Number 109 (April – June 2004) ISSN 0248-076X

Welcome to this issue of the Newsletter. This issue features a new mitigation technique tested by the longline industry to avoid shallow water bycatch species and improve catch rates for bigeye . The protection of endangered and threatened species is taken seriously by the Pacific Island longline , and SPC has decided to adopt a proactive approach to address this problem. SPC Activities Page 2

As usual, the practical component of the 2004 Nelson 2004 AFA/SPC Pacific Island Polytechnic Fisheries Officer Training Course was run in New Fishing Traineeship Caledonia in June and July. This year, trainees had two weeks of exposure to SPC’s fisheries programmes and projects, and four Grant Carnie Page 18 weeks of practical fishing experience. You will find more informa- tion on this course on page 3. New deep setting technique tested Jean-Paul Gaudechoux in Mooloolaba, Australia Fisheries Information Adviser Steve Beverly & Elton Robinson ([email protected]) Page 20

Regional Training Workshop in tilapia and freshwater shrimp Satya Nandlal Page 28

The F/V Blue Moves was one of the vessels used for the new deep setting fishing trials. This new technique was designed to avoid shallow water bycatch species and improve catch rates for . SPC ACTIVITIES

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SECTION Deep setting techniques for tuna longlining Fisheries Development Officer, setting technique designed to ly bigeye tuna). (See page 20 of Steve Beverly, spent two months mitigate bycatch (especially of this Newsletter for a feature in Mooloolaba, Queensland, turtles), and to enhance the article on this project and the Australia, testing a new deep catch of target species (especial- results.)

Technical assistance to Tuvalu Fisheries Development Officer, In Japan, the F/V Taivalu’s recommendations on further William Sokimi, worked in mast’s base was strengthened work to be done. These recom- Tuvalu earlier this year, assisting and the mast welded back on. mendations were sent to the the National Fisheries Corpora- Minor work was carried out on General Manager of NaFICOT. tion of Tuvalu (NaFICOT) in upgrading the generators of The survey recommended much preparing two of their tuna both vessels. The main engine work to be done, although much longline vessels for an upcom- on the F/V Papuku was stripped of it will be minor, inexpensive ing development project to catch to the engine bed and rebuilt. jobs that can be done in Tuvalu. tuna for the sashimi markets in General work was done on both To start, the timber mountings Japan and the US. As part of the vessels to improve their appear- for a gillnet cage (Fig. 2) were development strategies to capi- ance. The restoration work in removed from F/V Taivalu so talise on commercial offshore Japan lasted for a month before that the deck was clear (Fig. 3) fishing and tuna longline opera- the vessels were cleared to con- for future mounting of the tions for the sashimi markets, tinue on to Tuvalu. No improve- monofilament longline system NaFICOT accepted two second- ments or alterations were made and fishing gear. hand vessels (Fig. 1) that were to the deck layout in preparation offered by the Korean govern- for tuna longline operations. A general awareness workshop ment as aid assistance to Pacific NaFICOT management pre- on handling sashimi grade tuna Island countries. The vessels ferred to have this done in and tuna longline operations was had previously served seven Tuvalu or Fiji to match the con- conducted during the time and eleven years in Korea’s fish- figurations of the longline reel William was in Tuvalu. NaFICOT ing industry and were originally produced by Seamech in Fiji. provided four for pelagic gillnet vessels. the workshop, and William Once the vessels were in demonstrated the different steps Prior to William’s arrival, cos- Tuvalu, William conducted a in handling tuna for the sashimi metic restoration work was car- full survey of each and made market. The workshop was very ried out on the two vessels in Busan, Korea before delivery to Tuvalu. However, en route to Tuvalu, several deficiencies were discovered. The vessels were diverted to Japan in order to avoid the brunt of a storm as well as to be upgraded. The main mast of the larger vessel (F/V Taivalu, 29 m) toppled dur- ing the storm; it was found that the cause was faulty deck welds on the base plate that had rust- ed all the way round (even though the plate was securely bolted to the fibreglass deck). The smaller vessel (F/V Papuku, 24 m) developed engine trouble and had to be towed part of the way to Japan. Figure 1: The two Korean vessels provided under aid

2 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES successful and 45 fishermen par- operations, and so meetings fishing gears for the operations ticipated. The fishermen request- were organised for the next two were constructed (Fig. 4). ed more information on tuna days in which longline fishing longline fishing methods and methods were touched on and

Figure 2 (top left): Timber mounting for gillnet cage on F/V Taivalu

Figure 3 (top right): Front deck of F/V Taivalu cleared

Figure 4 (bottom right): Workshop participants constructing tuna longline gear.

Community surveys in the Cook Islands

Fisheries Development Adviser, quite difficult in cases where In addition to the community Lindsay Chapman, conducted families had moved to another surveys, Lindsay worked with the third and final community village, were on holidays away the Fisheries Department on the survey in Rarotonga and from home, or had even left the catch and effort logbooks. Each Aitutaki. The surveys were part country. On Rarotonga, 185 fisherman providing data was of the FAD research project households were located and a given an identifying number so undertaken by the section in family member from each was there would be no confusion Niue and the Cook Islands. interviewed. On Aitutaki, 208 with data from each provider. Nearly 470 households had to households were located and a This was necessary as several be located (222 on Rarotonga family member interviewed. fishermen used the same vessel and 247 on Aitutaki), which was The data will be analysed in the at different times. coming months.

Field component of the SPC/Nelson Polytechnic fisheries officers training course

Steve and William spent the merly referred to as the Practical The Field Component was month of June assisting with the Fishing Module) was held in organised by Fisheries Training SPC/Nelson Polytechnic Fish- Koumac in New Caledonia’s Specialist, Teriihauroa Luciani, eries Officers Training Course. Northern Province (see Fisheries who was assisted by William For the second time the Field Newsletters #94 and #101). Aruhane, a tutor from the Component of the course (for- Fisheries Section of the Solomon

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 3 SPC ACTIVITIES

Islands School of Marine and meals in Koumac. The work • demonstrating the correct Fisheries Studies. Ten fisheries activities in Noumea and the method of mounting and officers from nine Pacific Island scuba diving lessons were adjusting a Samoan hand reel; countries and territories were added to the Field Component included in the group: Willie as a result of recommendations • constructing bottom-fishing Kokopu from Solomon Islands, given after the SPC/Nelson grapnels, sinkers, and gaffs; Michael Forsyth from Samoa, Polytech course was reviewed Jay Jay Talagi from Niue, in 2003. • checking safety equipment Koliniasi Hafoka from Tonga, prior to fishing trips; Elia Henry from American Samoa, Steve acted as fishing master on Antoine Maloune from New F/V Dar Mad, assisting Captain • analyzing costs of running a Caledonia, Peter Momgo from Lucky Fogliani and First Mate, small-scale ; Papua New Guinea, Maika Velio Famoetau. William Sokimi Uluinakabou from Fiji, and acted as fishing master on F/V • keeping accurate records Tekamaeu Karaiti Bureita and Max, assisting Captains Bill (logbooks) of catch; Tetioma Ukenio from Kiribati. Brown and Charles Poithily. William Aruhane, who was • navigating safely to and The group came to New attached to the Field Component from the fishing grounds; Caledonia after spending five as an associate tutor, also acted months in Nelson, New Zealand as fishing master from time to • processing catch to local and at the Nelson Marlborough time. Each day, depending on export standards (Fig. 7), and Institute of Technology. Part of the weather, the two boats left the Field Component was spent Pandop Harbour in Koumac • preparing fishing gear (Fig. 8). in Noumea at SPC headquaters, with four or five trainees to working with staff members carry out fishing trials, includ- After four weeks of fishing on from the Oceanic Fisheries ing around the FAD that the two boats they understood Programme, the Reef Fisheries F/V Dar Mad deployed on the the principles of catching fish by Observatory, Aquaculture, and first day of the Field Compo- the following methods: trolling the Coastal Fisheries Manage- nent. The fisheries officers with lures, deep bottom fishing ment Section. The group spent learned new skills and added to with hand reels (Fig. 9), bottom the bulk of their time in Koumac old ones, including: longlining (Figs. 10 and 11), verti- fishing on F/V Dar Mad (Fig. 5) cal longlining, and pelagic and F/V Max (Fig. 6), and learn- • preparing the vessels for longlining. A smaller group ing how to scuba dive. The fishing trips; accompanied Stephane each day scuba instructor was Stephane for classroom diving lessons and Guilbert, who also coordinated • choosing a fishing area by for open water scuba diving. To logistics, accommodations, and inspecting local charts; earn a basic certificate in scuba diving each participant had to accomplish four dives plus attend the briefings.

Figure 5 (left): F/V Dar Mad

Figure 6 (right): F/V Max

4 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES

Fishing was not as good as it had been during the 2002 Fishing Module held in Koumac, and the weather was not great. In spite of this, the Fishing Component was very successful, and some nice fish were caught, largely because of the efforts of all involved and because Koumac is a near per- fect venue.

From top to bottom, left to right

Figure 7: Antoine learning to cut an opah for the local market Figure 8: Tetioma, Tekamaeu, and Peter preparing fishing gear at the workshop Figure 9: Tetioma, Willie, Bill Brown, Maika, and William bottom fishing on F/V Max Figure 10: Willie loading the bait rack for bottom longlining on F/V Dar Mad Figure 11: Willie, Jay Jay, and Maika preparing to haul in the bottom longline while Velio looks on

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 5 SPC ACTIVITIES

FAD research project update

The FAD research project ended (one after 28 months and the unavailability of the Public in June as the application to other after 2 months). Four of Works launch, which is needed extend this project was declined the FAD losses off Niue were to do the job properly. by New Zealand. An extension attributed to cyclone Heta. until December 2004 was grant- Several fishermen continue to ed to allow the completion of FAD maintenance has been as provide consistent catch and the community surveys, analy- regular as possible. In June, effort data for the project in sis of data, final report write-up, Lindsay accompanied the Rarotonga. In Niue, the number and the writing and publishing Fisheries Department staff on a of fishermen providing data has of a manual on FAD mooring maintenance run where FADs increased, although, fishing has designs. were checked off Rarotonga. been limited by no readily avail- One project FAD had a new able crane to lift boats in and At the end of June there were flagpole arrangement attached out of the water. It is hoped that two project FADs on station off to the buoy system (Fig. 12) the logbook system will contin- Rarotonga from 5 deployments while the other project FAD ue after the conclusion of the (one after 27 months and the could not be checked as there project; the Fisheries Departments other after 12.5 months), two were five boats tied up to it (Fig. are encouraging fishermen to project FADs off Aitutaki from 4 13), mid-water fishing with han- complete their logbooks. deployments (one after 26.5 dlines and vertical longlines. months and the other after 12.5 FAD maintenance off Niue has months), and two project FADs been difficult due to the damage off Niue from 10 deployments caused by cyclone Heta and the

Figure 12 (far left): Shallow- water FAD buoy design with new flagpole arrangement

Figure 13 (left): Boats tied up at the Matavera FAD, all mid- water fishing for tuna

TRAINING SECTION 2004 Nelson Training Course

This year's SPC/Nelson weeks of practical fishing expe- F/V Dar Mad. Articles about the Polytechnic Fisheries Officers rience (longlining, bottom fish- 2004 practical fishing module Training Course started at the ing, trolling, catch processing can be found in this issue. In New Zealand School of Fish- and marketing). Fishing opera- addition, courses on basic scuba eries on Monday 26 January. tions were run in Koumac, in training and safe diving prac- Ten trainees from nine countries the Northern Province of New tice awareness were added to attended the course. The practi- Caledonia, from 7 June to 2 July. the field component. cal fishing component was run As in recent years, this practical in New Caledonia and the top- training was coordinated by the A training attachment was ics were broad in scope and staff of SPC’s Fisheries Training organised for William Aruhane, made full use of SPC’s fisheries Section with technical and the new fishing instructor of the programmes and other institu- teaching inputs from Steve school of marine and fisheries tions in New Caledonia. Beverly and William Sokimi studies in Solomon Islands. The (SPC’s Fisheries Development purpose of the attachment was Trainees had two weeks of Section), staff from the local to familiarise the fishing exposure to SPC’s fisheries pro- fisheries department, and the instructor with small-scale fish- grammes and projects, and four captains and fishing masters of ing techniques used in the

6 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES

South Pacific. William was course. During the 24-week pro- the institutions and individuals attached to the Field Component gramme, our trainees gained involved in both the Nelson and as an associate tutor and also sound experience and skills that practical fishing modules. From acted as fishing master from they will undoubtedly pass on SPC’s point of view, Koumac time to time. to fisher-folks in their home proved to be an ideal venue for countries. the best group of trainees in The 2004 course ended on many years. Let’s hope the Friday, 9 July, in New Caledonia, The SPC Fisheries Training donor community will continue where students completed prac- Section wishes good luck to the to see the benefits of such a great tical fishing component of the 2004 students. We also thank all training course.

PROCFish/C presents its work to the Nelson students

In the first week of July, Nelson participants who are or Training course students spent will be involved in the three days working closely with design or implementa- staff from SPC’s PROCFish tion of fisheries surveys. Coastal project. Formal presen- It is likely that some par- tations on the methodology of ticipants will be counter- resource data were made in the parts of PROCFish/C’s training room, where partici- future socioeconomic pants learnt the various meth- field studies. ods and tools used to census fish, invertebrates and habitats. An introduction to rela- tional databases and Adopting an interactive database design was given by was demonstrated at Ilot approach, Mecki Kronen mod- Franck Magron, who gave practi- Canard, a small island not far erated a session of brainstorm- cal exercises using MS Access offshore from Noumea. In the ing discussions on the rationale and a module specifically devel- field, participants were split (why?), framework (what?), oped for hands-on training in into groups and taken through user group (for whom?), meth- entering, processing, and retrieval routines of surveying and ods (how?) and endpoints of of the ficticious socioeconomic recording fish, invertebrates designing, implementing and datasets. and habitats. analyzing socioeconomic fish- eries surveys. Case studies from These exercises were aimed at The Niue participant expressed the DemEcoFish and providing participants with a his excitement in being exposed PROCFish/C socioeconomic better understanding of how to field survey techniques, fisheries manual project were databases are structured and emphasizing the importance of used to demonstrate the need to why, and how they can be used being skilled in hands-on tech- determine minimum data set conjointly with spreadsheets for niques, when help is sought required and the most efficient data analysis. from Fisheries Officers to devise methodological approach. Each or assist in survey work. participant was provided with a A final session was devoted to Samasoni Sauni and Pierre ficticious data-set in socioeco- using MapInfo to display and Boblin helped with the demon- nomic fisheries questionnaire query data. strations for finfish census, while survey format. Kim Friedman worked on inver- A hands-on training exercise on tebrate training. The socioeconomic session was survey techniques used to cen- particularly appreciated by those sus finfish and invertebrates

In brief • With funding assistance from agement training in the programme in Papua New the Commonwealth Secre- Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Guinea. The training pro- tariat, the section is under- This follows the successful gramme consists of two taking a needs assessment introduction of the Start and courses focussing on busi- for the implementation of Improve Your Fisheries ness awareness, planning business planning and man- Business (SIYFB) training and management. Using the

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 7 SPC ACTIVITIES

ILO Global SIYB programme use the materials as part of • As a follow up to recent small training materials, indige- their training and at-sea vessel safety initiatives, the nous knowledge of PNG activities. Those interested in section is facilitating a session coastal fishing communities the above materials should on this issue at the Heads of as well as technical and contact Training Section staff. Fisheries meeting (30 August socioeconomic information – 03 September). The desired on PNG’s fisheries sector, the • The Section is facilitating a output of the session is an SIYFB programme was joint- series of individual training indication of support for a ly developed by the National attachments. A number of possible FAO/SPC small ves- Fisheries College (NFC) and fishing vessel engineers and sel safety project, and the the small Business Develop- skippers from Nauru and the identification of national ment Corporation (SBDC) of Solomon Islands will soon sit commitment and likely driv- Papua New Guinea, and for mandatory certificates in ers. More on sea safety in the delivered to a total of 183 Fiji (Nauru) and Honiara. next issue! trainees in seven coastal Limited funds are still avail- provinces. The overall inten- able from the section should • Section staff recently assisted tion of the current project is a company or a fisheries the Vanuatu Maritime Col- to give detailed considera- administration wish to train lege (VMC) in developing its tion to the possible applica- one of their staff locally or website. In the initial phase of tion of the PNG training overseas. The section will this project, website design model to the Solomon Islands facilitate the attachment on a was discussed and agreed on. and Vanuatu in a joint initia- cost-sharing basis, provided Then, using the information tive between the Common- the desired training is identi- and pictures provided by wealth Secretariat, SPC and fied as a priority. VMC, the website was built NFC. More on this project in up. Currently, and until the the next issue. • Niue Fisheries has recently college finds a local host serv- approached the Training er, the website is accessible • The “turtle-friendly fishing Section to receive assistance via the SPC homepage: boat” stickers have been in setting up a competent printed and widely distrib- authority aimed at monitor- http://www.spc.int/coastfish/ uted in the region. Available ing the quality and export of Sections/training/institutions/ in both English and French, local . The first VMC/index.htm) the stickers are the Training major opera- Section’s latest addition to its tion on the island will start Other fisheries training insti- awareness campaign on the its operations soon, making tutions wishing to receive bycatch issue in tuna longlin- the development of a compe- assistance in the area of web- ing. The resource materials tent authority a priority. site development should now include guidelines for contact section staff. safely releasing hooked tur- tles (available as a poster, a sticker, or a laminated card), the marine turtles identifica- tion cards, and the recently released manual on protect- ed marine species. The next item will be identifica- tion cards, which should be printed and distributed by the end of 2004. It is now up to the national training insti- tutions to introduce a mod- ule on “protected marine species” into their courses for local fishermen. In addition, fisheries administrations have a key role to play in dis- seminating SPC awareness materials to their . Last, but not least, observer programmes can

8 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES

AQUACULTURE SECTION 15th NACA Governing Council Meeting

SPC’s Aquaculture Adviser, Ben institutional support by govern- Although the scale of aquaculture Ponia, participated in the Aqua- ment to the private sector is in the Pacific is miniscule com- culture Development Seminar lacking. The marketing chain in pared with Asia (the farm gate and 15th Governing Council the industry between supplier value of prawns alone is worth meeting for the Network of and consumer is evolving with USD7 billion dollars), the region Aquaculture Centres Asia- fewer middleman and a dynam- has a relatively diverse sector. Pacific (NACA) held in Sri ic demand-supply process. With Lanka from 20-25 April 2004. advances in fish breeding tech- The main objective of the nology, a highly priced market Governing Council meeting The aquaculture seminar was for colourful and unusual was to review NACA activities largely focussed on Sri Lanka species is building momentum, for 2004 and approve the work with lessons applicable to the and some of the freshwater plan for 2004-2005. NACA con- Asia-Pacific region. species in the Pacific, particular- tinues to build on its strong pro- ly Melanesia, could be candi- gramme of poverty alleviation, A major topic of the seminar dates for export. The major mar- in particular through the Support was reviving the local Sri ket is the EU followed by the To Regional Aquatic Resources Lankan prawn industry, which US, Japan, and eastern Euro- Management (STREAM) project. is struggling to cope with dis- pean countries that recently The animal health programme, eases and mismanagement joined the EU, and which vie for dealing with disease and move- practices. Subsequent speakers opportunities to supply major ments of stocks, will continue to from countries such as India markets in countries such as be of importance and relevance and Vietnam presented case France and Germany. The to the Pacific region. The newly studies that proved rural and Pacific needs to stay abreast of revamped NACA website poor farmers made profits these developments. http://www.enaca.org has a when they applied simple best vast collection of freely avail- management practices. These One of the initiatives presented to able information materials and same principles are applicable the Governing Council meeting a discussion bulletin for raising to the Pacific. was a status report on aquacul- queries. There will be a slight ture in the Asia-Pacific region. refocussing of the organisation The ornamental trade is a sub- The document, “Emerging to address aquaculture market- stantial export earner in Sri Trends and Experiences in Asia- ing support, a timely and wise Lanka. But as is the case in Pacific: 2003” has a chapter on the move. many Asia-Pacific countries, Pacific written by SPC staff.

Fiji aquaculture study tour

In June 2004, SPC organised a SPC/USP Tilapia and vast experience in tilapia aqua- study tour of Fiji’s aquaculture Freshwater Shrimp culture and genetics, gave a lec- sector for Mr Barney Smith Aquaculture Training ture, outlining why a brood- (ACIAR), Dr Yves Harache Workshop stock maintenance programme (IFREMER) and Dr Gupta was necessary for ensuring that Mogadushu (WorldFish Center). Upon arrival in Fiji, participants best genetic stocks are propa- Also present were Mr Filomone gathered at Nanduruloulou gated. His talk laid the seeds for Mate, senior officer with the Aquaculture Research Station. the concept of Nanduruloulou Ministry of Fisheries and Nanduruloulou staff hosted a Station serving as a central Forestry, and SPC staff members farewell function for the region- broostock facility for Fiji and Ben Ponia and Satya Nandlal. al trainees of the aquaculture possibly the Pacific region. In training workshop, who were the final session, participants completing their last day of sta- formed a panel to comment on tion work. the presentations of workshop participants who were outlin- The next day included the final ing their future research projects lectures for the regional training and to assess future priorities workshop. Dr Gupta, who has for development.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 9 SPC ACTIVITIES

Public Seminar on Gulf Seafoods, Navua: This is a Montfort Boys Town Technical Aquaculture, USP lecture relatively new operation that is College, Suva: Montfort College room farming L. stylirostris prawns. is probably one of the best model The farm has four large circular demonstrations for integrated A public seminar on aquacul- ponds, lined, each about 0.3 ha. aquaculture in the Pacific. The ture was organised by the Min- In addition, there are 10 race- fish ponds have integrated a istry of Agriculture, Fisheries ways in a greenhouse, each with variety of livestock and crops, and Forestry (MAFF), USP and a 10 tonne capacity. Another 25 including duck, cattle, sheep SPC at the USP campus. The growout ponds, 0.8 ha each, and and taro. The Genetically main speakers were Dr Gupta a hatchery are under construc- Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) on tilapia aquaculture in Asia, tion. The farm is serviced by a tilapia are the main species and Dr Yves Harache on the rap- sophisticated aeration and farmed, and ponds were fully idly expanding prawn industry water delivery system. Post lar- stocked during the practical ses- in New Caledonia. Other pre- vae are being provided from a sions of the SPC/USP training senters included Ben Ponia hatchery in Brunei. An import workshop. The USP Institute of (SPC), who gave an overview of risk analysis for the introduc- Marine Resources had also been aquaculture in the Pacific, and tion of post larvae has been allocated several ponds to rear Satya Nandlal (SPC), who gave commissioned by SPC for the Macrobrachium shrimp. a presentation on freshwater Fiji government. Despite some shrimp farming. Dr Tim Pickering initial problems, the farm has Time was running short, but a reviewed aquaculture activities had a relatively successful first quick visit was made to a vil- at USP, and Professor Leon harvest, yielding 7.5 mt/ha and lage (Mataqali) farm. The village Zann gave an introductory lec- 5 mt/ha from two of the har- ponds were raising high valued ture. About 100 persons attend- vested ponds. Farm owner Peter Macrobrachium rosenbergii shrimp. ed the seminar, and despite the Blake hopes to tap into an export The enterprise had been able to late finish (9:30 pm), most were market in the Middle East. recuperate the funds borrowed present at a cocktail reception for construction and start-up afterwards. Government prawn hatchery, quite quickly. However the Galoa: The Galoa hatchery is long-term sustainability of the The next morning, there were spawning local P. monodon operation will require the vil- visits to municipical markets to stocks. The hatchery is well lage to work out a profit-shar- look at the diverse variety of equipped with pond and hatch- ing system that will equally fish (both wild caught and ery infrastructure. However, at benefit the farmers putting in farmed) sold in Fiji. the time of the visit, it was fac- the work, and various stake- ing difficulties with holders with ownership (such Suva collection and maturation and as landowners). an unusually early spawning Navua Prawns, Navua: The season resulted in no post lar- Navua prawn farm has four vae being produced. earthen ponds, about 0.8 ha each. According to owner Jim Tilbury, the farm has mostly concentrated on Penaeus mon- odon. The farm has produced up to 7 mt/ha. The domestic demand for product had been quite good, however, freak flooding had ruined the crop and the business was now look- ing at refinancing to recuperate the financial losses incurred. In the past, the post larvae for the farm had been supplied by a hatchery in Australia, but now Jim was waiting on the fisheries hatchery in Galoa to provide seed stock.

Prawn growout ponds at Gulf farm in Navua

10 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES

As a follow up from the training workshop an agreement had been reached for Fisheries extension officers on Savusavu to work at the college and revive the tilapia hatchery. This hatchery will be a distribution point for farmers in the locality. Some of the college ponds had been dug too deep and could not be fully drained, which caused a problem because there was variation in fish sizes and uncontrolled breeding. A possi- ble solution is to conduct mono- sex culture. Institutions such as Montfort could benefit from a simple booklet tar- geting school level children.

Marine Finfish Aquaculture, Savusavu: The concept of farming marine finfish is no longer a nov- Integrated aquaculture-agriculture at Montfort Boys Town elty in the Pacific. The operation Nanduruloulou Aquaculture for entirely from his tilapia on Savusavu was set up by Chris Research Station: A tour of the sales. O’Keefe who recently moved aquaculture facilities at from Australia where he farmed Nanduruloulou was made to fol- The next day participants flew barramundi and mangrove jack. low up on the training workshop to Savusavu on Vanua Levu A series of circular fibreglass recommendations. The feed mill island where some interesting tanks are used for rearing and equipment was inspected for developments are underway. conditioning broodstock. A - the possibility of instigating ping container has been refur- some feed formulation research, Savusavu bished as an algal laboratory. The in conjunction with Papua New mass algal culture is conducted Guinea. Potential siting of quar- Montfort Boys College, Savusavu: outdoors using bag culture. The antine facilities was reviewed, The Montfort College in Savu- farm intends to focus farming which will be essential if savu has a large number of mainly on local mangrove jack Nanduruloulou Station is to ponds set up for fish farming. (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) but introduce new genetic lines of shrimp or tilapia. Following the training workshop, staff had restocked the ponds with new tilapia fingerlings and Macrobrachium. Nanduruloulou Station has excellent facilities for freshwater aquaculture research and training and has the potential to be a regional centre of excellence.

A visit was also paid to Abdul Sadat who is one of the success stories from assistance provided by Nanduruloulou Station. Sadat is a tilapia farmer who experi- mented with stocking densities and was now harvesting up to 7 mt/ha of fish from his ponds. He had just finished building a Mangrove jack broodstock large house that had been paid at Marine Finfish Aquaculture, Savusavu

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 11 SPC ACTIVITIES will also raise some coral trout. becoming involved in spat sup- sizes and high lustre. There was The large fish broodstock held ply. The government station some variation in colour in the in captivity appear well condi- currently has three trainee farm- darker tones, which is typical tioned and have already pro- ers who were on six-month pearls from eastern Polynesia duced several successful attachments, getting practical (French Polynesia and Cook spawnings. According to Chris, experience in farming. Using Islands). The layout of the pearl the Savusavu location offers an the recently developed pearl farm and seeding shed was well abundance of fish broodstock, farming economic modelling designed and good farming good sites for offshore cage cul- software, we reviewed various practices were evident. Particu- ture and a great lifestyle. His options for pearl farming in Fiji. lar effort was being made to intention is to export his prod- We concluded that it was proba- share the farm benefits with the uct for the Asian bly not financially viable for neighbouring community and and some of the excess freight small pearl farms to operate, villages. For instance, company space could be supplemented and we noted the need to con- dividends are put towards a vil- by wild caught fish. centrate on niche inputs (i.e. lage education scholarship fund. spat collection, juvenile growout The farm provides employment Savusavu Fisheries Department, or farm maintenance). opportunities, and women in pearl project: SPC Aquaculture particular are involved in spat staff met with Mr Tevita J. Hunter Pearls farm, Savusavu collection activities. Considerable Taumaipeau, the head of the Bay: This is the largest black progress has been made since government pearl farm. pearl farm in Fiji; it seeded the farm began four years ago, According to Tevita, there is still 35,000 oysters in February 2004. and a hatchery to accommodate considerable interest in pearl Justin Hunter displayed some further expansion is being con- farming, and the recent spat col- of the pearls from recent har- sidered. Attention is also being lection data indicate an oppor- vests. On display was an paid to marketing, with the tunity for further expansion and impressive line of high quality development of a website the possibility of villages of pearls of regular shapes, large (www.pearlsfiji.com), glossy brochures, and onsite value- added jewellery setting. In Fiji, J. Hunter pearls are being exclu- sively marketed through the Prouds department store chain, and recent travellers through Nadi airport may have noticed the pearl booth on display.

After the return to Suva, meet- ings were held to discuss fol- low-up projects.

Outcomes

From the study tour it was evi- dent that the freshwater pond aquaculture sector was lacking a strategic direction and good statistics for planning. Subse- quently, the CEO for MAFF requested SPC and ACIAR to assist in a pond census and the development of a strategic plan. These outputs will enable gov- ernment to consolidate its recent pond construction activi- ties and ensure that a proper

Blacklip pearl oysters being farmed at J. Hunter Pearls farm in Savusavu.

12 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES allocation of resources is made Follow-up meetings were also Embassy in Suva agreed to fund for the future expansion of the held with the USP Institute of a scheme whereby French industry. The pond census and Marine Resources and there are researchers from IFREMER sta- strategic plan was completed by a number of ongoing projects tion in New Caledonia will mid August in time for budget that will help strengthen cooper- deliver an annual lecture on an considerations. ation and sharing of information aquaculture topic at USP. in the region. One positive out- come was that the French

Fiji’s own cultured black pearls from the J. Hunter Pearls farm

Feasibility study on the potential for farming Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Papua New Guinea

Under the auspices of Secretariat duction at Goroka, Aiyura Station, Yonki Fisheries Station, of the Pacific Community (SPC), Fisheries Station, Yonki Fish- Arap and East New Britain. a feasibility study on the poten- eries Station, Arap and East tial for farming giant freshwater New Britain so that SPC could Physical parameters such as prawns (Macrobrachium rosen- learn about the problems expe- temperature, water quality and bergii) in Western Province (WP), rienced, and therefore be in line quantity, topography, and soil Papua New Guinea (PNG) was with the regional training for type indicated that conditions undertaken by SPC’s Aquacul- the extension officers in aqua- are suitable for subsistence and ture Officer in February and culture held on 10 May 2004 in semi-commercial level prawn March 2004. Additional objec- Suva, Fiji. production. The abundance of tives of the study were to sug- land, labour and resources gives gest the feasibility of completely A series of findings and recom- Tabubil and the Middle Fly domesticating the Fly River mendations is compiled on the Region some advantage in strain of M. rosenbergii for aqua- basis of my field visits and from prawn production compared culture and to assess the suit- the interactions with the vil- with other regions of PNG. ability of pre-selected sites for lagers in Middle Fly River, Obo However, a lack of aquaculture hatchery establishment and Fishing Company staff, fisher tradition, and technical expert- farming in the Middle Fly River persons, the National Fisheries ise, data on prawn and fish mar- area. The study was extended Authority (NFA), Ok Tedi kets, and a lack of adequate cap- for a week to observe fish farm- Mining Limited (OTML) staff, ital and pond input resources ing practices and fingerling pro- and others at Aiyura Fisheries are critical impediments for

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 13 SPC ACTIVITIES development in WP. It is essen- ity and volume of (any com- demonstrated and villagers/ tial to have at least a general modity) are issues that need to farmers/investors have alterna- knowledge of WP in order to be dealt with. In order to attract tive possibilities of investment understand and formulate funding to promote investment that may offer greater returns. workable solutions to some of in prawn culture, NFA, OTML, the current problems. The and sponsoring agencies of this There are no prawn farms in report, therefore, incorporates consultancy will have to pro- operation and as such, the references to the general geog- vide all possible incentives, par- report does not include aspects raphy of the area in order to ticularly since it is a new con- of prawn farming because it place climate and fisheries in cept. The type of incentives may does not exist. However, a sum- the proper context. include those that entice vil- mary on prawn growout and lagers to include prawn and other detailed aspects will be The starting point for any other fish farming (e.g. barra- appended in the technical attempt at aquaculture develop- mundi, tilapia, and local species report series that will be pre- ment in WP must be the recog- such as Sooty grunter). There are pared in addition to this report. nition of certain elements dis- a number of problems that NFA The contents of this report may tinctive to the area. WP is the and OTML may face and these only serve as a general guidline biggest province in PNG with a are referred in various sections and should be taken as sugges- relatively large land area, river of this report. To facilitate the tions or observations intended systems, and a small popula- development of prawn culture, to assist those interested in tion. Only a very small per cent NFA and OTML are urged to cre- identifying their own criteria (possibly 0.5% or less) of the ate a general “climate” favourable and options for actions, as well total cultivable land is presently to the development of either as partners for collaboration, in farmed. Transportation is a small - or medium - scale prawn support of prawn culture devel- major constraint to marketing farms. This is needed since the opment in WP. and, thus, increasing productiv- profitability has never been

Driti Women’s Tilapia Project (Bua, Fiji Islands)

Satya Nandlal, SPC’s Aquacul- Progress and principal improvements to the water ture Officer, visited the Driti accomplishments supply for the ponds. The Women’s Tilapia Project with farm has been maintained Filimone Mate, Principal Objective 1. Enhance food very well, it looks clean and Aquaculture Officer, and Maleli security for the village the lower portion of the farm Dawai, Fisheries Extension fenced to keep out animals. Officer, Ministry of Fisheries Driti Women have: Tilapia fry production, stock- and Forests, Bua, as part of the ing, harvesting and sales are Fiji Aquaculture Census Survey • served as a good role model now being carried out rou- for the Fisheries Department. in producing tilapia fish and tinely by members of the prawns for their village. They group; Following on from an article that have played their part in appeared in Fisheries Newsletter repairing the inlets and out- • made the best possible use of #107 (October /December 2003), lets of all ponds including the funding support from below is a brief account of the farm and progress Pond details Pond 1 Pond 2 Pond 3 Pond 4 Pond 5 Pond 6 made to date. Length(m) 26 23 24 17 15 37 The farm was Width (m) 14 20 14 13 12 9 improved through Area (m2) 364 460 336 221 180 333 assistance from Water depth–inlet 50 - 50 55 50 40 SPC, USP and the side (cm)* Fiji Fisheries Water depth–outlet 80 - 75 60 60 80 Department and side (cm)* now consists of six Inlet size (mm) 75 50 50 50 50 50 ponds. Outlet size (mm) 100 100 75 100 100 100

* Water depth taken on 24 June at 12.55 pm; pond 2 was harvested and thus empty on this day

14 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES

SPC for the improvement • provided the Fisheries availability of a consistent and management of the proj- Department with informa- product at all times. ect; tion relevant to the group’s efforts to develop cost of • The group is requesting the • assisted in making aware- production budgets and development of educational ness of the benefits of eating expected revenues for the materials from SPC, USP and fish or having fish in their production of table-sized the Fisheries Department, diets to their nearby villages; tilapia and prawns. They do including feeding charts for and not like to raise fish to four individual ponds and inte- months as recommended, grated farming systems, and • assisted with the planning, but instead, prefer to allow pictures of all local fish and promotion and implementa- the fish to reach table-size, crustaceans in the nearby tion of tilapia dishes for sales which allows each family river. and during various meetings member to have one whole and workshops in nearby fish during meals; and • Access to inorganic fertilizer villages. to enhance pond production • demonstrated that the (with assistance with from Objective 2. Provide a source demand for tilapia and the Fisheries Department). of cash income through fish prawns in nearby villages sales and fry sales cannot be met by existing • Have requested for assis- ponds alone. The project was tance for a workshop specifi- Driti women have: designed to meet needs of cally on record keeping and Driti village and is serving development of their busi- • made a gross sales of tilapia that purpose. ness skills. and prawns close to FJD 6947 since October 2003 (see table Objective 3: Provide a source • The group wishes to access below for details); of tilapia fry for their farm information and assistance and other farms in Bua. from Fisheries Department • purchased a total of 4200 on live tilapia sales in Bua. shares in Unit Trust of Fiji at Thus far, the project has pro- They need assistance to $0.57 per unit amounting to duced fry and stocked all ponds, identify resources required FJD 2394; and have supplied excess tilapia and training to implement fry to stock the Driti Creek. this exercise. This would • purchased a brush cutter by allow members to market contributing one-third (FJD Future plans include: tilapia and prawns directly 216) of the total costs to nearby villages, at least on towards the total cost of FJD • The completion of cement a small-scale, and thus pro- 650 to Bua District Adminis- tanks construction for hold- mote the consumption and tration; ing fish before sales. farming of tilapia in other Supplies of tilapia need to be villages as well. They would • paid in advance a total FJD of the highest quality and also be able to meet the 750 for feed to Crest Feed available on a continuous needs of fingerlings from the Mill Limited. The feed will basis in order to have a com- current production from be delivered or taken to the petitive advantage to tinned their ponds for other ponds village as when the need fish and other sources of in the area. arises; meat in the village. SPC urges members to purge fish • The present set of records for • cash in hand of over FJD in order to remove “off” fla- , harvest and 1000; vors of tilapia to ensure a sales, including financial standard quality and the records needs improvement.

Pond No. No. fish Stocking Rearing No. fish Average wt. Total wt. Total Feed cost Gross Food stocked Density days harvest (g) (kg) income FJD FJD profit Conversions (fish/m2)

1 1,600 24/4/04 1,450 (91%) 149 216 648 2 2,000 24/4/04 1,331 (67%) 149 197.8 593.4 3 prawns 1,000 901 27 24.8 248 4* 1119 5 112 1107 (98.9%) 183.7 203.4 704.3 288.5 415.8 1.89:1 2* 2,150 8 102 2,010 (93%) 135.5 272.4 953.4 362 590.6 2.1:1 1* 2,100 8 112 2008 (95.6%) 123.8 248.7 870.45 362.8 507.65 2.3:1 3* 1,980 1,708 229.1 801.85

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 15 SPC ACTIVITIES

The group would like a workshop to train members on record-keeping as well as business aspects of tilapia farming.

• The Driti Women’s Tilapia Project is the only active proj- ect in Bua. The group wants other women’s groups to be established or activated in the province, such as the Banikea Women’s Tilapia Project. Project impacts

• The results achieved to date provide strong evidence that village women can raise tilapia and market them effi- ciently, even in a distant rural setting. It is recom- mended that similar types of projects be revived or formed in other districts.

• Driti villagers are eating tilapia fish raised in their ponds. They are not relying on other protein sources, such as tinned fish or beef from the village stores.

• Several government depart- ments are now a taking a keen interest in the success of the project. Several gov- ernment ministers, including Fiji’s cabinet, have visited the project.

SPC, USP, Fiji’s Fisheries Department, and the Ministry of Women have developed and promoted the Driti Women’s Tilapia Project through an

Top: Four of the six ponds with village in the background

Middle: Newly-built cement tanks (funding from Fiji Government) for multiple use” purging the fish before sales, holding broodstock, fingerlings for sale, etc .

Bottom: Water catchment dam

16 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 SPC ACTIVITIES organised training programme welfare of a village. There is to accept them as legitimate in October 2003. This resulted in today, an acknowledgment that contributors to village welfare. increased public awareness of most Driti women are working During the short visit, women successful tilapia farming, and at the fish farm directly and identified their strengths. They the potential for tilapia/prawn they are interested in sharing have the ability to manage and aquaculture as a viable agricul- their experiences and learning listen to their families and com- tural enterprise in the district. more about the economics of munities and understand their Furthermore, successful tech- fish farming. The Fisheries needs. They are confident nology transfer to enhance cur- Department is urged to contin- organisers of village activities, rent and future production ue their assistance to this group. and have courage and a sense of methodologies for tilapia and reality. They also take pride in prawn will depend on regular Another trend in the village is a the fish farm because they know hands-on training, follow-up renewed interest in women hav- that the income from the farm field visits, and improved lines ing more control over village could assist them in providing of communication between gov- activities. Fijian women have resources for various church ernment fisheries officers and traditionally been very commu- and village activities. The group members. nity-minded and they are now women have learned the hard using their energies and skills to way how to work together for The village visit offered an look at survival strategies for their village, and are beginning opportunity to analyse the con- their village. This will give them to express their views more and tribution of women to village more control in running village more forcefully. Despite mem- income generation through businesses. In Bua, where there bers having to manage the fish tilapia farming, and to explore are plenty of resources (land and farm on a weekly basis, it has ways to raise the visibility of water for agriculture), there become an important economic women in aquaculture. would be year round work for activity that the village is very Traditionally, Driti women have everyone, and women could proud of. The money generated worked mostly in subsistence provide for their families in a from the farm is spent very care- vegetable gardens and taking meaningful way as they have fully. This is the first time a care of household activities, but been doing for ages. group involved in tilapia farm- it is important to note that ing has purchased shares as part women can contribute in differ- There is a need to acknowledge of its investment plan. ent ways to the survival and the contribution of women and

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 17 a Sunday at Adelaide’s famous 2004 AFA/SPC PACIFIC ISLAND AAMI Stadium. Trainees were told that the chief executive of FISHING TRAINEESHIP AFA was a “one-eyed” Power supporter, so any cheering for Collingwood would be severely Funding originally allocated for frowned upon and the rules of the deferred 2003 SPC Fisheries Grant Carnie the game explained! The end Officer’s programme has been Australian Fishery result was that the Power won, freed up, thus enabling the Academy the chief executive was ecstatic, Australian Fisheries Academy and the trainees surely went (AFA) to run a third AFA/SPC away knowing that Aussie Rules Traineeship for promising unexpected events and they all is a far superior game to rugby! young fishers from Pacific soon happily moved into their Island nations. The format was Adelaide accommodation at the The programme moved to the the same as the first two success- nearby Fort Largs Police Port Lincoln campus at the ful programmes, though slightly Academy. There was an induc- beginning of May, taking the shorter and with two less tion on the first day to allow the trainees by road to their new trainees because of the reduction trainees to settle in, get used to home so they could see some of in funds. The participants for the Australian winter weather the South Australian scenery and the third programme came from and be briefed on the pro- the beginning of the outback, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, gramme for the coming eight which is such a contrast to their Tuvalu, and, for the first time, weeks. The scheduled two own tropical islands. They were the Cook Islands. Contrary to weeks of training at the Port again accommodated on the the first two programmes in Adelaide campus began as waterfront in the marina com- which industry sector represen- usual with Sea Safety and plex, where they were able to tation was diversified, the 2004 Senior First Aid training to pre- watch at close quarters the move- trainees were all from longline pare the trainees for their sea- ments of the local . fisheries, reflecting the domi- going work experience. The rest AFA and SPC believe this inter- nance of that fishing methodolo- of the time was spent develop- action with Australia’s largest gy in domestic Pacific Island ing navigational skills using the and most diverse fishing fleet is a commercial fisheries. Academy’s wheelhouse simula- vital part of the traineeship pro- tor. AFA staff set the trainees gramme and allows the trainees The first trainee to arrive was various simulated voyages to be right in the middle of some Marakia Karakaua from Kiribati around the islands of Port of the busiest and most success- who, although AFA staff didn’t Lincoln and let them test their ful fisheries in the country. know it, had been placed on an skills in preparing, undertaking earlier flight in Brisbane and so and navigating a trip safely. The Port Lincoln part of the pro- arrived in Adelaide four hours gramme began with a look at ahead of schedule. After some Each programme has included a local fishing vessels, processing initial panic when he wasn’t at visit to a sporting event while in factories and aquaculture farms. the airport at the expected time, Adelaide and now that the foot- The advantage of Port Lincoln and thoughts of a lost Pacific ball season was underway it as a magnificent seafood indus- Islander somewhere in seemed a good idea to introduce try training centre was again Adelaide, a city far bigger than the trainees to the wonderful highlighted, with trainees able anything he would have previ- game of Australian Rules foot- to see at first hand a broad spec- ously experienced, staff were ball. They were lucky, because trum of fishing, aquaculture able to track him down and dis- what was promising to be one of and seafood processing meth- cover he had been “rescued” by the games of the season, Port ods. This two-week section of a family with connections to the Adelaide versus Collingwood (a the programme consisted of Gilbert Islands and was enjoy- team from Melbourne), was to training in vessel handling, fish- ing a family barbecue in the be played while they were in ing techniques, electronic fish Adelaide Hills! The family Adelaide. Collingwood had sur- finding, seafood handling and adopted Marakia during his prisingly knocked Port Adelaide fisheries management including stay in Adelaide and showed (known as “the Power”) out of environmental issues, now such him some wonderful South the 2003 finals and went on to a critical aspect of all fisheries- Australian hospitality. lose the grand finalists to the related training. AFA staff were Brisbane Lions, so emotions able to use the newly developed Thankfully the rest of the were sure to be high. Seats were SPC training resources for pro- trainees arrived without any secured for the match, played on tected marine species as part of

18 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 2004 AFA/SPC PACIFIC ISLAND FISHING TRAINEESHIP

work experience. The longline fleet here work very much to moon phases so the programme was timed so that the trainees arrived in Mooloolaba just before the fleet put to sea again. Rusty Strickland, who had been working in Papua New Guinea for four years on the AusAID- funded National Fish- eries College Strength- ening Project, was now based near Mooloolaba and joined the AFA team as mentor and liaison person for the trainees while they undertook their work experience.

The third traineeship has again been a great success with trainees doing well in their training at the AFA campuses and so fur- ther developing their Top left: Trainees Marakia Karakaua (Kiribati), “Pa” Pokina (Cook skills as commercial Islands), Simon Salesa (Tuvalu), Kepera Ovau (PNG) and Tara Une fishers. The experience (Cook Islands) relaxing on board the Australian Fisheries Academy they gained through training vessel, MV Tucana. working in the Aus- tralian fishing industry Top right: Kepera Ovau (PNG) plotting a course aboard the Australian and seeing first-hand Fisheries Academy training vessel, MV Tucana. how Australian vessels operate will be of great Bottom left: Tara Une (Cook Islands) at the helm of the Australian benefit to the fishing Fisheries Academy training vessel, MV Tucana. industry in their own countries. As with the Bottom right: Simon Salesa (Tuvalu) and Marakia Karakaua (Kiribati) first two groups of on board their host longliner in Mooloolaba before departing for trainees, they were seagoing work experience. enthusiastic and com- mitted, and they the programme and reported Island Fisher’s certificate as demonstrated a great desire to very favourably on the profes- well as Sea Safety, First Aid and learn new skills. The feedback sionalism, relevance and useful- Navigation Workshop certifi- from the host employers in ness of the material. cates of completion. Mooloolaba was excellent, and they repeated the thoughts of A graduation barbecue for the The trainees were then ready to AFA staff that the trainees repre- trainees was held on the board- join their Australian fishing ves- sented their countries admirably, walk at the Marina Hotel on 20 sels which, as always, are selected applied themselves well to their May, where the graduates cele- to represent a similar fishery to tasks and would be welcome brated the end of the campus- the one they fish in at home. back at any time. based component of the 2004 Because all the trainees this time programme with AFA staff and worked in longline fisheries, local fishers, and were present- Mooloolaba on Queensland’s east ed with an AFA/SPC Pacific coast was the chosen port for

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 19 on each boat. All bugs were NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE worked out of the setting tech- nique on F/V Blue Moves so that TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, data could be collected on the trip on F/V Diamax. Tempera- AUSTRALIA ture and depth recorders, or TDRs, were used on all project baskets and on some normal A new technique for setting baskets for comparison. tuna and longlines Steve Beverly, that was designed to avoid shal- Fisheries Development Background low water bycatch species and Officer, SPC improve catch rates for bigeye & Elton Robinson, Pelagic longlining targets tuna tuna has been tested. SPC’s SeaNet and billfish species but also Fisheries Development Officer, catches other species that may Steve Beverly, with the help of tee – Initiated Research Fund. or may not be marketable. the Australian Fisheries Manage- SeaNet provided logistical sup- Target species include bigeye ment Authority (AFMA), SeaNet port and liaison with local oper- tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin (www.oceanwatch.org.au), and ators. Two trips were made, one tuna (T. albacares), tuna two longline fishing companies operating out of Mooloolaba in Queensland, Australia, were behind the experiment.

The objectives of the project – which took place during March, April, and May 2004 – were to perfect the new deep setting technique so that it could be duplicated by any longline boat, and to test it alongside normal setting practices to see if catch rates changed. To be feasible, the new technique had to either improve or not change catch rates for the main target species, bigeye tuna and broadbill swordfish.

The vessels used for the fishing trials were Southern Moves’ vessel, F/V Blue Moves (Fig. 1), and Cafferel Tuna’s vessel, F/V Diamax (Fig. 2). The project could not have been completed without the generous support of the fishing fleet. F/V Blue Moves and F/V Diamax are part of the Mooloolaba fleet that fishes in Australia’s Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, which is man- aged by AFMA. AFMA provid- ed funding for the project under their Eastern Tuna and Billfish Management Advising Commit-

Figure 1 (top): F/V Blue Moves Figure 2 (bottom): F/V Diamax

20 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA

(T. alulunga), broadbill sword- stated that incidental catches of near surface waters to depths fish (Xiphias gladius), and striped sea turtles in the longline fishery down to 400 and 500 m, depend- marlin (Tetrapterus audax). There occur when turtles encounter ing on target species. Even deep- are two groups of non-target baited hooks or when they get set lines, however, have a high species caught by longliners: entangled in mainlines or float- percentage of their hooks – the byproduct and bycatch. Byprod- lines. When mortality occurs it is ones nearest the floats – fishing uct species include those that are typically due to drowning. If tur- in shallow water. Since the not targeted but are retained tles are hauled just after getting 1970s, longline fishing has because they have commercial hooked or entangled they usual- evolved, and much more has value. These include species ly survive. Observer reports been learned about the vertical such as mahi mahi, or show that tropical areas have distribution of main target fish (Coryphaena hippurus), more turtle encounters and that species, relationships of catches (Acanthocybium solandri), opah, depth of set appears to be the to thermocline depth and other or moonfish (Lampris guttatus), most important factor. Analysis environmental factors, and actu- and some billfish and shark of data suggests that bait and al depths and shapes of longline species among many others. time of set do not have as much sets. The introduction of mono- of an effect as depth of set. filament longline systems using Bycatch species are those non- Estimates from observer data mechanised line setters, or target species that are discarded show that turtle encounters on shooters, has allowed fishermen because they either have no shallow sets are 10 times higher to increase and to control the commercial value or because than on deep sets, and that when depth of set by throwing line out they are endangered and are there are turtle encounters on at a rate faster than the speed of protected by international law. deep sets they are almost always the vessel. But, without the use Discarded bycatch species that on the shallowest hooks in the of TDRs, it is difficult to know have no commercial value set. “This suggests that there is for sure the actual depth achieved include species such as probably a critical depth range because of environmental factors. lancetfish (Alepisaurus spp), of hooks where most marine tur- One thing has not changed, snake (Gempylus ser- tle encounters would be expected however. The basic shape of the pens), pelagic rays (Dasyatis vio- to occur in the western tropical longline has always been a cate- lacea), some , and under- Pacific longline fishery” (SPC nary type curve – the shape taken sized and billfish, among 2001). by a chain or cable suspended many others. Discarded bycatch between two points and acted species that are endangered and A Hawaii study of turtle dive- upon by gravity. Even with deep are protected by international depth distribution revealed that sets a substantial portion of the law include sea turtles, sea loggerheads spend most of their branchlines in the catenary , marine mammals, some time in depths shallower than curve remain at shallow depths. shark species and, in some 100 m, and that even though areas, billfish. olive ridleys dove deeper than Generally, longline gear fishing loggerheads, only about 10 per deeper in the is There are seven species of sea cent of their time was spent more effective in targeting big- turtles worldwide: loggerhead deeper than 100 m (Polovina et eye tuna, probably due to the (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia al. 2003). The report concluded preference of bigeye tuna for 10- mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys that incidental catches of turtles 15°C water (Hampton et al. imbricata), olive ridley (Lepido- should be substantially reduced 1998). Prior to 1974, though, vir- chelys olivacea), flatback (Natator with the elimination of shallow tually all longliners operating in depressus), leatherback (Dermo- longline sets. If the new deep set- the Pacific set their hooks in chelys coriacea) and the Kemp's ting technique could land all shallow depths. Deep setting ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), which hooks below 100 m and still fish was introduced around the lat- only occurs in the Gulf of effectively, then it could be a ter part of 1974 and was quickly Mexico and the northwest solution to the turtle bycatch adopted by most vessels target- Atlantic. issue as the surface down to 100 ing bigeye tuna in equatorial metres seems to be the critical Pacific waters. Gear with more SPC’s Oceanic Fisheries Pro- depth range of most sea turtles. than 10 branchlines per basket gramme reviewed turtle bycatch (See Fisheries Newsletter # 93 for a was considered to be deep gear. in the western and central Pacific discussion of the turtle bycatch A basket with 6 branchlines was Ocean tuna fisheries for the issue in the Hawaiian longline assumed to fish at 170 m, while South Pacific Regional Environ- fishery). a basket with 13 branchlines mental Programme’s (SPREP) was assumed to fish at 300 m Regional Marine Turtle Conser- Pelagic longlines can be set to (Fig. 3). Bigeye catch rates were vation Programme. The review fish at a variety of depths from better on deep sets and catch

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 21 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA

the floats and the lead weights was the target depth for the shallowest hooks in the basket – 100 metres. Therefore, portions of the mainline acted as supple- mental floatlines. These portions of the mainline being used as supplemental floatlines were hauled the same as the rest of the mainline. All parameters, such as target depth of shallow- est hooks, were simple to change and the only new gear needed was lead weights with lines and snaps, additional floats and floatlines, and addi- Figure 3: Catenary curves of regular longlines tional mainline. All other fishing with 6 branchlines and with 13 branchlines gear remained the same as the per basket (Suzuki and Warashina 1977). boats normally used. rates for all other species was first presented at SCTB16 in The experimental longline was decreased with deep sets. Mooloolaba in 2003 (see Fish- set as follows: The line setting eries Newsletter # 106). timer was set so that every beep Since the advent of deep setting, corresponded to 50 m of line. however, some fleets have For the new deep setting tech- Then, a float with normal float- reverted back to shallow setting. nique, normal floatlines were line was attached to the main- Shallow sets are made during a used in pairs separated by a line and thrown overboard as two-week period – one week blank section of mainline with the boat was underway. The before and one week after a full no baited branchlines for a dis- mainline was ejected by the line moon. The sets are generally tance of 50 m. The section of setter at a rate slightly faster made at night and target bigeye mainline that holds the baited than the speed of the boat. After tuna. Longliners targeting broad- branchlines was suspended 50 m of line was paid out, a sec- bill swordfish use roughly the directly under these floats and ond float was deployed. Then same strategy – shallow night was weighted down at each end 100 m of mainline was paid out sets using squid bait and light- by a 3 kg lead weight attached to in the same manner. This sec- sticks and fishing around a full the mainline by a standard snap tion of mainline acted as a sup- moon. The longline fleet operat- (Fig. 4). The distance between plemental floatline. The length ing in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery in Australia has, for the most part, adopted this technique. New deep setting technique

A need was seen to develop a method that would take advan- tage of the habits of turtles and bigeye tuna by avoiding one while targeting the other. The problem was how to set and haul a pelagic longline that fished only in water below 100 m. At the same time, the method had to be easily adapt- able by longline fishermen. The initial concept for the project

Figure 4: Three kilogram lead weight with swivel snap

22 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA of this section was metered Total distance travelled by the Standard longline snaps weigh using the line-setting timer. One boat for each basket was equal 45 grams, and hooks weigh 15 beep of the line setting timer to total length of line paid out grams each. These two compo- equalled 50 m, so there was one minus twice the depth. Total line nents alone would add 1.2 kg to beep between the two paired paid out for each basket was a 20-hook basket. If necessary, floats and two beeps between equal to the length of line in the more sag could have been put the second float and the first basket (the portion with branch- into the fishing portion of the lead weight. After the first lines attached) plus twice the line by decreasing boat speed or weight was deployed, baited depth, plus the distance between by increasing the number of branchlines were attached to the the two floats at the end of the hooks in a basket, as with nor- mainline in the normal fashion. basket. The ratio of these two mal setting, and conversely, sag After 12 to 20 branchlines (one numbers, length of line paid out could have been reduced by basket) were deployed, a sec- and distance travelled by the increasing boat speed. ond lead weight was attached to boat, gave the sagging rate. For the mainline. The second lead example, if the target depth of Fishing trials weight was attached at the beep the shallowest hook was 100 m normally used to signify a float and there were 20 hooks in a Trip narrative: F/V Blue (i.e. the end of that basket). A basket with 50 m intervals Moves float was attached after two between hooks, then the boat more beeps and a second float travelled 1050 m + 50 m = 1100 m. On 29 March, F/V Blue Moves on the next beep and the whole The length of line paid out was got underway from Mooloolaba process was then repeated. 1100 m + 2 x depth, or 1300 m. at 1715 hours, heading south. Therefore, the sagging rate Between 30 March and 6 April, The sagging rate – the ratio equalled 1100 m/1300 m, or 0.85 seven sets were made in coastal between the distance the boat (Fig. 5). waters along the continental travelled for one basket and the shelf around 29° S and 154° E. length of line paid out for one Once the sagging rate had been Each set consisted of 1000 hooks basket – needed to be pre-deter- calculated, it could be used to baited with Illex spp. squid with mined. The sagging rate calcu- adjust boat speed and line setter a light stick on every other lation for the weighted deep speed. In the above example, if branchline. Sets were made gen- sets was similar to sagging rate line setter speed was 10 kt then erally just on or after sunset and calculations for a normal long- boat speed was set at 8.5 kt – in hauls were made the following line set except that the expected order to eject ample line to get day starting in the morning. shape of the line from float to the line to settle as planned. float was rectangular rather Theoretically, if all parameters Fishing was generally terrible. than a simple curve. Sagging were followed, there shouldn’t A total of 7000 hooks yielded rate was based on: target depth have been much sag in the fish- only 51 saleable fish (not count- of the shallowest hook, distance ing part of the line. It should ing numerous Escolar spp. that between hooks, distance between have taken on a roughly rectan- were retained but are of low the paired floats, and basket size. gular shape with the fishing value). The catch consisted of 14 Sagging rate was easy to calcu- portion of the line lying parallel yellowfin tuna, 2 bigeye tuna, late but was different for each to the surface (as in the 27 mahi mahi, 3 swordfish, and target depth of shallowest hook schematic diagram in Fig. 5). 5 albacore weighing approxi- and for different basket sizes. During trials, however, it was mately 1.5 metric tonnes. found that some sag still occurred Unfortunately, poor catches like between the lead this had been typical for the weights. There- Mooloolaba fleet for the previ- fore, the line ous six months (see Fisheries actually fished Newsletter # 108). at a variety of depths, but all On a more positive note, the below the target new deep setting technique depth of the worked fine. Project baskets shallowest hook. were set on three of the seven The sag was sets, two using the line setter probably caused and one without using the line by the weight of setter. The boat’s normal tech- individual nique was to not use the line Figure 5: Calculating sagging rate for one branchlines. setter, but instead do a typical basket using the deep setting technique

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 23 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA swordfish type set (shallow night set around the full moon using squid and lightsticks). Baskets had 12 hooks each. During the project sets, basket size was kept at 12 hooks but the setting sequence was changed for the deep set bas- kets. TDRs (Fig. 6) were attached at both ends and at the middle of each basket to moni- tor set depth, and were set to record every 10 minutes. TDRs were also put on some normal baskets for comparison.

Project results were generally good. Actual depths corre- sponded to target depths for the shallowest hooks of about 100 m Figure 6: Star-Oddi TDR (www.Star-Oddi.com) on the sets using the line setter. Trip narrative: F/V Diamax 25°C surface isotherms. Fishing The gear was somewhat cum- improved a great deal so no fur- bersome to set at first but haul- On 21 April, F/V Diamax got ther movements were made ing went without difficulty. In underway from Mooloolaba, other than slight adjustments. fact, the line came up very easily heading northwest. After three On each set, 400 hooks in 20 as it was made taut by the days of travel, two sets were hook baskets were set using weights. made around 18° S and 155° E lead weights while 600 hooks without much luck. A decision were set using normal gear con- Results from the set using lead was made to head south after figurations in 10 or 20 hook bas- weights but no line setter the poor fishing in the north. A kets. TDRs were put on both showed that lead weights have temperature break was identi- types of baskets. It was decided almost no effect on sinking the fied using the on-board real- to keep the target depth of the mainline if there is no sag put time altimetric charts from shallowest hook at 100 m, into the line. The line initially MaxSea (www.maxsea.com). The knowing that the sag would sank to 45 m but came back up remaining five sets were carried place the middle of the baskets to normal depth of 25 m with out around 23° S and 156° E deeper. Sagging rate for the set the stretch and spring back of fishing between the 24°C and was 0.85. Figure 7 is a schematic the line. Therefore, the deep set- ting technique did not work without using a line setter.

The trip on F/V Blue Moves was considered to be a shakedown cruise to work out any bugs in the deep setting technique. Some modifications were made to the gear after the first set. The lines on the lead weights were short- ened to 0.5 m and the lines on the TDRs were shortened as well.

This made the setting sequence much easier on the third set. It was determined that 50 m between floats was sufficient to avoid tangles with the portions of mainline acting as floatline. Also, the technique of using the Figure 7: Diagram showing configuration of weighted gear with line setting timer to regulate 20 hooks per basket and target depth for shallowest hook of depth was initiated. 100 m using a sagging rate of 0.85.

24 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA of the theoretical shape of that basket.

A large swordfish (Fig. 8) was caught on the same set. Fortu- nately, there was a TDR attached adjacent to the branch- line that was taken by the swordfish. The depth was 130 m and bite time was 17h15 for a daytime swordfish bite. The spike in the line was caused by the swordfish swimming away from the line, causing it to rise. The swordfish presumably died at midnight when the depth line went flat.

Several bigeye tuna (Fig. 9) were caught on the weighted gear. TDR data often showed spikes indicating depth and time of bite.

Fishing effort and catch on F/V Diamax

In the sets using project gear configurations, 6000 hooks were set, 2420 with lead weights and 3580 without lead weights. A total of 69 fish of the five main target species were caught (big- eye, yellowfin, albacore, sword- fish, and striped marlin). The project gear caught 31 target species fish, weighing 1184 kg on 2420 hooks, giving nominal CPUEs of 1.3 fish per 100 hooks and 49 kg/100 hooks. The nor- mal gear caught 38 target species fish, weighing 1452 kg on 3520 hooks, giving nominal CPUEs of 1.08 fish per 100 hooks and 41 kg/100 hooks. These CPUEs were based on average fish weights. Bigeye tuna, averaged 37.6 kg gilled and gutted (G&G). By observa- tion, fish caught on the deeper weighted gear were generally bigger than fish caught on the shallower gear. This included a 90 kg (G&G) bigeye tuna and a 188 kg headed and gutted (H&G) broadbill swordfish. Figure 8 (top): Crew of F/V Diamax with 200 kg swordfish Project gear outfished the nor- caught on a deep day set using the new deep setting technique. mal gear by about 17 per cent. Figure 9 (bottom): One hundred kg bigeye tuna caught with the new deep setting technique.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 25 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA

Further manipulation of the gled only once and that was There were some drawbacks to catch figures shows CPUEs for when a large swordfish was the technique, however. More normal gear for bigeye tuna of hooked on the first hook in a bas- gear was needed to conduct the 0.56 fish /100 hooks and 21 ket and pulled the lines together. deep setting technique – addi- kg/100 hooks, while CPUEs for Two sizes of hard plastic long- tional floats and floatlines, lead project gear for bigeye tuna line floats were used during the weights with line and snaps, were 0.95 fish /100 hooks and trials – 300 mm floats with 14.5 and more mainline. For a boat 36 kg/100 hooks. Therefore, kg buoyancy, and 360 mm floats setting 1000 hooks in 20 hook project gear outfished normal with 20 kg buoyancy. The 300 baskets this would cost around gear for the main target species mm floats proved to be sufficient AUD 4000. It could be cheaper if by 42 per cent. For swordfish, to support the 3 kg lead weights less expensive weights were the normal gear had CPUEs of and the longline. The setting used. More time was needed to 0.3 fish/100 hooks and timer proved to be very useful in set and haul the weighted gear. 17 kg/100 hooks. For the project regulating the distance between For example, if the target depth gear swordfish CPUEs were floats and lead weights (i.e. the for the shallowest hooks was 0.25 fish/100 hooks and target depth of the shallowest 100 m then 50 seconds more set- 14 kg/100 hooks – about the hook). The original expectation ting time was needed for each same as with the normal gear. of the entire basket of branch- basket (providing that 10 sec- All of the swordfish caught on lines fishing at or near the same onds equalled 50 m of line being the project gear were caught at depth was unrealistic and, in ejected from the line setter). A depths greater than 100 m and fact, was not realised. The fish- similar increase in time was many were caught during day- ing portion of the line suspend- needed for hauling. For a line light hours. ed between the two lead weights totalling 1000 hooks with hung in a sagging shape, similar 20 hooks per basket, this would Discussion and to the sag normally encountered add 105 minutes to time spent conclusions in longline fishing. This worked on deck. Lastly, fewer yellowfin out to be advantageous as a tuna and byproduct species Most of the original design range of depths could be fished, were caught on the deep-set parameters of the deep setting all below the target depth of the gear. Byproduct species add sig- technique were retained but oth- shallowest hook. In other words, nificantly to a longline vessel’s ers were changed, most during nothing changed in the way the revenue, but species such as the trip on F/V Blue Moves, but line fished except that every- mahi mahi, tend to bite during some on F/V Diamax. It was thing was displaced 100 m the haul so catch rates for these found that 3 kg lead weights downwards. fish wouldn’t be affected. were sufficient to sink the fishing portion of the line down to the All original project objectives Results from the F/V Diamax target depth of the shallowest were met. The technique was were encouraging but were hook. Lines for attaching the perfected and proved to work only indicative of the new deep lead weights to the mainline almost flawlessly. Experienced setting technique’s possibilities. only need to be about 0.5 metres longline fishermen should have No turtles were caught, but this long, and one standard longline little or no trouble adapting to was expected. Turtle encounters snap was enough to keep the the technique. Target depths in the longline fishery are infre- lead weights in place. Originally, were achieved so that all hooks quent. What was shown, how- the lines were 4 m long and had fished below the mixed layer ever, was that all hooks in a two snaps to keep them from where bycatch encounters nor- longline can be set in the zone sliding on the mainline. These mally occur. The technique was outside of where turtle encoun- proved to be too cumbersome, simple enough so that it could ters normally occur. By infer- especially during setting. Float- be duplicated on almost any ence, no turtles would have line lengths of 10 m were suffi- longline vessel using a monofil- been caught unless they struck cient and, in any case, had little ament system with a reel and baits as the line was being set or effect on target depth of shallow- line setter. Finally, target species hauled, or if they became entan- est hooks, other than adding to CPUEs on F/V Diamax, com- gled in floatlines. The same can the overall depth achieved by a pared with the normal portion be said for other shallow water small amount. Fifty metres was of the sets, were enhanced or bycatch species. The slight enough for the distance between unchanged, depending on increase in nominal target species the two floats at each end of a species and, although one short CPUEs using the deep setting basket to keep the longer por- trip was not statistically signifi- technique as compared with tions of mainline being used as cant, it may be considered to be normal setting during the trip supplemental floatline from tan- indicative. on F/V Diamax was also only gling. These lines became entan- indicative of what might hap-

26 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 NEW DEEP SETTING TECHNIQUE TESTED IN MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA pen in the longer term. More temperature and dissolved Suzuki Z. and Warashina Y. work needs to be done to prove oxygen on bigeye tuna 1977. The comparison of the efficacy of this new tech- (Thunnus obesus) abundance catches made by regular and nique and to show that it can indices. Oceanic Fisheries deep-fishing longline gear in significantly mitigate encoun- Programme, Secretariat of the central and western ters with turtles and other the Pacific Community, New equatorial Pacific Ocean. bycatch species while, at the Caledonia. 18 p. National Marine Fisheries same time, significantly increase Service, National Oceanic the nominal CPUE of deep water Polovina J.J., Howell E., Parker and Atmospheric Adminis- target species, especially bigeye D.M. and Balazs G.H., 2003. tration. US Department of tuna. Work also needs to be Dive-depth distribution of Commerce Translation No. done to ascertain if the deep set- loggerhead (Carretta carretta) 20. 38 p. ting technique will prove to be and olive ridley (Lepidochelys feasible for deep day swordfish olivacea) sea turtles in the sets. The 200 kg swordfish Central North Pacific: Might caught at 130 m at 1700 hours deep longline sets catch fewer on F/V Diamax was astounding turtles? Fishery Bulletin but was also only indicative. 101(1):189–193.

References SPC. 2001. A review of turtle bycatch in the western and Hampton J., Bigelow K., and central Pacific Ocean tuna fish- Labelle M. 1998. Effect of eries. South Pacific Regional longline fishing depth, water Environmental Programme.

© Copyright Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2004

All rights for commercial / for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPC authorises the partial reproduction or translation 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

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 27 ing, harvesting, transporting REGIONAL TRAINING and marketing; and WORKSHOP IN TILAPIA AND • identify pressing issues within the region and pro- FRESHWATER SHRIMP vide an opportunity to dis- AQUACULTURE cuss collaborative projects. USP’s Marine Studies Program hosted the training course using Background and purpose its lecture room facilities and Satya Nandlal, the Naduruloulou Aquaculture A short-term training course on Aquaculture Officer, Station. Monfort Boystown Fish tilapia and freshwater shrimp SPC, Noumea Farm provided its facilities for farming was held in Suva, Fiji New Caledonia practical work. from 10–28 May 2004. The train- ing course was a collaborative tities of tilapia and prawns in Twenty-three aquaculture offi- effort by the Secretariat of the ponds (i.e. with good growth cers with varying levels of Pacific Community’s Aquaculture rates, less mortality, good feed responsibility, attended the Section, the University of the conversion ratios etc.), remains course. Countries represented South Pacific’s Marine Studies a difficulty in many countries. included: American Samoa, Fiji Program, and Fiji’s Ministry of Although the technologies for Islands, Papua New Guinea, Agriculture, Fisheries and spawning tilapia – using vari- Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands Forestry. Satya Nandlal, SPC’s ous methods and pond growout and Vanuatu. In these countries, Aquaculture Officer, was the – are established, their applica- tilapia and prawn farming are lead trainer for the workshop. tion is not widely known in the developing, and in some cases Pacific region. There is a need to have already developed, into The workshop was initiated disseminate information about small enterprises. when regional aquaculture offi- these technologies. cers expressed a need for in- Lectures and field exercises/ depth training of tilapia hatch- The idea of ensuring an ade- demonstrations ery operations and pond grow- quate supply of trained staff out aspects. SPC staff reported a and, thereby, sustaining aqua- To acquaint participants with lack of basic skills and knowl- culture is shared both by SPC principles and techniques of edge of tilapia fry production as and its training partner, the tilapia hatchery operation, lec- a major problem confronting University of the South Pacific. tures on tilapia and prawn pond freshwater aquaculture centres growout, the specific topics cov- in the region. A lack of fry The aims of the three-week ered during the training included: affects the production aspects of training course were to: tilapia as well, which in turn Tilapia hatchery operation affects the livelihood of the • provide trainees with theo- thousands of poor farmers retical information and • General aspects of tilapia fry involved in aquaculture in the hands-on training in various production in the Pacific region (e.g. in Papua New aspects of tilapia fry produc- Guinea and Fiji). In addition, tion, broodstock manage- • Biological characteristics of aquaculture officers in several ment and identification of tilapia member countries (e.g. Vanuatu maturity conditions, pond/ and Fiji) had already acquired tank/hapa hatchery meth- • Broodstock management, skills in freshwater prawn ods and preparation, stock- feeding, conditioning and hatchery operations and had ing, feeding, fertilization, selection requested training in pond sampling, harvesting, trans- growout of prawns. portation and marketing; • Hatchery methods - open pond One of the major problems in • provide trainees with theory - hapa producing tilapia fry stock has and hands-on training in - tank been the lack of skills for good tilapia and shrimp pond site management of broodstock, and selection, mechanical and • Selection and stocking of the identification of maturity manual pond construction, broodfish conditions of breeders. Further- pond preparation, stocking, more, culturing sufficient quan- sampling, feeding, fertiliz-

28 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP IN TILAPIA AND FRESHWATER SHRIMP AQUACULTURE

• Spawning/maturity condi- lime to a pond, judging if fer- Practical work tion of females and males tility is sufficient, or if fertiliz- - Size of broodfish er is required (and if so, in Following the lecture and class- - Fry collection method for what quantity and types of room activities, participants each of the above hatchery fertilizers). were divided into groups where methods they undertook practical work - Timing of fry collection • Stocking: optimum stocking on hatchery operations and - Procedure for counting densities, fingerling quality growout. Practicals included: - Broodfish replacement and and optimum sizes, identify- preparation of tanks, hapas and rotation strategies ing characteristics of stunted ponds for tilapia breeding at fish, supply sources of fin- Naduruloulou and Monfort, Pond growout of tilapia and gerlings and post larvae. identifying maturity conditions prawn of males and females, selection • Pond management: feeds, of “ready to spawn” breeders, • Present state of tilapia and feeding and sampling, and stocking the three hatchery prawn/shrimp production including the importance of systems. Thereafter, partici- in the Pacific supplemental feeding, feed pants prepared feed and fertiliz- formulation, ingredients or er rations and provided guide- • Systems of production/cul- feeds available and their lines for feeding and mainte- ture technique costs, value of higher protein nance of the different systems. feeds, mixing of ingredients Fry collection and harvesting • Choice of species and bio- and percent of constituents in techniques were demonstrated physical requirements food to increase quality and 12–20 days after stocking. feed schedules. Time of day • Biological, social and legal to feed and amounts of feed The practicals on growout includ- considerations, marketing according to estimated or ed: site selection, manual pond and economics actual growth rates of fish or construction at Naduruloulou, prawns. pond preparation (cleaning, • Site selection and culture liming, and application of derris systems: instruction in deter- • Harvesting: determining root, repair of pond walls, inlets mining the adequacy of optimum harvesting times and outlets). Participants seined, water supply, suitable soils and methods, netting/sein- counted, weighed, and packed and slope for pond construc- ing techniques, draining and tilapia fingerlings and post lar- tion, food and fertilizers. pick-up of remaining fish vae into oxygenated plastic and prawns. bags and transported them to • Farm design and pond con- farms to be stocked into ponds. struction: demonstration of • Transportation of live fish The acclimatization procedure how to vary the depth of soil and prawns, including sort- was demonstrated and there- removal for adequate bottom ing, grading, packing, stor- after, tilapia were released into slope to facilitate complete age and preservation. ponds. Feeding rations and fer- drainage, how to build a tilizer requirements were calcu- diversion canal, how to build • Marketing/off flavours: the lated, including total feed adequate height, width and importance of keeping fish requirements for the whole cycle. slope of bunds/pond wall. in clean water 12 hours prior Participants identified the vari- to sales or cooking. ous types of feed at • Water management. Naduruloulou, and calculated • Disease control and basic the required crude protein lev- • Pond preparation and filling: quarantine procedures. els for feed formulation at the how to properly clean and different stages of tilapia and dry ponds, demonstrating • Tilapia/shrimp business prawn feeding. Production lime and pesticide applica- plan and economic model- tilapia grower mix, fry mix and tion, regulation of pond ing, including prawn sales in pellets were formulated and water supply. markets. prepared using the machines at Naduruloulou Station. • Application of fertilizer and • Tilapia/shrimp extension lime. Pond fertilization: value method: how to work with Participants also sampled tilapia of applying fertilizer and farmers. and prawns using cast nets. In lime to a pond, the applica- addition, tilapia and prawns tion (how, when, where and were seined, transported live via rates) of adding fertilizer and truck (prawns in ice boxes) to

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 29 REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP IN TILAPIA AND FRESHWATER SHRIMP AQUACULTURE

Naduruloulou for purging over- Training highlights my needs in area of freshwater night, and then transported to aquaculture” “easy to communi- Nausori market the following 1. Trainees successfully per- cate with tutors”, “hands-on day for marketing. Participants formed tilapia spawning training for every aspect are carried marketing and then cal- using the three hatchery meth- done practically”, “time well uti- culated the costs/economics ods at both training venues: lized”, “very informative” involved in tilapia/prawn farm- Naduruloulou Aquaculture “workshop was well organ- ing. The cash was returned to the Station and Monfort fish farm. ized”, “know my fish-meet my farmer. needs-play with them-in return 2. Trainees manually construct- they will give me the answer to Field trips ed a pond at Naduruloulou my questions”. Station. Participants visited Kimble’s For question 2, participants tilapia farms at Navua, Waila fish 3. Trainees seined, cleaned, responded by saying: “the work- farm and Rokoraite fish and graded, packed and sold shop is too short”, “practical ses- prawn farm. Briefings on farm prawns and tilapia as part of sions should be full-day ses- activities were made by Satya the practical exercise. sions”, “lecturing is very fast”, Nandlal. Participants harvested “proper aids were hard to find, tilapia from Waila farm and 4. Trainees formulated and computers, etc.”, “the level of prawns from Rokoraite farm as prepared tilapia fry mix, teaching materials … was very part of their exercise in harvest- grower mix and tilapia pellet helpful for some of partici- ing, transporting and marketing diet using machines at pants..but some lagged behind of fish and prawns. Naduru- Naduruloulou. contributed to delays”, “the pro- loulou and Monfort sites were gram was too tight and there used throughout the training 5. Aquaculture delegates, Mr was no room to breath”, “always period for performing all other Barney Smith of ACIAR- running against time”, “coming practical aspects of the training. Australia, Dr M.V. Gupta of late at night”, “very intensive”, the Worldfish Center, Dr Yves “lecture room was a bit crowd- Study Experience Reports Harache of Ifremer Noumea, ed”, “lunch breaks were too and Mr Ben Ponia of SPC short”, “had to start early 7.00 A report based on the knowl- presented their views on and finish 6-7 pm”. edge gained to solve a specific future developments of problem in participants’ country tilapia and prawn aquacul- In response to question 3, partic- was prepared and presented by ture in the region. ipants said: “increase workshop each participant on the last day durations”, “more time given”, of training. Visiting aquaculture Training course evaluation “handouts prepared before delegates, Mr Barney Smith of class”, “more time to practicals”, ACIAR-Australia, Dr M.V. At the end of the training, par- “3 weeks is not good enough for Gupta of the WorldFish Center, ticipants answered several me as I like learn more-make it 3 Dr Yves Harache of Ifremer questions, which were used to months”, “the lecture venue Noumea, and Mr Ben Ponia of evaluate the course. should be closer to the field”, SPC attended this session and “another follow up…at least 6 provided comments. This report 1. What did you like about this weeks”, “include visits to high- was also reviewed by the workshop? land farms”, “no work done on instructor. weekends”, “give enough time 2. What did you not like about to rest”, “minimum requirement Discussion this workshop? for participation (e.g. diploma and experience)”, “teach based Participants were encouraged to 3. How could this workshop be on same topic”. discuss the training course top- improved? ics with the instructor and For question 4, participants said: among themselves after each 4. Any other comments? “workshop equipped me with lecture or practical exercise/ new informations”, “it helped demonstration. For question 1, responses includ- me a lot to see where I could ed: “having practicals to accom- solve some problems”, “this is At the end of the course, certifi- pany the theory was a good the best aquaculture training I cates of attendance were given idea”, “the training was a good have ever participated in”, “bet- to participants by Barney Smith, learning experience”, “learning ter if participants stay together”,. Dr M.V. Gupta and Dr Yves in the “Pacific way””, “the con- request for follow up training”, Harache. tents of the workshop really met “very valuable training”,

30 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP IN TILAPIA AND FRESHWATER SHRIMP AQUACULTURE

“another separate training Conclusion with instructors and that should be done on farm devel- instructors would, in turn, be opment aspects”, “no comments A shortage of fingerlings and able to advise on specific techni- but it was a wonderful sessions poor production of tilapia and cal issues. that have already offered to us prawns have been major prob- by Mr. Satya, thank you”, “thank lems confronting freshwater Acknowledgement the organizers, “future training.. aquaculture centres in certain consider equal number of female Pacific Island countries. It is SPC and its training partners, participant or male”, “cage cul- anticipated that training would USP and the Fiji Ministry of ture of tilapia should be consid- enhance the sustainability of Agriculture, Fisheries and ered in future training”, “more tilapia and prawn farming, and Forestry, greatly appreciate the allowance be given”, and “thank would maintain the momentum contributions and dedication of you very much”. of the development achieved Filimone Mate, Fiji government- thus far. Course instructors Naduruloulou Station staff and In general, the course was evalu- believe that the economic and workers, and the Director of ated as “just right” by the major- social factors relating directly to Monfort Boystown for their ity of participants. The instruc- the fish farmer, his family, and help and assistance in the suc- tors were also satisfied with the his community must be under- cessful completion of this train- outcomes of this training and stood and considered fully by ing. The opportunity to work felt that refresher training extension officers, if the full with the IMR staff and especial- would be essential for all partic- effects of this training are to be ly SPC Suva staff Ane, John and ipants, although there may be a realised. In particular, there is a Aiyaz and the dedicated efforts greater need for some than for need to document cases show- of all concerned, particularly the others. Research and training ing the strength and weakness- farmers and their families, who institutions could develop facili- es of fish farmers and to estab- were our most important source ties for such short-term refresher lish a framework for generating of information, are also greatly courses for various categories of more effective and creative acknowledged by SPC. personnel in order to upgrade interactions between farmers their knowledge and skills, with and extension officers in the reference to major advances in region. It is anticipated that par- technology. ticipants will maintain contact

Top: Fiji's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Hon. Konisi Yabaki at the opening of the workshop

Right: Break time

SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004 31 REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP IN TILAPIA AND FRESHWATER SHRIMP AQUACULTURE

1 2

3 4

5 6

1. Trainees preparing tanks for tilapia breeding at Naduruloulou 2. Trainee Peter Minimulu of PNG leading by example in preparing a pond for prawn stocking 3. Trainees Sompert and Glen from Vanuatu with a “catch”. 4. Trainees in full-swing at pond construction assignment 5. Trainees harvesting prawns at Rokoraite farm 6. Sorting, grading and weighing prawns.

32 SPC Fisheries Newsletter #109 – April/June 2004