Implementation Experience:   Project
an important resource in the Republic of Yemen.  components  were   modified  during  imple-
This Performance Audit Report (PAR) reviews      mentation because of the unexpected withdrawal
three projects, approved between 1980 and        of the Japanese partner in a joint venture to
1983, which sought to modernize artisanal        modernize the existing canning factory on
fishing, marketing and processing, and to        Felivaru Island, and because of a decrease in
strengthen the borrowers' institutional capacity  world prices for frozen tuna. GOM chose to
for fisheries administration and services. The   integrate the facility for frozen whole tuna
three projects were successful in increasing     planned under this project with the existing
artisanal production, improving marketing and    cannery, a decision which required numerous
processing  facilities,  and  strengthening      changes in specifications but was expected to
institutions and services.  They encountered     result in a more efficient enterprise.  This
similar difficulties in the monitoring of fish   change, together with early difficulties in
resources and in procurement.                    procurement and disbursement due to the
implementation agency's lack of experience with
2.     The PAR reviews the objectives and        IDA procedures, delayed implementation.
results of the three projects separately (Chapters
I and II), then discusses the overall findings   5.     Results: After the initial delays, the
around  common    issues of fish  resources      Project succeeded in establishing most of the
monitoring, fisheries project administration, fish  expected facilities and services at Felivaru within
marketing, credit programs, and fishing vessels  the 6 year time scale planned at appraisal and,
(Chapter III).                                  including an additional Norwegian Government
grant, within the approved budget. As a result,
Republic of the Maldives: Second Fisheries      the Maldives now possesses a modern tuna
Project (Cr. 1320-MAL)                           refrigeration and canning complex designed and
operated to high international standards. The
3.     Objectives: This was the second project   plant can shift between frozen whole and canned
in a series designed to modernize the tuna       products according to overseas demand and
artisanal fishing industry in the northern half of  prices. Mechanization of the pole & line fishing
the Maldives Archipelago and to develop export   fleet in the Northern Maldives is now virtually
markets for frozen tuna. Its main objectives     complete. After disappointing sea-trials for the
were to improve fish collection and processing   long range vessels, this component was changed
on Felivaru Island, to modernize repair, fuel    to building 75 mechanized inshore fishing
storage and distribution facilities to the fishing  vessels, the last of which are now nearing
fleet, and to construct 20 longer range fishing  completion. Training provided greatly exceeded
vessels.  It provided technical assistance for   SAR plans. Overall fish production has more


-x-
than doubled. The institutional achievements are  Republic, sought to increase fish production and
sufficient to revise the PCR rating from partial  consumption  by  providing  the  necessary
to substantial.                                  infrastructure, promoting participation by private
enterprise in fish marketing and distribution, and
6.     Projed Spec(fic  ndings and Issues:       establishing a strong institutional framework for
the provision of support services to artisanal
*   The Audit confirms that the project was     fishermen.   The main components were to
satisfactory in achieving its objectives,   establish an artisanal fishing port at Hodeidah,
institutional results are substantial and   with all ancillary infrastructure and services, and
sustinailiy islikly.to improve the infrastructure and services in
sustainabiity is likelyother locations.
*   There is a possible declining trend in       8.     Implement&*n Expeience:      Project
catch/boat/day,   which   should   be       implementation took five years longer than
investigated to identify its causes (not    expected and encountered much difficulty. A key
necessarily related to a decrease in fish   factor was a conflict in objectives between the
population). The present information base   executing agency (GCDFR) and the IDA-funded
on the fish resources of the Maldives       project. GCDFR's mandate, as it understood it,
remains  inadequate  and  an  effective     was to develop the industrial fisheries sector,
management of fish resources is urgently    while the   IDA-funded   project sought to
needed.                                     strengthen artisanal fishermen and private sector
marketing and distribution. IDA raised the issue
*   The PCR raises issue with GOM's decision     repeatedly but GOY and GCDFR took little
to integrate construction of the frozen tuna  action.  I  addition, there were numerous
processing complex with modernization of    changes in technical specifications and difficult
the Felivaru  cannery, but the Audit        relations between GCDFR, design consultant
considers that the decision was correct. It  engineers, and harbor construction contractors.
increased the efficiency of both enterprises  Delays and poor management also hampered the
and  gave  more   flexibility to  adjust    credit program, but after a reorganization in
production to demand and changing prices.    1985, the  program  became   successful in
extending credit and obtaining satisfactory cost
*   Through efficiency gains and improvement     recovery.
in management, the labor force
requirements of the Felivaru processing     9.     Results: Despite these difficulties, the
facility have decreased slightly. However,  Hodeidah fisheries harbor was completed on
the sparse local population on Felivaru and  time and within budget; it is now so popular
neighboring  islands  cannot meet the       with fishermen and traders that its use greatly
demand, so laborers from   Sri Lanka,       exceeds harbor design capacity, with some loss
mostly women, and male managers from        in fish quality and hygiene. While the auction
other Asian countries still provide part of  market generates considerable revenue for
the labor force.                            GCDFR, the Audit found that the Hodeidah Port
*   While an effective development project       management is suffering because of insufficient
implementation agency has been established  funds provided for maintenance. Completion of
within STO, early training and Bank         facilities in other locations was uneven, and
support on IDA procedures would have        some completed facilities are underused. The
avoided delays in procurement.              design of improved fishing boats could not meet
the unrealistic target set at appraisal.
Republic of Yemen: FIsheries Development
Project (Cr. 1025-YAR)                           10. The clear, albeit belated, success of the
credit component shows how a credit program
7.     Objectives:  This project, the first      can be turned around if it tailors its services to
fisheries project with the former Yemen Ara.b    meet the fishermen's needs, by sending trained


- xi -
staff to the fishing villages and making the         On the other hand, the great improvement
process of application and loan repayment easy       in performance of the credit agency
and simple for the client. The recovery rate         following the arrival of a good advisor
now reaches 83 percent.                              shows that good management focussed on
clients' needs can make all the difference in
11.    Project Specific Rndings and Issues:          achievement.
*    Since the Hodeidah harbor was by far the    Republic   of  Yemen:    Third    FIsheries
largest component, the overall achieve-     Development Project (Cr. 1274-YEM)
ments of the project are confirmed as
satisfactory.   Institutional  objectives   12.    Objectives: This project, the third in a
continue to be only partially achieved, and  series of four at this time, focussed on creating
sustainability is uncertain  because of     a specialized training capability for the fisheries
inadequate provision for maintenance of     sector, improving the productivity of artisanal
portfishing, and strengthening the marketing role and
portfaclitis ad unertin rsouce dta. onshore facilities of five fisheries cooperatives in
*   The reliability of fish  catch data is      the vicinity of Aden.
uncertain, but fish catch in recent years    13.   Implementation Experience: Implemen-
may be close to the annual maximum          tation was delayed by problems in procurement
sustainable yield. It is urgent that a more  and selection of consultants, again demonstrating
thorough assessment of fish stock be        the need for early training and support on IDA
undertaken and that safeguards against      procedures, and by a revision of the co-financing
overfishing be established as necessary.    agreement.   Specifications for the Village
The   Marine  Science  Resources  and       Fisheries Facilities were upgraded, leading to
Research Center in Aden should continue     cost increases.   The Fisheries Manpower
to receive adequate resources to monitor    Development Center was developed, and it did
fish stock in the Red Sea waters.           shift its focus towards the training needs of
fishartisanal fishermen                               and  related    crafts.
"  Whle he pprisa tea  di cal atenion However, artisanal fishermen remain reluctant
*   While the appraisal team did call attention  to leave work for attendance at the Center. A
to fish resources constraints, supervisionin the
reports and the PCR do not discuss the      Center was not developed because the existing
issue.  The Bank Fishery Development        extension service in the Ministry of Fish Wealth
Sector Policy Paperl' emphasizes the need   was being   strengthened  with  UNDP/FAO
for appropriate monitoring of fish stock,   assistance.  The marketing component was
and IDA supervisions should report that     modified  after country  unification:  fish
this is indeed being done and the results   marketing became open to private traders, and
used.                                       the cooperatives managed an auction system and
provided ancillary services.
*   The Audit agrees with the PCR conclusion
that the project was too complex for a first  14.  rets: e    succesd lraliztion of
project in the sector, when the institutional  fish   marketed           prodction
basetributed to the economic development of the
addition, there was a conflict between the  affected communities.  Fishermen have been
project objectives  and  the  way  the      able to purchase their boat from the cooperatives
parastatal agency charged with project      or a new   boat.   The training center was
execution understood its overall mandate,   completed and is functioning well, although it
creating problems between management,       needs to diversify its sources of students in order
the borrower and IDA.                       to function at full capacity.


- xii -
15.   Fndings and Lessons:                          policy Paper, fisheries projects should
strengthen the countries' capacity to
*   The Audit confirms the PCR ratings: the          monitor fish stock as appropriate, and ]DA
project achieved  its objectives  satis-         supervisions should ascertain that this is
factorily,  achievements  in  institution        indeed being done and the results used.
building  have  been   substantial  and          Monitoring of fish stock needs to cover
sustainability is likely.                        both national and international waters; it
*   While fish stocks in the Gulf of Aden do         requires good coordination among funding
not seem overfished, it remains important
to ensure close monitoring of fish resources  17.  Fisheries Projecs AdninistraIon:
there and in the Red Sea. The Marine
Resources and Research Center has the            Fisheries projects include the modern-
capability and mandate to do so for all         ization of infrastructure and processing
fisheries areas in the Republic of Yemen,        facilities, and so are prone to procurement
but needs to maintain an adequate operating      and disbursement difficulties. Since they
budget.                                          are also frequently implemented in small
countries with limited experience of IDA
*   The Fisheries Manpower Development               procedures and no resident missions, the
Center is functioning well and made good         Bank should provide training and close
progress in adjusting its courses to artisanal   support  at  the  very   beginning  of
fisheries, but may be underutilized. The         implementation.
Audit supports the efforts by FMDC
management to bring in more students from
the northern part of the country and from        concentrate on building up the institutional
abroad, and to serve the needs of the oil        capability to design and implement a long-
industry for trained navigators and marine      term program, as was done in the Maldives
engineers.                                       and in the People's Democratic Republic of
Yemen.   It should also strengthen the
*   Project design did not take into account the     country's  capacity  to  monitor   fish
existence of a fisheries extension service in    resources, and this topic should be kept
the Ministry of Fish Wealth and UNDP             under review   during  supervision  and
plans to strengthen it. The project was          completion missions.
revised to avoid duplication, but this should
have been foreseen at preparation.18.              Marketing and    Credit Services for
prepartion.AItkanal fsheries:
*   Fishermen have responded positively to the
increased demand of a liberalized market,
and production has increased in quantity         evidence on various degree of marketing
and quality. The experience demonstrates         privatization. In the two Yemen projects,
that both producers and traders respond         fishermen and traders responded quickly
quickly to a more advantageous marketing         and effectively to a liberalized market. In
process, with little need  for further           the Maldives, fishermen have also re-
incentives. The credit program contributed       sponded positively to increased demand,
to this success.                                 but the pool of potential private entrepre-
Overallneurs may not be sufficient to fully replace
gthe State Trading Organization for fish
16.    Fish Resources:                               marketing  and  provision  of ancillary
services.
ruInadequate information systems on fish
resources has been a problem in the three       The experience in Yemen demonstrates that
projects. As stipulated in the Bank Sector       decentralized  credit procedures, which


- xiii -
make it easy for clients to apply for and         in cooperation with the fishermen them-
repay their loans, can quickly be successful      selves succeeded. This experience con-
if a demand exist.                                firms the importance of involving fisher-
men in identifying needs for technical
19.    Fishing Vessels:                               changes and    in  developing  improved
vessels.
*    Both the Maldives and Yemen Fisheries
projthe ves ad  cmpens e  *   The increased scarcity and costs of timber
Development psuitable for boat building and repair call
introduce new types of fishing boats and          for attempts to use alternative material, but
both failed, but subsequent efforts to adapt      this should be done in cooperation with
traditional design to modern requirements         fishermen as described above.
I' World Bank, Fishery Development: Sector Policy Paper, Report No. 3915, May 1992, paras. 5.24, 5.30.



PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
Second Fisheries Project (Credit 1320-MAL)
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1025-YAR)
Third Fisheries Development Project (Credit 1274-YDR)
I. BACKGROUND
Audit Context
1.1           The three projects reviewed in this audit focussed on the artisanal fisheries sector, they
included interventions in fish marketing, provision of credit for fishing fleet mechanization, and new
vessel construction, and their Project Completion Report (PCRs) were published during 1992. A cluster
audit provides a better understanding of issues common to many artisanal fisheries projects, in spite of
obvious differences between the oceanic island environment of the Maldives and the semi-desert coastline
of southern Arabia.
1.2           Fishing is the principal means of livelihood in the Maldives and is the second most
important source of foreign exchange. The industry is regulated by the Ministry of Fisheries and
Agriculture with centralized state control of the canned and frozen tuna export trade, but fish catching
is reserved for the private sector artisanal fishing communities. Credit 1320-MAL is the second of a
series of IDA projects aimed at strengthening artisanal fishing in the process of overall fisheries
development. The third project in the program is already in progress.
1.3          The two projects in Yemen were initiated at a time when the Yemen Arab Republic in
the north and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in the south were separate countries, hence
the references to YAR and YDR in the project titles. The two nations united in May 1990 to form the
new Republic of Yemen (ROY) and among other changes, this unification has been followed by
amalgamation of their respective fisheries administrations into a single Ministry of Fisheries covering both
areas. The change should strengthen fisheries, especially in the former YAR centered on the Red Sea
port of Hodeidah, where it was previously administered by a branch of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Credit 1025-YAR was the Bank's first involvement in the fisheries sector of North Yemen. Fisheries in
the former PDRY has long been regarded as of high economic importance and supported by a strong
Ministry of Fish Wealth and a large parastatal infrastructure, centered on the port of Aden. Credit
1274-YDR, which was completed in December 1991, is the third in an ongoing series of Bank supported
fisheries projects. The fourth project in the series is currently being implemented.
II. THE PROJECTS
A. Republic of the Maldives: Second Fisheries Project (Cr. 1320-MAL)
Project Background
2.1           The project was the second stage of a linked series for the development of the tuna
fisheries which was to give priority attention to:
a)          strengthening knowledge of resources;


-2-
b)          testing new technology for fishing methods, vessels and equipment;
c)          improving fish production by mechanization of the artisanal fishing fleet; and
d)          developing the capability to manage exports of frozen tuna.
The first project (First Fisheries Project (Credit 907-MAL)) was implemented between mid-1979 and
March 1983. It focussed on the objectives a) to c) above and aimed at improving the artisanal tuna
fishery by providing credit for motorizing existing sail-powered fishing craft; providing additional marine
engine repair centers in the islands to maintain the expanding mechanized fleet; developing an improved
"second generation" class of diesel powered artisanal inshore fishing vessel; and promoting more efficient
fishing methods to enhance fishermen's productivity and earnings through a technical assistance
component. The installation of a number of navigational aids was included to improve safety at sea
around the Maldive Islands but provision for resource studies was deleted.
2.2           The first project achieved virtually all of its objectives in near exemplary fashion, with
the credit program for vessel mechanization and the second generation vessel design proving particularly
successful. However, a prototype larger vessel for longer range tuna fishing, which was designed and
built under the technical assistance provision, did not perform very well during trials. There has been
no further attempt to explore opportunities for longer range tuna fishing.
2.3           The second project was expected to address various topics which could not be covered
under the first project. They included:
a)   fuel supplies to key outer islands for the mechanized fishing fleet;
b)   upgrading and expansion of freezing and processing centers;
c)   more reliable collection and delivery of tuna catches from fishing vessels to these centers;
and
d)   better understanding of tuna and live bait species resources and possible safeguards
against over fishing.
Project Design
2.4           The Second Project was identified by GOM with IDA assistance during July/August 1980
and was prepared in September 1981 with the assistance of an IDA mission, with funds provided by
UNDP under the Technical Assistance component of the First Project. It included an IDA credit of
US$5.0 million, together with an IFAD loan of US$2.0 million, an OPEC loan of US$0.9 million, a
Norwegian Government grant of US$4.1 million (later increased to US$5.6 million), and a GOM
counterpart contribution of US$0.6 million.
2.5           The project was designed to support GOM efforts to increase fish production in the
northern half of the Maldives Archipelago and to develop export markets for frozen tuna, by the
provision of fish collection, handling, freezing and cold-storage facilities centered on Felivaru Island; boat
repair and fuel storage and distribution facilities to serve the fishing fleet; and construction of 20 longer
range fishing vessels to exploit more distant fishing grounds. Technical assistance provision was included
to cover the costs of consultancies, for supervision, training and for the preparation of a follow-up


-3-
project, but fish resource work was not included. The Maldives State Trading Organization (STO) was
the executing agency.
Project Implementation
2.6           The Second Project became effective on August 30, 1983, about three months late, and
the work was completed and the Credit finally closed on June 30, 1991, eighteen months behind schedule.
Project organization and management became the responsibility of a project implementation unit (PIU),
in the newly established Fisheries Project Implementation Department (FPID) within the STO. However,
none of the staff members involved had any prior experience of IDA disbursement procedures and
administrative requirements pertaining to contract negotiations, recruitment and procurement. This
situation undoubtedly caused some delays and difficulties which could have been avoided had there been
provision for training the project staff at an early stage, (as suggested in the Second Project PCk (page
4, para. 4.5)). There was an almost identical situation with the First Project, which was not resolved for
either project until very belatedly when a Disbursement Division representative visited the Maldives to
brief PIU staff.-V All covenants were complied with.
2.7           Implementation became more complicated shortly after the start of the project because
of two external events, the withdrawal of the Japanese from a cannery joint venture, and the collapse of
world prices for frozen tuna. In early 1985, GOM inherited the tuna canning facilities of a former joint
venture fishing company on Felivaru Island. In addition to up-grading the cannery, GOM/STO decided
that the IDA project refrigeration complex should be fully integrated on the same site, thereby combining
them into a single enterprise known as the Felivaru Tuna Processing Plant (FTPP). This meant that the
Project's marketing strategy, which was originally based on the export of frozen tuna, changed to a
predominant reliance on the export of canned fish. Integration of the two operations also necessitated
some redesigning of site and plant layout and changed specifications, especially for power supply to the
Felivaru complex. These changes inevitably led to further delays in project implementation, exacerbated
by difficulties with, and between some of the consultants involved.
2.8           Power generation capacity at Felivaru was quadrupled from the originally planned 3xl 10
KV to six generators producing up to 1,320 KV in order to cater for project needs and cannery
expansion; a 20 MT/day freshwater plate-ice plant was installed instead of a 25 MT/day seawater
block-ice plant; and the proposed 40 MT/day brine freezer was replaced by a blast-freezer of equivalent
capacity. Water treatment (desalination) plant capacity was increased from 10 to 100 ton/day to ease the
potable water supply problem on the island. In retrospect, it would have been better to retain the original
ice plant specification because of the fresh water shortage. In consequence, the plant is rarely used.
2.9           In order to expand the volume of fuel supplies to the islands and increase the number of
fuel storage tanks, and to cater for the rapidly growing mechanized fishing fleet and the Felivaru
complex, the procurement of two new 100 MT tanker vessels was dropped in favor of two second-hand
ships, of 2,000 MT and 700 MT capacity, purchased with GOM funds. Savings from the Project funds
were used to increase the number and capacity of island-based fuel storage tanks from 11 x 15,000 liters
to 20 x 48,000 liters. Local fabrication of the tanks and their delivery and installation at the selected sites
was seriously delayed and have only just been completed.
2.10          The Project, as envisaged at appraisal, also included provision for the construction of 20
larger fishing vessels based on the design developed under the First Project, to exploit offshore fish stocks
O OED Report No. 5587, Project Performance Audit Report, Maldives Fisheries Project (Credit 907-MAL), PPAM par.
58.


-4-
in more distant waters inaccessible to the existing inshore fleet. But the sea-trials of the prototype "long
range" craft gave rise to questions about its sea worthiness and suitability. This component therefore
remained in abeyance until 1988 when it was decided to utilize the funds for building 75 mechanized
inshore fishing craft at STO's boatyard on Alifushi Island. The final nine vessels of this order were seen
nearing completion at the yard during the audit mission visit.
2.11          Collection and delivery of catches from outlying islands to Felivaru was to have been
accomplished using four existing transport vessels and procuring 2 x 5 MT and 2 x 10 MT capacity new
craft, stowing the fish in insulated holds with ice-cooled water. In view of an increase in volume of
catches it was decided instead to acquire four larger vessels of 25 MT capacity each. The additional
purchase of two barges and a passenger carrier was dropped in favor of ')TO providing equivalent craft
from its existing inter-atoll transport fleet.
2.12          There were a number of changes in the Technical Assistance and Training components,
corresponding to the shift in project direction from tuna freezing to canning. The posts of production
manager and maintenance engineer were deleted from the management contract financed by IDA, and
recruited directly by STO, whereas IDA financed the posts of general manager., chief accountant, program
manager and quality control and computer specialists. The SAR allocated 120 staff-months for the
purpose, but this was reduced to 100 staff-months in 1986. On the other hand, the SAR provided for
36 staff-months of foreign training, whereas the needs were such that actual utilization was no less than
157 staff-months.
2.13          Although the TA component included provision for consultants to prepare a follow-up
project, it was not used. Instead, with FAO and FAO/World Bank Cooperative Program assistance,
GOM prepared a feasibility study for a tuna freezing and export enterprise in the southern Maldives,
which has formed the basis for the IDA Third Fisheries Project (2327-MAL) now under implementation.
2.14          The original closing date of December 31, 1989 was extended by a total of eighteen
months to June 30, 1991. The delay occurred mainly in the early stages and was caused partly by PIU
staff's initial unfamiliarity with Bank procedures and by the redesign work needed to integrate the project
refrigeration complex and the tuna cannery development at the same site. IDA disbursements totalled
98 percent of the Credit in terms of SDR values (in terms of US$ values IDA disbursements exceeded
the approved Credit ceiling by nearly US$750,000 or 15 percent), IFAD and OPEC disbursements
amounted to 90 percent and 94 percent of their respective Loans and the Norwegian grant was fully
utilized. The undisbursed balances of SDR68,000 and SDR182,000 from the IDA Credit and IFAD Loan
and US$50,700 from the OPEC Loan were canceled.
Project Results
2.15          After the initial 18 month delay, the Project succeeded in establishing most of the required
facilities and services at Felivaru within the 6 year timescale envisaged at appraisal and, including the
additional Norwegian Government grant, within the approved project budget. As a result the Maldives
now possesses a modern tuna refrigeration and canning complex designed and operated to very high
standards and producing top quality, dolphin-safe products for sale under premium international brand
labels such as John West and Princes's. The plant has ample capacity for expanding production and can
supply the export market with frozen whole tuna as well as canned products, in response to shifts in
overseas demand and prices but subject to improvements in quantity and reliability of its raw material
supply. The Audit agrees with the PCR criticism of the change in ice-plant specification, mainly because
of the limited freshwater supply on Felivaru Island (PCR para. 5.2). As a result, there is still an acute
shortage of ice in the Project area.


-5-
2.16          The Project has had a pronounced effect on fishing in the northern Maldives. The number
of mechanized masdhoani recordeJ as being engaged in pole & line tuna fishing in the project area, as
shown in Table 1, rose by 62 percent from 366 in 1987 to 595 in 1992, whereas countrywide the increase
was 47 percent, from 1,044 boats in 187 to 1,533 in 1992. In addition there are a number of registered
mechanized masdhoani (174 in tho nrject area during 1991) which are used mainly for non-fishing
purposes or lying derelict. It is also of interest to note that the fleet of traditional sailing masdhoani,
which numbered more than 1,300 in 1980, around the start of the First Fisheries Project, has now shrunk
to about 370 of which only 4 are recorded as still fishing in the northern Maldives project area. Thus,
it can reasonably be concluded that mechanization of the pole & line fishing fleet is now virtually
complete, although there will continue to be a need for additional new boats to further increase the fleet
size and to replace old craft as they wear out.
2.17          Table 1 shows that overall fish production from the Northern Maldives grew from around
14,500 MT in 1980 to 32,000 MT by the end of the decade. Since then it appears to have stagnated at
an average level of about 31,500 MT/p.a. despite further annual increases in fishing fleet size. According
to MOF fisheries statistics, since 1987 as much as 90 percent of the total catch comprises Skipjack or
Yellow-fin tuna, and 92-97 percent of -e total catch is caught by the mechanized masdhoni fleet. Even
so, only between 8,000 to 10,000 tons of annual catch from the project area has been sold to FTPP, the
rest going for local consumption or for sale to the dried fish market. There has been a revival of demand
for dried fish and especially for the dry/smoked tuna product known as "Maldive Fish" in Sri Lanka.
Concern was expressed (PCR para. 6.4) that this might jeopardize FTPP fish supplies but the Audit
findings suggested that market demand for such dried fish is fairly limited. During the Audit visit it was
reported that the dried fish stores were full, traders had accordingly stopped buying, prices had dropped
and those fishermen who were induced to sell to the dried fish traders have reverted to selling to FTPP.
2.18          FTPP requires at least 14,000 MT annually and, as shown in Table 2, has had to make
up the shortfall by purchasing more costly frozen fish from the Dhekunuge Masgathumuge Project
(DMP), which is another STO fishing enterprise operating in the southern Maldives. Despite the
procurement of additional fish collector vessels for the project, the constraint still seems to be the capacity
and irregular scheduling of the collector fleet, consequent failure to motivate fishermen to increase their
effort, and, as also shown in Table 2, a high rejection rate of spoiled fish caused by very high ambient
temperatures and the fishermen' inability to use ice to chill their catches. None of the masdhoani has as
yet been fitted with insulated fish storage containers and no provision has yet been made for the
production and distribution of ice to the fishing fleet. Action on these lines is essential if there is to be
any improvement in the quality of incoming fresh fish and reduction in spoilage losses.
2.19          The PCR (para. 7.1) suggests that the main risk to project sustainability is the high level
of production costs including wages. Felivaru staffing has continued to decrease, down to 842 in 1993
from 1,200 in 1990 and other economy measures such as privatization of fuel distribution are progressing.
The Audit agrees with the importance of strict cost control but considers that the principal task now must
be to tackle the problem of raw material supply; motivating fishermen and organizing the fish collection
service so that it can be relied on to deliver at least 10,000 tons p.a. from the outer islands to Felivaru,
in addition to the 4,000 to 5,000 tons purchased directly from fishermen at the FTPP jetty. A marginal
increase in fishing days/boat to 180 (mechanized artisanal fishing vessels in most other parts of the world
manage at least 220-240 days/boat/year), even at current average levels of catch/boat/day @ 400 kg,
would enable the existing fleet of 600 mechanized masdhoani to produce a total of 43,200 MT. This
would be more than enough to maintain domestic supplies as well as satisfy the minimum factory needs.
However, fishermen will not waste time and fuel costs on catching fish unless they can be guaranteed that
a collector vessel will be available to buy their catch at the end of the day.


-6-
2.20          Thereafter, the greatest risk to the Project sustainability lies in the health of the fish
resources. STO and MOF staff concerned with the Project agreed with statements in the PCR (para. 6.1)
that the tuna slocks are not under any undue pressure and that there has not been any drop in catch per
unit effort so far. However, the figures shown in Table 1, in the Audit's view, do show a slight but
discernable inu progressive decline in mean annual catch/boat and catch/boat/day since 1989 which
justifies caution and suggests the need for more urgent and detailed investigation. Fishermen' attitudes,
marketing problems and reduced availability of live-bait as well as the sttus of the tuna stocks are among
the possible causes of declining catch rates. It is regrettable, as has been noted earlier in para. 2.3, that
although the need for appropriate resource studies of the tuna and live-bait fish stocks was recognized,
neither the First nor Second IDA Projects included provision for this purpose. It was reported that this
was done to avoid duplicating ongoing assessments of Indian Ocean tuna stock, sponsored by FAO in the
early 1980s.
Evaluation Findings and Issues
a) Fish Resources
2.21          As noted above, neither the 1st nor the 2nd project has addressed the inadequacy of the
present information base on the fish resources of the Maldives. Tuna is a highly migratory pelagicW
species subject to natural variations in abundance from one year to another and, because they are also
fished by other Indian Ocean states, excessive exploitation by any one or more of these countries could
have as much, or greater impact on stocks around the Maldive islands as fishing by the Maldive national
fleet. However, while the sustainability of the tuna stocks may be of varying degrees of importance to
the economies of the other countries concerned, it is a matter of life or death to the Maldives. Effective
management of the tuna resources will have to be organized on an international/regional basis and the
scientific and administrative authorities within MOF will need greater support in promoting and
participating in such arrangements. The 3rd IDA Fisheries Project made a positive step in that direction
by including provision to strengthen fish catch data collection and analysis and to support stock
assessment efforts by MOF in the Maldives.
2.22          About 60 percent of the mixture of demersal2/ fish and other species totalling
6,000-10,000 tons per annum, which is caught within the atolls, comprises live-bait for the skipjack tuna
fishery. The balance are food-fish species, including snappers, groupers and other reef species for
domestic consumption. The Audit was advised that the atoll area fish catches may be nearing maximum
sustainable yield (MSY) and that continued active development of pole & line fishing will impose
progressively greater strain on this resource. Only very limited information is available and there is need
for careful monitoring and management of the fishery to optimize and sustain yields and to minimize
waste. MOF estimates that the existing skipjack fishery produces 7-13 kg of tuna per 1 kg of bait,
whereas in some other countries pole and line fishermen catch 20-40 kg of tuna per 1 kg of live-bait.
Thus, there would seem to be scope for improvement and an R & D program aimed at improving the
live-keeping techniques and minimizing mortality losses, and economizing on the use of live-bait while
maintaining or increasing tuna catch rates, is strongly recommended, along with more detailed assessment
studies of the atolline,1 fish stocks.
Of the ocean surface on the open sea, as distinguished from coastal waters.
Found near the bottom of the sea.
From atolls, ring-shaped coral islands nearly or completely surrounding a lagoon.


-7-
b) Tuna Canning vs Freezing
2.23          Following withdrawal of the Japanese partner from the MNC joint venture, STO found
itself responsible for the cannery and other facilities on Felivaru Island and had to determine the best
means of utilizing them in the light of the changed circumstances, including developments to be financed
under the IDA 2nd Fisheries Project. A key factor influencing the outcome was the concurrent collapse
in world frozen tuna prices, from US$1,100/ton at the end of 1981 down to US$350/ton in 1984. This
followed a lengthy period of price volatility during the 1970's, consequent on the 1973 fuel oil price crisis
and the mercury-in-tuna scare. As can be seen in Table 3, canned tuna prices also fluctuate, but much
less violently and not necessarily in phase with frozen tuna price trends.
2.24          In these circumstances it was determined that the safest course would be to integrate the
cannery and refrigeration complex so that product lines could be switched in response to changing market
conditions. GOM proposed this change to the Bank and, as stated in the PCR (para. 4.1), a reassessment
carried out by STO on this basis was accepted by the Bank. In the Audit's view that should have been
the end of the matter. The remark, also in the PCR, that "these decisions were made by STO and GOM
... without any consultation with IDA" was indignantly denied by STO staff members. It does not seem
to accord with the records. Although some IDA staff still believe that a concentration on production and
export of frozen tuna would have been beneficial, the Audit considers that the GOM decision was
reasonable and correct because it would have been ridiculous to have two separate enterprises side by side
on the same little island, both belonging to STO but with separate management teams and competing with
each other to buy fish from the same fishermen and hire labor. Therefore, unless it is suggested that the
cannery should have been demolished altogether rather than developed, the argument about a
free-standing frozen fish operation seems unrealistic in the circumstances obtaining in the northern
Maldives. As it is, the difference between 14.4 percent and 16.9 percent in re-estimated ERR has been
allowed, quite unnecessarily in the Audit's opinion, to cast a shadow over an otherwise very successful
project. The Audit was unable to gather all the data needed to recalculate the ERR, but considers that
the PCR estimate of around 14 to 15 per cent is still broadly correct, given that fishing fleet growth and
employment effects are somewhat lower but catch rates are higher than was envisaged at Appraisal. The
project as originally conceived was appraised in May 1982 and therefore the changes to integrated
freezing and canning facilities could not have been foreseen. This was a project in which a flexible
response to a dynamic situation was amply justified by the outcome, but in which the scale of change was
such as to nullify use of the 27 percent appraisal ERR estimate as a comparative reference point.
c) Social and Institutional Effects
2.25          Additional employment created by the Project was expected to reach 1,900 jobs by the
stage of full development in 1994. This figure included 940 employees at Felivaru, 30 carpenters at the
Alifushi boatyard, 40-60 fuel supply workers and at least 600 fishermen on the Project boats, (PCR, para.
6.7). In view of the reduction in employment at Felivaru to only 840 people, as noted in para. 2.19
above, the Audit considers that the jobs total is now unlikely to exceed 1,800. It was also expected that
about 8,000 fishermen (700 boats x 11-12 crew) would benefit from expanded marketing opportunities
and thereby from higher incomes. Currently, there are about 600 mechanized masdhoani and although
only 9 project vessels remain to be completed, it is known that similar craft are being built privately.
It is therefore anticipated that it will take a further 2-3 years to meet this target.
2.26          Population density outside Male is sparse. Employees for the frozen and cannery facility
are transported every day from Fe!ivaru and neighboring islands, but the potential labor force within
reasonable distance is insufficient to meet demand. Contractors recruit employees from Sri Lanka, mainly
women, and supervisory and technical staff are also recruited from various Asian countries. The Audit


-8-
saw no evidence of obvious social problems for the expatriate employees but could not make a thorough
assessment of this situation.
2.27          No data were available on the composition of boat ownership but it was ascertained that
the lending arrangements and loan recovery rates were the same as under the Ist Project. Selection of
applicants was undertaken by MOF/STO in consultation with the atoll community leadership concerned
and it is considered that in most cases the benefit went to genuine and proficient fishermen. The near
100 percent loan recovery rate supports the view that the vessels are being used responsibly and for the
intended purposes. As regards the future, there is anxiety about the impact of rocketing imported timber
prices on the cost of boats. From US$300/ton in 1983 it has risen to US$1,200-1,500 now. In
consequence, the price of a 2nd Generation Masdhoni, including engine, has escalated from MRf99,000
progressively to MRf235,000 from the STO boat yard, and up to MRf400,000 from a private builder.
2.28          As regards institutional effects, the Project has contributed to the establishment of an
effective development project implementation agency within STO. It would have been better if the PIU
staff had been more adequately briefed on the administrative procedures involved, and given more
technical support, at the outset. The Audit endorses the comments and recommendations to this effect
made in the PCR (paras. 4.5 and 8.4(b)), the more so because the same issue was raised as a lesson for
future action in para. 59 of the Maldives First Fisheries Project PPAM. Even though the Second Project
appraisal occurred nearly three years before First Project completion, the implementation arrangements
and PIU staff were different and the Bank should have been concerned with the need for briefing and
technical support, based on the earlier experience.
d) Project Formulation and Supervision
2.29          The process of project preparation and appraisal appears to have been well done, given
that it was timed too early to take into account all of the lessons from the 1st Project, such as the
inadequacy of the so-called "long-range" fishing vessel. The one major omission was the failure to
include provision to strengthen resource monitoring and MOF's fisheries research effort. Supervision
is judged to have been barely adequate in this case, in that there were only 10 missions during the 71h
year implementation period from 1983 to 1990. This gave rise to some very long gaps, eg 16 months
between missions 2 and 3 and 11 months between missions 4 and 5. A fisheries specialist was fielded
on only five of the ten missions and, unlike the 1st Project, none of them included anyone from the
Disbursement Division to ensure that PIU staff were properly briefed on Bank requirements.
e) Reporting
2.30          Project monitoring and reporting has been satisfactory. The PCR provides a fair
summary of project experience and is broadly in line with the records contained in the Bank's file
archives. The Audit is in general agreement with the PCR findings, except as stated to the contrary
elsewhere ir. this PAR. However, it has to be recorded that editing of the PCR is deficient, in that there
are several annoying references to section/paragraph numbers which do not appear in the published final
text. Presumably they originate from earlier drafts, that were either deleted or re-numbered, (eg paras.
1.1 to 1.16 and Annex I Tables I to 5, etc). In addition, the appended map of Felivaru Island shows
the layout as envisaged at appraisal, preintegration, and bears little resemblance to the outcome. There
should have been ample time and opportunity prior to completion, for supervision mission staff to
produce sketch maps showing the changes in layout and composition of project facilities, for the benefit
of the PCR and PAR readers.


-9-
B. Republic of Yemen: Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1025-YAR)
Project Background
2.31          This project was the Bank's first involvement with fisheries in the former Yemen Arab
Republic, a sector which was considered to be relatively neglected but of importance and to have
substantial development potential. The fishery was exploited by about 3,000 artisanal fishermen scattered
along a 600 km stretch of the eastern Red Sea coastline. Responsibility for fisheries rested with the YAR
Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) but suffered from a lack of specialist staff. Concurrently with the
appraisal mission visit in late 1979, MOA established a Department of Fisheries (DOF) within the
ministry but its function was largely advisory on policy matters and it lacked the ability to undertake
practical development. In May 1990 the two Yemens united and fisheries was transferred from MOA
to a new Ministry of Fisheries based in Sana'a but covering all fisheries in the united Republic of Yemen.
2.32          The project was identified by an FAO/Bank CP mission in 1975, followed by three FAO
sponsored feasibility studies covering fish marketing, shrimp resources and suitable on-shore development
sites. These studies confirmed that sectoral weaknesses included a general lack of coastal infrastructure,
such as sheltered harbors, access roads and other basic services; inadequate provision for distributing fish
to inland markets and weak institutional support for fisheries. The Fisheries Development Project
therefore had as its principal objectives:
a)   increasing fish production and domestic consumption;
b)   promoting the incomes of artisanal fishermen;
c)   reducing national dependence on food imports;
d)   establishing a strong institutional framework for the provision of support services to
fishermen; and
e)   providing some of the lacking infrastructure.
Project Design
2.33          Following appraisal in October 1979, matters progressed more rapidly. The main
components of the project were:
a)   an artisanal fishing port at Hodeidah, with on-shore fish marketing, boat repair and fuel
supply;
b)   a landing jetty at Khawbah with facilities for fish and shrimp processing, storage and ice
plant;
c)   on-shore fish marketing facilities at Khawkah and Mocha, south of Hodeidah;
d)   fish markets at Sana'a, Taiz, Ibb and Dhamar;
e)   introduction of new shrimp trawlers;
f)   credit scheme for fishing boats, gear, engines etc;


- 10 -
g)   access road to Khawbah; and
h)   technical assistance for upgrading fishing methods, fish marketing, credit, boat building,
etc.
The Project, as approved, comprised an IDA credit of US$17.0 million, with parallel financing totalling
US$4.0 million for the shrimp processing plant at Khawbah from DANIDA. Credit beneficiaries and
the Government were expected to contribute the equivalent of US$9.3 million. The newly established
General Corporation for Development of Fish Resources (GCDFR) was appointed to be the executing
agency on behalf of the Government and MOA.
Project Implementation
2.34          The Project became effective on April 14, 1981 about 6 months late and took five years
longer to complete than planned. The Credit was finally closed on February 8, 1991 and an undrawn
balance of US$1.6 million was canceled. The Completion Date is recorded as June 1, 1991. Compliance
with covenants on staffing and audits of accounts was delayed. There were lengthy delays in setting up
the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within GCDFR. Appointment of the Project Manager in July 1982
was more than one year late, and when he left after only two years instead of five, he was never replaced
leaving the Project without any on-site direction for most of the time. The PIU was thus rendered largely
ineffectual, under-staffed and denied the resources needed for it to perform. According to the PCR and
supervision records, these problems resulted primarily from the uncooperative attitude adopted by the
Chairman of GCDFR. Consequent on these delays and other difficulties, the Project was accorded
moderate/major problem status throughout its implementation phase (see para. 2.37 and 2.38 for further
discussion).
2.35          There were a number of changes to the Project during the course of implementation,
including a different route for the Khawbah access road and transfer of responsibility for its construction
from GCDFR to the Tihama Development Authority and substitution of traditional Yemeni sambuks and
houris in place of the fishing vessel designed during appraisal for supply to fishermen under the credit
program. The Technical Assistance component was revised to provide a marine engineer and a fisheries
extension adviser in place of the boat builder.
2.36          The credit program which was intended to finance fishing vessel construction, vessel
repairs, engines and nets, was set up within the Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank (CACB) but
made little progress until mid-1985 when the fisheries credit adviser was finally appointed after a five
year delay. The lack of progress was partly due to CACB's prior bad experience with fisheries loans
issued between 1979 and 1985, for which the recovery rate was only 36 percent as of June 1985.
Procurement of new engines and fishing gear was also constrained by foreign exchange problems and
difficulties with the central High Tender Board over contracts. Following the adviser's zrrival and on
the basis of the procedures he recommended, CACB issued 856 loans between 1985 and the end of 1990,
to a value of YR13.18 million, equivalent to US$1.8 million. By December 31, 1990 the recovery rate
for the whole portfolio, including the pre-1985 "problem" accounts, had risen to 83 percent and the Audit
was informed that even some of those old accounts had revived and were now being repaid.
2.37          Despite protracted disputes between GCDFR, the design consultant engineers and the
harbor construction contractors, Hodeidah and Khawbah fishing harbors and associated shore facilities
were completed on schedule in 1984. Khawbah water supply was not completed until June 1989 about
6 years late, and the access road to Khawbah was not even started until October 1989 and has still not


- 11 -
been completed. Three inland fish markets were built, at Sana'a, Taiz and Ibb, 4 years late in 1986, but
the fish landing facilities at Khawkhah and Mocha were finished on schedule in 1982.
2.38          The greatest hindrance to timely and effective implementation of the Project was the
ambivalent attitude of the executing agency GCDFR. The role of GCDFR as envisaged by IDA at
appraisal and thereafter, was to exert all its efforts, in the process of implementation, to foster the
expansion and modernization of the artisanal fisheries, to encourage more active participation by private
enterprise in fish marketing and distribution, and to provide supporting services to the fishermen.
Unfortunately, it appears that this remit conflicted with other instructions from Government when
GCDFR was established, in which GCDFR was held responsible for domestic fish supply and for
developing any fisheries export potential through industrial scale fishing as appropriate. GCDFR was
created at about the same time as the appraisal mission visit and so had no track record. IDA was
apparently not aware of this conflict of interest until after project effectiveness. It was, therefore, taken
by surprise when GCDFR proposed to monopolize the fish trade and to engage in forms of industrial
fishing which IDA considered detrimental to artisanal fishing interests and incompatible with the agreed
aims and objectives of the Project. The incompatibility remained unresolved throughout implementation
because of GOY's reluctance to respond to the Bank's complaints.
2.39          The issue was repeatedly raised with Government by supervision missions and in
correspondence from Washington but to no avail. Government continually promised remedial action but
did nothing, the Chairman of GCDFR followed his chosen course of action, largely at the Project expense
but oblivious to any damage caused to the Project interests and objectives, and the Bank appeared
reluctant to take action, beyond reminding the Borrower to abide by the Project Agreement terms. As
to what GCDFR did do, it was apparently not a lot. The industrial fishing fleet in the end did not
materialize and a fish processing plant built to handle its catch has remained unused. As regards the
Project, a PIU was established and despite weaknesses it was able to process contracts for constructing
the highly successful Hodeidah fish harbor and other less successful onshore facilities. Since then
GCDFR has managed the harbor operations quite successfully despite the inadequate provision for
maintenance.
Project Results
2.40         Hodeidah Fisheries Harbor was the largest and arguably the most successful single
component. It was completed in 1984 on time and within budget and has proved so popular with both
fishermen and traders that the fleet now landing at Hodeidah and using the port facilities greatly exceeds
harbor design capacity. Tables 4(a) and 4(b) summarize the data available on numbers of fishing vessels.
The Audit was informed that a recent check by the Port Manager showed that the number of boats
regularly landing their catches into Hodeidah totalled at least 100 sambuks and 160-200 houris. These
totals include vessels from other coastal centers and a few from South Yemen but the result is that the
relatively short length of unloading quay is hopelessly congested, with 200 or more houris and sambuks
crowding in each morning to land their fish. The auction floor is likewise no longer large enough for
the volume of daily landings. Whereas there were originally 5 auctioneers to dispose of the catch, there
are now 14, each with 2 or 3 assistants. There are numerous legitimate traders and other fish buyers but
the overcrowding is made worse by the many unofficial "porters" and people having no proper business
in the harbor area but who it is not possible to exclude because of the lack of a landward perimeter fence.
The adverse impact of all this congestion on market hygiene and thus on fish quality is quite apparent.
2.41          The auction market generates considerable revenue for GCDFR, amounting, as shown
in Table 5, to YR8.3 million in 1992. But the Port Manager stated that he received only YR60,000 pa,
not including wages for 25 harbor staff, to cover annual maintenance costs. Major items which have been


- 12 -
outstanding for years because of a lack of funds include repairs to the badly corroded corrugated-iron
market hall roof, road resurfacing, replacement of the slipway winch, and dredging, particularly in the
harbor entrance and alongside the unloading quay where the harbor has silted up badly.
2.42          The very limited time available precluded on-site visits by the audit mission to any of the
fishing centers along the Red Sea coast other than Hodeidah. However, from discussions with GCDFR
staff members who were members of the PIU team, it was confirmed that although the Khawbah jetty
and onshore fish and shrimp processing facility were built, the jetty has become unusable because of
severe siltation and now dries out at low tide. The processing plant has never been used, except for the
production of ice which is in high demand by local fishermen and traders. The new Khawbah water
supply is no doubt greatly appreciated by local residents for domestic purposes, as well as enabling ice
to be made at the factory, but the access road has still not been completed, apparently because of lack
of finance. No attempt has been made to maintain a dredged channel to the jetty at Khawbah for the
same reason.
2.43          The three inland fish markets were designed, located and built in consultation with local
officials but have remained unused because their locations proved unsatisfactory and because fish is
customarily sold through local shops and other private channels (PCR, para. 5.06). The Audit considers
that it would have been better had the consultation been with traders and consumers rather than officials.
The fishery service centers at Khawkhah and Mocha also proved to be a waste of resources, because
private repair facilities already existed and were much more competitive than the GCDFR owned
operations.
2.44          As described in para. 2.35, the credit component had a shaky start but, after the belated
arrival of the fisheries credit adviser, the lending program was turned around into a highly successful part
of the Project, with the loan recovery rate of at least 83 percent. Prior to 1985 CACB had poor results
from its relatively small fisheries loans portfolio, mainly because of a lack of understanding about the
artisanal fishing sub-sector. Fishermen wanting loans had to make several visits to CACB's Hodeidah
office, each costing up to 3 days income from lost fishing time as well as the direct cost of bus fares.
In most cases, repayments also involved having to make monthly visits to the office. Under the new
arrangements recommended by the adviser and initiated by the CACB, staff receive specialist training in
fisheries matters and then visit the fishing villages at regular intervals, usually fortnightly, to explain the
system to prospective new applicants, to assist in completing the documentation, and to collect repayment
installments from borrowers. This means that fishermen rarely have to visit Hodeidah more than once
to obtain the loan. Repayments are equally easily arranged. The regular visits enable CACB staff to
acquire a more detailed understanding of the fisheries, the way of life of the fishing communities, the
seasonal nature of fishing and fishermen' earnings and the nature of the individual borrowers. Fishermen
in turn have developed an affinity with the bank staff concerned, as people with whom they can discuss
their problems.
Evaluation Findings and Issues
a) Fish Resources
2.45          Some anxiety has to be expressed at this stage concerning the fish stocks in YAR waters
of the Red Sea. As noted in the SAR (para. 2.04), information and data on the fish resources were scarce
at the time of appraisal and are not much better now. In the meantime however, fish production has
grown steadily, from about 11,000 mt in the late 1970's, through 18,000 to 22,000 in the mid-1980's,
to more than 30,000 mt/pa in 1991 and 1992, as shown in Table 6. The accuracy of these figures is
questionable but they seem likely to be of at least the right order of magnitude.


- 13 -
2.46          If the figures are about right, and the earlier assessments of annual maximum sustainable
yield of about 30,000 mt are also correct, then the fishery may now be close to the limit. On the other
hand, even if the figures are in error and exaggerate the risk of overfishing, the uncertainty still remains.
It is crucial that a more reliable system for monitoring the Red Sea fish stock and fishing efforts be
instituted.
2.47          IDA should note that whereas fish resource constraints were considered by the appraisal
team, there is little or no subsequent reference even in the PCR. The Region considers that supervision
missions kept the resource base under regular review, but the Audit recommends that it is necessary to
include appropriate references to such reviews in supervision and completion reports. Now that the two
countries have united, the services of specialized agencies in the former PDRY fisheries administration
are available to the whole area. In particular, staff of the Marine Science Resources and Research Center
in Aden, who have been posted to the newly established research station in Hodeida, need to institute
more authoritative fish stock assessment studies in Red Sea waters, to safeguard the fishery against any
risk of overfishing (see para. 2.74).
b) Project Planning
2.48          The PCR concludes (paras. 6.01(ii) and 10.01(i)) that project design was too complicated
and that this contributed to the project's overall disappointing performance. The Audit agrees that, in
the case of a first project in the sector with a weak fisheries administration and with project
implementation entrusted to a newly established parastatal agency, it would have been sensible to reduce
the number of components and locations involved. In the Audit's opinion and as happened in neighboring
PDRY, the Project could have been used to build up an institutional and administrative capability to
design and implement a more ambitious follow-up program. However, in this context, the Audit must
disagree with the statement in the PCR (para. 10.01(iii)) concerning the provision of infrastructure,
because there are many examples where a feeder road, ice plant, or sheltered landing has been the key
prerequisite for a fishery to develop.
2.49          Although it is common practice to entrust project implementation to parastatal
organizations, it is essential to verify during the planning process that there are no incompatibilities
between project terms of reference and the agency's other responsibilities. The Audit was informed by
PIU and other GCDFR staff that in this case, GCDFR was not set up primarily to implement the IDA
project but had other terms of reference to fulfil, some of which conflicted. IDA's attitude to this
situation was described by GCDFR as being at times unhelpful but, as outlined in paras. 2.37 and 2.38
above, the matter remained unresolved throughout the project period. Whatever the rights and wrongs,
the Bank should not have allowed this dispute to fester for so long. More should have been done, at the
highest level necessary, as soon as the nature and scale of the problem became apparent. As regards the
lesson for future reference, the Audit agrees with the PCR conclusions (paras. 6.01(i) and 10.01(ii))
concerning the need to spell out the requirements for project implementation and obtain specific prior
assurances from the agency concerned and the government. In addition, the Audit stresses the need for
even greater caution in cases where the agency concerned is newly established and thus has no track
record by which to judge its ability and aspirations.
c) Artisanal Fishing Boat Design
2.50          The Audit endorses the PCR conclusion (para 10.01) that the introduction of new types
of fishing boat into a traditional artisanal fishery is a process requiring great care and the direct
participation of the fishermen concerned over a lengthy period. The idea that an acceptable design could
be developed during appraisal (PCR, para. 4.01-iii) is just not feasible. Time is required for prototype


- 14 -
selection, trials by selected fishermen, modifications, retrials, etc, until a satisfactory outcome is achieved
and experience suggests that all this can take up to three years. Artisanal boats successfully developed
in India under the Gujarat Fisheries Project (Credit 695-IN) and in the Maldives under the First Fisheries
Project (Credit 907-MAL) provide good examples of how it should be done. Sadly there are all too many
examples of the reverse.
d) Credit for Artisanal Fisheries
2.51          The principal features of the ultimately highly successful fisheries credit component are
comprehensively described in the PCR (para. 5.01) and further summarized in this PAR, para. 2.43
above. However, a key element in the Audit's view, which distinguishes CACB from so many other
lending agencies elsewhere and so-called "participating" banks, is that CACB has been prepared to listen
and to accept expert advice. In addition, CACB has not believed, as have so many others, that a
successful lending portfolio can be created without providing and training specialist staff and thereby
incurring extra costs for salaries and travel expenses. Many credit scheme failures have resulted from
the lending agencies' unwillingness to adjust their procedures to fishing sector needs or to incur the added
costs needed to ensure success. Examples include India, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh Fisheries, Credits
Nos 695-IN and 815-IN; Yemen, Ist Fisheries Project, Credit 370-YDR; and Tunisia 1st Fisheries
Project, Credit 270-TUN.
e) Reporting
2.52          Project monitoring and reporting has been weak.  Although the PCR provides a
reasonable summary of project experience, from IDA's perspective, the record shows that it was drafted
as a desk assignment in Washington and not as the outcome of a project completion mission to Yemen.
Some of the information, eg the appended plan of Hodeidah Fish Harbor, is misleading. MOF was
requested but apparently failed to provide a review of the Project from the borrower's perspective and
as a consequence there was no opportunity for project staff to discuss any of the issues or to contribute
to the findings in any other way. This is in marked contrast to the Yemen 3rd Fisheries Project only a
few months later on, in which the PCR was drafted by an FAO/World Bank CP mission in consultation
with PIU staff and where the Government also contributed a section containing the borrower's reaction.
2.53          This all took place more than a year after national unification and the Audit finds it hard
to understand why the response was so different in the two cases only a few months apart. Former PIU
staff in Hodeidah informed the Audit that they had not seen the PCR until a few days before the Audit's
arrival, nor had they been asked about providing a text for Part II. Communication to and within Yemen
is not easy, as the Audit also found upon arrival in Sana'a, and must have been even more difficult in
the aftermath of unification and ministerial reorganization. It seems that the messages did not reach their
correct destination but, as the Bank must have been aware of the communication problem, it is considered
that greater effort should have been made to contact the people concerned and thereby obtain MOF's
contribution. Even at this late stage it is suggested that this should still be attempted so as to avoid any
risk of the PCR being regarded as too one-sided. This might also clear the way for a follow-up project
to expand Hodeidah Fish Harbor, to build up the feeder road network to fishing villages/fish landing
sites, to improve basic services, such as village water supplies and provision for ice manufacture and
distribution, and also to make good some of the defects from the 1st Project.
f) Economic Returns
2.54          The Appraisal estimated ERR (28 percent) and the re-estimated value (13 percent) at
completion are, as noted in the PCR (para. 5.07), subject to considerable uncertainty because of the lack


- 15 -
of reliable data. The lower value was based on benefits being limited to incremental fish production on
the whole YAR coast, the fish harbor development, the credit scheme, and the supplies of water and ice
at Khawbah. Data obtained by the Audit was no more reliable but suggests that the situation remains
essentially the same as at completion and therefore that the estimate of 13 percent is probably about right.
The two principal components, namely Hodeidah fish harbor and the fisheries credit scheme, which
account for nearly 65% of actual project costs, have both proved very successful. The unsuccessful
elements, such as Khawbah pier, the inland fish markets, service centers at Khawkah and Mocha and the
Khawbah link road, were relatively less costly. Overall, the project has undoubtedly produced a
substantial increase in volume of fish catch and in fishermen's earnings and fisheries sector employment,
even though the very limited available data are unreliable and (as is the case for Hodeidah landings
figures in Table 6) sometimes contradictory.
C. Republic of Yemen: Third Fisheries Development Project (Cr. 1274-YDR)
Project Background
2.55          IDA involvement in fisheries development in the former PDRY has focussed on the needs
of the 5,000 or so fishermen who comprise the traditional inshore and small-scale artisanal fisheries
sub-sector, whereas earlier GOY efforts concentrated on exploiting the fish resources of the Gulf of Aden
by means of licensed or joint venture industrial scale fishing and state owned fish processing enterprises.
This audit is concerned with the Third Project in an ongoing program in which the Fourth Fisheries
Project is already in progress.
2.56          The First Project, approved in 1973, financed the construction of a fish receiving station
at Shihr, cold storage facilities at Mukalla and provision of 100 mechanized fishing boats for use by
members of artisanal fishing cooperatives in the Shihr/Mukalla area. The First Project was completed
in 1981. The Second Project commenced in 1979 and centered on the construction of a fishing and
general purpose harbor at Nishtun, some 220 miles east of the First Project area and adjoining the border
with Oman. The project also provided improved shore facilities, boats, engines and gear to fishing
villages in the area. The project was completed and the credit closed in June 1987.
2.57          The Third Fisheries Project was identified and prepared by FAO/Bank CP missions and
appraised by IDA in October 1981 with the aims of creating a specialized training capability for the
fisheries sector, improving the traditional sub-sector's productivity and strengthening the marketing role
and onshore facilities of five selected fisheries cooperatives in the vicinity of Aden. The project was
approved in June 1982 and declared effective in February 1983.
Project Design
2.58          As revised in 1987, the project comprised an IDA credit of US$6.0 million (SDR 5.4
million), an IFAD loan of US$5.0 million (SDR 4.45 million), an EEC credit of US$3.8 million, an Arab
Fund (AFESD) contribution of US$8.8 million, and a GOY counterpart share of US$5.9 million, a total
estimated cost therefore of US$29.4 million. The main components of the project were:
a)   construction and equipping of a Fisheries Manpower Development Center near Aden,
incorporating a technical secondary school and providing preservice specialized training
and in-service short courses for fishermen and ancillary workers. A fisheries extension
service, with headquarters in FMDC, would serve all the outlying fishing villages;


-16-
b)   provision of facilities for handling, storing and marketing of fish by cooperatives in five
village centers; and
c)   technical assistance for FMDC's training program.
2.59          FMDC was initially designed to provide fisheries-related specialized training which was
not available elsewhere, and which could lead to certification of deck officers and marine engineers for
the industrial fishing fleet and diplomas for supervisors and managers of shore based fish processing
operations. In-service training needs for existing MFW staff would also be catered for. The village
development component was intended to assist the cooperatives concerned towards greater autonomy in
marketing their members' catch, instead of having to rely only on the National Corporation for Fish
Marketing (NCFM).
2.60          The MFW assumed overall responsibility for the project and established a PIU for the
purpose which greatly benefitted from the experience gained during implementation of the first two
projects.
Project Implementation
2.61  -       Delays in the selection of consulting engineers consequent on IDA objections to the
original nomination, changes to the draft tender documents also at IDA's behest, revision of the
co-financing arrangements and agreements, plus the aftermath of the January 1986 riots, resulted in the
loss of over three years. It was not until April 1987 that contracts were awarded covering the main
project components. Construction of the FMDC complex was completed in September 1990 and all the
equipment ordered was delivered by April 1991.
2.62          There was a change in the arrangements for fisheries extension consequent on UNDP
funding an FAO initiative to expand the existing MFW fisheries extension service independently of
FMDC. The proposal to develop a separate extension organization based on the Manpower Center and
supported by the project was not pursued. However it is expected that closer links between FMDC and
the MFW HQ based operation will be developed.
2.63          The contract for construction of the Village Fisheries Facilities was awarded in May 1987
and the completed structures handed over to the cooperatives at Fokum, Ras Imran, Bir Ali, Shuqra and
Ras al Ara in February 1990. As noted in the PCR (para. 5.13-5.17), they were more elaborate and
more costly than originally intended, due to the addition of facilities such as boat ramps, slipways and
fish cleaning/filleting lines, on MFW's insistence. This overspecification was unfortunate, not only
because of the extra costs but also because the role cooperatives has since evolved (see para. 2.65),
making some of the facilities unnecessary or inappropriate, and therefore under-utilized.
2.64          Covenants were complied with, except for delays in appointment of key managers, and
the absence of cost recovery plans after village facilities were transferred to cooperatives.
Project Results
2.65          The fisheries sector has been profoundly affected by the political, social and economic
changes that have occurred since 1988. The former large scale, state controlled industrial fishing
operations have stopped, and revival of such fishing by private enterprise is progressing only very slowly,
if at all. The arrangement whereby all artisanal caught fish had to be sold through the fisheries
cooperatives to NCFM has been abolished and the function of the cooperatives has also changed to a


- 17 -
service role. Catches may now be sold directly to fish traders under an auction system managed by the
cooperative concerned and this has resulted in fishe r concentrating on the quality species required by
the trade and for which the traders are prepared to pay premium prices in cash. The Audit visited the
Shugra cooperative, which now charges 5 percent of the auction price whereas in the past it retained 40
percent of the payments received from NCFM, and fishermen often had to wait for long periods before
receiving payment. According to fishermen interviewed during the Audit, they now feel there is an real
incentive to increase their productivity.
2.66          Since the two countries united in 1990, the Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank
from the north has established branches in Aden, Mukalla and Abyan and is operating a fisheries credit
scheme essentially the same as in Hodeidah. This has enabled many fishermen to purchase the boats they
have been using hitherto, but which have remained cooperative property and therefore liable to
re-allocation. Others are obtaining loans for new boats, although this is constrained by a shortage of
engines, in Shuqra alone the Audit was informed that there are as many as 60 potential applicants for boat
loans and more again for replacement engines and fishing gear. It is reported that the Gulf of Aden
fishing fleet has grown from just under 2,000 vessels in 1989, to 2,600 in 1991/92.
2.67          As noted in para. 2.61 a FMDC was completed and fully equipped by April 1991, but
by then the collapse of the industrial fishery reduced the demand for trained sea-going staff and imposed
a reorientation towards the training needs of artisanal fishermen and ancillary trades, such as boat
building and marine mechanics, etc. Adjustments to the curriculum and teaching practice have been slow
but these are getting better. Consideration is also being given to the acquisition of one or more mobile
training vehicles, with demonstration equipment, in which the highly trained FMDC staff can conduct
training sessions at fishing villages in collaboration with MFW extension service staff.
Evaluation Findings and Issues
a) Fisheries TWAining
2.68          FMDC was designed to cover the fisheries related training needs both of the offshore
industrial fishing sub-sector and of the inshore artisanal fisheries. The virtual demise of industrial fishing
imposed a shift in emphasis in the FMDC training curriculum towards the artisanal fishing sub-sector;
this was difficult for a number of the more senior staff members whose experience was derived mainly
from the industrial fishing fleet. Despite this difficulty, good progress has been made in the last 2-3 years
in making the necessary adjustments and the resultant courses have been very helpful in training numbers
of MFW staff whose duties concern the artisanal fisheries. With regard to the fishermen there are other
problems, and in particular, a reluctance to attend courses away from home because it involves losing
several days fishing and income. Attendance allowances are unlikely to do more than partially
compensate for these losses. Under these circumstances the mobile training vehicles mentioned in para.
2.67 could have a greater role than merely establishing a rapport with the extensionists. They could
become the principal means by which the expertise at FMDC can be disseminated to the fishing
community, on their own doorstep and with the minimum loss of fishing time.
2.69          Unless there is a revival in industrial fishing in the near future, there is a considerable
risk that the excellent facilities at FMDC will be underutilized. With this in mind, and as a short term
expedient, the Audit was informed that FMDC management has been in contact with the growing local
oil industry which also has needs for trained navigators and marine engineers. School leavers, especially
from fishing communities who may be receptive to the idea of working in the industry, could be given
appropriately designed courses as diesel engine and refrigeration plant mechanics, or as carpenters/boat
builders/repairers. In addition, so far few if any fisheries staff from North Yemen have attended FMDC


- 18 -
style courses and would certainly benefit. The possibility of foreign students coming to Aden is also kept
in mind and between all these prospects it should be possible to keep FMDC fully occupied for the next
few years.
b) Fisheries Extension Service
2.70          As noted in para. 2.62 above and in the PCR (para. 5.10), the plans for setting up a
countrywide fisheries extension program centered on FMDC were effectively abandoned after UNDP
funding became available to MFW to reinforce the existing MFW fisheries extension service. This
service had operated quite successfully for a number of years previously, in support of artisanal fishing
gear modernization and mechanizing the fishing fleet, even in places as remote as Socotra Island. Thus,
it was surprising to note that the SAR and other preimplementation project documentation appears to
contain no reference to the prior existence of the MFW activity, nor do they provide any justification for
the apparent overlap or duplication. It is also surprising that UNDP appears to have been unaware of
the IDA project plans for extension, not least because IFAD was a co-financier, and this suggests a need
for greater coordination between the multilateral agencies. In the Audit's view, the aim should have been
to build on and strengthen pre-existing institutions rather than duplicate them.
c) Market Liberalization
2.71          The contrast between the marketing situation for artisanal catches between now and 1981,
after completion of the First Fisheries Project, is quite dramatic. The bulk of the catch then comprised
small pelagics and other lower grade species that could be caught in larger amounts. All fish had to be
sold through the Public Corporation for Fish Wealth, now the NCFM. Cooperatives were little more
than PCFW agents, and fishermen had little or no incentive to use their skills to search for the better
varieties or to protect catches against spoilage. Now, fishermen have responded to market demand by
greatly increasing production of the better demersal fish species and are well aware of the difference in
market value between well looked after chilled/fresh fish and others left lying in the sun for long periods.
The auction system effectively protects fishermen against any attempts at market rigging, but the traders
are also benefitting from the new regime because they are now able to obtain the kinds and quality of fish
that their customers require. The experience demonstrates clearly that both the producers and traders are
quick to respond to the more advantageous situation, with little or no need for further inducement.
d) Project Initiation and Supervision
2.72          As described in the PCR (paras. 8.1 and 8.2), the initial three years that were effectively
lost as a result of IDA's rejection of the original choice of consultant engineer, and demands for revision
of tender documentation, might have been handled in a more positive and constructive fashion thereby
minimizing the time loss. It is right and proper that the Bank should oversee this crucial stage in any
project, but it is unwise to assume that Bank procedures and requirements can be complied with unless
the Bank ensures that the necessary technical and administrative advice and briefing is provided from the
outset. Even in cases such as this where it might be thought that the earlier project should have provided
the necessary experience, it is by no means safe to assume that same staff remain. Courses, promotions
and transfers, etc, all take their toll. Thus, more broadly based and more frequent supervision at the
beginning is required and the Audit concurs with the recommendations in the PCR (para. 8.3(i) and (ii)).
2.73          There were 14 supervision missions during the 9 years from late 1982 to mid-1991 and
although the official record (PCR, Table 8) shows the involvement of a fisheries specialist in only 4 of
the first 6 missions and none thereafter, in fact missions 6 through 14 were all led by a senior fisheries
economist (designated AE) following his transfer into MENA from another division. Thus, there was


- 19 -
no skimping of fisheries expertise throughout the project, but it could have benefitted from greater inputs
of engineering and administrative knowledge. In-country project monitoring and reporting seemed
adequate.
e) Fish Resources
2.74          The Marine Resources and Research Center (MRRC) located in Aden is the agency under
MFW responsible for assessing and monitoring the fish stocks in the sea areas controlled by the united
ROY. The Center also undertakes studies in physical, chemical and biological oceanography, marine
pollution and mariculture and for these purposes operates two research vessels and has branches at
Mukalla and, more recently, at Hodeidah. The Center appears to be well staffed with an appropriate
range of expertise but it also has to operate under very severe budgetary constraints, particularly since
1992, such that field work has become a practical impossibility. If this situation should continue for
much longer the implications for fish stock management and conservation will be serious. MRRC
received support under a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
funded project, now completed. The IDA funded Fourth Fisheries project (Cr.2265-YEM) includes some
assistance to MRR, to strengthen its operations along both coasts. This should be kept under close review
in case additional support is needed to ensure effective coverage.
2.75          Fish production data from the Gulf of Aden fishery for a selection of years between 1980
and 1990, are shown in Table 7. Figures for 1991 and 1992 were not available, but the table does show
the decline in pelagic fish production consequent on the demise of the industrial fishing fleet, and the
increase in demersal fish catch from the artisanal fleet since 1989/1990. Except for the Red Sea demersal
stocks there appears to be no immediate risk of overfishing and indeed quite the reverse in case of the
stocks of small pelagic species in the Gulf of Aden and western Arabian Sea. These fish were the basis
of the industrial fishery which must revive sooner or later, but under present circumstances may need
some additional encouragement if the hopes for private investment are to be realized. Nevertheless, it
is considered important that in any future Bank involvement in Yemen fisheries there should be a
component in support of fisheries research and fish stock assessment, as a safeguard in the future for all
the past investment.
f) Artisanal Fisheries Credit
2.76          Although the provision of fisheries credit was not among the aims of the Third Project,
it has been a noticeable element in the changing situation during implementation and subsequently. The
action by CACB to open branches in the south has stimulated demand for new boats and had beneficial
effects on the boat building, marine engineering and gear supply trades. The Audit was informed that
loan recovery rates were as good or better than in Hodeidah, and in mid-1992 were:
Aden       -     92.1 percent
Abyan      -     77.4 percent
Mukalla    -     88.3 percent
All of which augurs well for sustainable good performance.
g) Economic Returns
2.77          The SAR estimate of overall ERR for the project, excluding FMDC, was 22.5 percent
and this was reduced to 16.5 percent (PCR para. 6.5) at completion, mainly on the grounds of increased
project costs particularly for the Village Fisheries Facility component. The political and social changes


- 20 -
since 1990, whereby among other effects the former producer cooperatives have been converted to a
service role, have rendered some facilities, such as the processing lines at cooperative depots, now
surplus to requirements. Physical changes such as beach erosion at some places and siltation at others
have made some other project facilities inoperable, eg the slipway at Shuqra. Conversely, these negative
effects are offset by the greater volume of higher value fish species now being landed and by the
improvement in fishermen's incomes consequent on the changed marketing arrangements. Although it
was not possible to collect and verify sufficient data to undertake an authoritative recalculation of ERR,
the features outlined above suggest that the PCR valuation is still about right.
III. OVERALL FINDINGS AND ISSUES
FIsheries Resources
3.1           The issue of inadequate knowledge and understanding about fish stocks has figured in
different ways in all three cases, together with underfunded or otherwise inadequate research and fish
resource assessment and the companion risk of over-fishing. As already stipulated in the Bank Sector
Policy Paper,1 it is strongly urged that systematic attention be given to the need for effective
monitoring of fish catch in all fisheries projects.
3.2           There is an international dimension to fish resource assessment, which applies to most
marine fishery situations and to some inland fisheries, eg the African Great Lakes. Many species migrate
from one area of national jurisdiction to those of neighboring countries. It follows that the data
processing and effective management of such fisheries must be properly coordinated and projects should
be designed to facilitate such action, in the interest of all concerned.
FIsheries Project Administration
3.3           In all three cases, there were long delays after the projects were declared effective, while
consulting engineers were identified, approved and contracted, and while tender documentation was sorted
out and contracts awarded in ways that satisfied both IDA and the national authorities. In most cases it
is believed that delays of this nature could be greatly reduced, if not avoided altogether, if the Bank
would:
a)   ensure that appraisal missions carefully check the local regulations and requirements
covering recruitment, tenders and major contracts, etc., so that any incompatibilities with
IDA rules can be resolved during negotiations; and
b)   ensure that PIU staff have all the information, other administrative briefing and technical
backing needed to minimize the learning period and avoid costly errors.
For example, if IDA wished to disqualify a particular consultant or contractor on the grounds of
unsatisfactory past performance, as was the case with the YDR Third Fisheries Project, it would have
been sensible to inform the PIU of that decision from the outset so that they would not waste time and
could have directed their efforts elsewhere to locate other more suitable people. In the two other cases
the PIUs were staffed by people who were not familiar with IDA procedures and requirements. The
inclusion of a Disbursement Division expert in an early supervision team, to brief PIU staff on the spot,
would have been of great benefit to all concerned and helped to save a lot of time. This action was taken
1/ World Bank, Fishery Development: Sector Policy Paper, Report No. 3915, May 1982, parm. 5.24, 5.30.


-21 -
in the case of the Maldives First Fisheries Project and proved very beneficial both to the Bank and to
reinforcing the capability of the PIU.
3.4           Fisheries projects, which include much construction or upgrading of port and processing
facilities, are prone to delays and difficulties due to lack of familiarity with Bank procurement procedures.
They are also frequently implemented in small countries with no resident mission, so the PIU depends
on supervision missions for advice. It is recommended that Bank staff assess the familiarity of
implementation staff with procurement and disbursement procedures and plan for appropriate supervision
assistance and/or formal training at the earliest stage of implementation.
Fish Marketing
3.5           The three projects provide a range of fish marketing situations for comparison. In the
Maldives, the State Trading Organization effectively controls the export of frozen and canned tuna
through its subsidiary organizations, DMP and Felivaru, and, therefore, has a dominant influence on the
prices which fishermen can obtain for their catch. However, the previous STO monopoly on Maldive
fish and other dried fish exports no longer applies, so that the private traders are also able to buy tuna
and have some impact on prices. As their market seems to be almost solely restricted to Sri Lanka, and
as it appears that the market there for fish from the Maldives is also limited (the Audit was informed that
the dried fish stores were full and therefore the traders had temporarily stopped buying), there is a
balance between the two outlets from which fishermen can benefit. There is pressure on STO and the
Government to expand the privatization process, such as in the case of fuel distribution, but it is by no
means clear that there is a sufficient pool of entrepreneurs ready, willing and able to take over. In the
meantime it seems that STO has worked quite well and care will be needed to make sure that when and
if it is eventually replaced, it will be succeeded by something better, not worse.
3.6           In PDRY, until recently fishermen were dominated by the Peoples' Corporation for Fish
Wealth, now the NCFM, which was bureaucratic, inefficient and failed to provide any incentive to
fishermen. Under pressure it has now given way to a cooperatively managed free auction market system
in which the interests of fishermen and private traders are both enhanced, at least insofar as fish supply
for the domestic market is concerned. If the industrial fishery does revive, producing mainly for export,
there may be need once again for a centralized fish processing and export marketing operation. This
would probably require at least a regulatory role by the state, in conjunction with private enterprise
development.
3.7           In North Yemen prior to starting the IDA project, the widely dispersed artisanal fishery
left fishermen very much in the hands of traders who were also the only practical source of credit. It
appears that Government's intention in setting up the GCDFR was directed at possible offshore
semi-industrial fishing rather than helping the inshore artisanal sector. However, creation of the auction
market and fish harbor at Hodeidah has so stimulated traders and fishermen that GCDFR (now part of
NCFM) has effectively been sidelined and limited to the role of provider of services such as harbor
management, supplies of ice, etc. So long as the balance of influence between fishermen and traders
remains as it is, all should be well. However, there is a need to promote further onshore improvements
at other coastal locations, possibly including some lesser harbor works, feeder roads and ice production,
to avoid risk of the fishery becoming too heavily concentrated at Hodeidah.
Fisheries Credit
3.8           Rural credit in general, including lending to artisanal fishermen, has a rather dismal loan
recovery record in most parts of the world. It is therefore an unusual coincidence to find two quite


- 22 -
dissimilar countries in which the lending programs have been so successful. The circumstances
underlying this success in the Maldives, where there is a fairly strict system of island administration,
where the credit has been limited to tuna fishing boats and where the number of sales outlets for tuna
catches is limited, are probably not replicable elsewhere. The fisheries loan scheme in Yemen, on the
other hand, has more general relevance and may prove to be an example which could be applied in other
artisanal fisheries situations. The key element is a lending agency prepared to operate a scheme which
accommodates to the fishermen' way of life. The agency needs to specially train staff and enable them
to deliver the banking service to the fishermen at the fish landing center, thus minimizing any loss of
fishing time. In most other cases the schemes appear to have been designed mainly to suit the bank's
convenience and it is not surprising that they evoked a negative response from the fishermen concerned.
3.9          In North Yemen prior to the start of the IDA project, fishermen wanting a loan had to
make repeated visits to the bank's head office in Hodeidah before their applications could be considered
and yet more visits subsequently to deposit their repayments. For fishermen based at more distant centers,
the time taken up by each visit could involve the loss of one or more days fishing and corresponding loss
of earnings, powerful disincentives which forced most fishermen to turn to the traditional moneylenders-
and other sources of informal credit. Under the new scheme nearly everything can be done at the fishing
village thus maximizing the benefit to the fishermen, which they clearly appreciate. The consultant who
designed the scheme deserves particular credit for his work.
3.10          As a result of this Audit, the Region now plans to write up a case study of the Yemen
experience. It will provide an example of an innovative lending scheme and should be of interest to other
World Bank regions, regional banks and other organizations such as the EEC Commission.
FIshing Vessels
3.11          Both the Maldives and North Yemen projects had components aimed at introducing new
types of fishing boat and both failed. In the Maldives this was because the vessel developed during the
preceding project for offshore fishing was judged to be unsuitable, if not unseaworthy. The fund for
building a number of these crafts was used instead on building a larger number of inshore boats of
already proven and popular design. In Yemen the intention to introduce a new type of artisanal inshore
trawler which, it was believed, could be designed during the appraisal mission, was also abandoned after
it was found that local fishermen had adapted existing sambuks for shrimp trawling.
3.12         In both cases the project planners had failed to verify if there was a need for a new type
of vessel and, if so, whether it was possible to modify an existing local boat for the purpose. Had the
answer to the second question been negative then provision would have been needed for up to 3 years
of consultation with fishermen, trials of several possible designs, selection of the most suitable for
modification and construction of prototype, further trials and modifications, eventually ending up with
an acceptable vessel in which the fishermen would have confidence.
3.13          A further problem, affecting the maintenance and renewal of traditional fishing fleets, is
the increasing scarcity and escalating cost of timber for boat building and repair. For example, in the
Maldives the traditional craft were hand built from coconut palm timber until Government had to prohibit
further felling from state palm forests as a conservation measure. Accordingly, for the past 12 years or
more, boats have been built with hardwood timber imported from Sri Lanka and elsewhere. The cost
of such timber has increased from US$300/ton in 1983 up to US$1,500/ton now, with a corresponding
rise in the cost of the standard boat from MRf99,000 to MRf235,000. Timber could well become too
scarce and too expensive for such boats to be economic, in which case alternative materials, such as GRP
(fiberglass) will have to be considered, but adaptation of the boat designs to suit different materials will
involve much the same lengthy process as outlined above.


- 23 -
Table 1: Republic of the Maldives - Second Fisheries Project
Summary of Fisheries Statistics; Project Area, 1980-1992
Year        Mechanical     Total       Catch        No. of Trips      Trips per   Catch per
Masdhoani       Catch      per Boat      (Fishing days)   Boat        Boat Trip
(No.)YV         (mt)       (nt)        (No.)h'           (No.)       (kg)
1980        375            14500       38.7         n.a.              n.a.        n.a.
1987        366            26300       71.9         60300             165         436
1988        463            29600       63.9         70874             153         418
1989        446            32400       72.6         78468             176         413
1990        474            31300       66.8         82404             174         380
1991        507            31400       61.9         80293             158         391
1992        595            31900       53.6         n.a.              n.a.        n.a.
A'    Boats recorded as engaged in fishing.
One trip equals one fishing day, equals the unit of effort.
Source: Statistics Section, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture
Table 2: Republic of the Maldives - Second Fisheries Project
Felivaru Tuna-Processing Plant - Raw Material Supplies
Summary of Fish Purchases (Metric Tons)
Year           Felivaru    Collector     DMPL             Total     Rejects          (%)
Jettyh'    Boatss'         (nt)          (mt)        (nt)
(m1t)      (Mt)
1988             5201.2      1986.8       2765.0         9953.0       550.1         (5.5)
1989             6440.9      4347.4       2160.0        12948.3       945.2         (7.3)
1990             4569.5      3872.7       5673.0        14115.2       991.3         (7.0)
1991             2895.7      4137.4       7595.0        14628.1       825.5         (5.6)
1992             3106.6      5097.4       5851.6        14055.6       791.2         (5.6)
19931            1082.0      2642.4       4212.2         7936.6         n.a
V     1993 data for 7 months only-January/July inclusive.
Deliveries by fishing boat directly to the Folivaru Plant.
Fish purchased at outer islands by project collector vessels.
IV    Fish purchased from the Southern Maldives Dhokunuge Masgathumuge Project.
Source: STO/Felivaru Tuna Processing Plant Annual Reports


- 24 -
Table 3: Republic of the Maldives - Second Fisheries Project
Average Annual World Skipjack Tuna Prices
(US$)
(a) Frozen Whole Skipjack (US$/Ton, FOB Male)
End 1981                 -               1100
End 1982                 -                600
End 1984                 -                350
End 1988                 -                909
End 1989                 -                867
End 1990                 -                813
End 1991                 -                610
End 1992                 -                639
1st. Half 1993          -                 655
(b)   Canned Chunk Skipjack (US$/Case, C&F Europe)
1988                    -               26.58
1989                    -               23.71
1990                    -               27.48
1991                    -               26.67
1992                    -               24.37
1st. Half 1993          -               23.48
Source: MOF and STO data.
Table 4: Republic of Yemen - Fisheries Development Project
Summary of Fishing Fleet Statistics
Year                   Houris          Sawbuks
(a) National Fleet (Appraisal Estimate & Forecasts)
1979/1980              815             157
1985                   803             247
1990                   794             256
(b) Growth in Hodeidah Based Fishing Fleet
1987                   52              70
1989                   60              73
1990                   60              75
1991                   70              70
1992/93                75              80
Source:  Staff Appraisal Report, April 1980.
NESFM (GCDFR) Port Managers Reports.


- 25 -
Table 5: Republic of Yemen - FIsheries Development Project
GCDFR Revenue from Hodeidah Auction FIsh Market.1
(Levy @ 3% of Auction Sale Prices)
Year                            Total Collectedd
1985                               YR   767,065
1986                                  2,179,363
1987                                  2,763,094
1988                                  2,779,260
1989                                  2,889,911
1990                                   2,936,407
1991                                   3,690,790
1992                                   8,338,132
Data more reliable than those listed for Hodeidah in Table 6.
Source: GCDFR Accounts Branch, Hodeidah
Table 6: Republic of Yemen - FIsheries Development Project
Red Sea Coastal FIsh Landingsfi
(Metric Tons)
Landing Center               1989            1990             1991            1992
Macha                         130              176             225             n.a.
Khawbah                      2439            2633              n.a.            n.a.
Hodeidah                     5366            3282             4644            4143
Khawkhah                      792              781            1839            2260
Kataaba                       911              864            1015            1742
Hayma                         430             1457            2251             n.a.
Othersb'                    14912           18337           24236            28585
Totals                      24980           27530           34210            36730
A' This table is based on limited data and should be treated as indicative only. Ihe key point is that totals since 1989 exceed the
minimal sustainable yield estimate for YAR Red Sea Fishery at 23,000 -32,000 mt/p.a. Fish and shrimp combined (Sauders,
1983). Landings for previous years were 1978/79: 11,600 mt./p.a. (SAR); 1983/87: 18,000 - 22,000 mt/p.a.
Total number of fishing communities about 40. (SAR)
Source: 4th Fisheries Project PIU, Aden


- 26 -
Table 7: Republic of Yemen - Third Fisheries Development Project
Gulf of Aden Fish Production 1980-19901
Type                     1980          1985          1986           1987           1990
Pelagichl                85.6          73.4           67.2           71.1           49.2
Demersail                20.3          17.3           28.2           22.3           38.8
Invertebratew             10.4          6.0            6.4            3.7            7.8
Other                     0.3             0              0            0.1              0
Total                   116.6          96.7          101.8           97.3           95.8
Earlier years data are available, but not since 1990.
Pelagic fish mostly from industrial fleet.
Demersal catch mostly from artisa=al fishenes.
V    Invertebrate catch is mainly cuttlefish.
Source: Project Implementation Unit, 4th Fisheries Project, Aden.


-27-                                     Annex
(Page 1 of 2)
COMMENTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE MALDIVES
MINISTRYOF FISHERIES AND AGRICULTURE
MALE'
REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES
FAX TRANSMISSION
TO;     Graham Donaldson, Chief                              DATE:   3 March, 1994
Agriculture and Human Development Division
Operations Evaluation Department                      FAX NO: (1) 202 522-3123
FROM; Economic Planning and Coordination Section             PAGES:   1
Dear Mr. Graham Donaldson,
Thank you for the opportnity to comment on the Draft Performance Audit Report of the Second
Fisheries Project (Cr.1320-MAL)
We had also noticed that the mean annual catch per boat and the catch per boat per day is showing
declining trends since 1989. One reason for this maybe that fishing boats in the project area have
reached the maximum economic yield (MEY). I agree that the consequences are grave and justifies,
as you have recommended, further investigation. We have also looked into the figures of other
regions and they too show the same trends from 1989. However, I believe that only by changing the
type of vessels, (a technological change) can we stop the declining trends.
In the project area as well as the new project area (South - Third Fisheries Project) I expect to see
the same trends. Anyway I would recommend to my minister that we should seriously investigate
this matter.
Thank you once again for your insights, I remain
Yours sincerely
Ali Ha
Assistant Director
If you do not receive the number of pages indicated, please advise immediately.
Telephone (960) 322625, Telex 77033 MAS MF, FAX (960) 326558


-28-                         Annex
(Page 2 of 2)
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL RESOURCES
MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND TREASURY
Ghawthe Building, Male', Republic of Maldives, Itl: (960) 317581-3 Fax: (960) 317592, Tlx: (896) 66326 EXTRES MF
To:    TEE WORLD BAN/USA
Attention: MR. GRAAM DONALDSON, CHIEP, AGRI.& HUMAN DEV. DIV.
From: MR. ADAM MANXXU/ DEPUTY MINISTER,
Date:  25. 04. 94
This Tunsmission should contain page/s including this cover sheet.
Should there be any missing / illegible please inform us immediately
RE: REPUBLIC OF KALDIVRS: SECOND PISHERIES PROJECT
(CR. 1320-MLD) DRAFT PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT
REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER DATED 1 FEBRUARY
1994 WITH REGARD TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROJECT.
I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT OTHER THAN THE
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES & AGRICULTURE (MOFA) ALL THE
OTHER CONCERNED AUTHORITIES HAVE NO COMMENTS FOR THE
SAID REPORT. I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE
COMMENTS FROM MOFA.
BEST REGARDS
HUDA ALI SHAREEF
SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER



s


!勝RD 16116R
一



IBRD 16117R
72040'                       73°00'                       73°20'                             DECEMBER 1982
INDI A
Uilgarnu
o NUVARAFUSOfI                                                               HAA ALIFFU
Huvaratushi
NUJVANANDHOO
SRI LANKA
Dh,dhdhoo
MALDIVES
Nolh iarantaru
6040                                                                                    KIhiudhoffush 640
HAA DRAALU
Mavaidhoo
Maama Kunudhor
6020,                                                                                             Feevah                                             6020
Maakadoodhoo
SHAVIYANI
Farukolhu
MALDIVES
SECOND FISHERY PROJECT
Major Fishing                  Grounds                         \
6 00 O-
' t" -Manadhoo
*      Major Fishing Islands
NOONU
Collecting Points
f      Freezing Plant                                  Al,fushi
Major Fishing Grounds
Naifaru  Administrative Capitals                                                       VIHAFARU
Alhtu1s1  Other Islands                                     RAA                 VEIDOG
-5040-540
---- --    Administrative Atolis
KADNO;NOO             Ugoofaaru
Hulhudhoo
0         T        20        30
KILOMETERS                                                                       FEUVARU
10              20                         EJON0- NArFARU
MILES                                                                                                            BC  NURAA
LHAVIYANI
5020                                                                                                                                                  5020
BAA
Mabaru
Dharavan o
This map has been prepared by the                                        EdhAfsh1               KAAFU
World Bank's staff exclusfvely for NmAADNO0                            EYDHAFUSHI
the convenience of the readers of        TNUD00
the report to which it is ottached
5°00'     The denomntions used and the                          Thulhaadhoo                                                                          500-
boundaes shown on this map
do not ~mply, on the port of the
World Bonk ond ts affilsates, any
judgment on the legal status of
any terniory or sny endorsement                           Goldu
or acceptance of such boundöries
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