Number 115 (October – December 2005)

Welcome to the latest issue of the SPC Fisheries Newsletter for 2005. One of the highlights of the last quarter has been the publication of the long-awaited book on ciguatera fish poisoning, “Ciguatera, a Field Reference Guide”. SPC Activities Page 2

Acknowledging the importance of this issue to Pacific Island News from in and around the region communities, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) decided to Page 33 jointly produce a field guide reviewing the current knowl- edge on the matter. It is hoped that this joint effort between Survey of fishing activities the two organisations will enable fisheries managers in the in Tokelau region to better understand the causes of ciguatera fish poi- soning and manage the problem, learning to live with the Lindsay Chapman, Kim Des Rochers, risk while reducing it to the absolute minimum. and Mose Pelasio Page 36

Jean-Paul Gaudechoux Fisheries Information Adviser ([email protected]) A quiet achiever: Aquaculture in the Pacific Ben Ponia Page 41

Catching eels in Pacific Island countries and territories Satya Nandlal Page 44

The book is divided into two chapters that 1) address the theoretical aspects of ciguatera and its consequences, highlighting the use of traditional remedies in the South Pacific, and 2) explain how to assess and reduce the risk of ciguatera poisoning by introducing monitoring measures amongst other things. SPC ACTIVITIES

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SECTION Technical assistance provided to the National Fisheries College in Kavieng, PNG

Fisheries Development Officer, ping students with the skills One IFGT course was pro- William Sokimi, continued his required to command a 40-m grammed for delivery in Port work with the National Fish- fishing vessel in PNG waters. Moresby while another was eries College (NFC) and the conducted in Kavieng. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Because this was the first CFO 3 loan-funded Community Fish- course to be implemented, only The IFGT courses assisted recip- eries Management and Develop- seven students were enrolled in ients in acquiring the necessary ment Project (CFMDP). At NFC, order to enable the four teach- fishing skills to set up a viable William worked on implement- ing staff to improve delivery of and sustainable fishing opera- ing a Certificate in Fishing Oper- the course modules, and to bet- tion immediately after receiving ations 3 (CFO 3) course, and ter organise the overall struc- their fishing assets from the assisted with several other pro- ture for future courses. An oral RCFDP project. This loan grammes scheduled to be imple- examination carried out at the scheme was meant to help loan mented with the CFO 3 course. end of the course by an inde- recipients while they famil- These included two European pendent consultant examiner, iarised themselves with han- Union Integrated Fishing Group Mr Simon Reid, revealed that dling their new vessels and Training (EU-IFGT) courses and students did not have the acquired new fishing skills. The an EU-Masterfisherman’s course. required skills to be skippers of college’s Small Fishing Opera- Baiting assignments, using 40-m vessels. Six of the students tions (SFO) course was tailored "bouke-ami" and "basnig" type were issued attendance certifi- to meet the EU requirements methods, were also undertaken cates and were advised to whereby loan recipients carried as part of the NFC fishing meth- repeat the CFO 3 course the fol- out actual fishing trips as part of ods enhancement exercise for lowing year to obtain the their familiarisation training community development. Work Certificate of Competency level and had an extra week fishing with the CFMDP involved rig- required. (The seventh student so that at the end of the course ging and deploying five shallow- was expelled from the course.) they had the capital to continue water fish aggregating devices with their fishing business. (FADs). A moderation exercise for all CFO courses was carried out The IFGT courses emphasised: Certificate in Fishing during the last phases of the Operations (CFO) 3 course CFO 3 course by Mr Grant 1) safe boat operations using Carnie of the Australian Fish- safe operations plans; William’s work at NFC mainly eries Academy. Mr Carnie iden- focussed on implementing the tified several deficiencies in the 2) safety and gears checklists; CFO 3 course to ensure it was three CFO courses. These main- appropriately conducted and ly concerned the elimination of 3) on-board hygiene and prop- that assessments and standards slight inconsistencies in course er handling of catch; were maintained at the level preparation, authentication of required for national develop- sea-time, selection of appropri- 4) basic post harvest knowledge; ment. The CFO 3 course trains ately qualified candidates, qualified skippers for the fish- record keeping, delivery strate- 5) operations, maintenance and ing industry, keeping them gies and incompatible assess- trouble shooting propulsion abreast of industrial develop- ment methods. systems for outboard engines ment manning requirements as or small diesel engines; approved by the PNG Depart- European Union (EU) – ment of Transport Maritime sec- Integrated Fishing Group 6) keeping log records of catches tion in compliance with the Training (IFGT) courses and fishing areas; and International Maritime Organi- zation (IMO) Standards of The CFO section at NFC was 7) basic small fishing business Training, Certification and tasked with running the IFGT management principles. Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978 courses requested by the EU – convention. The course is the Rural Coastal Fisheries Devel- William monitored the delivery college’s most advanced stage opment Project (RCFDP). These of this course by the NFC tutors, of the vessel operators pro- courses were run around the plus assisted with fishing trials gramme, and focuses on equip- same time as the CFO 3 course. of new lift nets described below.

2 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

EU-Masterfisherman course Kanawi, NFC’s Masterfisherman; CFMDP FAD moorings. The Mr Kaius Mai, NFC’s Fisheries coastal communities where the The groups of fishermen who Technician; and Mr Malakai FADs were deployed were were the initial loan recipients of Komai, NFC’s Fisheries Technical advised that they could do the EU-RCFDP were selected as Assistant. without these accessories if they prime candidates for the first could not afford them, or if the EU-Masterfisherman course, The concept behind the con- accessories were not available, since they had improved their struction of these FADs was to but that the accessories extend- fishing operations and devel- make it as simple and affordable ed the lifespan of the FADs in oped their own fishing experi- as possible so that coastal com- the water. ences using the vessels and fish- munities could maintain and rig ing gears issued under the loan FADs of their own. The FADs A sea bottom survey was con- scheme. The EU-RCFDP man- were constructed from locally ducted at each FAD site to agement team considered it to grown bamboo stems cut to determine the depth and slope be a strategic move to train this four-metre lengths and bound of the bottom. In all FAD sites, pool of fishermen to a "Master- with tarred 6 mm Kurolon rope. villagers were shown how to fisherman" level, because the Each FAD consisted of four bam- use a simple sounding line and fishermen would then be able to boo stems. Tires — which are a hand-held GPS to carry out assist and oversee the perform- durable and can sustain rough the surveys. A 200 m x 80 kg test ance of all new and recurrent EU weather conditions — were used monofilament line was marked loan recipients. These master- to bind the raft (Fig. 1) and as every 10 m and wound onto a fishermen would provide assis- strongpoints for connecting the hand-reel with three, 60-g oval tance and oversight in sustain- mooring section. Three of the lead sinkers attached to the able and viable fishing opera- raft’s mooring connectors were loose end of the line. tions with concentrated effort on wheelbarrow tires, and two were productivity through the larger car tires. Bamboos of suffi- The five FAD deployment sites enhancement of fishing skills. cient age were chosen for the rafts, were Lavongai and Tioputuk in The course also trained fisher- and were slowly cured over an the New Hanover group of men in carrying out leadership open fire to make them stronger Islands; Nanovaul and Ngoto roles so that they could coordi- and to rid them of insects. (Kunevulit) in the Tigak group; nate the efforts of other EU- and Panachais on the West coast RCFDP fishermen in the devel- Although the FAD designs were of New Ireland. The FAD at opment of rural commercial meant to be as inexpensive as Lavongai was moored in 120 m fishing operations. With these possible, the FAD deployment depth, at Tioputuk in 122 m, at trained leaders in place it is team decided to include chain Nanovaul in 22 m, at Ngoto hoped that safe, sustainable, and other accessories such as (Kunevulit) in 85 m, and at consistent and profitable fishing swivels and shackles in the Panachais in 121 m. operations can be further devel- oped in the rural commercial fish- eries sectors. Again, William’s role was to monitor the delivery of this course and provide assis- tance when needed.

Inshore (shallow-water) FAD rigging and deployment

The inshore FAD project was a follow up to CFMDP strategies for promoting sustainable fish- ing practises in rural communi- ties, where pressure on reef fish stocks can be relieved by encouraging villagers to fish for pelagic fish species near inshore FADs. This work was carried out over three weeks and involved the assistance of Mr Peter Watt, Community Management Adviser for the CFMDP; Mr Samol Figure 1: Using bamboo and a tire to rig a FAD raft

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 3 SPC ACTIVITIES

Polypropylene rope was used to moor the FADs at Lavongai, Kunevulit (Ngoto) and Panachais, while at Tioputuk and Nanovaul 3 mm monofilament mainline was used. Engine blocks, cater- pillar tracks and heavy scrap engine parts weighing between 80 and 120 kg were used for the FAD anchors (Fig. 2).

Two weeks after the FADs were deployed at Lavongai and Tioputuk, reports started com- ing in that baitfish were aggre- gating around the FADs and that pelagic fish (e.g. skipjack tuna, frigate mackerel, yel- lowfin tuna, bigeye scads, sail- fish, marlin, wahoo and mahi mahi) were already being caught in the vicinity. Later, villagers from Panachais met with William and the college Master- fisherman to request assistance with fishing methods that are effective around FADs since baitfish and pelagic fish species were already aggregating around the FAD deployed off their vil- lage.

The FAD at Ngoto (Kunevulit) was visited by William, the col- lege CFO tutors and the course participants, a month after deployment. It was reported that a large school of fish was circling the general area of the FAD, and that baitfish were also seen in the area. Unfortunately, most of the rope that bound the FAD had been removed and the bamboos were held together mainly with the wheelbarrow tire (Figs. 3a and b). The Ngoto (Kunevulit) FAD had been vandalised for the Kurolon tarred rope that bound the bamboos. This was one of two FADs deployed for the peo-

Figure 2 (top): Engine blocks connected together with 8 mm galvanised chain to form FAD anchors

Figures 3 a (middle) and b (bottom): Ngoto FAD before (neatly bound) and after vandalism

4 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES ple of the Tigak Island group "Bouke-ami" and "basnig" includes several species of who are the traditional fishing type bait fishing trials anchovies, sprats, and other ground owners of the area. The herrings and sardines. FAD deployed off the main Two baiting methods were tri- Nanovaul village was complete- alled during the project. These The baiting methods were ly removed by one of the vil- were based on the bouke-ami adopted from Japan and the lagers who had been a partici- (stick-held) lift net and the bas- Philippines and while the bas- pant at the FAD awareness pro- nig lift net techniques. The trials nig system has not been con- gramme carried out in the vil- were carried out during the EU- ducted in the Western and lage before the FAD was IFGT and the EU-Masterfisher- Central Pacific Ocean region, deployed. man courses. The nets were con- bouke-ami bait fishing was structed at the college (Fig. 4) common in the pole-and-line FAD vandalism is one of the industry, although this was main problems with inshore The bait netting trials focussed mainly carried out on larger FAD programmes. Even though on providing local fishermen vessels that were 18 m or more community awareness pro- with an alternative fishing in length. grammes were carried out in method that can be used (at a New Ireland to educate the subsistence-commercial level) Three bouke-ami night opera- community about the benefits as an alternate income generat- tions were carried out with NFC of installing a FAD in their fish- ing activity as well as providing staff and participants from the ing area, the FADs were still additional food for the house- IFGT and the Masterfisherman vandalised. Perhaps a better hold. The lift net methods pro- courses. The first operation strategy is to encourage com- duce live bait as well as whole trained the crew on how to munities to purchase their own dead bait and can be a potential carry out the operation, while gear and then request assistance subsistence-commercial prod- the second and third night oper- with constructing and deploy- uct for value-adding. The sizes ations involved practical exer- ing their FADs. The use of natu- of target species can be selected, cises to achieve catch results. ral materials or inexpensive depending on the mesh size This involved the use of lights gear may reduce the probability used and these methods can be (Fig. 5) to attract baitfish, and of vandalism but this lessens worked off small vessels. The setting the nets to achieve opti- the chances of keeping the FAD target species are potential long- mum results regardless of moored long enough to aggre- line bait as well as good food whether the sea current was gate fish. Mooring rope and fish, including: sardines (such running or nearly slack. The binding gear with sufficient as Sardinella lemuru), scads (e.g. bouke-ami net was attached to a strength is an essential compo- Selar crumenophthalmus, Selar bamboo pole that was moved nent of FAD construction, but it boops, and Alepes mate), garfish away from the boat by two also attracts thieves. and hairback herring (Nemata- other bamboo poles, one from losa come). Smaller baitfish the bow and the other from the stern of the vessel (Fig. 6). Ropes were used to haul the loose end of the net when baitfish become attracted.

During the first night trial, four bouke-ami sets were made, and each time, the major school of baitfish escaped capture except for a few, although an abun- dance of baitfish aggregated around the lights after a short time. It took only 1.5 hours to aggregate sufficient baitfish for the operation. Lights were set at around 1800 hours, just before dusk, and by 1930 hours, large schools of baitfish were aggre- gated around the lights. During the second and third trials par- ticipants had perfected their newly acquired skills and the Figure 4: Constructing the bouke-ami net at the college

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 5 SPC ACTIVITIES

baiting exercises were carried out successfully. Three sets were carried out on each occasion, and on each set, the potential for catching 200 kg plus of bait was evident. Only around 50 kg (Fig. 7) were taken ashore on each occasion to be identified and dis- tributed to participants and staffs, while the rest of the bait was released alive into the sea.

Only one baiting operation was carried out using the basnig net. This was done after the bouke- ami exercises and involved three sets. The single night trial was sufficient to convince par- ticipants that the technique also has potential for catching bait- fish on a large scale. Although the operation requires two boats (Fig. 8) or an outrigger canoe style boat, the operation is simi- lar to bouke-ami. The second boat replaces the bamboo for attaching the net, with bamboo poles used to keep the two boats apart at a set distance (Fig. 8). The light attraction and luring procedure is the same as for bouke-ami and all the same pre- cautions must be taken during the baiting operation, including consideration of current strength.

Bait species identified after the bouke-ami and basnig hauls included sardinella (Sardinella lemuru, Sardinella melanura, Ambly- gaster sirm), anchovy (Thryssa mystax, Stolephorus waitei, Encra- sicholina punctifer, Encrasicholina devisi), cardinal (Apogon fragilis), scad (Selar crumenophthalmus), silversides (Hypoatherina barnesi) and sprats (Spratelloides lewisi).

Figure 5: Underwater lights used for attracting baitfish

Figure 6: Setting the bouke- ami net using bamboo poles to move it away from the boat

Figure 7: Sardinella caught during the bouke-ami baiting exercises

6 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

Figure 8: Connecting the two boats with bamboo poles to use the basnig lift net

Input to a corporate planning exercise in the Solomon Islands

In October, the Solomon Islands Government revenues, resource be addressed by DFMR. Most Department of Fisheries and management, fishery monitor- groups reported that updating Marine Resources (DFMR) ing, and organisational capacity. the Act, implementing manage- invited stakeholders in all areas Fisheries staff made presenta- ment plans and capacity build- of the local and provincial fish- tions on each of the priority ing for DFMR were the top eries sectors, related govern- areas, identifying key outcomes three areas to be addressed ment departments and regional under each. urgently. organisations to a workshop to review a draft corporate plan After the presentations, partici- Over the two-day period, other developed for the department. pants were split into four focus presentations were made, some The process was part of an insti- groups to discuss a series of top- looked specifically at the tutional strengthening project ics. The four groups included provinces and rural fishing being implemented by the New DFMR staff, Provinces’ officials, activities, while others focused Zealand Government through the fishing sector, NGOs and on marketing and value-adding. NZAID. A consultant facilitated regional organisations. Lindsay Overall, the views expressed by the two-day workshop, and SPC participated in the latter group. the different groups were simi- Coastal Fisheries Programme Two topics focused on the key lar, and the process was excel- Manager, Lindsay Chapman, outcomes and whether they lent, especially if all of the input attended the workshop. adequately covered the issues is taken on board and reflected and directions for DFMR. in the final version of the DFMR The draft corporate plan was Another topic area involved corporate plan. developed through a consulta- participants in listing the top tive process and workshop with three issues that most needed to fisheries staff, and compiled by the NZAID-funded consultant in conjunction with fisheries staff. This workshop reviewed the draft corporate plan, which allowed stakeholder input. The draft corporate plan identified six priority areas: rural liveli- hoods, value of the Solomon Islands fishery, Solomon Island

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 7 SPC ACTIVITIES

DEVFISH update

Coordination meeting establishment of tuna fishing identifying the current situation associations; and a range of in the country and the required The Development of Tuna Fish- other activities. training needs, and also the sta- eries in the Pacific ACP Countries tus of fishing associations. Project (DEVFISH) held its first SPC’s work activities planning meeting in Honiara in the last quarter Supporting national processes for (3–5 October). Present at the private sector participation in meeting were the Solomon Six Pacific ACP countries were tuna management and develop- Islands EU representative, Paul visited by Jonathan and Mike: ment plans is an important part Baker; the Forum Fisheries Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tonga, of the DEVFISH project. The Agency’s (FFA) Manager of the Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue. process involves the establish- Economics and Marketing Divi- The purpose of the trips was ment and strengthening of tuna sion, Len Rodwell; FFA’s Tuna four-fold: fishing associations. The need for Industry Adviser, Masao Nakada; effective associations to represent Lindsay Chapman from SPC; • Collect up-to-date informa- fishing interests has been and the DEVFISH team Mike tion on the domestic tuna acknowledged in all countries vis- Batty (team leader), Jonathan fishing industries of these ited. In countries with an estab- Manieva and Teriba Tabe (Fig. 9). countries; lished association, the fishing industry is involved in securing The meeting established • Review the economic and fiscal concessions or assistance DEVFISH’s work plan for the policy environment in which from government for their respec- first year of operation. Activities they operate in each country; tive fisheries. This is the main area will include conducting tuna Jonathan is working on. fishery case studies, looking at • Review the status of fishing domestic development in differ- associations and mechanisms Summary of tuna ent countries (or in different for consultation between fishing associations tuna fisheries), including post- government and the tuna harvest activities; a review and industry; and In Solomon Islands and Nauru refinement of existing models there is no formal private sector developed at FFA on tuna fish- • Identify constraints and pos- tuna representative interest group, ery or vessel economics; the sible areas for assistance although processes are under- documenting of successes and under the project. way to establish associations. failures in different strategies used to promote domestic tuna Country visits, in addition to In Solomon Islands, the interest fishery development; country reviewing reports and gather- is driven by two main domestic visits to collect tuna fishery ing other domestic tuna fishery commercial operators. Status information; the setting up or information, were crucial for and assistance to the Solomon Islands Fishing Industry Associ- ation is very much in the same status as with Nauru.

The Nauru Tuna Fishermen’s Association was primarily initi- ated by local fishermen to convey their concerns to government, and to address specific issues affecting their fishery. An elected executive committee is pursuing initial processes of establishing the association. Jonathan has provided a sample constitution, which is being reviewed by the executive committee. Upon acceptance of a final constitution, further assistance to register the association will be provided. The Figure 9: DEVFISH team, Teriba Tabe (left), Nauru Fisheries and Marine Mike Batty (centre) and Jonathan Manieva (right) Resources Authority acknowl-

8 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES edges the process undertaken, as The Samoa Fish Exporters’ 2006. There are also organisa- it appropriately meets the Association (SFEA) is formally tions representing small-scale requirement of its new tuna man- established, and is most active fishermen and sportsfishing agement plan for stakeholder in commercial tuna fishing interests on Rarotonga. representation. interests. It represents commer- cial tuna boat owners and In Niue, the Niue Fish Processing In Tonga, the Tonga Export exporters, and was instrumental (NFP) joint venture is the only Fishing Association (TEFA) has in securing the recent relief on commercial tuna exporter, and been long established and is loan interest. SFEA is represent- the company is directly repre- operational and active in its ed on the Commercial Fisheries sented on the Tuna Management functions. TEFA represents the Management Advisory Council Advisory Committee (chaired interests of tuna longline fisher- (CF-MAC), a consultative com- by the Minister of Agriculture, men, as well as exporters of mittee chaired by the Minister Fisheries and Forestry). Niue deep bottom fish and aquarium of Fisheries, which provided Island Fishermen’s Association species. TEFA has been success- substantial input into the new (NIFA) represents dinghy fish- ful in negotiating concessions, Tuna Management and Devel- ermen on the same committee, notably duty free fuel for the opment Plan 2005–2009. Associ- while the Vaka Association rep- industry, and provides several ations representing artisanal resents canoe fishermen. Both representatives on the national fishermen on the two islands of associations are formally estab- Tuna Management Committee Savaii and Upolu seem to be lished and have been vocal on (established under Tonga’s less active, and there are plans management issues. NIFA was Tuna Management Plan). This to re-vitalize a new association recently instrumental in secur- committee also includes repre- to represent alia fishermen. ing a supply of duty free fuel for sentatives from the snapper small-scale fishermen. fishery, the Game Fishing The Cook Islands Tuna Industry Association, and a range of gov- Association was formed in late A synopsis of the report from ernment departments, and is 2005, and has secured govern- the last countries visited and chaired by the Secretary for ment support for establishing a detailed updates of the project Fisheries. It meets about once a revolving fund to provide long- can be viewed at: year; and because of this infre- line bait to the tuna industry. quency, a sub-committee, com- The association also intends to http://www.ffa.int/ prising representatives of tuna provide input into the ongoing fishing interests and govern- development of a National Tuna ment, will coordinate requests Management Plan – a process to the DEVFISH project. that should be completed in

Set Your Longline Deep brochure

The French version of the Set Your Longline Deep brochure was produced and distributed in the fourth quarter. In addi- tion, WWF who funded the printing and distribution of this brochure in both English and French (Fig. 10) has also had the brochure translated into Spanish for distribution in Costa Rica, and other countries in Central and South America.

Figure 10: Brochure in English and French

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 9 SPC ACTIVITIES

TRAINING SECTION “Start Your Fishing Business” training in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – an update

As part of an ongoing collabora- management. It also reported on from SBDC. In 2006, the third tion between several national the commitment of local institu- phase of the project will consist and regional institutions — the tions and government to sustain of a series of SYFB courses in Secretariat of the Pacific Commu- training in this area once initial most provinces of Vanuatu and nity (SPC), the Small Business funding support from aid donors the Solomon Islands. Development Centre (SBDC) and terminated. The TNA concluded Participants will include fisher- the National Fisheries Authority that a combined training of train- men and prospective operators (NFA) of Papua New Guinea, and ers (TOT) course would be the of small fishing businesses. the Commonwealth Secretariat best option for establishing a net- — a training programme on how work of competent SYFB trainers Relevant institutions in both to “Start Your Fishing Business” in both countries. countries are fully supportive of has been introduced in the the present initiative and had Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The initial phase of the project agreed to support an ongoing The Start Your Fishing Business took place in June 2005 at Santo, SYFB training programme past (SYFB) course and materials, Vanuatu, where a TOT course SPC/CFTC’s financial and logis- based on the International Labour was run by SBDC Master tical assistance, which ended in Organization (ILO) “Start Your Trainers (13–29 June). Eleven October 2005. While future SYFB Business” model, were tailor- future trainers from Vanuatu training in both countries made to suit the specific needs of (Department of Cooperatives, requires a financial commitment the PNG artisanal fisheries sector Fisheries Division, Vanuatu from local institutions, it is envis- and have been successfully deliv- Maritime College and the aged that SPC and SBDC will ered in PNG since 2003. Acknowl- Vanuatu Women Development continue to monitor the delivery edging the success of this innova- Scheme –VANWOD– Micro- of subsequent SYFB training, act- tive programme, SPC and the finance) as well as four partici- ing as facilitators and quality Commonwealth Secretariat decid- pants from the Solomon Islands controllers in the process. ed in 2004 to facilitate the intro- (Fisheries Division and the duction of SYFB training in Small Enterprise and Business SPC, the Commonwealth Secre- Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, Centre) completed the course tariat, and their counterpart insti- two countries with socioeconomic and received their certificate of tutions in PNG are now keen to and cultural situations similar to attendance. In order to become further export the SYFB training those of PNG. accredited by ILO as SYFB concept to other Pacific Island trainers, each apprentice-trainer countries. A similar gradual With funding support from the was required to deliver one training methodology will be Commonwealth Fund for SYFB course to their target audi- used and, for cost-effectiveness, a Technical Co-operation (CFTC), ence, under the supervision of sub-regional approach will be SPC conducted a training needs Master Trainers (phase 2 of the taken. Provided funding is avail- analysis (TNA) in Vanuatu and project). Once accredited, the able early in 2006, a Training the Solomon Islands in August trainers are available to run Needs Analysis will be undertak- 2004. The TNA identified a need additional SYFB courses on en around April in several coun- in both countries for training their own (phase 3). tries, prior to the training of fishing communities in small potential SYFDB trainers before fishing business planning and As part of the TOT course in the end of 2006. June 2005, participants from both countries produced an SPC and the Commonwealth action plan for the subsequent Secretariat acknowledge and phases of the project. From mid- thank the contribution of NFA August to October 2005, the 11 and the PNG SBDC in the devel- participants to the initial TOT opment of networks of SYFB course successfully ran their trainers in the Pacific region. Both trial courses in Honiara (Solo- organizations are also grateful to mon Islands), Efate, Malakula the individuals and the local and Santo (Vanuatu). This made institutions that are supporting possible their accreditation as and making possible the delivery ILO/SYFB trainers by their of SYFB training in Vanuatu and supervisors, the Master Trainers the Solomon Islands.

10 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

Seafood company managers upgrade skills

In October 2005, 14 participants ty of seafood businesses. In the staff performance management, from 11 Pacific Island countries afternoon sessions, the School of accounting for non-accountants, traveled to Nelson, New Fisheries invited local industry budget planning and project Zealand to begin the fourth leaders and experts, represent- management. Topics were dis- regional course for managers of ing a range of topics and themes, cussed with special reference to medium-to-large size fisheries to share their experiences with the participants’ unique situa- enterprises. Since these short the participants. tions. In the second week of the courses began in 1997, over 100 course, more speakers from seafood company managers, Highlights for those attending industry shared their experi- fishing skippers and marine the course included the chance ences. Mike Wells and Tad engineers have benefited from to learn more about New Krogulec talked about post-har- the available expertise in the Zealand’s Quota Management vest handling of long-line fishing port of Nelson. With System and the importance of caught tuna, Darren Guard funding from the New Zealand the value of “downstream pro- (president of the Port Nelson Government, the course is joint- cessing”, or adding value and Fishermen’s Association) talked ly run by the SPC Fisheries utilizing byproducts. As in pre- about fuel prices and ways to Training Section and the New vious courses, Tim Masters at reduce vessel running costs, Zealand School of Fisheries, MacCure Seafoods guided the and Fred Te Miha described the with a major contribution from group around his factory and workings of the fisheries alloca- the School of Business at the explained the processes as an tion process and how that was Nelson Marlborough Institute of illustration to the presentation impacting on Maori-owned Technology. on HACCP given earlier by fishing businesses. Louisa Cushla Hogarth of Seafood Sifakula from the Pacific Island The course commenced with a Solutions Ltd. This plant repre- Trade and Investment Commis- trip to Motueka where the sents an excellent example sion explained how the com- group was greeted with a tradi- because it is simple in process- mission could assist companies tional Maori welcome at Te ing terms yet produces a range in finding and developing new Awhina marae. Following this of well presented “ready to eat” markets for their products. On warm welcome, participants products using strict quality the final day, Charles Hufflet of continued to the processing standards backed up with com- Solander Fisheries (who had plant at Talley’s Fisheries, prehensive staff training. just returned from a southern where an in-depth tour was bluefin tuna meeting in Taipei), given of the site’s operations. Beverly Levi, a participant from gave the group a few lessons on Because it was the first day of Samoa, was intrigued to see the how not to run a fishing busi- the scallop season, "the openers" numbers of women in New ness. He also pointed out some (staff whose job it is to pry open Zealand that were employed at of the perils of joint ventures scallop shells) were a big attrac- sea. It is not usual to see women and the need to have top rate tion, but there was also the coat- at sea on New Zealand factory negotiators on your side when ed product line to view, hoki vessels where they will often determining how catches and shark were being filleted hold senior roles, either as facto- should be allocated among and inshore species were being ry managers, shift supervisors or nations. packed for chilled transport to QCs. Beverly got a taste of a sea- both domestic and export mar- going career on the Saturday It is a tradition that when a visit kets. After visiting an ice cream when the group embarked on from a group of Pacific Islanders manufacturing plant, 14 rather the Marie Antoinette for half a coincides with a sporting event chilly managers headed back to day’s scalloping in Tasman Bay. organized by the Students’ Nelson where the day conclud- The group came returned with Association, the group enters ed with a social hour and wel- enough scallops to feed the whatever it is (and usually coming BBQ. entire gathering at the excellent wins!). This time was no excep- function put on in honour of the tion. The Fisheries Enterprise The pattern for the remainder of group by the local Pacific Island Managers cleaned up the oppo- the course was similar to that of community. sition and took away the title of previous courses. In the morning Champion Tug of War team to sessions, the Business School Ian Lister and his team form the celebrate the 200th Anniversary developed a theme of enhancing School of Business covered a of the Battle of Trafalgar. We management skills and develop- range of topics during the won’t go into detail about who ing strategies designed to course, including strategic plan- won the actual battle, other than improve the commercial viabili- ning, human resource issues, to say that a chap with one eye

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 11 SPC ACTIVITIES and a funny hat presented our group representing Fiji and Atairangikaahu. This event was group with their medals! PNG gathered at the marae and a fitting way to end a course were welcomed on by Dr John that had seen people represent- By Friday, 21 October, some of Mitchell, Ngati Tama elder and ing different cultures come the participants began to ex-Waitangi Fisheries Commis- together to discuss challenges in depart, having first made their sioner. The group was asked to common, to share new ideas, presentation to the rest of the present a musical performance and to make new friendships. group. For some of those who and obliged, ably led by Sunia The consensus seemed to be: remained, there was one last Logo. Following this, the group “Let’s do it again soon”. invitation to accept. Fred Te was summoned into the new Miha invited the group to the dining room and treated to a (Contribution from Alec Woods, opening of the whare kai at feast of traditional food. SPC course coordinator, Nelson Whakatu marae early on Afterwards, it was time to leave, Marlborough Institute of Technology) Saturday morning. So, at an but not before meeting and talk- early (and rather chilly) hour, a ing to Maori Queen, Te

Fisheries Training Section – In Brief

• The shark identification standing of shark stocks, issue (turtle ID cards and cards are now available in regional fisheries managers releasing guidelines, pam- French. Initially produced in can ensure that sharks phlets, poster, manual on pro- English, this pocket-size, remain fished in a sustain- tected marine species). For water-proof booklet results able manner. The most likely further information, contact from a joint effort between users of the cards will be Fisheries Training Section SPC’s Oceanic Fisheries Pro- fisheries observers, fishing staff at: [email protected]) gramme (Fisheries Monitoring masters, and crew on board Section) and SPC’s Coastal longline and purse-seine • The Fisheries Training Section Fisheries Programme (Fish- vessels operating in the has organised and co-funded eries Training Section). It is western and central Pacific. the training attachment of a hoped that using the i.d. Fisheries training institutions first mate from the National cards will improve catch and fishing communities are Fisheries Development Limited data and statistics on sharks other potential users as these (Solomon Islands) to a Class 3 that interact with longline identification cards comple- Master course at the PNG and purse-seine fisheries in ment previously published Maritime College in Madang. the western and central training and awareness-rais- The 42-week course started Pacific. With a better under- ing materials on the bycatch on 30 January 2006. It is hoped that trainee, Junior Delaiverata, will obtain his ticket after completing the course. The Class3 Master ticket represents an addition-

12 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

al step towards Junior’s ulti- • The second edition of the operations will be eased by a mate goal of becoming the new SPC/Nelson Fisheries soon-to-be deployed FAD. first Solomon Island skipper Officers Training Course As part of the new course, of a tuna purse-seiner. Junior started on Monday, 30 trainees will also be required is well known to section staff January at the New Zealand to process catches to export as he was part of the first SPC School of Fisheries. This standards and marketing tri- Traineeship Programme held year’s course was attended als will take place. Those at the Australian Fisheries by 10 participants from readers with a good memory Academy in 2000. We wish Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New and who are concerned him well during this course! Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji trainees, will recall that the and Vanuatu. The trainees then Vanuatu Fisheries Train- • The production of sea safety initially studied at Nelson ing Centre previously hosted awareness-raising materials (for 17 weeks) then traveled the SPC/Nelson course’s in Pacific Island languages is to New Caledonia for a one- practical fishing module in progressing well. After week exposure to SPC’s fish- 1992 and 1993. Let’s hope Kiribati, Niue, Tokelau and eries programmes, before fly- that the 2006 catches will be Papua New Guinea in ing to Santo, Vanuatu, for as memorable as those back 2003–2004, the Fisheries four weeks of practical fish- then! Division in Apia requested ing experience and sea safety last year the printing of SPC training. For the first time • The second issue of the sec- safety posters in the Samoan since 1996 (in Abaiang, tion’s information bulletin language. Production of this Kiribati), the course’s practical on sea safety was published Samoan version took place in fishing component was not be in October 2005. This time, November and by the end of held in New Caledonia; nev- the bulletin featured safety the year, 250 copies of the four ertheless, the quality of staff management systems (SMS) posters had been shipped to and training facilities at the and safe operational plans Apia. Samoa Fisheries staff Vanuatu Maritime College, (SOP) as a new way of look- will use the posters to raise as well as the richness of ing at vessel and crew safety sea safety awareness amongst local fishing grounds made while the technology feature fishing communities in Upolu Santo a great venue for this in this bulletin focuses on the and Savaii. Countries not yet event. Using the three VMC safety ”grab bag”, a simple covered under this ongoing training vessels Emm Nao, but necessary piece of safety project may contact the Etelis and Evolan, the SPC gear that is easy to store and Fisheries Training Section if trainees practiced horizontal could well save lives. Please they want the sea safety mate- and vertical tuna longlining, contact section staff if you rials translated in their ver- deep-bottom fishing, trolling, have not received your sea nacular language. and bait fishing while fishing safety bulletin.

Left: Training vessel Em Nao will be used to demonstrate small-scale fishing operations

Right: Well known FV Etelis will once again play a key training role on the SPC/Nelson course

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 13 SPC ACTIVITIES

AQUACULTURE SECTION Aiyura hatchery review

In November 2005, SPC’s Aqua- The workshop review was car- Research Institute, located 1 km culture Officer, Satya Nandlal, ried out from 7–11 November from HAQDEC. The review attended a workshop to review 2005, and was attended by four was organised along four main the hatchery operations of the overseas experts, 25 leading topics: broodstock, spawning, Highland Aquaculture Develop- hatchery operators, farmers, growth to fingerling stages, and ment Centre (HAQDEC) at PNG National Fisheries packaging and distribution of Aiyura, Kainantu, Papua New Authority staff, NGO person- fingerlings. Discussions were Guinea (PNG). Satya was invit- nel, and provincial officers from based on a report by Dr Smith, ed by Dr Paul Smith, team five PNG provinces. reports from experts sharing leader for the ACIAR-funded their relevant experiences, and project, “Inland pond aquacul- Review structure country reports on experiments ture in PNG: Improving finger- by HAQDEC staff. After the ling supply and fish nutrition The review, under the chair- presentations, panel sessions for smallholder farmers”. The manship of Dr Paul Smith from addressed the four main topics. Aiyura facility is the flagship of the University of Western freshwater aquaculture in PNG Sydney was held at the Coffee and is a critical infrastructure to ensure the success of aquacul- ture in this country.

Workshop background

The inland pond aquaculture project in PNG will run from 2005–2009 and is considered a key project in the Asia-Pacific region. The project’s goal is to increase fingerling production in order to meet the growing demand of small-scale farmers in PNG. This will be done by conducting research on improve- ments in fish feeds, and conduct- ing training programmes for fish farmers and hatchery operators.

One of the first project activities was to conduct a review of the HAQDEC hatchery in the Eastern Highland Province and to make recommendations for improving operations. The facili- ty is the main freshwater hatch- ery in PNG that produces tilapia and common carp fingerlings. The hatchery operation is funded by the provincial government of the Eastern Highlands Province.

Top: GIFT fish from Yonki Lake barbequed at roadside on Goroka-Lae Highway

Bottom: Aiyura workshop participants

14 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

The following text provides a to avoid introgression, or not able to carry out this type brief summary of the discus- mixing, with new stocks. of research. There is a need to sions and recommendations (The PNG National Fisheries prioritize research require- from the workshop, based on Authority will review reports ments and develop strategies the four above-mentioned top- on original tilapia introduc- for research, database man- ics. tions and prepare a proposal agement, evaluating new for the importation of new breeding stocks, document- Broodstock stocks). ing genetic progress, produc- ing and distributing finger- • There are concerns about the • There is a need to inventory lings to distribution centres broodstock used at HAQDEC. tilapia and carp stocks that and broodstock to multiplier The quality of tilapia brood- are maintained at the Aiyura stations (hatcheries). The stock at HAQDEC is con- facility, and to determine the Aiyura facility should also act strained because only a limit- number that are required to as a centre for evaluation and ed number of breeders are meet the demands for finger- certification of hatcheries used as base populations (i.e. lings in PNG. (multiplier stations), quaran- a limited gene pool). The tine, training, pricing, financ- original GIFT fish introduced • At present, the role of ing and marketing. from the Philippines suffered HAQDEC is not clearly mass mortality in the first defined. The PNG National • The quality of common carp three to four months of rear- Fisheries Authority’s vision stocks should be assessed, ing. Only two females and of HAQDEC is as a supplier and if unacceptable, new one male were available and of fingerlings; but in the stocks should be introduced. used for breeding. These future, as other hatcheries were lost after producing the are established, it should be • There is a need to train first generation, and it is not a source of broodstock. HAQDEC staff in broodstock clear whether these were management. original stocks or F1. Some of • It seems obvious that the role the progeny from these stocks of the Aiyura facility would • PNG (HAQDEC through NFA) escaped into Yonki Lake. This be to perform continuous, should apply to the WorldFish tilapia, sold at roadside stalls, long-term maintenance of Center to join the International has very good body features. founder stocks (new introduc- Network of Genetics in Aqua- Apparently, all tilapia in PNG tions) and genetic improve- culture (INGA). come from F1 generation. ment programmes. Farmers and commercial hatchery • The supplementary feed used • A first step in identifying stock operators have limited capac- for the maintenance of fish quality is to test the perform- ity and resources and so are stocks needs to be improved ance of stocks at HAQDEC with other available stocks in the country. Tilapia have already been collected from Lae (ERAP), Madang and Asaro. According to staff, these locations (also Yonki) were recipients of original finger- lings of F1 generation. These stocks will be bred using stan- dard procedures and compara- tive growth studies will be car- ried out.

• New introductions of tilapia (e.g. GIFT fish) are recom- mended if it is ascertained that present stocks are not performing to acceptable levels. Prior to arrival of the new stock, all other tilapia stocks at HAQDEC should be destroyed or culled/sold New feed making machine: pelletizer set up at Goroka

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 15 SPC ACTIVITIES

to ensure that present and spawning. After spawning, and should be prepared and future fish introductions are spent broodstock should be managed based on standard maintained properly. kept separate from fish that protocols. have not spawned. • Apart from supplying finger- Packaging and distribution lings, the role of distribution • There is no supply of trout of fingerlings centres should be to supply eggs, and trout cannot be fish feeds, because farmers do spawned at HAQDEC due The priorities identified were: not have access to quality feed. to the high water tempera- availability of plastic bags, rub- tures. ber bands, aerators and other • Presently, wild fish are found essential equipment for trans- in the main reservoir. The • For all breeding programmes, port. This equipment is not avail- reservoir should be drained it is essential to plan ahead to able for many seed suppliers. and cleaned and its inlet and ensure resources and facilities outlet pipes screened and reg- are available when required. • The types of transport con- ularly maintained. tainers are unlimited. The • There is a need to improve basic factors for all fingerling • Most of the ponds at the Aiyura the records of all fish (inven- and fish transport are: facility are silted and have not tory) at the farm. healthy fish in clean water, been maintained properly due cool water temperatures dur- to a lack of resources. There is a • The water quality of all fish ing packing and transport, need for the ponds to be de-silt- ponds should be monitored aerators (or hand splashing), ed and properly prepared. regularly. fingerlings purged 24 hours They should also be properly before packing. managed to ensure that brood- Growth to fingerling stage stock are healthy. • While transporting, the mode The priorities identified were: of transport, time, size and Spawning availability of feeds, simple species of fish should be con- technology for fingerling grad- sidered. As a basic guide, 60 g • The hapa method of tilapia ing, and mortality reduction of fish for every 1 L of water. breeding should be carried during fish transfer from ponds out at HAQDEC in order to to holding tanks. • During transport, instruc- produce future broodstock tions should be given to the fish. All breeding activities • For rearing fry to fingerlings, people transporting the fish should be carried out early a nursery phase is very and fingerlings (i.e. boxes in the morning when water important as it provides a should be labelled), and temperatures are low. conducive environment for instructions should be given fast growth. Small nursery to farmers about pond stock- • Kakaban (refuge for eggs) is ponds are easy to manage ing. Requirements for trans- used for common carp spawn- ing. Carp can spawn using basic spawning procedures (i.e. without the application of hor- mones).

• Technology for collecting carp pituitary glands for hor- mone induction is known to HAQDEC staff and was also demonstrated to all work- shop participants.

• It is recommended that large size fish (> 2.5 kg female, and > 2 kg male) be used for

Demonstration of carp pituatary extraction by Kine (HAQDEC Manager) and Dr Paul Smith

16 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

port in plastic bags should Other activities of Agriculture and Livestock– be understood and applied NDAL), several fish farms were correctly. Feedback should SPC’s Aquaculture Officer also visited and discussions with be obtained from farmers. took the opportunity to visit farmers were held about improv- Yonki Lake to discuss the proj- ing the ponds for semi-commer- • The Goroka fish distribution ect proposal, “Improved diet cial production. Meetings were centre is now in operation to and stocking density for GIFT held with NDAL staff and the cater for farmers who cannot tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in ACIAR representative, Dr Geoff access fingerlings from cages culture in Yonki Allan, on feed formulation and Aiyura. Town water is used Reservoir”, with relevant staff. distribution of fingerlings from but must be stored for a few Accompanied by Pita Minimulu the Goroka distribution centre. days to remove chlorine. (food security aquaculturist, for the PNG National Department

SPC involvement in FAO and NACA meetings in Ramsar, Iran

SPC’s Aquaculture Adviser, Ben 1) Restricted aquaculture expan- 4) Markets, trade and con- Ponia, participated in a series of sion will increase the shift sumption will have a grow- FAO and NACA meetings in towards intensification: ing influence: Ramsar, Iran. The host for these • There are contrasting issues • Value markets, quotas, new events was the Iranian Fisheries of intensification versus low markets and formation of Organisation, Ministry of Jehad- technology extensive culture; associations are factors; e-Agriculture. • System/production effi- • Food safety and quality ciency will increase. will improve; The FAO expert workshop • There will be efforts to “Synthesis of Future Aquaculture 2) There will be continued encourage more fish con- Developments” was attended by diversification of species and sumption. about 50 aquaculture researchers the need for their responsible and information, training and use: 5) Regulation and better gover- policy officers from 16 countries • Indigenous species and nance will be enhanced: in Asia and Southeast Asia, and issues of biodiversity and • This will affect the regulato- from Iran and Eastern Europe, as conservation will be affected; ry framework in the context well as the Pacific Islands. The • More new species will be of enforcement, registra- objective of the workshop was to introduced. tion, codes-of-conduct and identify emerging trends and pri- information management. orities in the aquaculture sector 3) There will be continued for the Asia-Pacific region. These diversification of systems: These trends will serve to priorities will be synthesized into • There will be growing increase demand for better man- a global status and trends interest to adapt and inte- agement of aquaculture leading overview and a prospective grate aquaculture; and to: review to inform the decisions of • Look for new ways to use the third meeting of the Sub environments, create new • Sustainable water and land Committee on Aquaculture of the systems. use, Committee on Fisheries, which meets in September 2006 in New Delhi.

Five major trends for the future development of aquaculture were identified.

Iranian fisheries development and research officers contributed actively in both meetings. Speaking is Mr Hosseini, Aquaculture Deputy of the Iranian Fisheries Organisation, to his right is Dr Muhammad Pourkazemi, Director of the International Sturgeon Research Institute and Asia’s representative to CITES.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 17 SPC ACTIVITIES

• Improvements in genetics and stock,

• Better hatchery manage- ment/seed certification,

• Improved feeds,

• More technology,

• An emphasis on health man- agement, and

• Improved research, training and extension links.

The Eighth Technical Advisory Committee Meeting of NACA involved many of the partici- pants from the preceding FAO workshop, who are mostly mem- bers of the Advisory Committee of NACA. The meeting’s pur- pose was to lay down the techni- cal basis for the next Work Program for Aquaculture Development in the Asia-Pacific covering the period 2006–2010. A review of the achievements over the past five years pointed to the need for re-focusing the pro- gramme from its current theme of aquaculture for rural develop- Top: A trout farm high in the hills near Ramsar. Iran’s trout ment to “empowering and get- farmers produced 24,000 tonnes last year. ting the farmer to stay in busi- Middle: Sturgeons under culture at the International Sturgeon ness and being justifiably Research Institute rewarded for doing so”. This was largely prompted by the encour- Bottom: Officers of (left to right) NACA, the Secretariat of the aging results of a number of field Pacific Community and FAO’s Inland Waters and Aquaculture projects, which reported that Services (FIRI) review a working group’s conclusions. when farmers are organised into clubs or clusters, they interact Several study tours were organ- is at the forefront of efforts to better with other stakeholders in ised by the Iranian hosts. These manage this fishery and develop the market chain, and thus adopt included a visit to a trout farm aquaculture techniques. better management practices. and to the International Stur- This in turn provides higher geon Research Institute on the yields and returns, and a better Caspian Sea. Sturgeon fish, quality product, with less inci- which produce the highly priced dences of on-farm diseases and caviar, are an endangered disruption to the environment. species, and the Iranian institute

Sturgeon fish (Source: www.aquarticles.com)

18 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

Mud crab study tour to the Philippines

Introduction Department in Iloilo, Philippines ment integrated with mangrove from 3–11 December 2005. conservation and rehabilitation. The mud crab is one of the most Studies were carried out to common edible and widely The main purpose of the trip improve the reliability and eco- sought commodities in Asia and was to observe commercial mud nomic viability of mud crab the Indo-Pacific regions. It is crab farm operations and visit hatchery and nursery systems, now recognized as an important SEAFDEC, and NGO and gov- and to quantify growth, migra- species for culture in brackish ernment facilities carrying out tion and mortality of popula- water ponds and other suitable research, technology verifica- tions of Scylla species. impoundments. tion, training, and information dissemination for mud crab The itinerary included visits to There are four main species of farming. Six participants from two large commercial farms: mud crab: Scylla serrata, S. oli- the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated Capiz farm (61 ha), Tacuyan vacea, S. tranquebarica and S. para- States of Micronesia and New farm (87 ha), other smaller mamosain. This crab is known by Caledonia were part of the team farms, EU-funded mud crab several names in Pacific Island including SPC’s Aquaculture projects, and NGO farms. countries and territories: for Officer. example, "qari" in Fiji, "crabe" in Mud crabs are cultured in New Caledonia, and "u’paki" in Mud crab culture ponds and pens of various sizes. Cook Islands. The major mud in the Philippines The basic requirements for crab producing countries are the pond culture are: Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, SEAFDEC has been conducting Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and research in mud crab farming • Sufficient supply of brackish India. A total of 4608 mt of mud for many years, and more water or marine water; crab were produced in the recently through a European • Water depth of 80–100 cm; Philippines in 2001. Mud crab is Commission funded project. • Sandy clay/clay loam sub- considered to be a high value, This project ended in November strate; low volume commodity. 2005 after four years of research • Proper water quality: salinity work that was done in collabo- 10–34 ppt, temperature There is substantial potential for ration with the University of 25–34° C, dissolved oxygen the culture of mud crab as an Wales Bagnor, Ghent University > 3 ppm, and a pH range of important source of income for in Belgium, and the Can Tho 8.0–8.5. poor rural coastal dwellers in University in Vietnam. The proj- Pacific Island countries and terri- ect aims were to support conser- For pen culture, the basic tories. However, a lack of appro- vation and protection of fish- requirements are similar to priate technology and capacity eries resources and biodiversity those for pond culture, except has constrained the culture and through the development of that the water depth at high tide research of this species. The lack mud crab farming in coastal should be 30–100 cm, the site of information about culture waters, and mud crab enhance- should be free from large waves technology and a lack of aware- ness about the potential for mud crab culture may explain why few Pacific Islands have taken up mud crab farming. In 2005, aqua- culture representatives from sev- eral SPC member countries requested information on mud crab aquaculture and how to set up small-scale operations. In response, SPC’s Aquaculture Section organised and conducted a study tour to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture

Visit to SEAFDEC mud crab hatchery

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 19 SPC ACTIVITIES

localities, crab pellets. In terms of production costs, trash fish constitute 36.5% of the cost in ponds and 30.6% in pens, with a food conversion ratio (FCR) of usually 5:1 (i.e. 5 kg of trash fish produces 1 kg of mud crab).

Some or all of the mud crabs are harvested, depending on the availability of equipment to handle the crabs, available labour, and markets. In some cases, female crabs with matur- ing eggs are separated from males with large pincers for specific customers. Crabs are tied individually and are bunched together either by the kilogram or by the dozen. For long distance travel, crabs are kept inside hard cartons, wood- Typical mud crab pond en or Styrofoam boxes, and and floods, and the area secure net fencing) procured from the bamboo or palm baskets. from vandals and poachers. wild or a hatchery. Direct stock- ing to grow-out ponds and pens Mud crabs are sold live and The stocking size of juveniles is the usual practice. processed. There are several into ponds and pens is usually 5 selection procedures for the g and the grow-out cycle is four Cannibalism occurs throughout marketing of crabs that are usu- to six months (120–150 days), by the culture cycle. The mud crab ally sold at 250–800 pesos per kg which time, the average weight survival rate is 50–80% and in (USD 4.60–14.80/kg). There is a reaches 250–500 g and in some some instances this could be large local market in the cases 800 g. The stocking rate is lower due to a lack of appropri- Philippines and at present, it 0.5–1 crablets per square meter ate feed, proper water quality seems there is an unsaturated of surface area. Seed stock is and problems such as stress. export market, especially to usually collected from the wild Mud crab feed mainly consists Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. and a small quantity is being of “trash” fish (small, undersize Commercial farmers prefer to produced and supplied by the fish, squid, and leftover fish export through an agent SEAFDEC crab hatchery. In the from the markets) and, in some because prices are higher and wild, crablets are available throughout the year and cost 5–20 Philippine pesos each (~USD 0.09–0.38), depending on species, size and access to the source. There are two private hatcheries on Mindanao Island.

A set of procedures is followed for pond and pen preparation and installation, following which crablets are stocked at strategic areas. Stocking is usually done in the morning or late after- noon, and with crabs that are active, healthy and with com- plete body parts, and of a uni- form size. A nursery, located in the ponds, is recommended for small-size crablets (i.e. those that can pass through bamboo slats or Crabs ready for the market

20 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES because agents usually arrange for trash fish for feed. Comments from participants after the study tour

Based on the results of complet- a. Maciu Lagibalavu, Ministry of Fisheries (Fiji). Stated that mud crab is ed trials by SEAFDEC, pond an important commodity for Fiji, and that SEAFDEC should offer in- and pen investments range country training in mud crab culture. He said it would be better to build between approximately USD a hatchery in Fiji, rather than importing seedlings from SEAFDEC, 2200 for a half hectare pond and which is trying to meet the needs of local Filipino farmers. USD 1000 for a 0.4 hectare man- b.James Herman, private sector (Cook Islands). Said he would like grove area, respectively. There SEAFDEC to establish a presence in the Cook Islands. He reported can be two mud crab “crops” that the population of Cook Islands is 16,000 and that over 80,000 per year. An average body tourists visit there annually; thus, he said, there is a need for industries weight of 216 g and a survival that can support local production rather then depending on imports. rate of 67% are achieved in ponds within 150 days of cul- c. Reedson Abraham, Department of Fisheries (Federated States of ture, and 275 g and a survival Micronesia–FSM). He stated that he appreciated the support given by rate of 86% in pens within 160 SPC to attend the study tour. He said he was satisfied with all the days of culture. To recoup the activities, and reported that FSM was building a crab hatchery and investment in a 0.5 ha pond, the was looking to employ a hatchery technician for two years. He said he pond should produce at least would like SPC and SEAFDEC to identify experts, offer trainings and 1366 kg per year for two years the sharing of information, and run additional mud crab workshops. and for a 0.4 ha pen infrastruc- ture, it should produce at least d.Dominique Pham, IFREMER and Bernard FAO, South Province 980 kg on one year. (New Caledonia). Both people were very interested in the trip, and said that they will test some of the information they learned in the Major problems faced by farm- workshop with SPC. ers and the industry in the Philippines are a lack of reliable e. Satya Nandlal, SPC Aquaculture Section, said that SPC would like and adequate supplies of participants to carry out activities thorough consultation with their crablets and juveniles, a lack of respective departments/employers. He said that SPC will access any a continuous supply of trash further information required by participants and will seek collabora- tion with SEAFDEC on mud crab technology. He also said that par- fish for feed, and limited avail- ticipants need to note that there are many other areas apart from mud ability of commercial feed. crab farming to learn from SEAFDEC. Some of the main concerns and issues in the Philippines with 4. There must be a stable seed 8. Small and medium business regards to mud crab farming are: supply enterprises should be devel- oped as important compo- 1. There is a need for the devel- 5. Crablets remain as the most nents of the industry, such as opment of a stable local and expensive input of produc- grower, feed supplier, seed export market for live and tion, closely followed by supplier, processor, mar- processed mud crab product. feed. Supply of trash fish is keter, technologists and still unreliable, and formu- other aspects. 2. The marketing of mud crab lated feeds for mud crab are is still irregular due, in part, still being trialled. 9. Government agencies and to an unpredictable supply all other stakeholders have from farms. Markets are 6. Prospective growers need the capability to regulate the volatile and opportunity support from government and responsible conduct of this comes only to those who NGOs in terms of policy, business (see #8 above). take well-calculated risks. financial, technical and mar- Hatchery technologies are keting. being refined and the low 3. Production of crabs in ponds supply of crablets from the and pens is at an early stage 7. There is an investment opportu- wild may be addressed by of development. At present, nity in the mud crab industry; conserving mangrove habi- production costs give a rea- however, information dissemi- tats by way of prohibiting sonable profit margin, thus nation and accelerated technol- the catch of gravid female there is a need for produc- ogy transfer are necessary to mud crabs and allowing tion to be more efficient by support interest and investment them to spawn naturally in reducing costs and produc- in the mud crab industry and the wild. ing quality crabs. ancillary activities.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 21 SPC ACTIVITIES

SPC regional pearl meeting

The plush setting of the Tokatoka French Polynesia and the Cook Micronesia, the results of hatch- Resort in Nadi was the venue for Islands. Fiji Islands, Marshall ery and farm trials are being the first regional pearl meeting, Islands, Federated States of adapted for small-scale opportu- which ran from 31 November to Micronesia, Tonga, Papua New nities suited to rural communi- 2 December 2005. Considering Guinea, Solomon Islands and ties, as explained by Mr the economic significance of this Kiribati are all in varying stages Masahiro Ito from the College of industry and the widespread of commercialisation (country Micronesia. The low cost and interest of Pacific Island coun- reports and special topic presen- low technology pearl hatchery in tries in developing their cultured tations will be reproduced in a Kiribati continues to reproduce pearl industry, a regional forum forthcoming issue of the SPC an unusually high success rate in to discuss technical issues was Pearl Oyster Information Bulletin). pearl spat settlement. long overdue. Critical challenges In recent years, the average year- to the sector that need address- ly export value from the Pacific Constraints and opportunities ing were identified, and included has been around USD 100 mil- lion, and French Polynesia is the In countries where natural stocks • Seed supply: increasing dominant producer. This value of oysters are low, the lack of hatchery capacity; is down from a peak of around seed supply is a constraint to the • Farming: utilising techno- USD 170 million in 2000, which expansion of pearl farming. logical advances, such as apparently was caused by an Given that the investment port- triploid oysters; oversupply of pearls and ones folio for a pearl enterprise is at • Pearl quality: improving of poor quality. least on the order of 10–15 years, technician standards; it is critical to secure a consistent • Sales: strengthen marketing. While countries mainly target source of oysters. Fortunately, the cultivation of Pinctada mar- the technology for breeding pearl Meeting background garitifera for its black pearl, oysters is fairly well developed there is an opportunity to diver- and there are a number of opera- Cultured pearls are among the sify the range of pearls coming tional hatcheries to learn from. most alluring products from the from the Pacific. For example, However, establishing a hatchery Pacific. Although they are no both the Solomon Islands and requires the technology to be cus- longer a novelty item, the Papua New Guinea have natu- tomised according to local condi- Pacific Islands remain deter- rally occurring stocks of tions and (government facilities mined to develop local pearl Pinctada maxima, which pro- in particular) often, the level of industries, despite the existing duces a luminescent white pearl dedicated effort required to oper- challenges. This resolve has branded as the “South Seas ate efficiently is underestimated. been evident through past and Pearl”. The winged oyster, current efforts. Pteria penguin, is found in Fiji Furthermore, the Pacific should and Tonga, and can be cultivat- be supportive of research in order The meeting objectives were to ed for a half pearl with purple to ensure that it does not lose out enable a technical round-table undertones similar to that of on technological advances that forum to benchmark the status abalone pearls. may offer significant benefits. For of pearl production in the example, sterile oysters induced Pacific, share information of Among the emerging common interest, and explore pearl producers in the areas for technical collaboration. region, Fiji has made great progress. There Meeting participants included is an active pearl unit representatives from govern- within the govern- ment, private sector and acade- ment and commercial mia. The meeting Chair was Mr production has begun Maciu Lagibalavu, Director of in the private sector. Aquaculture, Fiji Ministry of This is attracting the Fisheries. attention of interna- tional investors. In Status of pearl farming in the Pacific Islands Pearl farm mapping The major commercial produc- at Manihiki Atoll in ers of pearls in the Pacific are the Cook Islands

22 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES through triploidization divert their of production costs. Dr Maria compete. The recent stabilisa- energy from reproduction into Haws from the University of tion of pearl prices brings some growth. This, according to Associ- Hawai’i provided some straight- optimism to the marketing envi- ate Professor Paul Southgate, forward arguments that clearly ronment although the adage from James Cook University in show why a poorly skilled seed- that “high quality pearls will Australia, could significantly ing technician drastically reduces always sell” remains true. reduce the time (and cost) to har- revenue to unprofitable levels. vest pearls, ultimately increasing According to her analyses, if an Dr Quentin Fong from the Uni- profit. Establishing a genetic “excellent performing” techni- versity of Alaska provided eco- improvement programme could cian and a “poor performing” nomic sensitivity analyses based select oysters that generate specif- seeding technical were provid- on a North Pacific farm model ic coloured pearls or very large ed a thousand oysters, the excel- showing that variation in market- sized pearls. lent technician will generate ing prices is a factor having the USD 19,000 dollars revenue greatest impact on profitability Environmental management compared to just USD 8600 dol- and cost. A one percent increase becomes crucial as farming lev- lars from the poor technician (or decrease) causes a five percent els intensify. This is a lesson that (Table 1). Even subverting to a increase (or decrease) of net prof- was learned the hard way in the lower fee for a poor performing its. This reiterates the earlier pre- Cook Islands, which is still technician will still lead to sentations by Temu and Justin on recovering from a severe oyster unprofitable levels of revenue. the importance of marketing. disease at Manhiki atoll in 2000 due, in part, to overstocking. Clearly, if the Pacific wishes to Meeting recommendations Management measures outlined improve profitability in the by Mr Kori Raumea from the pearl sector, then investing in The following draft recommen- Cook Islands Ministry of programmes to raise the stan- dations were made by meeting Marine Resources involve: dard of pearl seeding techni- delegates to synthesis the current cians will be of significant help. challenges in the pearl sector and 1) regular environmental moni- to provide suggested strategies toring, such as water quality Pearls are jewellery items and to address them, emphasising testing using automated maintaining a marketing cam- regional collaboration. probes deployed on a remote paign is essential to enticing buoy, buyers. No segment of the Policy, networking industry understands this better and information 2) a digital mapping system to than the private sector. Pearl allocate farm leases and farmers Mr Temu Okotai from 1. The lack of clear policies in analyse oyster density, and the Cook Islands and Mr Justin the pearl sector must be Hunter from Fiji shared their addressed. 3) new legislation and an Atoll experiences of marketing in the a. Existing policies should be Lagoon Management Plan to business world. (In addition, Mr reviewed to amend or cre- regulate best farming prac- Hunter outlined the integration ate clear policies where tices. of their Savusavu farm with the needed; aspirations of the local qoliqoli). b. All stakeholders must be The pearl grafting operation Mr Okotai raised the concept of involved in this process. (“pearl seeding”) is the perhaps a Pacific brand for marketing the greatest aspect directly pearls, and challenged the 2. The lack of regulations and affecting pearl quality, and con- region to work together for legislation — particularly in tributes to a significant portion mutual benefit, rather than to the area of water rights, leas-

Table 1. Performance measure and profitability for varying level of technician skills (seeding 1000 pearl oysters and charging a fee of USD 3 dollars per oyster).

Technician 1 Technician 2 Technician 3 Parameter “Excellent” “Average” “Poor” Results at harvest Poor quality, unsaleable pearls (%) 20% 30% 40%

Revenue at harvest Revenue from pearls USD 19,000 USD 13,300 USD 8600 Seeding costs as % of revenues 37% 53% 81%

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 23 SPC ACTIVITIES

es and tenure for private sec- timely manner to all of its genetic selection, triploidy tor individuals — must be member countries. and seeding techniques; addressed. a. Information sources such b. James Cook University a. Clear regulations and leg- as national marketing (JCU) is well placed to islation should be imple- reports and international deliver upon the research mented. newsletters could be used; and development programs b. The SPC Pearl Oyster Bul- identified above. 3. Policies should incorporate letin, SPC’s Aquaculture the obligations of a grafting Section portal website, elec- 12. Enhance the capacity for permit required by a seeding tronic flash message distri- pearl disease management. technician. bution service, etc. could be a. SPC should collaborate a. Because the majority of used as information clear- with other key regional seeding technicians are for- ing house mechanisms. agencies such as the South eigners, such a permit may Pacific Applied Geoscience need to be incorporated into 7. Countries should be encour- Commission (SOPAC) and foreign investment policies. aged to develop a national the South Pacific Regional marketing strategy. Environment Programme 4. A regional association should (SPREP) in developing be established as a commis- 8. A regional marketing strate- guidelines for best farming sion for the pearl sector. gy should be developed. practices. a. Its formation could be a. The regional marketing endorsed through the strategy should take note of 13. There should be efficient com- Pacific Islands Forum the opportunities and con- munication between the vari- Secretariat (PIFS) Heads of straints for inter-regional ous stakeholders involved in Government meeting; “branding” of pearls. the research and development b. It should include the main process. producing countries (e.g. 9. A regional association should a. SPC could be the vehicle to French Polynesia). Assis- be formed comprising of establish communication tance could be provided national representation for and utilize mechanisms through regional organisa- the purpose of marketing such as the SPC Pearl Oyster tions; (including intelligence, stan- Special Interest Group Bull- c. The Pacific Regional Mar- dards and etc). etin and aquaculture portal itime Association (PACMA) a. PIFS and SPC should be website to achieve this. may serve as a prototype – tasked with the formation SPC serves as the secretariat; and administration of this 14. Special emphasis should be d. Regional meetings in the pearl association; placed on the monitoring sector are urgently needed. b. The functions of this and evaluation of seeding grouping may be carried technicians. 5. The lack of information and out through the regional a. Critical control points such resources to share informa- association suggested for as that employed by the tion must be addressed. policy directives in recom- United States HACCAP a. The Secretariat of the Pacific mendation #4. standards may be employed Community (SPC) and as a checklist and minimum other regional bodies 10. The region should adopt the standards for technicians should be encouraged to Gemological Institute of and farmers to adhere by; address this shortfall; America (GIA) standards as b. Where comparisons may be b. Newsletters, bulletins, web- a minimum requirement. useful, countries within the sites, etc. should be used; region should be encour- c. A database may be required; Research and development aged to share data on the d. If necessary, a regional coor- seeding success/failure dinator post should be cre- 11. The goal of research and rates of their technicians; ated and recruited; development should be ori- c. A standard reporting sheet e. A network for collaboration ented towards increased could be developed that should be established. profitability. This equates to countries may adopt improved pearl quality and towards a common data- Marketing retention, more efficient cul- base. There needs to be con- ture methods and stock fidence built within coun- 6. SPC should be tasked with improvement. tries and industry on how gathering and disseminating a. Some of the exiting oppor- sensitive seeding informa- marketing information in a tunities for research include tion will be handled;

24 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

d. A regional or national • two courses per year over c. A travelling trainer may be “grafting inspector” may a three-year period; the most effective way of be required within the pro- • courses to be six weeks providing training in seed- fession. long, covering: pearl farm ing techniques to remote and longline deployment; micro distant areas of the region. A Infrastructure algae culture; spawning “Master Grafting Technician” induction; hatchery cul- may be required within the 15. The critical and urgent area ture; larval, nursery culture seeding technician profes- that needs to be addressed and grow-out; sion. for infrastructure lie in • once the course has been developing hatcheries and fine-tuned and estab- 18. A regional workshop on spat collection to ensure con- lished, it should be phased pearl grading should take sistent supply of spat for into the region by involv- place to upgrade farmers’ farming. ing the University of the knowledge about pearl qual- South Pacific (USP) as a ity and marketing aspects. Training regional training centre. a. The SPC should be tasked This could occur in year with organizing and seek- 16. Training in oyster biology, three or thereabouts. ing funding for such a hatchery culture is a key pri- workshop; ority need for the region that 17. Training efforts should be b. It may be more effective for must be addressed. undertaken to increase the a travelling trainer/grader a. JCU and the University of number of qualified success- to visit countries. Hawaii at a Hilo (UHH) are ful local seeding technicians training institutions within within the region, particular- 19. Certification provided by the region. In the past, JCU ly in countries with large training programmes could has run courses in this area commercial production. be used as a requirement for that were funded by the a. A source of abundant pearl those seeking a permit under Australian Centre for oysters must be found, a national permitting system International Agricultural however, in order for train- (for e.g. French Polynesia). Research (ACIAR); ing to take place. This may a. This could ensure a mini- b. ACIAR is a potential fund- necessitate a regional mum level of technical com- ing agency within the training centre where petence within the industry; region; resources can be shared b. Regional standards could be c. An oyster biology, hatchery (e.g. a hatchery); incorporated into national training programme may b. It is preferable that training certification programmes. include the following: be undertaken in-country;

Top: A low cost pearl hatchery in Kiribati

Right: Pearl farm being prepared in Micronesia

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 25 SPC ACTIVITIES

Regional seaweed meeting benchmarks status of production and explores opportunities for collaboration

Kappaphycus seaweed1 is one of meeting was chaired by Alifina grow at an annual rate of around the priority aquaculture com- Vuti the (acting) Chief Executive 4–6%. Opportunities for expan- modities for the Pacific identified Officer, Fiji Ministry of Fisheries sion are mostly in meat, poultry in the SPC Aquaculture Action and Forestry. and dairy products. Carrageenan Plan2. In 2005, the Australian is making inroads as a replace- Centre for International Agricul- World supply and ment for animal products such as tural Research (ACIAR) and demand situation gelatin, which is out of favour SPC jointly implemented a proj- with consumers unsettled by ect to identify and evaluate the Kappaphycus alvarezi seaweed recent outbreaks of mad cow dis- constraints and opportunities (also known as “cottonii”) pro- ease. for Kappaphycus seaweed in select- duces carrageenan, a starchy ed Pacific Island countries, includ- substance used as a thickening Seaweed processing ing consideration of options for a and stabilising agent in a vari- multi-country (bilateral and/or ety of applications, most com- Seaweed is characterised as a sub-regional) cooperation in monly in food and pharmaceu- high volume and low value marketing and processing. tical products. product. Freight often involves lengthy and expensive domestic SPC’s Aquaculture Adviser, Ben At present, there is a strong and international routes which Ponia, and ACIAR consultant, demand for seaweed and low reduces profitability through Dennis McHugh (Australian supplies of raw product, so the whole supply chain. In Defence Academy, retired), con- prices are high. The total world Kiribati, for example, the sea- ducted national workshops in production is approximately weed grown at Fanning Island Kiribati (31 May 2005), Solomon 220,000 mt (dry) with the bulk is shipped to Tarawa where it is Islands (7 June 2005) and Fiji (13 provided by the Philippines and baled and stockpiled before June 2005) to assess country Indonesia. China is an emerging international freightage across reports and opportunities for market where carrageenan is the Pacific to the Philippines for regional linkages. In October used for petfood. Markets in processing. 2005, Ben and Dennis organised Korea and India are also grow- the Nadi sub-regional meeting ing. This has helped drive the If the region were able to carry to collate the findings of the spot prices from export buyers up some form of processing of the consultancy and to obtain feed- to as much as USD 950 dollars per bulky raw product, then this back from key country stake- tonne (January 2005) and to hover might cut freight costs. However, holders for incorporation into a between USD 600 and 800 per this is not thought to be feasible final report. tonne. Previous boom bust cycles because of the low and inconsis- have seen prices drop to lows of tent supply coming from the Meeting arrangements USD 300 per tonne. Iain Neish Participants of the three-day believes that a meeting included government stable price of and private sector representa- USD 400 per tives from Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall tonne will proba- Islands, Solomon Islands and bly help ensure a Vanuatu. Organisations, includ- balance between ing the University of South supply and Pacific’s Institute of Marine demand and Resources, also participated. Dr bring sustain- Iain Neish from SeaPlant, Indo- ability to the nesia, was a key technical advis- industry. er who provided useful infor- mation on the situation in Asia Industry predic- and gave an update on emerg- tions are that the ing technology that would be demand for car- Carrageenan extracts appropriate for the Pacific. The rageenan will from Kappaphycus seaweed

1. See SPC’s aquaculture profiles online (http://www.spc.int/aquaculture/site/commodities/PDF/Seaweed_page.pdf) for a description of Kappaphycus seaweed farming 2. Online reference: http://www.spc.int/aquaculture/site/publications/documents/spc-aquaplan.pdf)

26 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

copra and sea cucumber harvest- ing, although no actual trials have taken place.

Almost all seaweed from Kiribati comes from Fanning Atoll in the Line Island Group. The seaweed is purchased and processed by the Danish company CP Kelco at its factory in Cebu, Phillipines. A peak of 1440 tonnes was pro- duced in 2000 (Table 1), but sub- sequently, there was a lull, declining to 490 tonnes by 2003. This was attributed to the stopover of tourist liners from Hawaii and farmers seeking Commercial use of Kappaphycus seaweed opportunities in the tourism in the food industry (courtesy of SeaPlant.net) trade. Some of these ex-farmers have now reportedly returned to Pacific. Also, processing involves refined chip, which is about a seaweed farming because of the large quantities of fresh water, a quarter of the volume of the raw guaranteed income compared scarce resource in some atoll product and, therefore, incurs with selling tourism curios and environments. There is also a less export freight cost. because of a shortage of raw treatment of hot chemical alkali, materials such as sea shells, which, along with the non-car- Status of production which have been overharvested. rageenan discharge, might pose in the Pacific This trend is reflected in the an effluent problem. slight increase in production in For the past few decades, sea- recent years. According to Mr Emerging technology being tri- weed has mainly been commer- Kevin Rouatu, the CEO of the alled in Indonesia, however, cially farmed in Kiribati and Fiji, Atoll Seaweed Company, the uses basic extractive technology joined recently by the Solomon company plans to expand farm- with liquids and solids being Islands. Presently, total produc- ing to other islands through the physically separated thereby tion from the region is relatively introduction of a new strain of reducing chemical or freshwater low, on the order 1000 tonnes per seaweed. The morphology of this inputs. The basic concept, as annum. Elsewhere, research and seaweed is suited to high wave explained by Iain, is similar to a development trials have been action on the ocean crest side and cider press. The liquid and solid conducted. Notably, Vanuatu is therefore less susceptible to ice- byproduct has household and and the Marshall Islands, where ice disease, which has caused the commercial potential as plant both countries experienced prob- demise of farming in the past. fertiliser. The scale of economy lems with fish grazing and find- The Gilbert Islands is the main is more suited for the small vol- ing appropriate sites. The Papua area to be targeted. umes coming from the Pacific New Guinea government has (i.e. about 1500 tonnes per expressed interest in seaweed Farming in Fiji Islands peaked annum). The product is a semi- farming as an alternative to with 520 t in 2000 (Table 2) under

Table 1. Seaweed production (dry) from Kiribati Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 (Apr) Tonnage 1440 1160 530 490 640 200

Table 2. Seaweed production (dry) from Fiji Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 (May) Tonnage 20 300 520 280 80 20 50 30

Table 3. Dry seaweed production (tonnes) from Solomon Islands Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 (Mar) Tonnage 4 50 260 230

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 27 SPC ACTIVITIES a programme heavily subsidized in Rarumana and seaweed was Meeting recommendations by the government. The industry also introduced to nearby Wagina experienced problems in freight Island, which now exports Communication and marketing arrangements and around 30 tonnes per month. competition from alternative cash Many Wagina Islanders who used 1. A good communication net- crops, which caused a decline. to rely on diving for the (present- work is an essential first step The government intends to reju- ly) overfished sea cucumber to enabling countries to col- venate the industry by concen- trade, have now found a renew- laborate on any aspect of the trating its efforts on the atoll able source of cash in seaweed seaweed industry, especially islands of the Ono-I-Lau group farming. Assistance to the Solo- at this time in regard to farm- where there are suitable sites and mon Islands is being provided ing and improving produc- few opportunities for alternative through the European Union tion. cash livelihoods. The fisheries funded Seaweed Commercialisa- • Staff of farming organisa- department has a temporary con- tion Project, which began in late tions in all countries to tract with local marketing and 2005. The project will concentrate utilise email, fax and phone promotion agencies, and is sourc- on the existing farm sites as well to maintain consultation ing overseas buyers with a view as expand to a few key sites such and cooperation on any to set a beach price (money paid as North Malaita, Ontong Java aspect of farming to the farmer) at FJD 70 cents a and the Reef Islands. kilogram compared to previous Farming price of FJD 50 cents. A monograph of national coun- try reports and comprehensive 2. Countries within the Pacific The Solomon Islands has had the regional analysis of the seaweed can learn from each other most spectacular growth, increas- industry is being compiled by about the mechanisms that ing exponentially from 4 tonnes Dr Dennis McHugh. motivate farmers to produce in 2002 to 260 tonnes in 2004 (e.g. cash payments or a (Table 3). Seaweed is exported to Recommendations were made bonus system). Degussa Ltd in France. During by participants to the meeting • All countries involved; the Solomon Islands’ ethnic crisis, with a focus on regional collab- connect with SE Asia seaweed farming at Rarumana oration that will boost produc- (Indonesia is a logical and Island was rejuvenated to gener- tion in the Pacific. It is thought geographical connection to ate basic household cash income. that increased production from the Pacific through PNG) Technical and funding support the Pacific will lead to better was provided by the fisheries opportunities in processing and 3. Initially, concentrate farming department, the European Union greater bargaining power for on a small number of sites, Rural Fisheries Enterprise Project freight and marketing arrange- rather than spreading efforts and SPC. Farming spread quickly ments. more thinly over a large number of sites. This has been a successful strategy in the Solomon Islands.

4. There is a need to encourage collaboration on the sharing of cultivars (subject to quaran- tine protocol and for research on new Kappaphycus strains. • Fisheries Departments under- take research; regional agen- cies to assist with technical supervision and quarantine

5. It is essential that there be some regional collaboration on quarantine procedures. • SPC, USP to continue efforts; invasive issue explored fur- ther (with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environ- ment Programme (SPREP), the University of Hawaii) New strain of Kappaphycus seaweed introduced in Kiribati

28 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES

6. Develop a better under- in delivering technical assis- the viability of seaweed standing of buyer specifica- tance (e.g. training materials, farming as micro, small and tions (e.g. 30% water con- training workshops) to farm- medium business enterpris- tent) and eliminate “trading ers. Encourage the type of es and to be a catalyst for games”. agency collaboration (e.g. production. • Learn from SEAPlantNet between SPC and USP) • Countries to identify already in place. 7. Communication between • All countries involved 16. Countries should make a farmers and from farmer to concerted effort to find and buyer can significantly boost 12. Encourage country place- empower their entrepre- production within countries. ments within the Pacific neurs in the seaweed farm- Possibility of learning from community to support ing industry. SEAPlantNet in Indonesia, emerging countries to learn • Producing countries to PFnet model in Solomon from more advanced coun- find entrepreneurs Islands for communication tries. with remote communities. • SPC and governments of 17. Encourage countries to raise • Countries to study communi- producing countries to the profile of seaweed farm- cation methods with remote facilitate ing in regional forums as a communities in Indonesia viable alternative livelihood and Solomon Islands 13. There is a need to maintain a for coastal peoples — build program of “training-the- on comparative advantages 8. Explore lessons learned and trainer” type courses. (c.f. tuna). Regional organi- trends for development of • USP, SPC, Fiji to explore a sations should also maintain farming and marketing in training module in 2006; communication with non- major producing countries. all producing countries to producing countries who • SEAPlantNet to share the assist in identifying a may wish to farm seaweed lessons from Indonesia “model” farmer who can in the future. and the Philippines also be a teaching resource • SPC through regional forums, communications 9. Applied research. Some top- 14. Regional efforts could be ics are of global importance coordinated through a 18. Regional organisations and and efforts could be collabo- regional posting (organise countries should work togeth- rative at an international training, share country expe- er to lobby donors (EU, the level. Priority topics include: riences, technology). World Bank, Asian Develop- - ice-ice outbreaks, • Position could be located ment Bank) to support where - epiphytes, within SPC but would be necessary the development of - grazers, working closely with USP seaweed farming. - processing technology, • SPC to coordinate - alternative seaweed prod- Promotion of farming ucts, - local applications (e.g. fer- 15. Identify a few successful sea- tilisers, animal nutrition). weed farmers to showcase • Use USP extension centres; involve ACIAR as a donor and technical agency; pro- ducing countries to be involved in refining and implementation.

10. Identify the opportunities and constraints for equal gender participation in sea- weed farming (traditional and innovative). • Possibly supervised by USP

Training

11. Countries in the region should combine their efforts Seaweed plot in the Solomon Islands

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 29 SPC ACTIVITIES

Processing 22. Consider the need to devel- 24. Continue efforts to hold op regional product stan- regional forums on a regular 19. Explore the benefits of in- dards and certification basis. country processing versus schemes (linked to third • SPC to help organise and exporting raw product with party testing) to conform seek funding; consider an transparent value-added with global standards. internet based forum etc chains in place. Pacific Islands should target • Focus on the current three a high quality product and 25. Use the above recommenda- producing countries (Kiri- consistent quantity in order tions as a framework for a bati, Solomon Islands, Fiji); to secure a stable market regional inter-governmental Kiribati to share its pro- demand. The Pacific region agreement that countries cessing consultancy report; needs to build a positive will cooperate in boosting SEAPlantNet to advise on image. Consider developing seaweed production within progress of small scale pro- a single Pacific-wide brand the region. Submit this cessing project. (contribute to broader dis- framework to the SPC Heads cussion on other products of Fisheries meeting for Marketing such as ornamentals). endorsement. • SPC to work with the Pacific • SPC to work through the 20. There is an opportunity for Islands Forum Secretariat current ACIAR consultancy regional collaboration in (PIFS); marine ornamentals and with all workshop par- marketing; countries could standards; other aquacul- ticipants to formulate final share marketing intelligence, ture standards framework prices paid, exporting strate- gies. General • All involved, SPC take a lead, learn from SEAPlantNet 23. Countries should develop national development plans 21. Consider establishing a third for the seaweed industry party testing facility in the and share this plan with region to act as an honest other producing countries as broker between buyers and a means to communicate sellers in verifying export their future intentions and quality. targets (production levels • USP a potential host for etc). the facility • Countries to develop plans, SPC to help disseminate information

National Freshwater Aquaculture Awareness Workshop (Santo) and National Aquaculture Sector Planning Workshop (Port Vila) held in Vanuatu

There has been substantial potential farmers with technical of freshwater prawn and tilapia progress with aquaculture in grounding. After this, SPC’s farming to farmers and govern- Vanuatu recently, both in the Aquacul-ture Adviser helped ment officers. The workshop government and the private sec- organise and run a consultative was funded jointly by the UN tor. The fisheries department has workshop, the objective of which Food and Agriculture Organiza- been quite active in promoting was to develop a national plan, tion (FAO) and the Vanuatu small-scale, rural freshwater which will help guide the aqua- Fisheries Department. SPC’s aquaculture — particularly culture sector over the next five Aquaculture Section carried out tilapia and shrimp — and a large years. this training at the request of the privately-funded penaeid prawn government. farm has just begun the first com- First aquaculture awareness mercial harvest, after several workshop, Sanma Rural In 2003, FAO in collaboration years of setting up the operation. Women’s Training Centre, with SPC (at the request of the Other types of aquaculture are in Santo, Vanuatu Vanuatu Government) conduct- the pipeline. To assist Vanuatu, ed a feasibility study on, "The SPC’s Aquacul-ture Officer was The purpose of the workshop potential of farming tilapia the lead trainer in a workshop was to provide information on Orecochromis niloticus and fresh- that provided key agencies and theoretical and practical aspects water prawn Macrobrachium

30 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SPC ACTIVITIES rosenbergi in Vanuatu". The According to Mr Jimmy Robert SPC's Aquaculture Officer with study was carried out on Efate (Principal Biologist), a consider- assistance of aquaculturists from and Santo Islands and both able number of requests for the Fisheries Department. The tilapia and freshwater prawns technical assistance to set up four–day training provided were recommended for farming. small-scale tilapia and prawn information on: farms from communities and Since mid-2004 the following individuals have been received • basic biology of tilapia and activities have been carried out by the fisheries department. In prawns, by the Fisheries Department: addition, fisheries extension • tilapia hatchery operation, officers and officers from other • site selection for tilapia and • A semi-commercial tilapia line agencies (Animal Health, prawn farms, farm has been established at Quarantine and the Environ- • methods of pond construc- Erapo on Efate Island. A ment Department) based in tion, and total 500 kg of tilapia was outer islands were also assisting • tilapia and prawn grow-out produced in June 2005, the in aquaculture activities. These aspects (pond preparation, first tilapia production in officers had not attended any stocking, feeding, sampling, Vanuatu. The tilapia was aquaculture training and as pond management, harvest- sold in the local market in such, this workshop was organ- ing, marketing and record Port Vila. Several tilapia ised to train these officers as keeping). farms have since been estab- well as farmers based on Santo lished in other islands. Island. Farmers from other Practical exercises were carried islands were not able to attend on site selection, manual pond • On Santo Island, ponds were the workshop due to lack of construction, feed preparation, constructed by Fisheries funds to cover for travel and sampling, prawn harvesting Department to test the accommodation. and farm budgets. potential of farming local freshwater prawn Macrobra- The workshop Presentations were made in chium lar. This project was English and Bislama. Demonstra- funded by Australian Centre Twenty participants attended the tions were carried out in the for International Agriculture workshop: 10 prawn/tilapia classroom and at the Sarete Fish Research (ACIAR) with tech- farmers from Santo; one FAO farm, about 40 km from the train- nical assistance provided of volunteer, fisheries officers from ing site. Participants worked in SPC aquaculture section. Santo, Malampa, Penama Island, groups to work through exercis- (All the prawns were har- and Efate, one Livestock Officer, es, for example, steps involved in vested, weighed and graded one Environment Officer and one pond construction by hands by the participants as part of Quarantine Officer — all govern- (manually). This exercise was fol- the practical exercise). ment officers from Santo. The lowed by practical pond con- workshop was conducted by struction at Sarete farm. All the • A pilot tilapia farm was also established in Santo and stocked with fingerlings in mid 2005. (The fingerlings at the farm were used for demonstrating sampling, seining feeding and etc as part of practical exercise during the workshop).

• Since January 2005, an FAO Aquaculture Technical Assis- tant (of Chinese nationality) joined the Fisheries depart- ment under an FAO Regional Programme for Food Security.

• Three fisheries officers attended training on tilapia and prawn farming includ- ing hatchery operations in Fiji in 2003–2004. Participants testing soil quality for pond construction.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 31 SPC ACTIVITIES participants actively participated intentions and enable collabora- Vanuatu. Eight key commodities in the classroom and as well as tion amongst stakeholders with- were scored as a high priority. field activities. There was a lot of in the sector. The plan has a five- interaction among the partici- year planning timetable. Step two of the workshop was to pants and also between partici- draft a five-year log frame of pants and the trainers. Notes on Robert Jimmy was the main gov- objectives, activities and indica- all topics were provided in ernment counterpart for the tors, which will enable Vanuatu English and some parts were workshop. Mr Wycliff Bakeo (for- to attain its national goals and translated into Bislama. mer Director of Fisheries) was support the sustainable develop- engaged as an SPC consultant to ment of its aquaculture com- At the end of the workshop, a help facilitate the workshop. modities. Further consultation dinner function was organized Robert will follow up on the with stakeholders will be carried whereby participants were drafting of the plan. Participants out to refine the plan contents given certificates of attendance. were mostly government agen- and finalize the document. The Many of the participants would cies including Department of plan is to be submitted to have preferred the workshop Fisheries, Department of Eco- Cabinet for endorsement. duration to be longer. Partici- nomics and Planning, Chamber pants had enhanced their of Commerce, Environment, Min- knowledge in the site selection, istry of Agriculture pond construction and pond and the private sector. managements including har- The Director of Quar- vesting. As the farmers planned antine and Acting to construct ponds, it is envis- Director General for aged that the acquired knowl- Ministry Agriculture edge and experiences would were key participants enhance the capacity of partici- because there is a pants especially the govern- strong interest in ment officers, in order to pro- Vanuatu in aquacul- vide better understanding on ture quarantine and tilapia and prawn farming in veterinary issues. Vanuatu. The first step of the SPC’s Aquaculture Officer and consultation was the Aquaculture Adviser visited prioritization of com- potential farm sites and advised modities. This process on pond selection and other cri- was carried out by teria before returning to Vila. assessing and scoring the range of com- National Aquaculture modities that can fea- Planning Workshop, 21–23 sibly be cultured in November 2005, Port Vila, Vanuatu

The resource materials and pre- sentations used in the Vanuatu national planning workshop were similar to those used in pre- vious SPC workshops held in Fiji (2004) and Nauru (2005). The anticipated output is a govern- ment national planning docu- ment that will transparently out- line government’s priorities and

Top: Demonstration: female tilapia carrying eggs in her mouth.

Bottom: Prawns harvested and graded for sale.

32 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

FAO AWARD FOR MODEL AQUACULTURIST FROM VANUATU On 17 October 2005, Her Royal work as a coffee and cocoa “We have in the sea, depleted Highness Princess Maha Chakri planter. stocks of fish and shellfish, so the Sirindhorn presented an FAO main thing is to move towards award to Felix Nguyen for out- “When I was growing up, my aquaculture,” says Felix. “Our standing achievements in aqua- father told me almost every population is growing very fast, culture. The celebration was night that he came to Vanuatu and we have a shortage of fish in held during the World Food because of hunger, not for the the markets. We have so many Day observance at the FAO pleasure. He came to work, to rivers back in Vanuatu, and no Regional Office for Asia and the bring money back to his first work done on freshwater, so Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. family in Vietnam,” says Mr through the help of the The text of the award citation is Nguyen. Secretariat of the Pacific presented below. Community in New Caledonia, Mr Nguyen says he doesn’t and training from Fiji, I decided Model aquaculturist from want other people to be hungry. to go back and start fish farms.” Vanuatu Since 1986, he has been working with the Vanuatu government Mr Nguyen says the purpose of Felix Nguyen hails from on fishing projects with rural his work is simple: to provide Vanuatu, a group of islands in farmers. He wants to focus on food security for rural commu- the South Pacific Ocean. Many the aquaculture industry to help nities living on remote islands people on this island nation are poor communities on the of Vanuatu. of mixed origins, but Felix is islands. Mr Nguyen has helped unique because his father is to start fishing projects in inland (Source: Vanuatu News Port Vila Vietnamese and his mother is communities, and is working on Press Online, Ni-Vanuatu, the local and dom- the first-ever aquaculture fish www.news.vu, 18 October 2005) inant ethnic group. Mr farm in Vanuatu alongside FAO Nguyen’s father had travelled officials. to the South Pacific islands to

MAJOR TUNA CONFERENCE CONCLUDES IN POHNPEI In December 2005, in Pohnpei, aspirations of the small develop- on to say that “this is a new Federated States of Micronesia, ing countries and territories of Commission, however with so more than 280 people involved the Pacific and the Philippines much at stake it must quickly in the global and regional tuna and Indonesia in whose waters begin to work. It will take some industry put in place the first the majority of the regional tuna time to develop tools to ensure components of a long term harvest is taken. that conservation and manage- process to control fishing effort ment arrangements are adhered and catch and regulate regional Mr Hurry, commenting at the to, but these measures must be tuna harvests in the WCPO. The conclusion of the meeting, said adhered to if we are sustain the meeting was chaired by Mr that he was pleased with the livelihood of the Pacific. This Glenn Hurry from Australia. outcomes and believed that the Commission has the best oppor- meeting laid the foundations for tunity of all the world’s region- The meeting focused on control- what will become one of the al fisheries management organi- ling further expansion of the world’s major fisheries commis- zations to successfully manage catch of bigeye and yellowfin sions. He said that participants its fish stocks, it must not fail.” tuna, both of which species shared the view that continued received worrying stock status expansion of the regional tuna The Commission took its first assessments as recently as catch cannot be sustained. He steps along this path, with the August. The discussion was said: “The 2004 tuna catch, just adoption of resolutions aimed at robust as the topic vital to the over 2 million tonnes, was the constraining further increases in health and well-being of many highest on record. Scientists catch and effort for North Pacific Pacific Island economies was have stated that yellowfin and and South Pacific albacore, big- debated between the historical bigeye tuna stocks cannot sus- eye and yellowfin tuna, support and extensive fishing interests of tain this level of fishing and to reduce the catch of seabirds the world’s largest tuna fleets there is a need for a reduction in and turtles that are taken inci- and the fishery development both effort and catch”. He went dentally during fishing opera-

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 33 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION tions, and measures to reduce The Commission also agreed to fleets operate in the WCPO and fishing capacity, particularly explore options for temporary those countries that support sig- among fleets that have expand- closures in western and central nificant stocks of tuna have ed rapidly in the last five years. Pacific tuna fisheries along sim- been working since 1994 to ilar lines as has been imple- build an institutional frame- Tools to assist with the enforce- mented in the Eastern Tropical work to support the conserva- ment of these decisions include Pacific under the auspices of the tion and management of WCPO the world’s largest satellite- Inter-American Tuna Commis- tuna stocks. The result, the based system for monitoring the sion. Members also agreed to Western and Central Pacific operations of fishing vessels develop management plans for Fisheries Commission, was for- and programs for placing the use of fish aggregating mally established in 2005 with a observers on fishing vessels devices in an effort to reduce the secretariat based in Pohnpei. operating on the high seas to catch of juvenile bigeye and yel- complement those programs lowfin tunas. (Source: Western and Central that members of the Pacific Fisheries Commission Commission support in their Representatives of the major press release; www.wcpfc.org) national waters. fishing interests whose tuna

NOAA PREDICTS WEAK LA NIÑA Weak La Niña conditions are certain. La Niña was not the posted on the NOAA Climate predicted in the tropical Pacific cause of the early January rains Prediction Center website on just in time for spring, but in the west and wildfires in the February 9. NOAA scientists stress it is too south." He added, "While La early to know how this could Niña can produce similar pat- The El Niño/Southern Oscilla- affect springtime and summer- terns, there is no indication that tion Diagnostic Discussion is a time weather patterns in the these jet stream winds are relat- team effort consisting of NOAA’s United States. La Niña is the ed to the developing weak La Climate Prediction Center, Cli- periodic cooling of ocean waters Niña." mate Diagnostics Center, National in the east-central equatorial Climatic Data Center, Geophysi- Pacific, which impacts the typi- La Niña events recur approxi- cal Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, cal alignment of weather pat- mately every three to five years. Atlantic Oceanographic and terns. The last La Niña occurred in Meteorological Laboratory, and 2000–2001 and was a weak the International Research On 12 January 2006, scientists at event. Institute for Climate Prediction. the NOAA Climate Prediction Center released the latest El NOAA will continue monitor- NOAA, an agency of the US Niño Southern Oscillation Diag- ing this event and report on any Department of Commerce, is nostic Discussion, which high- potential impacts as the event dedicated to enhancing eco- lights the early stages of a weak progresses. The next ENSO nomic security and national La Niña episode developing in Diagnostic Discussion has been safety through the prediction the tropical Pacific and, for now, are expected to remain in place for three to six months. Yet the full impact of this weak event is yet unknown. Jim Laver, direc- tor of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, the lead gov- ernment agency on El Niño/La Niña monitoring and forecast- ing, said "The strength of La Niña's impacts depends on the strength of the La Niña event."

Wayne Higgins, NOAA's princi- pal climate specialist at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center said, "One thing, however, is for Figure 1: La Niña conditions during December through February

34 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION and research of weather and cli- Through the emerging Global develop a global monitoring mate-related events and provid- Earth Observation System of network that is as integrated as ing environmental stewardship Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is the planet it observes. of the nation's coastal and working with its federal part- marine resources. ners and nearly 60 countries to (Source: NOAA; 12 January 2006)

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2559.htm

Figure 2: La Niña global impacts during December through February

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 35 was also recorded, with details SURVEY OF FISHING about of each craft and motor noted. Specific information about ACTIVITIES IN TOKELAU canoe and boat use outside the reef was recorded, along with fishing methods used and the Introduction percentage of fishing time attrib- Lindsay Chapman1, uted to each method. Estimated Tokelau (Fig. 1) consists of three Kim Des Rochers2, and catch from both canoes and boats low-lying atolls — Nukunonu, Mose Pelasio3 fishing outside the reef, as well as Fakaofo and Atafu — located any processing that was under- between 8° and 10° S latitude, and taken (e.g. gilling and gutting, fil- 171° and 173° W longitude. The Household survey form and leting, smoking, salting and dry- mid-2003 population estimates methodology ing, etc.) was entered onto the for Tokelau was 1500 people. form. The survey form also The questionnaire used for the included questions about peo- Although Tokelau’s land area is household surveys was devel- ple’s knowledge of marine pro- only 12 km2, it’s exclusive eco- oped as part of the fish aggregat- tected areas. nomic zone (EEZ) is around ing device (FAD) research project 290,000 km2, bordering five other conducted in Niue and the Cook At each of the three atolls, the aim Pacific Island nations (the Islands from 2001 to 2004, and was to interview as many of the Republic of Kiribati to the north, reported in Fisheries Newsletter households as possible in the lim- the Cook Islands to the east, #113. The survey form consisted ited time available. Wherever American Samoa and Samoa to of five main question areas. possible, the head of the house- the south, and Wallis and Futuna General fishing activities by hold was interviewed. Interviews to the southwest). Around 15 per household members (father, were conducted in English, cent of Tokelau’s EEZ borders mother, sons, daughters, aunts, although local interpreters were international waters to the uncles, etc.) were recorded with a used on each atoll when the inter- northeast and west. percentage of fishing time attrib- viewee was not comfortable uted to each of the 10 fishing answering in English. To assist in Subsistence fishing is an impor- methods listed. The number of identifying houses, New Zealand tant component of everyday life canoes and boats per household Overseas Development Assis- in Tokelau, and the development of fisheries is the main opportu- nity for economic development. Set in this context, a joint Secretariat of the Pacific Commu- nity (SPC) and Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (PIFFA) mission was undertaken from 28 August to 10 September 2003. The main aim of this mission was to gather information for drafting a national tuna fishery development and management plan, with SPC focusing on the development aspects and PIFFA focusing on management issues. The secondary aim of the mis- sion, and the focus of this article, was the collection of sex disag- gregated data, through house- hold survey questionnaires, on Tokelauan fishing activities.

Figure 1: Tokelau, its EEZ and neighbouring countries

1 Lindsay Chapman, Coastal Fisheries Programme Manager, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC); [email protected] 2 Kim Des Rochers, Consultant 3 Mose Pelasio, Acting Director for the Department of Economic Development and Environment, Tokelau

36 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SURVEY OF FISHING ACTIVITIES IN TOKELAU tance/Tokelau Public Works Department maps (2001) were used for each atoll.

Survey results

Surveys were conducted oppor- tunistically in the three to four days spent at each atoll, allowing interviewers to work around offi- cial meetings and arranged activ- ities. The Tokelau 2001 census data provided baseline informa- tion on household numbers, although this only covered the number of actual houses on each atoll (Table 1). To get a better understanding of the actual number of households on each atoll at the time of the survey, prominent people such as village elders from each atoll were asked Figure 2: Kim (right) interviewing the head of a household on to provide an estimate of house- Atafu with translation assistance from Ms Malia Daleb (left) hold numbers (Table 1). From this the percentage coverage was ple gathered, and people could Over 60 per cent of households calculated for each atoll (Table 1), be taken aside one by one with- used their canoes and boats which ranged from 61.3 per cent out affecting the cooking or food with outboard motors to fish on Atafu to 84.5 per cent on preparation activities. outside the reef. Nukunonu. Table 2 presents the overall The actual fishing activities con- Two teams were used wherever results from the community sur- ducted at each atoll are the same possible to conduct the surveys. vey in regard to the number of (Fig. 3), however, the percent- Each team consisted of two peo- households involved in various age of time attributed to each ple, an interviewer and an inter- fishing activities. It should be activity changed by atoll. On preter. Surveys were conducted noted that all but one house- Atafu, around half (48%) of all at people’s houses, outside meet- hold, a retired widow, was fishing effort was focused in the ing places and in common areas involved in some form of fish- lagoon and reef area, with reef where local people were gath- ing activity, which highlighted fishing and gillnetting account- ered (Fig. 2). In several locations, the dependence of Tokelauans ing for around 22 and 16 per community kitchens provided an on harvesting marine products cent of fishing effort, respective- excellent venue as groups of peo- as their main protein source. ly. In contrast, spearfishing, div- ing, reef gleaning and baitfish- Table 1: Estimate of survey coverage by atoll ing combined only accounted for 10 per cent of total fishing time. When fishing outside the Census (2001) Local estimate of Number of Percentage Atoll data on house household numbers households coverage based on reef, Atafu fishermen mainly numbers (September 2003) surveyed 2003 estimates trolled (20%) and fished in mid- Atafu 83 75 46 61.3 water (14%) for tunas and other Fakaofo 80 70 58 82.9 pelagic species, or bottomfished Nukunonu 66 58 49 84.5 (10%) to reduce fuel costs. Total 229 203 153 75.4

Table 2: Summary of data collected during the household surveys conducted in Tokelau

Number of Number of Percent of Number Percent Atoll People per H/holds Number of Number of h/holds h/holds h/holds people h/hold fishing h/holds canoes boats fishing fishing surveyed covered fishing outside reef outside reef Atafu 46 299 6.5 46 100.00% 31 37 32 69.60% Fakaofo 58 320 5.5 57 98.30% 3 86 47 82.50% Nukunonu 49 280 5.7 49 100.00% 4 56 30 61.20% Total 153 899 5.9 152 99.30% 38 179 109 71.70%

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 37 SURVEY OF FISHING ACTIVITIES IN TOKELAU

On Fakaofo, fishermen also spent fishing outside the reef (trolling, suitable timber (large tree trunks) around half (51%) of their fishing mid-water fishing, flying fishing on Nukunonu and Fakaofo, how- effort inside the reef, with gillnet- and bottomfishing), mothers, ever, there is also a convenience ting (15%), reef fishing (12%), daughters and other females factor as these can be ordered spearfishing (8%) and diving (7%) only made up a very small per- from overseas and delivered by being the main fishing methods centage of the effort at Atafu, and cargo boat (Fig. 5). Atafu still has used. Outside the reef, fishing an even smaller percentage at a reasonable number of outrigger effort on Fakaofo was the same as Fakaofo. Women at Nukunonu canoes, although many of these on Atafu, with trolling (18%) and were not involved in fishing out- are falling into disrepair and will mid-water fishing (13%) for tuna side the reef at all. probably be replaced with alu- and other pelagics, and bottom- minium dinghies in the future. fishing (13%) being the main Mothers, daughters and other methods used. Fishermen on females were involved in some The authors hope that in years to Nukunonu spent more that half inshore fishing methods, although come, a similar survey will be (57%) of their time fishing outside males still dominated. Females undertaken to document changes the reef, with bottomfishing being accounted for just over 50 per cent that will have occurred between the main method used (21%), fol- of the reef gleaning effort, and this and the future survey. The lowed by trolling (18%) and mid- around 40 per cent of diving effort, authors would also like to thank water fishing (11%) for tuna and with most of the diving effort all those who assisted with the other pelagics. Fishing inside the directed at harvesting clams. data collection on the different reef at Nukunonu accounted for Females were also involved in gill- atolls, especially Ms Fenuafala 43 per cent of fishing effort, with netting and reef fishing, but again Faafoi, Ms Malia Daleb and Ms gillnetting (12%), reef fishing at low levels. Overall, there was Hina Tuia. (10%), reef gleaning (7%) and div- slightly more female fishing effort ing (6%) being the main methods on Fakaofo (16%) used. Across the three atolls, compared with trolling was the main method Atafu (11%) and used, followed by bottomfishing, Nukunonu (9%). reef fishing and gillnetting. One interesting To identify the main people point that came involved in the different fishing out of the survey activities, sex disaggregated was the recent data was collected, and the change in craft results are presented in Figures being used, from 4 (a) and (b) on page 37 and 38. traditional out- rigger canoes to Fathers, sons and other males outboard-pow- were the main household mem- ered aluminium bers involved in fishing activities dinghies. This is at all three atolls, whether fishing partly attributed Figure 5: Four new aluminium dinghies being inside or outside the reef. When to the lack of delivered to one of the atolls in Tokelau

Trolling Spear fishing Reef gleaning Reef fishing Mid-water fishing Gillnetting Flying fishing Diving Bottomfishing Baitfishing

Figure 3: Percentage of fishing effort by method and atoll surveyed

38 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 SURVEY OF FISHING ACTIVITIES IN TOKELAU g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g

Flying fishing g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g

Mid-water fishing g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g

Figure 4 (a): Gender split of fishing effort by fishing method for the three atolls

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 39 SURVEY OF FISHING ACTIVITIES IN TOKELAU g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g

Reef gleaning g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g g n i e h g s a i t f n f e o c t r i e l p p s t r r o e f d f e n e g

Figure 4 (b): Gender split of fishing effort by fishing method for the three atolls

40 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 quality pearls, and in the Cook A QUIET ACHIEVER: Islands it was from a pearl dis- ease. French Polynesia is now AQUACULTURE IN THE PACIFIC consolidating after a campaign to control quality, while the Cooks are still struggling to Introduction recover from the disease. Ben Ponia, The Pacific has its own unique Aquaculture Adviser, Pearl farms are being estab- brand of aquaculture, one tai- Secretariat of the Pacific lished in many other countries, lored to its needs and quietly Community notably Fiji Islands, where assisting the economy and well- ([email protected]) Justin Hunter from J. Hunter being of its people. It may come Pearls Ltd., reports that “steady as a surprise to some people that In 1999, French Polynesian pearl progress is being made”. aquaculture products are among exports topped USD 164 million the region’s most valuable fish- and in 2000 exports from the High quality and care eries exports, ranging between Cook Islands amounted to USD for the environment USD 130 and 180 million each 9 million. Subsequently, both year. As well as its monetary countries experienced a slump. Prawn farming is a commercial value, the social capital of aqua- In French Polynesia, this was success story in New Caledonia. culture in the Pacific is immense. due to an oversupply of poor- Succulent white penaeid prawns

Aquaculture is the world’s fastest-growing food production sector, currently accounting for one-third of all fish production; the remainder is provided by wild fisheries. By 2020, this trend is expected to be reversed, with 70 per cent of the world’s fish needs produced through aquaculture.

Aquaculture includes anything to do with farming in fresh water or marine water (the term “mariculture” specifically refers to farming in seawater). A hand- ful of key commodities –– black pearls, prawns, seaweed and freshwater fish –– demonstrate aquaculture’s appropriateness and significance to the region.

Current value and future wealth

By the late 1990s, cultured black pearls had become the flagship aquaculture product of eastern Polynesia and its most valuable export.

Top: Justin Hunter in Savusavu, Fiji Islands, with some beautiful examples of valuable Pacific black pearls. Bottom: Prawn farming in New Caledonia is conducted to high environmental standards.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 41 A QUIET ACHIEVER: AQUACULTURE IN THE PACIFIC were introduced from Mexico Benefits for rural communities from 4 tonnes in 2002 to 240 t in several decades ago and now 2004. Villages such as Vaghena command a top market niche in Kappaphycus seaweed (trade used to rely on diving for sea Japan and France. They are the name cottonii) produces a cucumber, but with stocks over- country’s most valuable agricul- starchy gel called carrageenan fished and a moratorium on tural export commodity at USD that is used primarily in the harvesting coming into force, 22 million, and with new farms food industry. Although easy to seaweed farming will provide under construction. Current pro- farm and requiring little capital up to 90 per cent of the people’s duction is expected to double to input, the main drawback to cash income, essential not only 4000 t by 2007. seaweed farming is that the dis- for their basic daily needs but tant markets and limited trans- also school fees, church dona- The industry is renowned for its port links mean freight costs tions and other social obliga- high environmental standards. make it only marginally prof- tions. With planned expansion Mangroves have not been itable for local middlemen. to places such as North Malaita, cleared to make way for prawn Reef Islands and the low-lying ponds; instead, the mangrove Solomon Islands is experiencing atoll of Ontong Java, the coun- forest has been retained to exponential growth in produc- try could eventually export up absorb nutrient outflows. tion. Exports (to France) went to 4000 t per year, according to Rory Stewart of the EU-funded seaweed project.

Kappaphycus seaweed is also being farmed in Kiribati and Fiji Islands.

Securing local food sources

In Fiji, the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (not to be confused with Mozambique tilapia, which is considered a pest) is a popular freshwater fish. At Driti Village, in the interior of Vanua Levua, a women’s group raises tilapia for village consumption and mod- est commercial sales. This alle- viates the burden on the men, who must earn wages from sea- sonal labour in the Labasa sug- arcane fields. Elsewhere in Fiji, Laisani Baleinacagi from Navua in Viti Levu says he would like to showcase tilapia farming as a “positive way forward of utilis- ing unused rice paddies”.

There are 11,000 fish-pond farmers in Papua New Guinea. GIFT tilapia and carp are being farmed in the lowlands, while in the mountainous highlands it is rainbow trout. Barramundi farms are also being established.

Top: The popular GIFT tilapia Bottom: Seaweed farming is an important local business for the people of Solomon Islands.

42 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 A QUIET ACHIEVER: AQUACULTURE IN THE PACIFIC

Where to now? • Aquaculture may assist in • Where practical, efforts replenishing commercially should be made to encourage As with any emerging produc- overfished stocks and pro- the domestication of local tion sector, there are a host of viding alternative liveli- species rather than introduce challenges to be addressed. hoods for those affected by exotic species. Farming These include: such overfishing. The sea should also integrate tradi- cucumber is one such fish- tional practices. In Vanuatu • Responsible environmental ery, and pioneering experi- and Wallis and Futuna these safeguards should be in ments are being conducted concepts are being trialled, place. For example, a robust in New Caledonia to artifi- with the local freshwater biosecurity programme is cially breed and restock shrimp Macrobrachium lar required to support the juveniles. being cultured alongside dalo proper introduction of new (taro) in swamp beds. genetic material. • The Pacific should be mindful that it sits at the doorstep of This article acknowledges Dr • Profitability is a key bottom Asia — a powerhouse and M.V. Gupta, a pioneering aqua- line. Many past failures have low-cost producer. A graphic culturist from India and a friend been attributed to poor mar- example is China, which in of the Pacific who was awarded ket research, and future just a few years has switched the prestigious USD 250,000 efforts must be supported by to culturing Penaeus vannamei World Food Prize for 2005 for proper economic and finan- prawns and flooded the his role in improving the food cial analysis. world market with hundreds sources and livelihoods of the of thousands of tonnes, driv- world’s poor people through • Expansion of fish and ing farm prices down to a low the development of small-pond shrimp production will of USD 1.50 per kilogram. aquaculture. depend on developing cost- effective feeds, based to the greatest degree possible on local ingredients.

© Copyright Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2006

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Original text: English

Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Marine Resources Division, Information Section, BP D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia Telephone: +687 262000; Fax: +687 263818; [email protected]; http://www.spc.int/coastfish

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 43 World aquaculture production CATCHING EELS IN PACIFIC of freshwater eels has increased over the past decade and about ISLAND COUNTRIES AND 233,000 t were harvested in 2000, with a value of USD 978 TERRITORIES million (FAO 2002). The artifi- cial propagation of eels has not yet been achieved commercially. Introduction For aquaculture, glass eels or Satya Nandlal, elvers must be caught from the The eel is a fascinating creature Aquaculture Officer, wild for stocking in culture and has long been studied in Secretariat of the Pacific facilities. The increasing world- great detail. Reports indicate Community wide demand for eels and the ([email protected]) that since the time of the ancient overexploitation of many eel Greeks, people have wondered fisheries present an opportunity where eels came from and Eels are consistently fished for eel culture. Pacific Island where they spawned. Eels have because of their accessibility and countries offer a good environ- been considered a gourmet del- market demand. According to ment in which to culture eels, as icacy for thousands of years in the United Nations Food and they grow rapidly in tropical cli- many parts of the world. Agriculture Organization (FAO), mates, preferring a temperature there has been a global decline range of 23–28° C, and a pH Eels are found in marine, brack- in the eel catch, from a peak of range of 7.0–8.0. In ideal condi- ish and fresh waters worldwide 18,600 t in 1994 to 12,700 tonnes tions they grow to marketable and reports suggest there are in 2000 (Europe 5300 t; Asia size (150–200 g) in 10 to 20 15–19 species in total, with 2400 t; Oceania 1600 t; North months, although their growth about 10 species in tropical America 1100 t). A portion of rates can be extremely variable. waters and 5 in temperate these catch figures refer to glass For pond-based aquaculture, waters (Fig. 1). Of these species, eels and elvers. The International the best site is one with a con- the Japanese eel (Anguilla japon- Council for Exploration of the stant water supply; other pond ica) is most important in East Sea (ICES) declared the eel features are generally similar to Asia (China, Japan and Taiwan), spawning stock to be over- those required for tilapia and the European eel (A. anguilla) in exploited from safe biological prawns. Europe (mainly Italy and the limits (FAO 2002). Some of the Netherlands), A. australis and A. reasons attributed to the decline Eels are consumed in PICTs and reinhardtii in Australia, and A. in catches are river develop- particularly in Fiji, where it is an bicolor, A. megastoma and A. mar- ment and dam construction, important source of protein for morata in PNG and other Pacific overfishing and environmental the rural indigenous popula- Island countries and territories degradation. tion. In some localities, high (PICTs). demand has led to the collection of young eels from the wild for culture in tilapia ponds.

In Fiji, elvers and juvenile eels are caught from estuaries, mountain tributaries, swamps and ditches using various types of local gear. These eels are grown to marketable size in ponds designed for tilapia cul- ture and sold live at FJD 10.00 per kg at Suva and Nausori markets. An artisanal capture fishery also exists in Fiji, with small volumes of wild adult eels captured from the wild and sold at some municipal markets.

Figure 1: Anguilla obscura (Photo by Pierre Laboute, © IRD)

44 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 CATCHING EELS IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

continuous soft-rayed fin fringe (see Fig. 2). The freshwater eel varies in colour from dark brown to greenish, black, yel- lowish white, and golden yel- low on the belly. Eels are found in rivers, streams, creeks, swamps, lakes, pools, reser- voirs, wells, fish ponds and along the coast. Eels feed on a variety of feeds such as fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and ter- restrial and aquatic insects.

Figure 2: Eel morphology In Fiji, when the word “duna” or “bham”is used, it is certain Eels are still largely under- address eel capture, life history, that the fish referred to is the so- utilised in PICTs, despite the the potential for aquaculture and called common eel, Anguilla, present shortage of many more other aspects. We urge readers to which occurs in most of the established marine food fish. send any information or stories islands. The taxonomic classifi- One reason may be that the that they wish to share with us cation of eel is as follows: public remains unfamiliar with and others in the region. eels, and there may be little Kingdom: Animalia awareness of eels as a potential General description Phylum: Chordata candidate for aquaculture. With Class: Osteichthyes sufficient clean water and avail- The eel has an elongated snake- Order: Anguilliformes able land for aquaculture, and like body, is very slimy and is Family: Anguillidae given the dwindling interna- without scales. A pair of pec- Genus: Anguilla tional supply of eels, PICTs toral fins is positioned just have the opportunity to devel- behind the small head, and The family contains a single op an eel capture fishery and there is a small gill opening in genus Anguilla, with about culture industry. Some agencies front of each fin. The back and 15–19 species. The eel species have expressed their desire to anal fins are very long and identified so far are given in help develop this industry by merge with the tail to form a Table 1, along with the areas of funding research to gain knowl- edge of the availability of the Table1. Some of the eel species found in the world. species in the wild, due to the fact that eel culture is totally dependent on the availability of Species Distribution wild glass eels and elvers. Anguilla reinhardi Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, PNG A. australis Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, PNG In PICTs, eels are caught with A. marmorata Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, PNG, New Caledonia hand lines, spears, cane knives A. bicolor PNG, Philippines, Indian Ocean and push nets. This gear is designed to capture a wide range A. megastomata Fiji, PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti of fish and crustaceans and is not A. obscura Fiji, PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti. specific to capturing eels. In A. japonica Japan, China other parts of the world, special- A. bengalensis Indian Ocean ly designed traps, otter trawls, A. mauritiana Central Pacific long lines, fyke nets, haul seines and other gear types are used to A. borneensis Borneo catch eels. In some localities in A. mossambica Indian Ocean PICTs, the indigenous popula- A. nebulora Indian Ocean tion has traditional knowledge of A. celebesensis Philippines the best times to capture eels; in others, stories are told about eels. A. pacifica East Pacific This article presents some basic A. anguilla Europe, Iceland, North Africa information on eel catching A. rostrata North America , Greenland methods and a brief description of eels. Future articles will Source: Lane (1978), Allen (1991)

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 45 CATCHING EELS IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES the world where they normally the catch is mainly for subsis- pulling it up. If the spearhead occur (this is not a complete list tence use. Generally, the gear lacks spikes, the capture of the of species or distribution). types that are used target edi- eel is by spearing and then grip- ble-sized eels and do not cap- ping it or holding it down and The life history of the species that ture juveniles or disturb the hauling it up by hand. have been studied is similar. Eels habitat. In some localities, vil- migrate downstream to the sea lagers wish to limit the number The spears are usually used in upon reaching sexual maturity. of eels, which would otherwise shallow streams or creeks when Spawning occurs in centralized prey upon other species of fish visibility is sufficient to distin- locations in the deep ocean. The in pools, ponds and rivers. guish the eel moving or lying small larvae (leptocephali) swim idle in the water; at most times and are carried by ocean currents Baited line the eel’s head will be jutting out to coastal areas, where metamor- of an “eel hole”, a dead wooden phosis occurs and the young A fishing line with baited hooks trunk or a bamboo pole. Eels are gradually assume the appear- is used in a number of ways in most commonly speared at night ance of adults (elvers) and rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, with the aid of a bright light. migrate upstream. Eels have very muscular bodies and are drainage canals and swamps well adapted to reach remote and pools in Fiji and in some streams high in the mountains, other PICTs. and even travel across damp land. Reports indicate that eels The most common approach is may take as long as 10–20 years to use a small baited line (10–20 to attain sexual maturity before kg test) attached to a two to making their migration back to three-meter wooden pole and the sea. cast into the stream, river or pool water. This method is usu- Fishing methods and gear ally practiced by women for catching eels in streams after The catching of eels in Fiji and flash floods or rainfall. The bait other Pacific Islands normally used usually consists of earth- involves inexpensive and very worms and fishes (such as mos- simple gear, which include: quito fish, Gambusia). Another baited hook and line, spears, method uses a fishing line with push nets, hollow bamboo piece baited hooks (no pole used), or PVC pipes, baited trap, and which is cast into rivers, streams seine nets. Of these, the first and lakes. The bait usually con- Figure 3: Eel spear three methods are the most sists of chicken gut (something commonly used. The choice of smelly) or fish such as Push net method may be governed by the Gambusia. The line may be set in types and costs of materials the evening and checked at A push net or hand net is used available in villages. The author hourly intervals, or set at night in estuaries, streams and is unaware of any regulations and hauled in the morning. This swamps for catching eels along regarding the type of gear that method allows catching of eels with other local fishes and crus- can be used for catching eels, as with minimum damage to the taceans, usually by fisher- body; eels may be kept in moist women. A net up to 0.5–1.5 m baskets for sometime before long and 0.5–1.5 m wide, and being sold in markets, roadside with a mesh size of 4–10 mm is stalls or cooked. manageable. The net is operated by pushing it in slow moving Eel spears water over a smooth bottom in estuaries that are covered or Several types of spears are used, partially covered with grass. although a thin iron rod fixed to The net may also be fixed into a a wooden pole (see Fig. 3) is the deep portion of an estuary by most common type in Fiji. In pushing the ends of two poles some designs, the spearhead into the ground and disturbing (the end of the iron rod) is sharp the water so that fish and eels and has a small spike in the move into the net. Eels hiding in front portion, permitting cap- crevices and holes are disturbed ture of the eel by spearing and by pushing a hand inside them,

46 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 CATCHING EELS IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES permitting the eel to move into pipes are usually set in the (see Fig. 5), longlines, shore the net; eels may also be caught evenings and hauled the follow- seines and electric fish traps are by hand and pulled out and ing day. This pipe method is also not used in PICTs and are thus transferred into the basket. used for removing eels from not mentioned here. Fishers are prawn and tilapia ponds. encouraged to use baited traps, PVC pipe or bamboo method however, many types of Cane knife portable traps have been used Various types of pipe or hollow including empty buckets or any pole are used: PVC pipe (dia Villagers who do not have the trap-shaped structure. 25–100 mm), polyethylene pipe, above-mentioned gear use a iron pipe, hollow bamboo, etc. cane knife to catch eels by chop- References PVC pipe (dia 75–100 mm and ping them at whichever place length 1–3 m) is usually preferred the knife strikes the animal. In Allen G.R. 1991. Freshwater fishes (see Fig. 4). One end of the pipe is some instances, the blunt side of of New Guinea. Christensen closed with chicken wire mesh. A the knife is used to strike the Research Institute, Madang, string or rope is tied to the other head of the eel. But some fear PNG. end to permit hauling on the pipe. their eel may escape unless Some pipes have a small hole in chopped in half. This method is FAO. 2002. FAO Yearbook: the central portion for placement usually used for catching eels in Fishery statistics-aquaculture of bait. The pipe is placed on the shallow streams or creeks at production. 90. Rome, Italy. bottom of a river, swamp or estu- night with a bright light. ary, with the mesh-covered end Lane P.J. (1978). Eels and their facing the current to allow water Other methods utilization. Marine Fisheries to flow through it. The eels usual- Review. 40(4):1–20 ly move inside the pipe and Other methods of catching eels, ”sleep” inside these tubes. The such as baited traps, fyke nets

Figure 4: PVC pipe or bamboo method

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005 47 CATCHING EELS IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

Figure 5: Baited traps and fyke nets

Juvenile eel caught from a prawn grow-out trial pond at Futuna on 26/10/05

48 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #115 – October/December 2005