Background
GUNIIDENTIA:
Proposed Visit of Mr. J. Burczynski, IN, FAO, Rome, to Hong Kong - November 1977
As part of the South China Sea Fisheries Development Programme (of which Hong Kong is a member) the countries of the Region are undertaking acoustic resource' surveys of the water fished by them with a view to more precisely establishing the status of different pelagic and demersal fish stocks. The R.V. Cape St. Mary has been equipped with SIMRAD equipment with a view to ascertaining principally the pelagic fish stock within the northern part of the South China Sea. This equipment was fitted with technical assistance from NORAD (Norwegian Overseas Aid) as the equipment concerned originates from that country.
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Calibration Cruises
Once SIMRAD equipment is fitted it is necessary to calibrate it in order to more precisely identify fish species, densities, etc., so that acoustic results obtained can be interpreted into quantifiable date. The first calibration cruise with this equipment was carried out earlier in 1977 with assistance from a NORAD expert and Mr Ramon Buzeta, the Fish Survey Biologist of the South China Sea Programine.
Finally adjusted equipment, such as the SIMRAD, requires
regular calibration and it was proposed to carry out a further calibration cruise between the 14th and 25th November prior to undertaking a further pelagic resource survey later in 1977/78. Mr. Buzeta, a Chilean national carrying a UN passport, requested permission to partake in this calibration cruise. This was agreed in principle as part of the on-going
SCS Programme.
Problem
Without reference to Hong Kong Mr. Buzeta took unilateral action to seek the services of an Electro-Acoustic Engineer from the Aquatic Resources Survey and Evaluation Service of the Fisheries Department, FAO, Roine. This in itself might have been innocuous and acceptable but unfortunately the expert requested/or forthcoming was Mr. Burczynski, a Polish subject holding a UN
passport.
CONFIDENTIAL