Jumbo Tiger Prawn, Milkfish, and Carps
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AQUACUJLTURE What is aquaculture? What benefits do the people of Guam receive Aquaculture is the raising of plants and from the aquaculture industry? animals in water. This includes freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water Aquaculture provides job opportunities 1 (a mixture of freshwater and saltwater). in the private sector and in government. This does not include hydroponics. The It also provides additional tax revenues, term Mariculture is often used to provides fresh, nutritious seafood describe aquaculture in saltwater or products, and decreases imports, thereby brackish water. contributing to a healthy economy. What is the Size of Guam's Aquaculture Industry? By 1985, there were 12 aqua-farms constructed on Guam. However, as of 1989, only three farms were actively producing. Production in 1989 totalled 483,350 pounds with a value of approximately $1.3 million. AQUACULTURE When did aquaculture Jumbo Tiger Prawn, milkfish, and carps. begin on Guam? Seaweeds, rabbitfish, and giant clams are being examined for local aquaculature, The Government of Guam Department but there is currently no commercial 2 of Agriculture first constructed production. aquaculture ponds in 1973 to demonstrate pond culture techniques for Which species is several species, including catfish, eels, being produced in tilapia, freshwater prawns, carps, greatest abundance? milkfish, mangrove crabs, and oysters. Tilapia production was in greatest abundance in 1989, totalling 299,000 What types of pounds with an estimated market value plants and animals of $7 4 7 ,500.00. Til apia production will are currently being raised on Guam? probably see little expansion because the existing markets are nearly saturated. The species that are commercially However, there are possibilities for new produced at the present time include a markets to develop in the future. hybrid tilapia, two species of Asian (walking) catfish, the Thai catfish, AQUACULTURE Which species has the greatest Is there a ready market potential for expansion? for Guam's aquaculture products? There are several species that are in Yes. With imported seafood costing $7 demand, but fanners are experiencing million in 1986, there is a large volume very low production due to a lack of that can be substituted with local 3 seedstock. These include marine shrimp, aquaculture products. In addition, our freshwater prawns, milkfish, and proximity to Japan offers the potential rabbitfish. for export. Where are Guam's Where are aquaculture farms located? these products sold? The majority of fanns are located in the The majority of aquaculture products are southern portion of the island, where sold at the Harmon flea market on freshwater and suitable soil and Saturdays and Sundays and at two retail topography exist. outlets owned by aquaculturists. Other outlets include roadside truck sales in Dededo and Agat, various restaurants, the IAE Mart in Hannon, Numero Uno fish mart in Dededo, and occassionally larger retail markets. There are occassional exports to other islan4s. AQUACCUILTURE How much money is required How much land do to get started in aquaculture? I need for aquaculture? The amount of money needed to get The amount of land you will need started in aquaculture can vary from a depends on your plans. A small few hundred dollars for a small backyard backyard pond can produce up to 4 set-up to one million dollars or more for hundreds of pounds a year. An a large farm. economical commercial farm may require at least 10 acres of ponds. What kind of land is suitable for aquaculture? Where can I obtain financing for an aquaculture project? The preferred land for aquaculture is relatively flat land with soil that contains Commericalloans are available through a least 25 percent clay and is free from local banks, but the repayment period for too many rocks. A void soils that may the loan is usually too short to be have been contaminated with industrial economically feasible. Loans wastes or other contaminants. specifically for aquacuture operations are Construction and operation costs will be available. However, the Government of higher on hillside land. Guam Department of Agriculture administers agricultural development loans; while the Guam Economic AQUACCUJL1rURJE Development Authority (GEDA) has two Introduction to Aquaculture on Guam: loan programs where aquaculture Prospects, Permits and Assistance," from operations would qualify. The Small the Government of Guam Department of Business Administration (SBA) provides Commerce located on the sixth floor of loans for small operations. Specifics·can the GITC building on Marine Drive in be obtained through the local offices of Tamuning ~ 5 the agencies named. pl What are the Are there any permits require4 employment opportunities for operating aquaculture farms? in aquaculture on Guam? There are several permits needed before Some poss~p~~1 . CfP,IPloymept oppo!Wni one can start an aquaculture farm. ·The: ties are in . :H~~itions qf.hatchery .techJ;l~-. most common .qnes are for pond:con ;-·" cian·, trainio~ specialist$, -~~earche:t;, _ struction and importation of Uve animals f~ helprr~ -~?'.te'!sion ~gent,_l~oratory for stocking. Farms located neilr ·the ·', technicia~) ·fnf9rma,P.on ~pecialist, mar coast may need ·additional permits. keting mana,g~x:. f~ manager, and , Additional information on permits is others. r.,, ,. '~ . ~ in ,. contained apamphlet entilted "An :! t'.: I .. ':J ):.' ·. .' - 1 .. 4!!;. AQUACUJLTUJRE What are some requirements to work in aquaculture? University of Guam certificate can be gained through the Marine Option The qualifications range from unskilled Program (MOP) at UOG's Marine Lab. laborer to positions requiring doctoral Information on training opportunities in degrees. Most positions require an Asia or the United States is available () interest in aquaculture and an awareness through the Guam Cooperative of the needs of the farm or the industry. Extension office. Where can I learn more What goverment agencies can help me about aquaculture? get started in aquaculture? There are many institutions offering The University of Guam has several formal courses, through various components that can assist with mainland and foreign universities. Many aquaculture. The College of Agriculture certificate-training programs are also and Life Sciences can provide training, available. The University of Guam technical assistance and soil analysis offers an introductory course in tropical through the Guam Cooperative aquaculture and periodic workshops are Extension and the Guam Agricultural conducted by the University's Guam Experiment Station. The Water and Cooperative Extension (GCE). Practical Energy Research Institute (WERI) can experience in aquaculture and an official provide detailed water analysis. AQUACCUJLTUJRE The Sea-Grant Extension Service can The Guam Aquaculture Development & provide informaf;i01i on certain are.as. Training Center provides seedstock of The Marine Laboratory conducts some species for producers, conducts experiments with various aquaculture some training and can provide technical species and may be of assistance. assistance. · 7 · The United States Department of What is the future of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service aquaculture on Guam? (USDA-SCS) can provide assistance in pond construction and erosion control. Aquaculture is playing an expanding role in the economy of Guam. Increased The Department of Agriculture can assist interest in aquaculture on a national in obtaining permits and advice for level, as well as an international level, operations. The Department of gives aquaculture a bright future. The Commerce can provide assistance on establishment of five regional economic aspects. aquaculture centers with federal funds for research is evidence of governments' support of aquaculture. As world food needs continue to grow, aquaculture products will be in greate.r demand. Japanese Eel Scientific Name:AnguUlaJaponica Chamorro Name:Hasuli ·• ' 111- ·~ ,,: i:\ i.\.: ..., J.' r:· Culture Practice: Eels were ' y \• t cultured on Guam from 1979 to 1982. ' i /.) / t\ ' ~- :; Eel ponds are usually constructed with ) 4· . , ·-- . - ..· -- 'r; ·. ~ earthen bottoms and concrete walls or ·. _;o:rj ,Y(1 ~ (Y, ~J:-.· .::··. other impenetrable material, since eels 8 ~ ,;' ... (1}~ 0~ ·,' '·... : have a habit of burrowing, which can _.,.,. •' / .. I) , cause leaks. Young eels (elvers) are ' ~" . .. ". ' r' . , J;·, . io/ ~;>' ·.• imported and placed in small (900 ft2) J"'{ '•'h,';~'·¥"~t:4. : f -~ . ·. :}. ·. ·(';~~ ~:;, .. concrete ponds where they are trained to feed out of a feeding basket. They are .t~ ' fed early in the morning while it is stlll cool (approx:f.matel}r 6 a.m.). A special. Description: The Japanese eei · eel food mix is used. This powdered feed spawns in the ocean near Okinawa. is combined with water, vitamins, and They enter freshwater lakes and rivers oil, then mixed to a dough-like as elvers Uuvenile eels) in December to consistency. This food mass, up to 100 April and live there five to 10 years, at pounds, is placed into the feeding which time they migrate back to the sea baskets in each pond. A daily water to spawn and die. Adult females are exchange of 5-100Al of the pond volume much heavier than males. When they will maintain good water quality. reach 30 em in size their sex can be Dissolved oxygen levels are kept high distinguished for the first time. Eels with the use of mechanical aerators reach adult size when males are 35 em (usually a paddlewheel type). Suitable long and weigh