ICLARM CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS NO. 1 ISSN 0115-4435 Small Boat Design Edited by Johanna M.Reinhart ii, IEEE. IIIiLlAW INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Small Boat Design The Proceedings of the ICLARM Conference on Small Boat Design, Noumea, New Caledonia, October 27-28, 1975 ,-Edited by ,Johanna M. Reinhart 1@114AM INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MANILA, PHILIPPINES Small Boat Design Proceedings of the ICLARM Conference on Small Boat Design Noumea, New Caledonia, October 27-28, 1975 Edited by J. M. RE[NHART Copyright 1979 by The International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management. Manila, Philippines ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Printed in Manila, Philippines correctcitation: Reinhart, J.M., Editor. 1979. Proceedings of the ICLARM Conference on Small Boat Design. ICLARM Conference Proceedings No. 1. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management. Manila. 79 pp. ISSN 0115-4435 Preface Historically the Pacific Islander easily satisfied the developed from a nation to other areas of the world can protein requirements of his subsistence economy by fish- go wrong. Together with the South Pacific Commission ing from his outrigger canoe within the lagoons and along (SPC) in Noumea, New Caledonia, ICLARM proposed to the edges of the reefs that surrounded his island. For organize a conference that would (1) review the results centuries the traditional outrigger was eminently well- of past fishery development programs based upon intro­ suited to this task. However, after the Second World War, duced boat designs and (2)provide aforum for discussion island populations began increasing dramatically and for which the fishery officers from the countries and their island economies began to change from a sub- territories of the South Pacific could be brought together sistence to a monetary orientation. The traditional forms with naval architects and with representatives from the of fishing could no longer mce( the islands' growing marine industry. Although the SPC convenes a yearly demand for food. Although vast stocks of fish remained meeting among the region's fisheries officers, this was virtually untouched in the ocean beyond the reef, the the first conference in which members of the marine Pacific Islands became fish importers. For example, by industry were invited specifically to discuss boat and 1974 Western Samoa was importing over US$1 million engine designs applicable to the requirements of the in canned fish annually, and fish imports in Fiji account Pacific Islander. for almost 10% of all imported food products. The Conference on Small Boat Design was held in The process of change has occurred so quickly that the Noumea, New Caledonia, on October 27-28, 1975. Its traditional outrigger canoe, rather than evolving, has been goal was to develop basic guidelines and recommendations displaced. As a substitute, one western design after an- for the development of small-scale fishing craft for future other has been introduced by various national and inter- fisheries programs. Because of the diversity of opinion national development programs; and each in its time has on the requirements for an optimal small-boat design, it been touted as the answer to the requirements of small was recognized that no single design isadaptable for use fishing craft design in the Pacific. These boats were throughout the entire Pacific Basin. Boats must be designed to move fishennen in the least amount of time designed not only for specific types of fisheries and sea to previously inaccessible fishing grounds beyond the reef. conditions, but also for the technological and financial Size and speed were the design factors most often empha- capabilities of the various island groups. sized. None of these introduced hulls proved completely At its conclusion, the conference recommended the satisfactory; in fact, many were immediate and near-total design and construction of new small-scale fishing craft failures that, for the Pacific Islander, invo!ved too great a be, above all, energy-conscious. The selection of boat jump in either technology, investment cost, or work re- designs and marine engines should be based on the least quirements. input of petroleum products. In any fisheries program To the staff of the International Center for Living the propulsion system should be selected only after its Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), the history reliability and ease of maintenance are determined and of the Pacific Island fisheries development provided a the readysupply and availability of spare parts ascertained. classic example of how direct transfers of technology Consideration should be given to standardizing both the engine model and horsepower range to simplify the ment programs. This group, in conjunction with ongoing stocking of spare parts. fishery programs, would test combinations of hulls and As a component of the regional fisheries development propulsion systems applicable to the South Pacific. program, thought also should be given to forming a con­ sultative design group that could advise the Pacific Island STEPHEN RITERBUSH governments on implementing small-scale fishery develop­ Opening Remarks It is said that a significant discovery was made in boats from the native canoes. But for anumber of reasons 1973. In coastal Asia, an authority from an international there has generally been a substitution rather than an organization observed an artisanal fisherman-a single evolution; the canoe has been abandoned for avariety of man out in a canoe, fishing with a hook and line. It was plank, plywood, fiberglass, and aluminum craft, powered recognized that he could make a substantial contribution by an equal variety of propulsion systems. to the world food problem, and since then the artisanal I do not wish to criticize the small boat intioductions fisherman has received more and more attention. that have been successful in meeting tile needs of island This conference is held in recognition of the impor- people, but again, it is those schemes which have failed to tance and needs of artisanal fishermen in the Pacific meet the needs of islanders that have prompted us to Islands. Past history of the Pacific could be briefly convene this conference. summed up as follows: Exploration, Exploitation, Expa- We have therefore gathered together an impressive triation, Examination and Explanations as to why group of knowledgeable people to reassess the small-boat imported fisheries schemes have not worked, needs of Pacific Islanders in 1975; we hope to encourage We do not wish to ignore the progress made by many frank, objective discussion based on the following dedicated people working in aquatic resources in the premises: Pacific, but my experience in the past 22 years in the I. There is no one small.boat design that is the region is that the schemes which were unsuccessful are final answer to the varied needs of Pacific Island those you hear the most about. The slow, steady progress fishermen. that has been made by some people is too often over- 2. The operational terms of reference for Pacific shadowed by the "instant expert" from outside problems Island fishermen are changing with such things as and too often sails over the horizon, leaving the debris of the increased price of fuel and manufactured items, yet another unsuccessful scheme. making previously acceptable systems no longer In the area of small-boat development, the Pacific tenable. Islanders have had more than their share of entrepreneur- 3. There is a strong argument in favor of critically ial schemes. It seems time to take stock of a rapidly discussing the relative merits of various boat/pro­ changing world now reaching the most remote Pacific pulsion systems available (or being developed), and Islanders to see if there is not "a better way" for the working toward providing an optimal system for small boat fishermen in the Pacific, a way that iseconom- any given set of socio-cultural, economic, or opera­ ically and culturally compatible with the Pacific Islander's tional circumstances faced by Pacific Island life-style, fishermen. The evolution of small boats in the Pacific has taken a 4. Individuals with various points of view can contrib­ curious course. The Pacific Islanders' basis of existence ute to the best solution or solutions so that some relates directly to their superb skill as boatbuilders, sea- degree of consensus can be obtained. men, and navigators. With such a rich heritage of the sea, It is envisaged that this conference will elucidate the one might expect to see an evolution of present-day small problems facing the artisanal Pacific Island fishermen today, and that potential, viable solutions to these prob- The sponsors of this conference intend that the collec­ lems can be proposed. Too often conferences are not as tive input of the participants will result in an action pro­ effective as they might be, because they culminate in gram which will make more efficient and effective small sound proposals and resolutions which fail to be translated boats available to Pacific Islanders who need them. into effective action. G.D. F. BETHAM Contents PREFACE........................................... ......... v OPENING REMARKS .............................................. vii The Honorable G.D.F. Betham FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC * Small Boats for Pacific Islanders: A Perspective and Plan of Action.