Number 105 (April–June 2003) ISSN 0248-076X

Welcome to the latest issue of the SPC Fisheries Newsletter.I would like to draw your attention to the recent SPC publication "Horizontal Longline Fishing manual". The main purpose of this manual is to introduce the horizontal longline fishing method to Pacific Island fishermen,and assist those currently SPC activities Page 2 involved to improve their fishing success,particularly in commercial or semi- commercial situations. This manual is intended to act as a guide to the principles and techniques of good horizontal tuna longline fishing.Environmental and conservation issues and concerns have also been included to raise News from in and around awareness and to present ways to minimise impacts on unwanted species the region Page 15 or the environment as a result of horizontal tuna longline fishing activities. Michel Blanc presents on page 33 the results of the review of the SPC/Nelson Polytechnic Pacific Island Fisheries Officers Training Course. FAD Research Project: Summary It was considered essential by fisheries administrations that a of results at the end of the second comprehensive review be undertaken, with regards to the major changes fisheries in the Pacific have undergone over the last two decades with the year (June 2003) development of subsistence, artisanal and industrial sectors. by Lindsay Chapman, Ian Bertram Jean-Paul Gaudechoux and Brendon Pasisi Page 19 Fisheries Information Adviser ([email protected]) Aquaculture update for Vanuatu by Ben Ponia Page 27

Conservation through cooperation – The seabird bycatch issue in New Zealand by Alec Woods Page 31

SPC/Nelson course freshened up by Michel Blanc Page 33

The long awaited tuna longline has now been printed. It illustrates all the different aspects of tuna longlining and the gear used. It is available for download on the SPC website or as a hard copy from the Fisheries Development Section SPC ACTIVITIES

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SECTION

During the second quarter of 2003, Fisheries Development Officer Steve Beverly spent two weeks in Honolulu, Hawaii, to renew his US Coast Guard master’s certificate for operating motor vessels of up to 100 gross tons and to do a course for STCW-95. The STCW-95 course included firefighting, personal survival, personal safety and social responsibility, and first aid and CPR.

Marshall Islands longlining training

Fisheries Development Officer species were taken during the marlin weighed 184 kg. William Sokimi has completed workshop. The main saleable Byproduct species and other his assignment in the Marshall species were bigeye tuna (18 tunas were either sold to the Islands where he worked with fish weighing 451 kg), yellowfin MIMRA fish market, donated as staff of the Marshall Islands tuna (20 fish weighing 259 kg), payment for services rendered, Marine Resources Authority blue marlin (14 fish (MIMRA) and local fishermen. weighing 432 kg), mahi mahi (48 fish The assignment was to train weighing 305 kg), and MIMRA staff and interested wahoo (14 fish weigh- local fishermen in tuna longline ing 209 kg). fishing gear and techniques using a monofilament set-up on Export trials were the MIMRA training vessel, FV undertaken through Wa-Bal. the Marshall Islands Fishing Venture (MIFV) Other aims of the project includ- company. A 39 kg big- ed assessing of the FV Wa-bal as eye tuna was export- a tuna longliner, making sug- ed to Japan after the gestions on what would be a first trip. Bigeye tuna suitable vessel or vessel para- and blue marlin from meters for developing a local subsequent trips were fishery, and training all partici- exported to the US. pants in the correct on-board handling and preservation of The total exported the catch. bigeye tuna was 272 kg, while exported blue MIMRA had 32 participants organised for the workshop on tuna longlining, but the num- ber dropped to 23 in the early stages of the project. The first sessions covered the different tools and fishing gear to be used during the project, and the theory of the fishing technique. Participants were then divided into three groups for practical training.

Each group completed two, six- week-long fishing trips. In total, 40 sets were made of the 200- hook longline over 26 fishing days. As the longline was short, two sets were generally made per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Fishing was not great — only 270 fish of all Top: Gaffing and landing a good size bigeye tuna Bottom: Setting the longline

2 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES provided as customary acknowl- edgement to dignitaries, or eaten by the crew.

The FV Wa-Bal, was assessed as being marginally suitable as a tuna longline vessel, provided several improvements to work- ing conditions were made. The stability of the vessel in moder- ate to rough sea conditions needs to be improved. The elec- trical system on the vessel needs modifying, including the installation of a small generator to keep the batteries charged. Another limiting factor is the small size of the fish hold which hold around 1.5 to 2 mt of fish Cleaning the fish hold on FV Wa Bal in ice.

FADs off Nauru

In late June, William travelled to the deployment of the FADs and The Section’s deepwater echo Nauru to assist the Nauru to train local staff in all aspects of sounder was used for the site Fisheries and Marine Resources the work, including site surveys, surveys, with the transducer Authority (NFMRA) with their selecting suitable FAD sites, and mounted on the side of one of FAD programme. NFMRA had rigging and deploying FADs. NFMRA’s vessels. Three site materials for three FADs. They surveys were conducted to fill in asked the Section to assist with the gaps from previous survey work by SPC. While the site sur- veys were being done, two spar buoys were being fabricated on- island at the NFMRA workshop.

Once the sites were identified, three FADs were rigged, two spar buoys and one modified Indian Ocean design. Two FADs were rigged for 2500 m and the other for 1500 m, allowing for a 20 per cent scope in the rope length.

All the materials for the three FADs, including three tonnes of 16 cm reject mooring chain for use as FAD anchors, were loaded onto a barge for deploy- ment. The barge was towed to the deployment sites by a tug- boat. At each side, the buoy sys- tem was deployed and the rope paid out as the barge was towed in a circle, dropping the FAD Echo sounder transducer anchor as it came back to the mounted off the side of deployment site. the NFMRA vessel

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 3 SPC ACTIVITIES

Left: Fabricating a steel spar buoy Right: Materials for three FADs being loaded onto a barge

Tokelau needs assessment

Fisheries Development Adviser, each atoll. Each Aumaga had The longline-caught fish would Lindsay Chapman, travelled to the same basic interests — be frozen onshore, and trans- Tokelau in early April as part of developing domestic tuna fish- ported via MV Tokelau to buyers an SPC mission. The journey to ing operations to create employ- in Samoa or American Samoa. Tokelau via the local cargo/pas- ment and income generating senger vessel MV Tokelau from opportunities. The Fisheries Development Samoa took around 30 hours. Section is working with Tokelau Passengers (and cargo) were During the discussions it in identifying funding for this ferried ashore in a flat-bottom became clear that the approach work. The plan is to work with aluminium outboard-powered to development needed to cover and train men from each atoll to work skiff through a channel to not only employment and work as crew on the vessels, the atoll. Lindsay spent one day income generation but also food and develop and implement a on each of the three atolls, travel- security. It came out of the meet- FAD programme. The Section ling between atolls on MV Tokelau ings that the subsistence tuna also will be working with the at night. fishery needed a FAD pro- Forum Fisheries Agency later in gramme. Proposals were dis- the year on a national tuna Lindsay met with various cussed for commercial longline development and management groups, including the Aumaga tuna fishing conducted from an plan for Tokelau. (able-bodied men’s group) on alia-type vessel on each atoll.

MV Tokelau

4 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES

Work skiff used to transport people and cargo between MV Tokelau and shore

Alia-type catamaran longline vessels in Tokelau

Update on the FAD research project

Fisheries Development Adviser, ly were surveyed in 2002. In and reported on in the next Lindsay Chapman, conducted a 2003, the number of households issue of Fisheries Newsletter. second round of community sur- found and surveyed dropped to veys in Rarotonga and Aitutaki 180 in Rarotonga and 211 in Fisheries Development Officer in the Cook Islands with assis- Aitutaki. Where possible, the Steve Beverly went to Niue and tance from Ms Tuaine Turua reasons for households not being the Cook Islands to assist the (Tutu) from the Ministry of found was documented so that Niue Department of Agricul- Marine Resources. The aim was these households could be sur- ture, Forestry, and Fisheries and to resurvey the same households veyed during the third survey, the Cook Islands Ministry of (and same person if possible) as scheduled for 2004. The survey Marine Resources in rigging were surveyed 12 months earlier data collected will be analysed and deploying FADs to replace using exactly the same survey sheet, to see if there had been any changes in the fishing practices over the 12-month period, espe- cially in relation to fishing out- side the reef and fishing around FADs. Finding the same house- holds proved to be challenging for Lindsay and Tutu, as people had moved around consider- ably. Some households were on holidays and some households had departed permanently.

In Rarotonga and Aitutaki, 221 and 246 households respective-

Pig wire aggregator with plastic strapping

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 5 SPC ACTIVITIES those that had been lost. Steve also experimented with new aggregator designs on new and existing FADs.

In Niue, a FAD was deployed to replace the one that broke loose off Limufuafua village. The position of the replacement FAD is 19°11.000’S, 169°51.600’W in 900 m. The original FAD was lost due to failure of the gal- vanised wire in the top section of the mooring. The replace- ment was rigged with more tra- ditional components: three-strand nylon and polypropylene ropes. A cage aggregator made from pig wire and plastic strapping Shade cloth aggregator being trialled material was attached to a purse seine float in the buoy system.

A second FAD to replace a FAD that was lost off Lakepa village on the windward side of Niue will be deployed by Niue Fisheries when weather per- mits. The Lakepa FAD has been rigged with lead-core polypropy- lene rope in the top section. It will have an aggregator made from shade cloth strung on 12 mm polypropylene rope attached to the mooring line below the raft. Two non-project FADs were also deployed during Steve’s visit to Niue.

In the Cook Islands, two project FADs were rigged and Deployment of the Matavera FAD using tugboat MV Toa deployed, replacing FADs that had been lost from the previous The new position for this FAD is Arutanga, to replace one that deployments. At Matavera vil- 21°12.925’S, 159°42.950’W in had sunk due to failure of the lage on Rarotonga, the FAD was approximately 650 m. The large plastic mussel float. This rigged with lead-core polypropy- Matavera FAD will also have a FAD had nylon rope as the lene rope, replacing the failed cage aggregator made from pig upper mooring line and poly- galvanised wire cable in the wire and plastic strapping propylene rope as the lower upper section of the mooring. It material. One of these aggrega- mooring line. The replacement was deployed using Ports tors attached to an existing pro- raft was an Indian Ocean raft. Authority’s tugboat, MV Toa. ject FAD offshore of the The new position of this FAD is Rarotongan Hotel was observed 18°48.750’S, 169°48.000’W in to have small fish living inside 1000 m. the cylinder just one week after it was deployed. It is hoped that Steve also assisted Ministry of these small fish will attract larg- Marine Resources staff in con- er fish such as tuna and wahoo. ducting bottom surveys around Rarotonga, to fill in blank spots A second FAD was rigged and that had not been previously deployed off Aitutaki north of surveyed.

6 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES

Horizontal longline fishing, methods and techniques A manual for fishermen

The long awaited tuna longline Chapter 5 covers manual is complete and avail- the marketing and able in English on the SPC web- business operations site at: of tuna longlining, while chapter 6 http://www.spc.int/coastfish/publications focuses on respon- sible fishing prac- or as a hard copy from the sec- tices, including the tion. The manual has six easy-to- issues of marine follow chapters covering differ- debris and bycatch, ent aspects of tuna longlining. avoiding seabirds and bait loss, as Chapter 1 provides some back- well as record keep- ground on tuna longlining in the ing and working region with basic information on with observers. the target, byproduct and bycatch species, safety appliances and The manual con- longline boats in general. cludes with several appendices that Chapters 2 and 3 look at fishing cover weather con- gear and equipment, and the ditions, important fishing operation, including the radio frequencies, location of suitable fishing sites nautical terms, long- setting and hauling the gear, line species com- and some problems that may be monly caught, a encountered. sample predeparture checklist and the gear used. It is expected and a copy of the regional tuna that the French version will be Chapter 4 looks at the catch: longline logsheet. available by November 2003. how to land it, process it, and preserve it using ice, refrigerat- The manual has over 300 line ed sea water, chilled sea water diagrams to illustrate the differ- or freezing it. ent aspects of tuna longlining

AQUACULTURE SECTION Pearl farming attachments involving the Cook Islands, Tonga and Kiribati

The Cook Islands pearl industry of Fisheries in Tonga and the dous boost and he is now plan- has been a source of regional Ministry of Fisheries and Natural ning to do a spawning of black- cooperation recently, with two Resources Development in Kiri- lip pearl oysters at Sopu hatch- Tongan fisheries officers being bati. ery sometime later this year. attached to the industry in Cooks and a Cook Islander Poasi Fale, from Sopu hatchery Vea Kava, the head of research being attached to the Kiribati in Tongatapu, visited the for Vava’u fisheries department industry. Funding for these Tongareva Marine Research in Tonga, was attached to pearl attachments was provided by Centre’s pearl hatchery at farms on Manihiki in the Cook the European Union Rural Penrhyn Atoll in the Cook Islands. Vea’s experience was Development project in Vava’u, Islands. Poasi spent a number of designed to give him first-hand the ACIAR funded Black Pearl weeks familiarising himself knowledge of what pearl farming project, and SPC. with the pearl hatchery proto- actally involves. On Manihiki he col, working side by side with worked at various pearl farms. The attachments involved the the Penrhyn hatchery staff. Some of the tasks included con- Ministry of Marine Resources in According to Poasi the experi- structing and deploying spat the Cook Islands, the Ministry ence has given him a tremen- collector lines, preparing oys-

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 7 SPC ACTIVITIES ters for conditioning, and assist- Cook Islands, carried out a one- Mataora was able to bring his ing a local seeding technician. month attachment with the experience as a hatchery techni- The pearl industry in Vava’u is fledging pearl industry in cian, pearl farmer and oyster still in its fledgling stages, and Kiribati. Most of Mataora’s time biologist to improve the farm- having this practical experience was at spent at Abaiang Atoll ing techniques being adopted in will enable Vea to guide the where the ACIAR/ MFNRD Abaiang. According to the Vava’u industry. pearl farm is located. About Fisheries staff they have thor- 8000 adult oysters reared at the oughly benefited from Mataora Masters, the hatchery fisheries pearl oyster hatchery Mataora’s inputs. manager of the Tongareva Marine at Tarawa were being prepared Research Centre in Penrhyn, at the Abaiang farm for seeding.

Marine ornamental consultancy under way

SPC has commissioned a con- Aregional team of consultants assessment of the potential eco- sultancy to examine the marine from the northern and southern nomic trends of the ornamental ornamental trade. The Pacific is Pacific has been awarded an industry. an important source of marine SPC contract to conduct a study ornamental species such as giant of the marine ornamental trade. All SPC member countries will clams, corals and fish for the The consultancy will examine be reviewed by the consultancy. aquarium trade. The extent of the status of marine ornamental Up to six countries within the the trade in the Pacific has not culture within the Pacific, assess region will be visited for an in- been fully documented. The role the marketing demands, and depth analysis. The task is of aquaculture and the cost- make a detailed evaluation of expected to take four to six effectiveness of its application the major ornamental species, months and will be completed has yet to be properly assessed, cost–profit comparisons of in the last quarter of 2003. particularly from a marketing extensive and intensive aqua- and economic point of view. culture culture systems, and an

New Caledonia update

Prawn farming in New south of the main island along mills. The industry provides 900 Caledonia the western coast. The farms are full-time and part-time jobs. supplied by four hatcheries, The value of exports generated New Caledonia's booming prawn which produce more then 100 by prawn farming is USD 22 farming industry is expected to million post-larvae per year. million dollars (XPF 2.5 billion). double its production within the The expected increase in pro- next five years. The industry cur- Specially formulated feed is duction will consolidate its rank rently produces 1800 tonnes of provided by two local feed as New Caledonia's second western blue prawn Litopenaeus stylirostris annually. Most of the prawns are sold to Japan and France under the "Paradise Prawn" label. The New Caledonian prawns are a high- grade product that is highly appreciated in restaurants and sushi bars.

There are 12 farms, with an average pond area of 30–40 hectares. A dozen smaller farms are developing, mainly in the

New Caledonian blue prawn, Litopenaeus stylirostris

8 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES highest export revenue earner, Department of Primary Indus- Field visits after nickel. tries (QDPI) and James Cook University were also invited as IFREMER Saint-Vincent Styli 2003 conference guest speakers. Honoured laboratory guests included the Mayor of The Styli 2003 conference was a Nouméa and the President of The Laboratoire Aquacole de milestone to recognise 30 years the Northern Province govern- Calédonie in Saint-Vincent is of aquaculture of L. stylirostris in ment. Yves Harache, the head of the IFREMER’s main centre for New Caledonia and the effective IFREMER in New Caledonia, prawn research and develop- partnerships formed between was the main organiser of the ment. The facilities include a industry, the French govern- event. His tireless efforts were prawn hatchery, grow-out ment, the provinces of New commended by everyone. ponds with water quality moni- Caledonia and IFREMER (one of the French government research agency). The objectives of the conference were to: 1) review the current status of the indus- try, 2) stimulate collaborative research programmes and, 3) reinforce partnerships between research institutions and indus- try.

The conference was arranged in three segments. A one-week tech- nical workshop and roundtable discussion of technical issues (hatcheries, grow-out, nutrition and product quality) was held at SPC's conference centre. This was followed by a two-day symposium at the IRD amphithe- atrewith sessions devoted to current status of the industry, shrimp biology, pond environ- ment and pathogens. Following the symposium participants travelled to Koné, the capital of the Northern Province. During the trip, field visits were made to prawn farms. At Koné a review of session results were presented. The final day was dedicated to a sub-conference on the topic of aquaculture diversi- fication for New Caledonia.

Several hundred persons partic- ipated in conference activities. Many of the scientific presenta- tions were by New Caledonian or Metropolitan France-based IFREMER staff. Significant con- tributions by all industry stake- holders (academics, farmers and government) were made. Australian scientists from the Top: Styli 2003 conference participants were treated Australian Institute of Marine to curried and sushi prawns at Moindou village Science (AIMS), Queensland Bottom: IFREMER scientists at work

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 9 SPC ACTIVITIES toring sonde deployed in-situ, industry has demonstrated that SODACAL and modern laboratory facilities by situating the farm behind the for conducting oyster physiolo- mangroves they are able to use The SODACAL farm is the gy, pathology and genetic the natural ecosystem as a largest farm. It has a surface research. The Saint-Vincent sta- biofilters and a nutrient sink. In area of 131 hectares. It initially tion is manned by about 40 staff 1994, three years after the farm began as a joint commercial and students. began operations, it was the site operation with government and of an intensive environmental IFREMER, and has slowly been La Pénéide de Ouano impact assessment that found privatised to the public sector. the farm had no detrimental The manager of the SODACAL The Ouano prawn farm is con- impacts. In 2004, 10 years after farm, Regis Bador, is highly sidered to be one of the model commencement of operations, a respected by his peers. One farms for the New Caledonian follow-up survey will be con- interesting aspect of the SODA- industry. Not only is it a highly ducted. The farm has 30 hectares CAL farm is the attempt to productive farm but it is inte- of surface area and 4 hectares of value-add to the farm opera- grated within an extensive man- ponds. It produces 150–180 tions by utilising the fauna that grove area. The New Caledonia tonnes per annum. naturally settle in their farm ponds, such as crab and sea- horse.

SODACAL has found that costs of farming seahorses on-site are easily assimilated into the over- heads involved in prawn farm- ing. Since at various times of the year some ponds are not fully utilised, the seahorse work pro- vides ongoing employment opportunities. With its high degree of aquaculture speciali- sation on-site, the farm has quickly been able to develop techniques for seahorse hatch- ery rearing. Hatchery success rates of 10% are common, and up to 30% has been achieved. Using their marketing expertise, the company has identified niche opportunities for the aquarium and medicinal trade.

Webuihoone SA

The prawn farm at Webuihoone is located in the Northern Province. It is operated under joint custody of the government and the local tribe. This is an effort to help the local commu- nity to share in the economic benefits of prawn farming.

Top: Ouano prawn farm, considered to be one of the model farms in New Caledonia Bottom: SODACAL prawn farm is New Caledonia's largest farm and has a surface area of 131 hectares

10 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES

Blue Lagoon Farm

At Blue Lagoon Farm (85 hectares surface area) we were able to witness a harvest of prawns. The entire prawn industry has adopted a voluntary code of very strict quality controls in every step of farming, from the feed mill, to the culture tech- niques, harvesting and process- ing. The harvest (in the evening) was a highly coordinated affair to ensure that the prawns would be delivered to the processing factory in the Southern Province and sorted and processed with- in a certain time frame.

Diversification of aquaculture in New Caledonia

To set the stage, the first presen- tation for the diversification conference was a regional per- spective on aquaculture in the Pacific presented by Ben Ponia from SPC. This was followed by presentations led by Warwick Nash of the WorldFish Center and Dennis Coatanea from IFREMER, who gave an assess- ment of other types of aquacul- ture being pursued by their respective institutions.

Following this, various entre- preneurs gave reports on their efforts to develop alternative types of aquaculture, aside from prawn.

Oysters are a favourite in Top: Webuihoone SA prawn farm in the Northern Province French cuisine and a highly Bottom: Sorting the prawn harvest at Blue Lagoon Farm developed aquaculture industry in France. A farm in New Cale- high quality source of spats speaker at the conference, his donia is raising the Pacific oys- Triploid progeny was suggested. farm has 7000 four-year-old and ter Crassostrea gigas, targeting six-year-old clams. The farm the domestic food market in Giant clams are also being cul- also raises Tridacna maxima, tar- Noumea. About 70,000 dozen tured in the Northern Province. geting the overseas aquarium per year are farmed from oyster The operation involves the col- trade. Some common problems spat imported from overseas, lection of clams from the wild are predation in the nursery but even this amount cannot and the subsequent grow-out phase, tasks such as cleaning meet the demand, which is and fattening in the lagoon shal- and cage maintenance that can about 200,000 dozen per year. lows. The fast growing and large be labour intensive. sized Hippopus hippopus are sold The farm would like to invest in for the domestic food market in The freshwater crayfish red a hatchery to ensure a stable and Noumea. According to the claw (Cherax quadricarinatus)

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 11 SPC ACTIVITIES has been introduced to New within several years. The size of one of the few places where Caledonia. This type of crayfish the local market is 50 tonnes. mozuku seaweed (Cladosiphon is popular in French cuisine. sp.) occurs naturally. There is The provincial government Small-scale trials of various interest in farming it for export. have been encouraging red claw aquaculture species are also Mozuku seaweed is popular in farming in the rural areas, as the being conducted. Experiments Japanese dishes such as sushi species is easy to breed and low to assess the feasibility of larval and soup. inputs for farming are required. ranching for fish species, partic- In 2001 there was 6 tonnes of ularly for the ornamental mar- commercial production and it is ket, are being carried out along expected to grow to 23 tonnes the coastline. New Caledonia is

TRAINING SECTION Specialised training for fishing vessel engineers

In 2000, the SPC Fisheries eign engineers. There is an Engineers currently in the indus- Training Section undertook a sur- urgent need to promote marine try often have comprehensive vey to assess engineering train- engineering as a career in the experience and several years of ing needs among Pacific Islands Pacific and to train new entrants sea time. Some, however, lack a fishing companies. The purpose in the fishing industry. Since proper certificate or their certifi- of the survey was to identify the 2001, the SPC Fisheries Training cate, or need to upgrade their cer- skills that engineers were lack- Section has been seeking funds tificate to meet the new interna- ing and to develop training from aid donors to develop a tional standards set by the STCW- strategies to address those needs. foundation course that will give 95 convention of the International new entrants the necessary Maritime Organization. SPC's The survey results clearly indi- basic skills to start a career in Regional Maritime Programme, cated that fishing companies in marine engineering. Unfortunately, with funding from the UK aid the region are concerned about the duration of the course, and agency DFID, has been sponsor- the shortage of competent and thus its cost, are obstacles and to ing upgrading courses in the certified engineers. Companies date the section has had no luck region to help deck and engine often must hire expensive for- in its quest for money. officers obtain those internation- ally recognised certificates.

The New Zealand School of Fisheries engineering workshop

12 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC ACTIVITIES

Common to most of the compa- A five-week specialised course National Fisheries College). nies surveyed was a training for fishing vessel engineers will This will achieve a train-the- need in engineering areas spe- be run at the New Zealand trainer objective, as those insti- cific to fishing vessels, such as School of Fisheries from 29 Sep- tutions are planning to intro- refrigeration, hydraulic and tember to 31 October. Its pur- duce a similar course to address electrical systems. Those skills pose will be to provide 12 engi- the needs of their local fishing are not presently taught at neers the necessary skills to industry. national training institutions as safely and efficiently operate part of their STCW-95 compli- the refrigeration, hydraulic and More on this innovative train- ant certificate courses for electrical systems found on ing course in the next issue of marine engineers. medium to large size fishing the Fisheries Newsletter. vessels. SPC took the survey results on board and developed an outline While most of the selected par- for a training course. Funding ticipants come from the private was sought from a range of sector, two are engineering donors. Eventually our propos- instructors from training insti- al was approved by NZAID, tutions (Fiji School of Maritime early this year. Studies and Papua New Guinea

Safety at sea remains high on SPC's agenda

Developing a sea safety culture has SPC saved?), it is generally Another FAO survey of fish- in the Pacific is a long and recognised that the wide distri- eries-related sea safety in the sometimes repetitive process! It bution of SPC materials has had region was completed by Bob is nevertheless an important a positive impact on fisher- Gillett early in 2003 (see objective for the SPC Coastal men’s attitude and has con- Fisheries Newsletter #104). The Fisheries Programme. tributed to the progress made in consultant noted that, while sea safety during the last few such safety awareness work Mike McCoy’s Survey of Safety at years. should continue, more efforts Sea Issues in Pacific Island should be made to get the Artisanal Fisheries report awareness message to for FAO (1991) recom- remote communities mended "education where it may be the only through publicity cam- practical mechanism for paigns, repeated and improving safety. reinforced over a long Suggestions for future period of time" as a interventions that may means to improve the work for remote com- safety of artisanal fish- munities include the ermen. This recommen- expanded use of radio dation was taken on programmes, extension board by the Fisheries visits, and greater pro- Training Section, which duction of materials in launched the SPC local languages. In fact, "Think Safety at Sea" SPC started the transla- campaign in 1995. For tion of its sea safety eight years, the section materials back in 2000, has produced and dis- with the Bislama version tributed a range of edu- of the safety equipment cational materials, from (see illustration) and posters to videos through five-minute checklists, trainers’ guides and widely distributed in booklets for vessel crew. Vanuatu and the While the outcomes of Solomon Islands (two such a campaign are posters, A4 size laminat- difficult to quantify ed card and sticker). (how many fishermen Since then, the Fisheries

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 13 SPC ACTIVITIES

Training Section had planned to very interested in being part of the will brainstorm on selected chal- translate the same materials project. Those three countries will lenging issues with the intention into other Pacific languages but be served first. of developing national as well funding was lacking. Thanks to as regional strategies for SPC's Executive and the govern- As a follow-up to the 2003 FAO improving sea safety. It is ments of France and Taiwan/ survey, SPC and FAO will be expected the outcomes of the ROC, the section now has some jointly organising a regional sea meeting will be widely promot- money to cover three more safety workshop in 2004. This ed in the region, including at countries where small boat safe- short technical workshop will high-level fora such as the SPC ty is a concern. Discussions with focus on small fishing vessels Conference in November. Heads of Fisheries at the recent and will be attended by moti- August meeting showed that vated individuals from several Tokelau, Niue and Kiribati were relevant disciplines. Participants

WORLDFISH New Caledonia sea cucumber success

Success has been a prevailing ments. Six key research studies tions. The overall aim is to find theme for sea cucumber research have already been successfully out how Pacific Island countries in New Caledonia. The World completed. These include a study can most effectively replenish Fish Center, in partnership with to reveal the genetic structure of natural populations of sea cucum- the SPC, is now into the second sandfish stocks in New Caledonia, bers that have been overfished. year of the project to develop an experiment to see how to strategies for restocking sea grow them with shrimp, and Recently, the work at the hatch- cucumbers. Last year was used to experiments on the best trans- ery has shifted focus to a second get the project into gear and build portation methods, habitats and species. Adult black teatfish sea a hatchery north of Noumea. times of the day to release the cucumber were collected from Breeding of sandfish sea cucum- juveniles into the wild to get the Loyalty Islands Province ber started in October 2002. high survival rates. Juveniles and spawned at the hatchery. released into enclosures placed in The last batch of larvae is doing In this first season, the team pro- seagrass beds have to be vacu- well, and the project hopes to be duced 100,000 juveniles, which umed out of the sand at the end the first to culture these to the were far more than needed. of each experiment in order to juvenile stage. Let’s hope the Several thousand that grew to fin- show how they survived and success continues! ger size were used for the experi- grew under the different condi-

Left: Juvenile sandfish ready for release Right: Auricularia larval stage of the black teatfish

14 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

TROUT FARMING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PNG has an abundance of suit- on water supplies that vary of Sterling, Department of Mar- able trout streams in the high- from small streams (flow rate of keting, to examine specific tech- lands. These are typically fast- <1m3 per minute) to large rivers. nical, nutritional, marketing and flowing soft-water with rocky Adiverse range of water intake distribution issues that were and stony river beds and clear designs are employed, ranging identified during the first visit. water; and usually with no from purely natural bush mate- macrophyte growth. In the trop- rials to extensive use of concrete The embryonic trout industry ics, rivers at 1500 m above sea and PVC pipes. Some of the faces a multitude of challenges, level are within the range of farms could be celebrated as including a lack of human 10–15°C and drop as low as 7°C organic excellence: stocking lev- resource skills, problems in fin- in higher altitudes. In 1949 els are low, presently there are gerling supply and availability, European settlers stocked high- no disease problems, nearly all feed quality and cost, poor land rivers for game fishing. of the materials used are recy- infrastructure, lack of financial Since then rainbow trout clable, chemicals are not used in resources, and difficulties with Oncorhynchus mykiss have suc- the production cycle and the marketing and distribution. cessfully reproduced in the wild. protein source in the feed is a Small releases of brown trout byproduct. Farming practices However, the technical issues Salmo trutta and brook trout are often mixed with animal that constrain current produc- Salvelinus fontinalis were also husbandry and coffee and tion are considered to be sur- introduced but without success. banana plantings next to the mountable. The national market ponds attract insects for the appears to have potential for The first commercial trout farm trout to feed on. The University growth, having suffered from began in 1973, but since then of Goroka is working with the irregular supply rather than any production has been sporadic Department of Primary Indus- resistance to the product or and the industry has struggled try (DPI) to establish an organic market saturation per se. The to get established. FAO data for certification board to endorse National Fisheries Authority is trout production in PNG over organic marketing in PNG. tasked with coordinating the this period reflects wild-caught activities of freshwater fisheries fish, as until recently there was Trout farming is supported at development. About 60 field no system of data reporting for government level as offering officers from DPI have been freshwater fisheries. The first significant economic advantages given rudimentary training in commercial units were reliant for smallholders for whom trout farming at Betty's under a on imports of feed and ova that diversifying from agriculture, technical assistance agreement were paid for with a high val- which supports most high- with the Japanese International ued kina. When international landers, is difficult. To further Cooperation Agency. Local DPI exchange rates fell, imports this policy, the PNG Department fisheries expert, Peter Minimulu became prohibitively expen- of Trade and Industry requested has gained funding from the sive, the industry faltered, and technical assistance from the British Council to attend the today only one farm is running Commonwealth Secretariat, who Institute of Aquaculture MSc commercially. Lake Pindi Yaundo subsequently engaged STAQ Course 2002–2003. Peter plays a Enterprise, also known as (Sterling Aquaculture, based at key advisory role in PNG aqua- "Betty's Place", built on the the University of Sterling, UK) culture development. He has boundary of the Mount Wilhelm to carry out a two-part study to targeted his MSc thesis on a National Park, Simbu Province, identify the major constraints trout related issue. It is hoped started in 1993 and now pro- that the industry faces, and that others will take up oppor- duces sufficient ova for third- explore potentials and avenues tunities for skills training and party sales of fingerlings. From to assist sustainable develop- further education. this, opportunities have risen ment. The initial visit to PNG for local smallholder farmers to was made by Jonathan Grubb in As elsewhere, production cost is grow trout in earth ponds (com- early 2002 and involved exten- a key factor in determining the monly 5 m x 10 m), which rarely sive travel within the country to potential size of the industry. produce more than 1 tonne per meet farmers, feed producers, The cost of feed is especially sig- year. The difficult terrain deter- processors, education and train- nificant in PNG, accounting for mines pond shapes, which ing establishments and govern- 80–90% of total cost. A local ani- sometimes have to be built ment officers. Jonathan returned mal feed mill manufactures a around boulders that are too later in the year with Professor basic trout diet to order, but large to move. Farms are built Jimmy Young from the University farmers have complained of

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 15 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION poor fish performance against of the rural population is esti- has both positive and negative imported product. The team mated to live below the poverty benefits. therefore looked at ways to level. Migration from rural and improve the diet, aiming to sat- urban areas is encouraged by Over the next three to five years isfy nutrient requirements, min- this inequality (average wages a practical strategy will be imise feed cost and, where pos- in the capital are 10 times high- implemented encompassing gov- sible, utilise locally available er than in rural areas). ernment departments, provincial ingredients. The Institute of administrations, commercial organ- Aquaculture processed and The Simbu Province is the poor- isations and educational estab- analysed samples of local feed est, in terms of natural lishments. Various models for and raw materials, confirming resources, of the five provinces sector organisation could be them to be nutritionally defi- in the highlands region and has adopted; the promotion of "con- cient and unlikely to promote less potential to achieve eco- tract production" with linkages commercial growth rates. The nomic growth than the others. to distribution and marketing low volume of feed required is a Within PNG there are over 750 companies is an attractive substantial disincentive to tribal dialects, but PNG Pidgin option. investment in feed processing. is a widely accepted national Therefore, maximising the use of language. The wantok system, (Source: Aquaculture News, imported feed seems to be the where kinship dictates that May 2003, Number 29) best alternative in the short term. help, physical or financial, must be given to kinsfolk who Whilst the national GDP is not request assistance, is deep-seat- drastically low (USD 2367), 37% ed within the local culture, and

SONAR MAY HELP TALLY POPULATIONS OF RARE FISH

Scientists gather data on bottom- ment of Zoology, Hawaii Insti- led a programme to collect dwelling species in Hawaii with tute of Marine Biology (HIMS). information on Hawaii bottom bouncing signals. fish populations and habitats. "If we go in there with fishing Scientists are experimenting gear to try and figure out what Bottomfish have an air-filled with sonar to help them deter- is going on, it’s counterproduc- swim bladder that creates an mine the populations of some of tive," said Chris Kelley, HURL echo, but the amount of air com- Hawaii’s favorite fish, such as chief biologist and HIMB presses as the fish go deeper, ehu (ruby snapper, Etelis carbun- researcher. Benoit-Bird said. Swim bladders culus), onaga (Flame red snap- have complicated shapes that per, Etelis coruscans) and opakapa- One possible method of assess- are different for each species, ka (Crimson jobfish, Pristipo- ing the fishery without killing and the shape ultimately will be moides filamentosus). the fish is with acoustics, he the key to telling the fish apart said. "Let sonar be your eyes, with sonar, she said. "We were All three are deep-sea bottom- and you’re hoping to get sonar not sure if under pressure the fish, and two of them, ehu and information that’s detailed, size of the bladder would onaga, are endangered. Opakapaka with high enough resolution change and, if it did change, if it is close to being labelled as that you could actually distin- would make all the results at endangered. guish different species." the surface difficult to inter- pret." Using sonar on the sub- Working with the Hawaii Others working on the project mersible with video and low- Undersea Research Laboratory are Whitlow Au, chief scientist for light cameras for observations, (HURL) submersible Pisces V, the HIMB Marine Mammal they found the fish were able to the scientists measured echo Research Program, and Christo- regulate the size and shape of characteristics of various species pher Taylor, engineer-manager of their swim bladders even under in waters off Kahoolawe. "We are HURL’s remotely operated huge pressure as they went trying to find out if we can use vehicle (ROV). deeper, she said. sonar to identify bottomfish so we can nonlethally survey Benoit-Bird and Au have been Kelley said the submersible them," said Kelly Benoit-Bird, of studying the acoustic signature work will help to find more the University of Hawaii Depart- of bottom fish, while Kelley has cost-effective methods of sur-

16 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION veying the fish, such as sonar with video and low-light cam- eras. The National Marine Fisheries Service is building a drop cam- era mounted on a platform that can be put on the side of a small boat, he said. "We have a low- light camera that works really well," he said, explaining that fish will avoid artificial light. The camera takes available light in the deep water and amplifies it and enhances the image, he said.

The fish are drawn to the sub- mersible with bait, then video- taped, while a sonar transducer attached underneath the camera bounced sonar pulses off the fish. "They got really, really good acoustic information from dif- ferent species," Kelley said. "They could see with the camera exact- ly what species created the echo, how oriented it was to the sub and how large the fish was."

The scientists’ findings were reported in ScienceDirect, an information source for scientists worldwide. The article, "Acoustic Echo signatures: Above are the unique sonar signatures of backscattering by deepwater different species of bottomfish in Hawaii waters. The fish measured in situ (their nat- images on the left were recorded while the fish were ural habitat) from a manned anesthetised in controlled conditions at the surface, while submersible", was the first pub- the images on the right were recorded as the fish were lished account of use of a swimming freely in deep ocean. Scientists hope to use the manned submersible to mea- data to determine the fish populations. sure fish in their habitat.

Benoit-Bird said the next step is One is to build a torpedo-like vertically in the water to get sig- to measure echoes of live fish device with sonar that can be nals from above and below the swimming in a pen to observe lowered or towed behind a boat fish. the effects of movements of dif- and above the fish looking ferent fish, groups and mixed down, he said. (Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin, species and see if they can tell 2 June 2003) the difference. The other way is to place a mooring at an important fish- Kelley, who has been studying aggregating site with a sonar bottomfish populations to help system that looks up at the fish, the Hawaii State Department of he said. Land and Natural Resources improve management of the It could be left there six months reserves, said he is about to start to a year to collect data on the another three-year phase of numbers and types of fish going research under a new grant. into the area over time. Kelley said that Au is going to experiment with two methods In the submersible dive this of monitoring the fish in their year, Kelley said, they will try to natural habitat. orient the sonar and cameras

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 17 NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

SURVEY SHOWS FREQUENCY OF FISH DIET CONTRIBUTES TO LONGER LIFE SPAN

Japan recorded the world's (1) eat fish every day, (2) eat fish eat at all" group than those eat- highest average life expectancy sometimes, (3) eat fish rarely, ing fish every day. for 2002, at 85.23 years for and (4) do not eat fish at all. females and 78.32 for males, Based on this division, a tracing It is ideal to consume fish every according to Japan's Welfare survey was conducted for 16 day. But it has become a com- and Labor Ministry. This repre- years on people aged 40 and mon recognition in the world sented an increase of 0.3 years over at the start of the survey, that the consumption of fish and 0.25 years respectively over regarding mortality rates and two or three times a week the previous year. cause of death. reduces risk factors for various types of diseases. An independent nationwide The overall mortality rate was epidemiological survey has the highest for the group who As to the precise reasons for been conducted in Japan on the "do not eat fish at all." The mor- these effects, further studies are relationship between frequency tality rate declined in the order currently under way regarding of fish consumption and disease of frequency of fish consump- the functions of fishes to main- and mortality. tion. As for cause of death, the tain health. mortality rate by ischemic heart A total of 265,118 people sur- disease, cirrhosis of the liver, (Source: Isaribi,No.37) veyed were divided into four cancer, and cerebrovascular dis- groups consisting of those who: ease was higher for the "do not

18 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 puts of the project at the end of FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: the second year of operation (June 2003). This article covers SUMMARY OF RESULTS the results so far in relation to the first objective or output, AT THE END OF THE SECOND FAD designs and costings.

YEAR (JUNE 2003) The next issue of Fisheries Newsletter (#106) will cover the results so far in relation to objec- Introduction tives and outputs 2 and 3, the by Lindsay Chapman1, Ian community surveys and the The three-year SPC FAD Bertram2 and Brendon Pasisi3 catch and effort data collected research project commenced in by the project. mid 2001 after funding was secured from the New Zealand Summary of the first Pacific Initiative for the Environ- 4. Produce a technical manual year’s activities ment (PIE) fund. The project is and other literature, reports implemented in three locations, and articles to document the Following the commencement Niue, and Rarotonga and Aitutaki findings of the project, with of the project in June 2001, FAD in the Cook Islands. The objec- the technical manual cover- materials were purchased in tives or outputs of this project ing the new and recommend- New Zealand and freighted to are to: ed design for FADs based on the three project locations. Once the results of the project. the materials arrived, SPC staff 1. Develop a more cost-effective travelled to each location to FAD mooring design with a This is the first of two articles to undertake site surveys (Fig. 1) in average lifespan of at least summarise the results and out- November and December 2001 two years, while reducing costs to a target unit level of NZD 4500 for deep-water FADs (1000 m depth) and NZD 3000 for shallow-water FADs (300 m depth);

2. Conduct studies over the three-year life of the project with selected coastal com- munities, especially in areas where reef and/or lagoon marine protected areas (MPAs) have been declared and FADs deployed, to try to measure any benefits accru- ing to the communities and the usefulness of FADs as a management tool;

3. Collect catch and effort data from fishermen involved in FAD fishing (by fishing tech- nique), and conduct a cost– benefit analysis of the data to estimate the benefits or other- Figure 1: Site survey for north of Arutanga area off Aitutaki wise of the use of FADs; and with site of FAD deployment

1 SPC Fisheries Development Adviser; Email:[email protected] 2 Director, Inshore Fisheries, Ministry of Marine Resources, Cook Islands; Email: [email protected] 3 Principal Fisheries Officer, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Niue; Email: [email protected]

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 19 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003) and rig and deploy FADs to the new designs to be trialled between March and April 2002 (Figs 2 to 4).

Fifteen FADs were deployed in depths from 400 to 1150 m, eight off Niue, four off Rarotonga and three off Aitutaki. All deploy- ments used the straight-line method: the FAD buoy system was released first as the boat steamed toward the intended site, then the mooring was paid out, the boat crossed over the intended site; and finally the anchor was deployed just past the intended site. In all cases the deployment vessel steamed from shallow water to deeper water so that the anchor would swing in towards shallower water upon deployment, decreasing the chance of losing the mooring in deep water. For the first five deployments a 67/33 per cent formula was used. That is, the buoy system was released at a distance away from the intend- ed site equal to 67 per cent of the total mooring length.

The mooring was paid out as the vessel steamed towards the intended site. The site was crossed, and the anchor was deployed at a distance 33 per cent of the mooring length away from the site. This allowed the anchor to swing back, with the pull of the mooring and buoy system, and land very near the intended site. In ten of the deployments a for- mula of 80/20 per cent was used.

The FAD buoy system was released at a distance equal to 80 per cent of the mooring length away from the intended site and the anchor was deployed at a distance equal to 20 per cent of the mooring length away from the intended site. In all cases the anchor landed near the intended sites, with the 80/20 formula resulted in more accurate deploy- ments. Figure 2 (top): Rigging the buoy systems in Rarotonga Figure 3 (middle): Heading to the deployment site off Aitutaki Figure 4 (bottom): Paying out the rope during one of the deployments off Niue

20 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003)

Figure 5: The three designs of FAD buoy systems used by the project

FAD designs used five pressure and four being the 32 mm rope was purse seine floats threaded onto replaced with 20 mm nylon Three types of buoy systems eight metres of 32 mm diameter rope sheathed with black PVC were trialled on the FADs (Fig. nylon rope, with an eye splice in tubing to protect the smaller 5). The first design used 15 pres- one end of the rope while the diameter rope. Again, this sure floats and 14 purse-seine other end was spliced directly design was for inshore FADs. floats threaded alternately onto onto a mussel float. This design an 18 m length of 32 mm diam- was for inshore FADs so that Table 1 shows the materials eter nylon rope with an eye canoe fishermen could easily used for different FAD designs, splice at each end. This design find them. The third design of all anchors were concrete blocks, was for FADs further offshore in buoy system was very similar to 1.2 x 1.2 x 0.6 m or approximate- deeper water. The second design the second, the only difference ly two tonnes in weight.

Table 1: Summary description of the components used for rigging the project FADs

Component Materials used

A Buoy system One of the three buoy system designs in Figure 5 used. B Connection of buoy system to upper mooring 25 mm safety shackle, 19 or 22 mm swivel, 22 mm safety shackle (all line galvanised) with stainless steel cotter pins and some with a No. 3 nylite rope connector C Upper mooring line 150 m or 400 m of 9 mm galvanised wire cable with eye splice and tube thimbles each end, or 20 mm diameter nylon or polypropylene or lead-core polypropylene 3-strand rope with eye splice in one or both ends D Connection of upper and lower mooring lines Ropes were either spliced together or 19 or 22 mm safety shackles, 19 or 22 mm swivels, 19 or 22 mm safety shackle (all galvanised) with stainless steel cotter pins and No. 3 nylite rope connectors were used E Lower mooring line 20 mm diameter polypropylene 3-strand rope with eye splice in one or both ends, some with either one or two 12.5 kg lift pressure floats for additional buoyancy F Connection of lower mooring line to anchor No. 3 nylite rope connector, 22 mm safety shackle, 22 mm swivel, 25 mm system safety shackle (all galvanised) with stainless steel cotter pins G Anchor system 2 t concrete block (1.2 x 1.2 x 0.6 m) with 10 m of 20 mm galvanised chain or 10 m of 22 mm galvanised wire cable with eye splice and tube thimble each end and a 25 mm safety shackle

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 21 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003)

Four basic designs were used, with the main difference being the upper mooring line, which was either 9 mm galvanised wire cable, 20 mm diameter three- strand nylon rope, 20 mm diam- eter polypropylene rope with counterweight, or 20 mm diame- ter lead core polypropylene rope (Table 2). All project FADs used 20 mm diameter three-strand poly- propylene rope of varying lengths for the lower mooring line.

Results to mid-June 2003

Table 3 summarises the deploy- ment date, location of the deployment site, the depth each FAD was deployed in, the status of the FADs in May and early June, and the losses to date. Five of the original FADs deployed have been lost, from 249 to 415 days after deployment. Four of the five FADs lost were of the same design, using 9 mm gal- vanised wire rope on the upper mooring. One of the buoy sys- tems with cable was recovered; the bottom eye splice had bro- ken and was the cause of loss (Fig. 7). It is assumed that simi- lar problems were encountered with the other three wire cable FADs that were lost. Unfortunately, two other FADs have the same wire cable, so it is expected that these may part in the near future.

The other FAD loss is attributed to the strong currents in the area of deployment and the type of Figure 6: Components that make up the project FADs buoy system used. A fisherman reported the FAD buoy system Experimental aggregators have been tried to being underwater one day aggregators date, with others being designed when he was fishing. The next and implemented in June 2003. day the FAD could not be locat- All project FADs have aggrega- ed. It is assumed that the mussel tors placed on them, although Niue has been using a bamboo float used on the buoy design the length of time they last raft aggregator arrangement imploded when the buoy sys- varies based on weather condi- covered with coconut fronds for tem was pulled under (this is tions. many years (Fig. 8). The raft is not a pressure float) and that the approximately three metres by other floats had insufficient A data sheet is completed dur- four metres and is lashed buoyancy to support the FAD in ing each maintenance run or together with purse-seine twine. strong currents. trip to work on the aggregators Six polystyrene floats are lashed themselves. Two main types of to the bamboo to give the raft

22 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003) additional buoyancy. A single attached to the very end of the in Niue like this type of aggre- rope with coconut fronds FAD buoy system by a 20 mm gator, and they feel it is effective attached and a weight at the diameter polypropylene rope in holding fish around the FAD. bottom is also attached to the bridle, so it streams behind in back of the raft. The raft is the current. The local fishermen The second design of aggrega- tor used in all locations is a sim- Table 2: Type of upper mooring line at each location ple string of five polystyrene (number of FADs at location) floats threaded on 10 metres of either 18 mm nylon rope or 20 mm polypropylene rope, some Type of upper mooring line used Niue Rarotonga Aitutaki with PVC sheathing. The floats 150 m of 9 mm galvanised wire cable (shallow- are spaced around two metres water FADs) 11 apart. The original designs had 400 m of 9 mm galvanised wire cable (deep- the floats lashed in place to stop water FADs) 21 1them moving along the sheathed 200 m of 20 mm diameter lead-core 3-strand rope (Fig. 9), or the rope was polypropylene rope 11 tied with a figure of eight knot 20 mm diameter nylon 3-strand rope (length on each side of the float to stop to suit deployment depth) 31 1it from moving on the rope (Fig. 20 mm diameter 3-strand polypropylene rope 10). with chain counterweight 11 A compromise design has the rope tied with a figure of eight knot on each side of the float to stop it from moving, with the rope between the floats sheathed in PVC (Fig. 11). Coconut fronds and strapping materials are secured to short lengths of 10 mm diameter polypropylene rope, which are attached to the aggregator next to a float (Fig. 11).

Problems have occurred with the rope and float aggregator system tangling and bunching up, and fishermen in Niue do not think these are as effective as the bam- boo rafts. At this stage though, new designs of aggregators are being trialled, and a full assess- Figure 7: Splices in the 9 mm galvanised wire cable, one parted ment will be made on these at the end of the project.

Maintenance of the FADs

A data sheet for recording main- tenance activities and repairs to the FADs has been developed and implemented, and is included with the data sheet for the FAD aggregators. These two sheets are completed at the same time, as maintenance runs to the FADs generally include maintenance of both the upper Figure 8: Bamboo raft aggregator design used in Niue mooring and the aggregators at

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 23 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003)

Table 3: FAD deployments in Niue and the Cook Islands (February to April 2002) and status of the FADs

Deployment date Area Latitude (S) Longitude (W) Deployment Status of FAD 2002 depth (m) as at June 2002

Niue 8 February Lakepa 19º 00.000' 169º 47.375' 400 Lost 18/12/02 – 313 days on station 8 February Avatele 19º 07.125' 169º 56.750' 900 08/06/03 – 485 days on station 11 February Limufuafua 19º 11.125' 169º 51.875' 900 Lost 01/03/03 – 382 days on station 11 February Vaiea 19º 08.875' 169º 54.125' 400 11/06/03 – 485 days on station 11 February Halagigie 19º 04.000' 169º 59.500' 800 11/06/03 – 485 days on station 13 February Toi 1 18º 56.725' 169º 53.025' 550 13/06/03 – 485 days on station 13 February Toi 2 18º 56.225' 169º 52.150' 1100 13/06/03 – 485 days on station 14 February Hikutavake 18º 57.250' 169º 55.375' 650 14/06/03 – 485 days on station

Rarotonga 27 March Matavera 21º 13.000' 159º 43.000' 650 Lost 20/03/03 – 358 days on station 27 March SE Titikaveka 21º 18.125' 159º 43.750' 1150 10/06/03 – 440 days on station 27 March Rarotongan Hotel 21º 17.500' 159º 50.250' 1150 10/06/03 – 440 days on station 27 March N of Black Rock 21º 10.875' 159º 48.250' 550 10/06/03 – 440 days on station

Aitutaki 5 April W of Maina 18º 56.000' 159º 52.625' 950 10/06/03 – 431 days on station 5 April SE of Motukitiu 18º 59.500' 159º 42.000' 1030 Lost 25/05/03 – 415 days on station 5 April N of Arutanga 18º 48.500' 159º 47.500' 960 Lost 10/12/02 – 249 days on station the same time. Maintenance is scheduled for every one to two months. However, adverse weath- er conditions have made it very difficult to stick to a regular schedule. In fact, several of the FADs on the weather side of an island have only been checked a couple of times in the first 16 months. Records to date show that some wear is occurring in the upper hardware connec- tions, and these parts will be replaced in the near future.

The marker flagpole and light system is an area that needs to be examined closely, as these are being lost or the flagpoles are breaking off in rough weather. These systems have been replaced on several FADs, with the batteries changed regularly in the strobe light to assist fish- ermen in locating the FADs in the early morning. The project will look more closely at the design of the flagpole and light arrangement over the next 12 months.

Figure 9: Aggregator buoy system with floats lashed in position

Figure 10: Aggregator buoy system with figure of eight knots used to position floats

24 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003)

Figure 11: Rope and polystyrene float aggregator being trialled

Costing of the FADs with an average lifespan of at shallow-water FADs (300 m least two years, while reducing depth). Table 4 summarises the One of the objectives of this pro- costs to a target level of NZD cost of each of the 15 FADs ject is to develop a more cost- 4500 for deep-water FADs (1000 deployed to date. effective FAD mooring design m depth) and NZD 3000 for

Table 4: Summary of costs for each or the project FADs in New Zealand dollars

Cost of components (NZD)

Location Buoy Mooring Anchor Sub-total Freight Sub-total Deployment Total cost (depth in metres) system system block costs costs

Niue - shallow Lakepa (400) 743 1386 400 2529 520 3049 350 3399 Vaiea (400) 707 1357 400 2464 520 2984 350 3334 Toi No. 1 (550) 743 1469 400 2612 520 3132 350 3482 Sub-total 2193 4212 1200 7605 1560 9165 1050 10,215 Cooks - shallow Black Rock (Rar -550) 707 1615 400 2722 430 3152 800 3952 Matavera (Rar - 650) 692 1624 400 2716 430 3146 800 3946 Sub-total 1399 3239 800 5438 860 6298 1600 7898 Total - shallow FADs 3592 7451 2000 13,043 2420 15,463 2650 18,113 Niue - deep Avatele (900) 1377 2105 400 3882 520 4402 350 4752 Limufuafua (900) 1377 2255 400 4032 520 4552 350 4902 Halagigie (800) 1377 1967 400 3744 520 4264 350 4614 Toi No. 2 (1100) 1377 2389 400 4166 520 4686 350 5036 Hikutavake (650) 1377 1889 400 3666 520 4186 350 4536 Sub-total 6885 10,605 2000 19,490 2600 22,090 1750 23,840 Cooks - deep Raro. Hotel (Rar - 1150) 1377 2572 400 4349 430 4779 800 5579 Titikaveka (Rar - 1150) 1377 2413 400 4190 430 4620 800 5420 Maina (Aitu - 950) 1377 2199 400 3976 650 4626 150 4776 Motukitiu (Aitu - 1030) 1326 2310 400 4036 650 4686 150 4836 Arutanga (Aitu - 960) 717 2150 400 3267 650 3917 150 4067 Sub-total 6174 11,644 2000 19,818 2810 22,628 2050 24,678 Total - deep FADs 13,059 22,249 4000 39,308 5410 44,718 3800 48,518 Total FAD costs 16,651 29,700 6000 52,351 7830 60,181 6450 66,631

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 25 FAD RESEARCH PROJECT: SUMMARY OF RESULTS AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR (JUNE 2003)

One problem that has been much between locations, from the project’s objective to reduce encountered in the costing of NZD 150 per deployment at costs of FADs to around NZD FADs is actually defining what Aitutaki to NZD 800 per 3000 per unit, especially given are the FAD costs? Should deployment at Rarotonga. Note that most FADs were deployed deployment costs, the anchor that the maintenance costs have in water deeper that 300 m. The costs, or even the cost of freight not been included, as the data cost of the deep-water FADs on materials be considered actu- are incomplete at present. excluding deployment costs al FAD costs? These can vary Maintenance costs are consid- averaged NZ 4472 (NZD quite considerably from loca- ered additional to the actual 44,718), which also meets the tion to location. Table 4 splits up FAD cost, as these will vary target cost of NZD 4500. The the component costs to give a greatly by location and the fre- next test will be the "at least better understanding of where quency of the servicing. two-year average lifespan" part the costs are incurred. However, of the objective; to evaluate for this project the FAD costs are The average cost of a shallow- which of the new design FADs considered to be all but the water FAD excluding deploy- are cost-effective. deployment cost. This has been ment costs was NZD 3093 (NZD excluded as the cost varied so 15,463/5=NZD 3093). This meets

26 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 ity. It issues CITES permits for AQUACULTURE UPDATE export, particularly focusing on the ornamental trade. The gov- FOR VANUATU ernment has put a ban on Tridacna crocea clam exports Up to now, the aquaculture sector because the harvest levels were in Vanuatu has had a relatively low by Ben Ponia, considered by Environment and Aquaculture Adviser profile. With recent developments SPC, Noumea Fisheries as unsustainable. The aquaculture may be poised to deliv- New Caledonia Environment department would er both extensive farming pro- like to see more aquaculture in grammes that will benefit Vanuatu the aquarium trade to substitute rural areas and also intensive cul- snail and trochus hatchery for harvesting from the wild. ture programmes of national eco- spawning in Port Vila and anoth- Consistent with this, Fisheries nomic significance. SPC Aquacul- er volunteer on Malakula Island has developed a five-year plan ture Adviser Ben Ponia recently for seaweed farming. to phase in cultured animals. visited the country and reports on the current status of developments. Alongside the Fisheries depart- Seaweed ment are the Quarantine and (Kappaphycus sp.) Vanuatu is composed of more Environment departments, which than 80 islands arranged in a Y- also have important roles to play Kappaphycus seaweed (Euchema) shaped chain, with a land mass in terms of aquaculture develop- is a commodity with potential of 12,200 km2. The islands are ment. for coastal inhabitants, particu- mountainous, of volcanic origin larly on the outer islands where with a narrow coastal plain. The The Quarantine department is there are fewer opportunities main island is Efate where the responsible for ensuring safe prac- for cash income. Fisheries staff capital Port Vila is located. The tices in bringing in livestock and have already conducted exten- country has a population of the certification of food exports. sive growth trials throughout 196,000. Like many such departments in Vanuatu’s islands, particularly the region, there is not a lot of on Efate, Malekula and Santo. The history of aquaculture has capacity for dealing with aquatic Research and extension staff been a sporadic development. animals, but the department is have a high degree of technical The farming of Pacific oyster interested in addressing this gap. competence and are able to (Crassostrea gigas) was attempted expand seaweed production to in the early 1970s. Experimental One of the important roles of the commercial levels when neces- culture of Macrobrachium rosen- Environment department is as sary. However, Fisheries has bergii was also carried out on the CITES management author- resolved not to commit to scal- Efate Island but was not contin- ued.

The Fisheries department (under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Quarantine and Inspection Services) is the main agency responsible for aquaculture developments in Vanuatu. The research section based at its headquarters in Port Vila is the aquaculture focal point. Its staff oversee research and pilot trials. Another impor- tant section is the extension ser- vice, which has staff based in four main provinces. The exten- sion officers have a lot of experi- ence and are very good at focus- ing on practical outcomes. The Japanese government is also providing some technical assis- Pannangisu village in North Efate. A site where the Fisheries department tance with a volunteer for green has conducted seaweed farming trials

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 27 AQUACULTURE UPDATE FOR VANUATU ing up production to commer- ics, seaweed could be a viable ACIAR-funded project. One of cial levels until a stable buyer or proposition. Villagers did not the advantages of restocking market is in place. see any cultural or social barri- broodstock instead of using ers to seaweed farming and hatchery juveniles is that the One way to view the attractive- thought women would be good offspring from broodstock in ness of seaweed for village com- seaweed farmers. One possible the wild have a thicker shell and munities is to look at it as a sub- hurdle is that there is limited better survival rates compared stitute for copra, or as a com- access to the micro-financing of to the hatchery juveniles. modity that can integrate with VUV 10,000–20,000 that would Research conducted on juvenile the copra marketing network be required to start up a sea- grow-out has shown that float- already in place. Currently weed farm. ing cages produced high sur- copra is purchased at a sub- vival rates compared to benthic sidised price somewhere in the Trochus cages, although the benthic range of VUV (Vatu) 15,000– cages had better growth rates. 25,000 per tonne. This is compared Trochus is a valuable source of to about VUV 40,000 per tonne cash to coastal villagers. It is In 2000, 30 tonnes of trochus currently paid for seaweed worth around VUV 400 per kg. button blanks and 43 tonnes of (unsubsidised) in Kiribati, Fiji Green snail is another highly trochus scraps were exported, Islands and Solomon Islands. valued mother-of-pearl orna- worth about VUV 31 million. In mental shell. It sells at VUV 2001 the export volume was 31 At Pannangisu village in north- 1700 per kg. and 57 tonnes respectively, ern Efate, SPC Aquaculture worth at total of VUV 79 mil- Adviser Ben Ponia took part in Batches of trochus for seeding lion. a village meeting to review the are raised periodically at the potential of seaweed as a substi- Fisheries hatchery in Port Vila. Currently the country is experi- tute for copra. The common Currently, there about 2 million encing problems with supply of view was that the current price juveniles in the nursery race- trochus, partially due to unsyn- of copra of about VUV 25,000 ways. A Japanese aquaculture chronised harvest moratoriums per tonne was no longer attrac- volunteer is based at the Fish- and overfishing. In 2002, tive, but a price range of VUV eries hatchery to assist with trochus had to be imported 40,000–60,000 per tonne would spawning the green snail. from Australia to make up ton- rekindle interest. This is in the nage. The shortage of trochus is upper price range of seaweed. At the time of Ben’s visit, reflected in the decline in the However, given that seaweed Fisheries staff had just returned number of button factories in farming requires less inputs from seeding trochus brood- the country. At its peak there than copra, according to our stock on Malakula, Pentecost were four button factories oper- back-of-the-envelope econom- and Tanna islands under an ating but now there are just one or two factories.

Hong Shell Products trochus button factory

The Hong Shell Products facto- ry is an affiliate of a large Asian company. The manager of the factory explained that with less trochus being harvested the fac- tory is looking for alternative sources of mother of pearl. The turban shell (Turbo sestus) and large pen shell (Penna spp.) are several alternative species being processed. The company is interested in finding sources of mother-of-pearl outside of Vanuatu, for example pearl shell from Pacific countries with a pearl culture industry. Hong Shell trochus button factory

28 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 AQUACULTURE UPDATE FOR VANUATU

Freshwater shrimp and marine prawns

There has been a lot interest from the public in farming freshwater shrimp, particularly the Macrobrachium species. The Fisheries department plans to establish a trial farm and a demonstration site for shrimp farming in the near future.

The domestic prices for shrimp are good. The local freshwater shrimps, the Pacific shrimp [FAO: Monkey river prawn] Macro- brachium lar, are sold domesti- cally at VUV 1200 per kg while imported marine prawns retail between VUV 2600 and VUV 4500 per kg. In some places, taro Fully grown Pacific shrimp (Macrobrachium lar) caught in the wild farming in the swamps is inte- grated with shrimp farming. Teouma Prawns large sheds for mechanical equip- The harvests have reportedly ment, maintenance, storage and been quite successful. Teouma Prawns is a partnership food processing. between several prominent The Pacific shrimp is wide- local businessmen. One of the The company is willing to sell spread. Fisheries extension offi- partners, Robert Monovisin, is post-larvae from its hatchery to cers identified 11 islands where involved in cattle farming and support local interests who it is found, and that have loca- heavy industrial engineering wish to set up their own farms. tions where it could be farmed. works. A second member has If developments stay on sched- During a visit to a proposed experience with farming tilapia ule the farm could be exporting shrimp farm site in the middle in China. The technical partner by next year. The Teouma Prawns of Efate Island, Ben saw a 15 cm is David Challenger, who owned annual production farm is tar- adult among the shrimp traps, a Penaeus monodon prawn farm in geted at 6–10 tonnes of prawns not an uncommon size he was Solomon Islands. per hectare. This would probably told. Since the Pacific shrimp is make it Vanuatu’s most valuable reputedly plentiful and a good The area put aside for prawn fisheries export. It is estimated prospect for aquaculture, a farming covers 70 hectares of that about 50 local workers will good research project would be land previously used for cattle be employed on the farm. to undertake some farming tri- pasture. The site can be viewed als to assess the basic biological from the main highway where it The prawn farm also plans to characteristics such as growth begins and extends as far as the integrate itself with tilapia fish rates, stocking densities and coastline. Farm construction farming using the water dis- feed requirements. began six months ago with an charge system. This will be a good investment of VUV 250 million source of cheap fresh fish for The Fisheries department is also budgeted for. Already 12 Vanuatu (since reef fish is scarce interested in revitalising its M. hectares of ponds have been and expensive). In Fiji about one rosenbergii programme. Two dug with a full time gang of to two tonnes of tilapia are sold fisheries officers Felix N’guyen workers and heavy equipment per week on the local market. and Sompert Gerava, recently excavating on site. A lot of engi- participated in a training attach- neering works have been com- Fish farming ment to Fiji where they were pleted to create the necessary able to successfully hatchery inlets and channels and a large Like most of the Pacific, fresh rear this species. Since his reservoir for the water require- reef fish at the local market is return Felix has been seeking ments. On the coast, a prawn expensive. Cheap imported tinned support for Fisheries to conduct hatchery has been built to sup- fish is often more commonly pilot trials. ply post-larvae. Other infra- consumed. According to Fish- structure constructed includes eries, the reasons fresh fish is

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 29 AQUACULTURE UPDATE FOR VANUATU not readily available are because at some localities (and islands) the wild stocks are naturally low and in addition only a small por- tion of the population has access to motorised boats to travel to fishing grounds. Hence fish farm- ing is considered as an alternative and there are regular enquires from the public to Fisheries for assistance. Islands such as Tanna, with its inland lakes, or Santo, which has an abundance of fresh water, are considered by Fisheries as some of the sites suitable for fish aquaculture.

One possible obstacle is the Mozambique tilapia, which was introduced to Vanuatu for mos- quito control. This species is now Tridacna crocea in the Fisheries giant clam hatchery widespread. Because it is such a prolific breeder and omnivo- pest characteristics of this par- practice amongst some tribes. rous feeder it could compete ticular tilapia it was agreed that The details were sketchy but it with fish aquaculture. The Fish- it was better to destroy them is thought the fish is a mullet eries department has expressed rather then have them contami- species that is being restocked interest in other types of tilapia nate the swamps. In the interim from juvenile phase. It was a such as the GIFT strain, which is it was suggested to do some member of the hill tribes pass- a much faster growing species trial culture of the local shrimp ing through Nampauk village and more suitable for aquaculture instead. The lesson learnt from who sowed the idea of fish then the Mozambique tilapia. this was the need for Fisheries farming in the village. and SPC to proactively assist in On Santo Island Ben accompa- fish stocking programmes at the Marine ornamentals nied Clen Alo, the fisheries village level to ensure that, mis- extension officer, to a number of takes are not unwittingly made Although some small-scale hatch- prospective sites for fish and which may jeopardise future ery rearing of giant clams is shrimp farming. Nampauk vil- fish farming efforts. occurring, most of the ornamental lage was one of the sites visited trade is based on the wild fish- and typical of the village setting From the road’s end we were ery. Concern over the impact on in Santo, with traditional life- able to view extensive moun- the Tridacna crocea stocks has led styles still being maintained. tainous terrain where remote the government to declare a ban Because the village was located hill tribes lived. Clem reported on the harvest of this species. quite far inland and unable to that Fisheries had recently Along with giant clams, cul- go fishing regularly, there was a learnt that for a number of years tured coral and live rock are lot of interest in farming fish. the hill tribes had been experi- exported. Some exports figures Using their initiative the village menting with fish farming and for the ornamental trade are were constructing ponds for that it was becoming a common shown in table below. fish farming amongst the taro swamps in the valley nearby. A total of fifteen ponds were 2000 2001 planned. However, the fish that Qty Qty had been trapped from the coast and stocked in a small isolated Cultured coral 275 pieces 6,737 pieces pond nearby was the Mozam- Live rock 13,710 pieces 19,195 kg bique tilapia. Giant Clam 10,008 pieces T. crocea 113,940 pieces Fortunately the fish had not T. maxima 4,825 pieces been released into the main T. squamosa 1,402 pieces ponds, so after explaining the

30 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 other parts of the world. CONSERVATION THROUGH Albatrosses and petrels have learned to follow fishing vessels COOPERATION — THE SEABIRD for food, unaware of the risks of becoming caught on baited BYCATCH ISSUE IN NEW hooks or entangled in fishing gear. They may accidentally be ZEALAND caught by any vessel, anywhere, that does not use seabird-safe fishing practices. Over the last year, an alliance of by Alec Woods, fishing industry groups, gov- New Zealand For this reason, Southern ernment agencies, environmen- School of Fisheries Seabird Solutions believes that tal organisations and other cooperative, international pro- interested parties under the also needs to share these models grammes to reduce the number name of Southern Seabird with the international fishing of seabirds caught during the Solutions, has been the guiding community. course of fishing is the most force behind a quiet revolution effective way of conserving to reduce seabird bycatch in the New Zealand and its offshore these species. Believing that best trawl and longline fisheries. islands can rightly lay claim to practice must start at home, While companies such as being the albatross and petrel New Zealand fishing companies Solander Fisheries, Sanford and capital of the world. The waters have been encouraging their fish- Sealord have been active for and offshore islands support ermen to develop mitigation years in seeking to reduce inci- more species of these global methods. As John Bennett, long- dental seabird capture, these travellers than anywhere else in liner skipper with Sanford Ltd and other stakeholders now the world, yet here lies the prob- comments, "There is no single realise that not only does New lem. Although these birds breed solution to seabird mitigation, Zealand need to develop its in New Zealand waters, they as each species, in different own mitigation measures, it spend much of their lives in areas, behaves differently at various times of the day and year. It’s important to recognise and understand this." Bennett believes a vessel must have and use a range of mitigation tech- niques and that should be developed and fine-tuned daily. The best mitigation device, he believes, is a "can do" attitude.

The best person to convince a fisherman to change his ways is another fisherman. Not only does Southern Seabird Solutions champion fishers who are lead- ers and innovators in mitigation techniques, it is currently imple- menting a range of projects that it believes will make a differ- ence. Two "sister ship" pro- grammes are in the planning stage. New Zealand crew will be exchanged with crew from South Africa and Chile so that practices to reduce seabird cap- ture are shared with nations fishing within the foraging range of New Zealand seabird Recently, "bird baffers" were installed on hoki trawlers species. The Regional Fishers in order to reduce seabird interaction in this fishery Forum is being promoted as a

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 31 CONSERVATION THROUGH COOPERATION – THE SEABIRD BYCATCH ISSUE IN NEW ZEALAND means of encouraging "fisher to "win-win" partnership that will need for fishers worldwide to fisher" dialogue, along the lines hopefully go towards reducing take responsibility for develop- of the International Fishers seabird bycatch. Recently, "bird ing a range of mitigation mea- Forum, (www.fishersforum.org). bafflers" were installed on hoki sures that are effective. The The multi-stakeholder alliance trawlers in order to reduce New Zealand experience shows model, which has been such a seabird interaction in this fishery. that responsible fishing is the success in New Zealand, is These strategies represent a gen- key. By providing a vessel that being exported to other interest- eral overview of the measures is professionally managed and ed countries and shows promise being taken to find a solution to operated, the unintentional cap- as a tool to meet further seafood the seabird bycatch problem. ture of seabirds is a problem industry challenges. that can be resolved. Southern Seabird Solutions’ In both Australia and New experience has highlighted the Zealand, Seabird/Fisheries Advi- sory Officers are working along- side skippers and crew to pro- mote awareness and seek new ways of avoiding seabird cap- ture. A capsule-setting device, invented by New Zealand fish- er, Dave Kellian, and which can set baited hooks 10 metres under water, is currently being trialled in Australia. A video about Southern Ocean seabirds and the threats they face from accidental capture in the course of fishing, is being produced in both English and Spanish. Although the video will feature interviews with New Zealand skippers, and highlight the meth- ods they use, it will also empha- sise that New Zealand does not have all the solutions. Hopefully it will encourage fishers in south- ern American and African waters, where New Zealand albatrosses and petrels spend so much of their time, to seek effective ways to reduce seabird bycatch in their own fisheries.

Fishing industry trainers met recently in Wellington to devel- op effective strategies for train- ing vessel crew as well as new recruits to the industry. They have been training vessel crew, brief- ing them on the Codes of Prac- tice for specific fisheries, and encouraging them to find their own solutions to the seabird bycatch problem. An integrated New ways of avoiding seabird capture line-weighting trial, funded by are being trialled in both Australia and New Zealand the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, was successfully run last year. The trial is a model for the sort of

32 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 addressing the needs of SPC/NELSON COURSE Pacific Islands fisheries offi- FRESHENED UP cers was acknowledged. The theoretical component of the course should contin- The SPC/Nelson Polytechnic by Michel Blanc, ue to be delivered at an over- Pacific Island Fisheries Officers Fisheries Education and seas institution. In addition, Training Course was initiated in Training Adviser regional heads of fisheries 1979 in response to a request SPC, Noumea suggested that, given the from island governments for New Caledonia uncertainty of funding and additional training opportuni- the need to maintain momen- ties for Pacific Islands fisheries visit several countries and terri- tum, the New Zealand School extension workers. The course tories and canvass the opinions of Fisheries should imple- was designed to provide select- of senior fisheries personnel ment recommended changes ed Pacific Islanders with exten- and past course participants. to the syllabus and deliver sive practical training in a vari- The consultant’s report was the course for a further cycle. ety of fisheries skills and knowl- finalised in December 2002 and edge. Between 1979 and 2002, 23 presented with SPC’s response The practical fishing compo- successful training courses were at the recent Heads of Fisheries nent should continue to be carried out and 275 Pacific Meeting. Both documents are run in New Caledonia and Islanders from 18 countries and available on the SPC website at: topics offered should be territories of the region were broadened in scope to make trained at the New Zealand http://www.spc.int/coastfish/Sections/training/ full use of SPC fisheries pro- School of Fisheries in Nelson. FTS_pages/workplan_and_reports.htm grammes and other institu- tions available in New The training was initially The 2003 Heads of Fisheries Caledonia. intended to provide the practi- Meeting endorsed the findings cal fisheries skills necessary to of the review and SPC’s SPC and the New Zealand operate a small fish-receiving response, and made the follow- School of Fisheries should station or remote extension cen- ing observations: explore mechanisms for the tre, especially on outer islands. formal accreditation of the In its more than 20-year history, The value of the regional six- course and its linking with the course has gone through a month SPC Fisheries higher level diploma and number of relatively minor Officers Course as an inten- degree courses from the Uni- changes driven primarily by sive programme of training versity of the South Pacific directions received from the in practical topical issues for and other institutions. annual Heads of Fisheries Meeting (formerly the Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries, RTMF).

2002 course review and its findings

Fisheries in the Pacific have undergone a number of major changes over the last two decades with the development of subsistence, artisanal and industrial sectors. Although "fine tuning" of the course has occurred during this period, a comprehensive review of the training programme was con- sidered essential. This review took place during the second The New Zealand School of Fisheries is located half of 2002. An external consul- in Nelson, New Zealand. The picture shows tant was contracted by SPC to the facilities of Nelson harbour

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 33 SPC/NELSON COURSE FRESHENED UP

The course should be realigned the course will make the finan- Extension and communication: more towards sustainable cial management of the pro- Role of fisheries extension fisheries management and posed new training programme officers and skills to assist industry development, while very difficult. As a consequence, with the planning and deliv- maintaining key elements of the course fee to be paid by par- ery of extension services (35 existing practical training. ticipating countries and territo- hours) ries has been increased to USD While the course would 3000 per trainee. Navigation and chartwork: To remain a broad-ranging a standard required for tak- introduction to fisheries, its Course objective ing a small boat on coastal entry requirements should and short inter-island pas- be raised to include one or The new objective of the course sages (35 hours) two years of relevant fish- is to provide broad-ranging eries experience. training to Pacific Islands fish- Practical netting and seaman- eries officers to enable them to ship: Rope types, common After being put on hold in 2003 assist fishing communities and knots (with nylon monofila- to allow for the course review fishing enterprises to develop ment and rope), 3-strand and its endorsement by Heads of sustainable and profitable fish- rope splicing, other essential Fisheries, the new training pro- ing operations. seamanship skills, net repair gramme will be offered by SPC (35 hours) and the New Zealand School of Target group and Fisheries early in 2004. Certain selection criteria Marine electronics: Familiari- aspects of the course (notably its sation with modern electron- syllabus) will be quite different The course is now specifically ic equipment used at sea from the training programme targeting Pacific Islands govern- (radar, echo sounder, GPS, that had been run until 2002. ment fisheries officers. It is felt VMS), NZ Restricted Radio Some of the important changes that trainees with a previous Operator’s Certificate (24.5 are summarised below. exposure to national fisheries hours) issues will benefit better from Funding the training than totally new Safety and survival at sea: recruits. The 2002 course Short course to expose the This course has traditionally review, endorsed by the August participants to all aspects of been supported by the govern- 2003 Heads of Fisheries meet- safety and survival at sea ment of New Zealand, the ing, has recommended a slight including firefighting (35 Commonwealth Secretariat, the elevation of entry requirements hours) Commonwealth Foundation, to include a one to two year the Secretariat of the Pacific fisheries experience. As the Outboard repair and mainte- Community and, more recently, course is conducted entirely in nance: Introduction to the by the government of New English, including written and operation of small outboard Caledonia. Despite the range of oral assessments, it is essential engines, troubleshooting, donors contributing to the that the participants have a very maintenance and repairs (35 course budget, securing the good command of English to hours) funding for this major training fully benefit from the course. It programme has always been a is also important that nominat- Seafood safety and quality man- concern. In 1997, following a ed candidates be between 20 agement: The basics of fish recommendation by the Regional and 35 years of age. The accom- spoilage, seafood quality, Technical Meeting on Fisheries, modation provided during both preservation methods (chill- a course fee of USD 2380 to be the Nelson and New Caledonia ing, freezing, salting, smok- paid by the nominating country components is suitable for ing and drying). Introduc- was introduced. female participants (single tion to HACCP hazard man- rooms with separate bathrooms agement principles and The changes made to the course for men and women). requirements, product devel- (introduction of new modules, opment and process control. duration increased by one Course outline Structured factory visits (42 week) mean an increase in the hours) overall course budget. Com- Introduction and orientation: pounding this, the recent deci- Familiarisation with the Vessel construction and safety sion by the Commonwealth trainee’s new environment management: Types of fishing Foundation to stop sponsoring (7 hours) vessels and construction

34 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 SPC/NELSON COURSE FRESHENED UP

methods in the Pacific Aquaculture (NEW): Intro- Field component: Two-week region. Safety management duction to aquaculture farm- exposure to SPC fisheries systems and safe operational ing techniques, farm infra- programmes and projects plans. Structured port visits structures, water quality followed by four weeks of (21 hours) and common diseases (35 practical fishing experience hours) (longlining, bottom fishing, Business management: The trolling, catch processing economics of operating a Pacific fisheries (NEW): Over- and marketing) (210 hours) small fishing venture. view of Pacific fisheries and Simple record keeping and their importance (21 hours) Dates and venue analysis. Financial services available to commercial fish- Fisheries management (NEW): The 18-week core course will be ing operations (21 hours) Objectives and different held at the New Zealand School types of fisheries manage- of Fisheries, Nelson Marlbo- Report writing: Instruction on ment, fisheries regulations rough Institute of Technology, how to structure and pre- and their enforcement, from Monday 26 January to pare reports. A country pro- importance of data collection Friday 28 May 2004. This will be ject report and an end-of- and analysis, fisheries man- followed by a 6-week field com- course report will be written. agement in the Pacific (42 ponent in Noumea and Private study using refer- hours) Koumac, New Caledonia, from ence materials from the Monday 31 May to Friday 9 July school’s library is possible Observers (NEW): Workshop 2004. (40 hours) on the role and importance of observer and port sam- Computers: Introduction to pling programmes in the computers, word processing, Pacific (35 hours) spreadsheets and databases (56 hours) Learning reviews: End-of- week sessions to consolidate Fisheries science (NEW): learning outcomes (18 Introduction to oceanogra- hours) phy, marine ecosystems and their threats, marine biology (main groups of marine organisms) (56 hours)

Practical netting and seamanship, including rope splicing, are one of the components of the Nelson Course curriculum

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003 35 © Copyright Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2003

All rights for commercial / for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPC authorises the partial reproduction or transla- tion of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that SPC and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for commercial / for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original SPC artwork may not be altered or separately published without permission.

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

36 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #105 — April/June 2003