FI:DP/RAS/69/102 Terminal Report

SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS FISilERlES DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

AUS'l'RALIA, FRANCE, , UNI'rED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WES'l'ERN SAMOA

PROJECT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDA'I'IONS

Report prepared for the participating Governments by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations acting as executing agency for the United Nations Development ProgTamme

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

FOOD .AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Qli' THE UNITED NATIONS

Rome 7 1975 Some of the territories covered by the activities of the Projeot attained independenoe after the Plan of Operation was signed but, in accordance with FAQ practice, this Report is addressed to the signatories of the Plan. iii

TABLE OF CON'l1ENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1 .1 ProJect l)ackground and objectives 1 1 .2 Project implementation 2

1 .2 .1 General administration 2 1.2.2 Problems enoour1t0red 2 1.2.3 Review mission 5 Jt.'valuation of aotivi ties 5

2. PROJEG'l' RESUL'l'S AND CONCLUSIOUS 6

Coastal fioheries 6

2 .1. ·1 Out-·of-r0ef fishing 6 2 .1 .2 Reef and lagoon resources 6 2 .1.3 Bcche-de-mer resources 7 2.1.4 Turtle resources 7 2.1.5 Mangrove 8

J\quacul ture 8

illvaluation of potential 8 Demonstrations and feasibility studies 9

2.3 Boat·bui lding 11 2.3.1 General activities 11 2.).2 lt,iji 12 2.3.3 American Samoa 12 2.3.4 Western Samoa 12 2.).5 Tonga 12 2.).6 J\ctivitieo of interest to more than one territory

Publications

RECOMMENDATIONS 1tj.

Recommendations by territory 14

3.1.1 .Fi ,ii 14 3.1.2 15 3 .1.3 Now Hebrides 15 3.1.4 Papua New Guinea 16 3.1.5 Solomon Is lands 16 3.1.6 Gi lbcrt and Ji:llice Islands 16 3.1.7 Cook Islands 16 ::1.1.8 French Polynesia 16 iv

3.1.9 American Samoa 17 3.1.10 Western Samoa 17 3.1.11 'l'onga 17 3.1.12 Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands 17 3.2 Coastal 18

3.2 .1 Out-of-reef fisheries 18 3.2.2 Reef and lagoon resources 18 3.2.3 Bgche-de-mer resources 19 3.2.4 Turtle resources 19 3.2.5 Mangrove fishery 20

3.3 AquacuHure 20

3. 3.1 20 3.3.2 Other molluscs 20 3.3.3 Shrimp farming 20 3.3.4 21

3.4 Boatbuilding 21

.3 .4 .1 Shallow water fisheries in lagoon areas 21 3.4.2 Deep lining on the reef slope 21 3.4.3 Surface schooling pelagic fisheries 22

3 .5 Fellowships 22 3.6 Publications 23 3.7 Regional meetings 23

Appendix 1 PROJECT STAFF 25 Appendix 2 FELLOWSHIP 26 Appendix 3 MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY UNDP 27 Appendix 4 AREA COVERED BY THE PROJECT AS PER THE PLAN OF OPERATION" 28

~dix 2 DOCUMENTS PREPARED DURJNG THE PROJECT 1. INTRODUCTION'

1 e 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES An increasing awareness of the need for coordinating fisheries interests, ao'tivities and development in the South Pacific led to a request to the United Nations Development Programme by interested governments foT assistance in the establishment of a South Pacific Fisheries Development Agency. In response to this request, a UNDP project (RAS/69/102) covering Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia was established and, after an i~itial period starting July 1969 during which the Project Manage:ri-Designate assisted in drafting the Plan of Operation, became operative from July 1970 until October 1973. The signatory governments were , France, New Zealand, the , the United States of America and Western Samoa. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was designated as executing agency and the South PacifJc Commission as the cooperating government agency. The SPC was also responsible for providing counterpart staff on behalf of the signatory governments. The purpose of the project as set out in the Plan of Operation was to assist in the establishment and operation of a South Pacific Islands Fisheries Development Agency to determine feasibility areas of fishery development in the region, to take. stock of the resources of the lagoons and reefs, to carry out research on the living conditions and the exploitation of the fauna and on the proper measures to ensure its increase and to assist in formulation and implementation of specific action programmes in the various island territories. In particular the project was required, in full cooperation with existing institutions and services, to make an overall study of the opportunities and requirements for fishery development in the territories of the South Pacific and establish priorities for and actually to undertake some of the schemes, such as: evaluation of coastal and lagoon resources i study of the environmental conditions of the life of marine fmma; assessment of the development potential of the coastal and lagoon resources {e.g. turtles, trepang (beche-de-mer) and commeroially valuable fish species including bait fishes); investigation into the feasibility of establishing systems of for such species as edible oysters, mother-of-pearl shell and pearls; demonstration and training in the use of novel and improved fishery methods; provision of advice on the organization of improved methods of handling, marketing and distribution of marine production, particularly ·trepang (b~che-de--mer) l coordination, collection of information and support for further research on ciguatera; establishment of appropriate systems for the dissemination of information on suqh matters through.out the terr•i tories concerned.

The project would seek io arrange for other sources of funds and expertise to be made available to those schemes which it might not be found possible to implement directly under the project. o. It was stated that the project would "be available to provide coordination and leadership in research, investigations and training related to fishery development in the region.

1.2 PROJECT IMPLEMEN"TATION

1o2&1 General administratton The project was based at the headquarters of the SPC at Noumea, New Caledonia.

Working conditions 9 housing and the generally useful support (finance, office space 9

money transactions and transfers in the area~ travel service 9 library and information

centre, translation service~ diplomatic pouch9 import of supplies) were a first~ class contribution to project work. At present there is no other site in the area

which could provide·such facilities fOY.' a regional project. Representatives of the signatory territories met annually in the form of a

Consultative Committee 9expressing the wishes of the participating territories in the guidance of policy and the programme to be implemented by the project. Three

Consultative Commiti;ee meetings were held at SPC headquarters in October 1970 9 October 1971 and August 1972. The UNDP contribution was US$ 418 3oofl the counterpart contribution being

US$ 51 ·OOO in cash and US$ 410 OOO in ki"!Hl~ Appendix 1 gives information on inter.national and counterpart staff a,ttac:hed to the projecto Details of fellowships can be found in Appendix 2t and of equipment supplied in Appendix 3•

1o2o2 Problems encountered Various difficulties faced the project in fulfilling the objectives set out in the Plan of Operation. (a) 1rhe Plan of Operation covered the whole SPC areag i.e. about 46 million 2 km from the Tropic of Cancer to the 'l'ropic of Capricorn and from 130° eas·b ·to 130° westo Soati;ered across this vast expanse o:f ocean are hundreds of islands of every kind and sJ.ze wHh islanders from different social groups and different sooio·~eoonomic organizations (Appendix. 4),, A regional approach would never "be easy to achieve with so many different countries and environments involved and with an economic way of life ranging from the rudimentary to the more modern sophis-ticated cultureso However? many other adverse factors also affected the operation of a regional project in the South Pacifio Islands area: the difficulty of communication because of the two languages o:f the areaw the variety of political organizations with at least eight types of government for eighteen territories, the differenoe8 in the finanoiul and monetary oreanization with five currencies and the lack of a regional transportation systemn

(b) ~sed objectj.ve~ an~_.J1m~ The purpose and ultimate objectives were too ambitious. During the preliminary meetings on planning H was recognized that the project was to be a Phase I feasibility survey for a period of two yeurs, to be :followed by a

Phase II development project. However 9 in the Plan of Operation, which was agreed by all signatories, the new project emerged as a combination Phase I and Phase II of three years duration. The funds allocated through UNDP were barely

sufficient for a Phase I feasibility study7 and the project was severely imder- financed for the ob,jecti ves l:l sted in the Plan of Operation. It must be

remembered that as regards travel 9 per diem allocations, ecruipment, investment and maintenance the project area is more expenslve thm1 that of any project elsewhere in the world.

( c) International st_aff an£1:.__org§;~':t~on The project had no adm:i.niEitraUve personnel, either intex:national or counterpart. Adminlstrative work was undertaken by the SPC and the Project Manager.

The first Project Manager9 who o~'gc:mized the firs-I; meetings of the Consultative Committee, also planned the second meeting and was transferred to other duties two months before :it was held. During the initial period the Projed Manager was absent for about three months (December 1970 to March 1971) and the newly appointed expert on boa,tbuilding imdertook responsibilities :for the period. After the first Project Manager left in August 1971 there was 4

another break of over two months during which the new Manager=Des:i.gne:te was merely a temporary consultan·te Shor·tly after the October 1971 Consultative Committee he was confirmed as Project Manager for a tw0=year period_ ending 31 Ootober 1973.

The aquaculture experts (oyster r"arming and. fish farming) were seleoted1, cleared, and appointed "too late to malrn a major oon·tribution before the end of ·the project. The efficiency of the Mnsultants and the implem®tation of their reoomrnendations was hand:l.capped by the lack of logint:l.cs and organization of their services to the best advantage. It must be borne in mind that a consultant alone in that area could not work to his full efficiency. It was undoubtedly a mistake to send consultants singly. A regional or a country project on marine resource development in the South Pacific area must use consultants as a team. This method of working is the only way to siwe time and money and to give continued support to the men in the field.

(d)~~ Counterpart contributions were on the whole, at a very low level. It should have been realized that many of the member territories have neither funds nor experienced personnel to contribute the usual share expected in standard projects. As specified in the Plan of Operation, the SPC was responsible for collecting counterpart funds from member governments and disbursing them in cash or services to the project. As the member governments pay· annual subscriptions to the SPC for all the Commission 1 s ac·tivities and as the needs of the projeo·t counterparts were no·t taken into consideration in these subscriptions it was not possible to use the funds and ser'Vices as projected in the Plan of Opera'ti on. A particular problem was the restricted availability of a C0=Manager, who was only part-time until December 1971 and absent altogether from December 1971 to October 1972. This situation improved greatly with the appointment of a new Co-Manager in Octobe:r 1972 who remained un-til the end of the project. During 1973 the SPC increased its contribution mainly by providing a full­ time New Zealand volunteer who served not only at ·~he Noumea Headquarters but also on the aquaculture projects in St. Vincent :Bay (New Caledonia) and in Raviravi (). s

Review_mission

At the req-uest of the UNDP a one-man mission reviewed the project's progTamme and activities during kpril and May 1972. The consultant's report, distributed in June 1972, spelled out the main problems facing the Agenoy and the projedo His conclusions and recommendations were endorsed by the Third Consultative Committee in August 1972. The consultant's recommendations were not implemented as sufficient funds were not available, and an extension was not approved so that the project could not develop the programme on the first very promising results. Project activities were suspended during the review mission and were restarted only after the Third Consultative Committee Meeting.

1.3 EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES In evaluating activities, it can be said that the Sou:t;h Pacific Fisheries Development Agency filled a real need in the marine resources development in the area. Some poten-tially productive lines of endeavour have been ·identified. While it was not possible to develop the more promising conclusions drawn in the time available, it is 110ped tha·t; othe_r regional or country projects will use the valuable information collected and the specific recommendations made, which support a follow-up progra1nme.

The p:r·ojeot 1 despite lack of staff, time and money and with limited counterpart support gave an incredibly strong incentive to identification of the main restraints to marine resource development in the area. Early in 19H Australia and New Zealand offered substantial voluntary contribu­ tions to SPC f1.rrlds for special projects. France made a supplementary voluntary contribution at the South Pacific Conference in Guam in September 1973, and the Conference voted a large proportion of these funds for support of fishery projects. There is little doubt that the awareness of the possibilities of fisheries development in the area has been stimulated by the activities of the project. Many countries are now starting their own fishery or aquaculture projects,. 6

2. PROJECT RESULTS .AND CONCLUSIONS

201 COASTAL J:i,ISHERIES

2 e 1 .1 Out -of -reef f~ An evaluation of the potential for out-of~reef fishing was made (Appendix 5A (1), (€)). Lack of appropriate boats and a rnasterfisherman somewhat restricted experimemts

carried out in Ellice Island (Funafu·ti) 9 in F'iji (Suva area), New Caledonia (West Coast area) and Guarno Contact was made with the Kagoshima Prefecture Pisheries Laboratory, Kiov-Siov, Japan, where large-scale successfu.l experimental fishing is opening the way to industrial fisheries using vertical deep bottom longlining (between 50 and 150 fathoms). Hooks, Hnes and buoys for the. deepwater r:ma,ppers and groupers fishery v1ere distributed to the Solomon Island Fishery Service to Funafuti Fishery Station (Ellice Island), to the Fiji Fisheries Division and to the French Polynesian Fishery Service. This produced promising results with catches cif many

edible first~quality fish. To introduce more efficient gear~ two reels for deep

sna,pper fishing, successfully used by Gulf of' Mexico fishermen 1 were ordered and imported from Texas, U.,S.A. One was used by the American Samoa Fishery Service and the other by the project Co-Manager in New Caledonia.

Reef and lag__~~ Scaroi ty of accurate data to enable a scientific approach restricted an evalua·tion of the potential of the reef and lagoon resources. 'l'he project was unable to support any pilot schemes as it was not possible to provide an integrated mul ti-disciplina,ry team of experts at the same time and in the same place. In the absence of 8, skilled crew and a masterfishe:rman it was only possible to make limited tests on the lagoon fishery. Japanese set nets and drift nets were used in the Solomon Islands, New Hebrides and New Caledonia,. They were damaged 'by sharksv big turtles or dugong (sea cow), or gave poorer catches than nets or traps used by local fishermen. In any event, no conclusions could be reached. The project was also unable to ca.:rry out comprehensive planning experiments for surveys in the area owing to lack of sufficient staff and necessary equii;ment. One of the most important problems relating to the development of resources appears to be oiguatera poisoning resulting from eating coral reef and lagoon fishery products. This must be solved before available stock is more fully exploited. To have a better understanding of the ciguate:m problem~ the project mai.ntained

contact with the Hawaii llla,rine Laboratory, IJ:'ahiti ~ the Jnstitut de recherche

medicale, and the Tropical Food Reseri,roh Ins·tHu"Ge 1 Londono The pro,joot also cooperated with the SPO Health Division on the question of a long'<"·term project on ciguatera research.

Beohe-d~mer resources After an evaluation of the beohe·-·de~mer l~esources (Appendix 5 (7) )i some territories were able to develop small~·scale projectso Project recommendations were used mainly by the Trust '.re:rritories Pacif:lc Islands (Palau), the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal), New Hebrides (Espirito Santo), and Fiji (Suva). Processing and marketing of the samples proved successful 11hen carried out on project recommendations.

Looking for a larger and better distri"b'ntion of beche-de~mer small-~scale production for the islanders, the Consultative Committee reconunended the preparation

of a J3eche-de-mer Hex;dbook. This project was also supported by the SPC 0 .An illustrated draft handbook has 'been prepared and distributed to world specialis·ts 6n the holothurian groups for a check: of the general accuracy of the material assembleda The handbook: will be printed and distributed in the project area by SPC.

2.1.4 Turtle resources A survey in the area pinpointed the present limited lmowledge of the ecology and behaviour of the main tropical and equatorial marine turtle species. A .system of more efficient protection for the natural stock corrnervation was recommended by the project but no definite conclusion was reached on the developnent of turtle hatcheries. Supply of food and economic benefit to the islands by farming marine turtles without depleting the natural stocks was not clearly assessed. On the basis.

of the survey results 1 hatchery and farming experiments were established by the project in ,the TTPI (Palau), Western. Samoa and French Polynesia (Rangiroa) but these

enterprises lacked finance 1 staff and equipment and the information obtained was inconclusive. Some accurate data were however o'btained for the green turtle (Ohelonia !!!Ldas) and the hawksbill turtle (_!I!r~~~ in~brica.ta.) on hatchery techniques, survival in captivity, feeding and growth rate and. diseases. To obtain a better lmowledge of green turtle natural stocks, the French

Polynesian Fisheries Service 9 cooperating with the project, organized a tagging team

on Sully Atoll, Western Society Islands. In March 1972 7 67 adult green turtle females were tagged and released. ]four females have already been recovered - one in

Wallis Island, two in the Fiji Islands, one in Tonga ~ demonstrating a westward migration of about 1 OOO to 2 OOO n mi in three months. ~tQ:OVe fisher~ It was not possible to use consultation or expertise in the mangrove survey in testing the stock potential from natural resources over a la:r.·ge area. AB the

services of a skilled masterfisherman were not available 9 i·t was only possible to experiment on a minor scale with trap net gear imported fJ.'Om the southe:cn France lagoon Mediterranean fisherieso In New Caledonia (Sto Vincent Bay) and New Hebrides (Malekulu Island) there were successful catches of fish and crustaceans. With the gear used, H was possible to keep a grea-b variety of live baH fish every day in the holdj.ng net.

2.2 AQUACULTURE

2.2.1 Evaluation of potential In the search for some extensive natural mollusc beds - molluscs are already

being used for their 8hells and their meat ··-~ it was found that the South Pacific Island lagoons and coastal areas were capable of supporting some farming. Previously, only very small-scale activities had been undertalcen in the area (pea,rl farm in

Palau1 TTPI by the J'apanese between 1935 and 1942i edible native oyster farming in Tahiti and on the Western New Caledonia Coast from 1967)., An extensive and comprehensive survey (Appendix 5 (8)) carried out by the project

from January to June 1971 j arrived at the conclusion that oyster farming would "be possible in many localities in Western New Caledonia, in Viti Levu (Fiji)s and in

Palau (TTPI) a It was recommended in addition to the native oy·ester species to raise

the Japanese oyster ( Crassostrea p;igE;E) 7 already lmovm to have a faster growth rate and a stronger resistance than other 1mrm~water oys·ter species. To avoid the introduction of parasites or diseases through the transfer of natural spat attached to shells, experiments with seed produced in a controlled hatchery were recommended.

Fish farming has never been developed in the area although some natural salt~ water or brackishwater ponds were used in sor.ie places (Gilbert Islands - Tonga ~ Tuamotu Islands) to raise milkfish after natural stocldngo A survey 'lmdertaken from May to November 1971 ·to examine possibilities for developing fish farming recommended that for :firs·t priorities places in Palau ('I'TPI), Tarawa (Gilbert and Ellioe Islands), Viti Levu (Fiji), St. Vincent :Bay (New Caledonia) and Rangiroa (Tuamotu Islands) should be selected using millcfish and mullet species to test the natural oondi tions for small-scale fish farmso It was also :reconm1ended to investigate possibilities of raising penaeid shrimp and giant freshwater slu'imp (Mao:ro1Jrachium spp)., 9

The Second Consultative Committee in October 1971 ,taking into consideration the project's recommendations on fish farming, selected places where the Develop~ ment Agency should build demonstration centres for feasibility studies and distribution of ·the refluHs to the other par-ticipa:ting territories. Thi'l first priority was for Palau, TTPI and St. Vincent Bay, New Caledonia and a th:iJ~d place in Fiji 1 presumably in Viti Levu. The second priorHy was for Tahiti 9 F.rench Polynesia.

E.:[.ji (Viti_Levu}

(a) Suva o;z~!~.J~ro j e~i,'. On the basis of recommendations made by the project, the Fiji Fisheries Division started an oyster project near Suva in the vicinity of the main town of Lami. After unsuccessfully stocking trays with the local mangrove oyster ( Crei,ssostrea g_lomerata) experiments were s·tarted with the cultoh~ less or "unattached" Japanese oyster spat (~~ ~) obtained from a Californian hatchery. Spat on fi broli te-·masonite sheet and suspEmded from raft gave good growth rates. On the recommendation of the project, oyster farming was expanded by building new floating structures and importing 1 million cultchless

oyster spat. A ferro~concrete raft of 1~ton floating capacity was drawn and constructed by the project. A project oyster culture expert was appointed in July 1973 to develop oyster farming and study its economic feasibility. During the initial

period of his work he transferred oysters of marketable size to an un~ polluted area. This was treated as a priority as several people had been severely affected by eating oysters from Lami Bay. A survey was carried out to find more su.Hable places for the hanging culture method as it would appear possible to develop other demonstration centres on the Viti Levu south coast by building new rafts and expanding production.

(b) ~avi 1 Lautoka 1 fish farming

Initial fish farming experiments, using mullets, rabbitfish and tilapia9 were carried out in four 0.2-ha ponds in Raviravi. Taking advantage of a

mangrove reclamation scheme in the Lautoka-Ba area, northwest Viti Levu1 the Fiji Fisheries Division with the assistance of the Land Department

and the project 7 constructed a large-scale pond facility consisting of six o.6 ha ponds, a 1.4-ha pond and a 1.8-ha pond. 10

In view of this development and in o:cder to give the best po:qsil)le suppo:d

to the l"i,ji Fisheries IHvision 9 the project's fish cuHul''e expert was

transferrecl on e, full~tirne basis to Lautoka area in Aug1,rnt ·1973 9 the project px·oviding e, vehicle in addition to fishing ge

TeJdng into consideration the f)eoond Consulta;ti ve Committee reso .Ln l.:L on / the New Caledonia Territorial Assembly granted credit for ths building of the Aquaculture Demonstration Centre in St. Vincent Bay ancl for sta.:ding operations on shrimp and fish farming feasibility studies. The New Ca,ledonia contribution was GFP JJ' 10 million :J/ for 1972 and GFP F 4 million for 19730 The building of the Demonstrntion Centre was completecl in

May 1973 with ·~he cooperation of pl'Oject and Jfow Caledonia.n cO\mterpart experts. 2 2 One expe:rimental pond ( 1 ;2 OOO m ·16 OOO m ) has lJeen constructed. It can be filled by f:i.lte:red sea wa;te:r (pump capacity ·1 OOO m3/h) and emptied by means of a sluice gate" A field laboratory is a.va:i.lable" Accommoda·tion 1 sleep1ng six1 is sufficient for ci< pe:rmanent team of investigatorf; rn1d foJ~ occasional visitors.

In June 1973 the pond was stocked with 5 OOO ,juvr:mifos 1 ma.:l.nly Pen~

.~i·'.:iE!l}_s collected from mangrove a:eeas.. B,y mid·-·August ·1973 9 the average weight had increased from 2. 5 g to 5 g fo!.' males an cl to 9 g for f'omales" The first crop harvested in mid~October ;yielded a total or 50 of which 7(Jf,, wa.s marketable, 1-1i th 50% males Neighing 9 g and 5CYfo ferna,leu weighing 17 g each. Shrimps were marketed at an average price of CFP F '] 200/kgo Limited experiments with fish fnrming with juveniles were carried out with grey mullet (Mu~ cephalui::) v big-sceJ.e mullet (J-.iz~ !fl!:c:S?.:!:~l~pis) and blue tail mullet

(:Mugil ~). About 200 kg o:f fish H8l'o ca.ught in excellent condition ·~ no diseases or parasites were detectedo This was presumably due to bathing the fry with furanacc solution 1)efore stocld.ng., The average weight of ha:cver:rl;ed fish was 80 g for blue tail mullet, 180 g for big 8cale mulfot and 280 g for grey mulleto The best fish were sold at CFP ]' 80/kgo At this stage it was decided to discontinue test rearing of mullet.

In seeking furthe1' developments in aquaculture 1 Ne1·1 Caledonian au·thorities are supportil'.lg the St. Vincent Bay Aquaculture Demonstration Centre project through a public non-profi·l; incorporated company the 11 Cornpagnie pour l' Aqua.culture Caledonienne". The company's partners are the 'l'er:ritorial Assembly and local administration representatives, Noumea Charnbe:c of' Commeroev local businessmen and lawyersv fishermen

j/ US$ 1.00 = CFP F 77.00 (1 April 1973)~ 11

and oyster farmers, scientists from ORSTOM JI, Noumea and French Universities. The Company plans to maintain and develop aquaculture operations using local funds and a French national contribution and through oontrads with organizations involved in aquaculture. The French CNEXO y has signed a contract supporting operations for shrimp farming feasibility experiments. Further funds w:t ll come from the New Caledonian Territorial Assembly contribution and from the French Government FIDES Fund as well as from the oontract. Such funding will make it possible to develop new ponds and to build up a small-scale controlled hatchery.

------New Hebrides Assistance was given in Port Sandwich, Lamap (Melekula Island, Central New Hebrides) in the development of a pilot oyster farming project, using cultchless Japanese oyster spat imported from California. The expansion of these experiments was recommended as well as the building of an experimental field laboratory.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Following reoomntendations made by the project, a separate UNDP activity in aquaculture was established in Tarawa Island. F\trther collaboration from the Development Agency was not requested.

Palau, TTPI In cooperation with the TTPI Marine Resources Division, plans were made in November 1971 for a Demonstration Centre at Pala,u. However TTPI's participation in the ill'JDP was not oleared and the Plan of Operation in this instance was not in accordance with the rules of the organization. Any project action or cooperation with TTPI was frozen as of December 1971 pending some agreement between the UNDP and the U .s.A .. Administrationo Ultimately Palau Mari culture Demonstration Centre was built through a u.s.A .. organization helping the TTPI Marine Resources Division.

2.3 BOATBUILDING

2.3.1 General activities The original project plan called for assistance in ferro~cement boatbuilding but it quickly became apparent that the requirement was not only in this limited field but also in the larger areas of de8ign and construction of fishing boats in

JI Office de la recherche scientifique et technique d 1 outre~mer. y Centre national pour 1 1 exploitation des oceans. ·12

general. Due ·to the considerable distances between the ·territories p8.rtfo:Lpating in the project, it was not possible for one man to provicl.e d:!.rect practical assistanoe to all territories :In the time available. Assistance wa.s therefore concentrated on specific demands made by the territorial l'epresentatives at the meetings of the Consultative Committee and on the preparation of design drawings (Appendix 5).,

ELll Work undertaken included the p:r·eparation of design drawings and specifications for a 75-ft wa·terline fisheries research vessel, a 35-ft ferro--oement fisrdng boa:tv a 42-ft ferro-cemen·t fish carrier and a ferro-cement raf·t for oyster 9ultiva:tion.

Supervision was provided for the building of two 30.-ft and one 35--ft ferro~ cement fishing boats. :Building bays were designed and erected for the construction of two 35-40 ft boats simultaneously, and a list of hand and machine tools was prepared to equip a small ferro-cement boatynrd.

Sketch drawings were prepared of suitable ar:r·angemonts for 27~ft fisheries patrol boats and 17·-ft 6-.in flat-bottornecl boats for inshore fishermen •

------.American Samoa Advice was given on revised specifications and sketches provided for modified arrangement layouts for a 50-ft fisheries research vessel. Participation in trials held in .American Samoa resulted in suggestions for minor improvements and advice was given on the repair of a 25-ft plywood boat for the Department of Marine Resou:rces.

2.3.4 ------Western Samoa Revised arrangement drawings were prepared for a 38-~ft ferro-cement fishing boat 1

together with construction and many detail clrmvings of fittings 7 mast, rigging, launching cradle, etc. Advice was given on the construction of this boat during

visits to Western Samoa and desii:;n 1 construction and fitting of a pair of plate

stabilizers was carried out. A design was prepared 7 construction supervised and trials made for a, 28-ft meditun-speed plywoocl fishing boat for operation by· the government Fisheries Division. li'ishing trials were carried out in Western Samoa with this boat to demonstrate the feasibility of pearl shell lure techniques for the catching of skipjack tuna.

~.ronri8:· During participation in a UNDP/FAO 'l'una Survey Mission, investigations were made into local boatbuilding and repair facilities and the availability of construction materials. Cost estimates were prepared for 35-ft and 50--ft vessels. A training · course in corn:;truotion, repair and maintenance of small fishing boats was given to fishing boat owners and builders in August-September 1972. ~l!~t t~~l:~. ~h.a,n _o!!.~. t!'.ll'}'!~~zx Designs for a 35~ft general purpose fishing boat and a 42·~ft fen(~~cement fish carrie.r were prepared for construction ana/or operation by local village communities in Fiji but could he,ve application in other te:r:d to:des where sepa1·ai;e island communities could catch and supply fish to a centrally located marke·to

An oyster raft of ferr~cement m:dts~ post~tensioned to form two floating pontoons, with three prestressed concrete beams forming a raft to which a wooden plat­ form was bolted, enabled the suspension of oyster spat to a total carrying capacity of 10 t of oysters. Such rafts could be readily produced in territories with a capability for the produc·tion of prestressed concrete products. Material from the training course in construction, maintenance and repair of small fishing boats is to be expanded i.nto a manual of general interest to boat o>-mers and builders in the region.

On the basis of results from the 28'"·ft medium speed fishing boat 9 sketch drawings

have been made of a 55~ft V-bottomed boat a,n operating speed of 15 lm. Construction

costs of such a boat were estimated at the end of ·1972 to be approximately US~) 20 OOO. Fitted with insulated fish boxes, optional small bait well capacity and gear for multiple , such a boat would be capable of 21 to 48 h of operation for surface

schooling of fish~using trolling, pearl shell lure and limited live bait capability. H was not possible in the time available to obtain sufficient catch data from widely separated sources to provide reliable estimates of profitability for such· a vessel, but cost analyses prepared for the 2f>....ft boat in Western Samoa indicate that one year's operation should, in that country, be sufficient to cover initial capital out lay and the year 1 s operating costs"

The design and construction of ferro~cement fishing boats was widely discussed at an FAO seminar held in Wellington,New Zealand, in October 1972 (Appendix 5 (26))e

2.4 PU:SLICATICNS Knowledge of the area was greatly improved by the publication of ten consultant reports. Each report was issued and distributed in English ( 150 copies) and in French (50 copies)o In addition, five reports and papers were issued on boat building. Three reports of the Consultative Committee, in English and French, were prepared and dii;itributed in the participating territories. In view of the rather poor inter-territorial communication a11d the lack of local information on fisheries in the area the project, in association with the SPC, issued a South Pacific Islands Fisheries Newsletter which was distri"buted in English (350 copies) and French (150

oopies) 0 Ten numbers were issued from April 1971 to October 1973. This journal

provided information on the activities of the project 1 summarized the more important fishery activities in the area and dissem:i:nated information on new· technology. A list of all publications is given in Appendix 5• 14

3. RECOMMENDATIONS

3a1 RECOMMENDATIONS BY TERRITORY

A two--year programme will be required to complete the oyster farming feasibility study, Fiji.

E;i;sh farming A work force should be established in Fiji to manage the main fish ponds and make routine observations, and also for the collection of fry. The feasibility of fish farming cannot be assessed before marketing two or three crops. To enable

formulation of recommendations on farming procedures, feeding formulae 9 periods of

stocking and cropping, choice of species with best growth rates 1 mono-or polyculture, etc., comparative experiments should be carried out over a period of at least two years. 'l'he Fiji Goverrtment has invested a large amount of capital in building ponds and in arranging faoi lities for field work with a locally recruited marine biologist and some other workers. FAO/UNDP should support the experiments for at least two years, by providing a fish farming e:x:pert and a specialis·I; in engineering and fishing

gear technology. An equipment budget of about USi~ ·10 OOO a year would be required. The SPC can also give support and contribute to the project by providing a volunteer to assist in the field work, and equipment for collection of fry. culture of penaeid shrimp can be attemp-l;ed if collection of juveniles from mangrove areas proves possible.

Development of coastal resources Before any other investment in marine resources development in Fiji can be made, an exhaustive survey of the coastal-reef-mangrove and lagoon areas in the Fiji Archipelago is required. As Fiji can use scientific assistance from the University of the South Pacific

and can be helped also by other scientific organizations from the u.s.A. 7 Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, it is recommended that an exhaustive 15

survey be planned of the coastal area to cover not only the marine biological and the natural environmen·tal fields, but also to include the geographical condi-Uons,

the coastal population 9 socio-economic organization and relationships and all related factors for the establishment of economic developnent with financial returns obtainer') by marketing new products. It is recommended that a team of experts work in the field for a minimum of one year to visit one by one every island including the remote Lau group or the scattered Bligh Sea Islands. The team should include at least four experts able to cover coastal morphology, ecology of co:C'al reefs, mangrove and lagoon areas, relationship between the natural environmental and. development activitiesg use

of up-to-date technology for. tropical fishing gear and aqwwulture tec1miques 7 village and community development methods and organization for logistics and marketing. In its final report such a team should indicate ·l;he best places and the best technical and economic approach, giving the economic feasibility of obtaining financial returns to the islanders and to the general econom:Jr of the coimtry.,

New Caledonia The first crops from the St. Vincent Bay experimental pond are promising and therP is an open local market seeking high quality marine products. Stocking of ponds with seed obtained from mangrove areas should be oonsideredo However, any enterprise on a commercial level must rely on the segural supply of postlarvaeand juveniles produced by a hatchery. The CNEXO Ta.hi ti Laboratory has succeeded in rearing penaeid shrimps and in producing post larvae which can easily be transported to New Caledonia - 8 h by jet plan. Efforts should be made to develop now ponds and establish a small­ scale controlled hatchery locally.

New Hebrides The first stages of oyster farming development have been more promising in Espirito Santo (p;iva:te enterprise) than in La Map (administrative project). Spat of oyster species like Crassostre::: yi:r:g~ could be imported. Feasibi 1i ty studies for the farming of giant freshwater shrimp {!1acrob~achium) should be initiated as local conditions and availability of cheap feed are conducive to such an activity • .Any development of the bonito fishery will require attention to live bait and storage problems. The successful testing of mangrove fishing gear may open the way for the e:x:ploi tation of natural stock. It may be useful to establish fisheries services through the French and British territories or through the Condominium Administration. 3.1.4 ~a_!'[~~!!!_g~~~ It was not possible to develop a specific project in Pa,pua New Guint:a as the

territory represents, by its environment and popula;tion~ a continent er1ual to the oombined tiny and scat·tered South Pacifio Islands. However, the coral reef system armmd some of the islands and the extensive mangrove areas have the same kind of problems as prevail in most of the area but on a larger scale. Development of the mangrove fisheries can be used to obtain more information. Aquaculture progress cen l)e efficiently tested as fry seems to be easily available for stocking ponds in many places. Means should be found to improve the live bait resources for the successful

bonito fishery 7 through new technology and by farming live bait fish. The by-products derived from processing boni·to can be utilized as a cheap fish feed in aquaoulture development.

Solomon Islands Many possi bili ti0s exist for improvement of the mangrove and brackishwater lagoon fisheries. More fish traps should be tested. Development of a new bonito requires a study of the live bait resources, new fishing techniques and storage organization.

The beche~d&-mer industry is already on the way ·to being overfished and in order

to use the natural stocks ·to the best o,dvantage regulations are needed9 as well as more data for national exploitation.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Out-of-reef fishing can supply more food for the islanderse For the developnent

of any kind of oommercial~scale fisher;y-, including aquaculture, transport and storage facilities must be provided. Only heavy oapi tal investment for a large-scale enterprise can open the way to utilizing the natural potential of some islands.

Cook Islands Previous lack of success in the improvement of the local fishjng fleet and of the aquaculture project make this small ·territory very sensitive ·to any further experimental projec·ts. However, it may l)e possible to introduce some aquaculture experiments in selected places.

French Polypesia Turtle tagging must be supported and developed as the French Polynesian Fisheries Service has available a, team of specialists with good experience. Such action is of

regional interest as demonstrated by the green turtle migrations to Fiji 9 Tonga and 17

Wallis Islandso With adequate funding the French Pol;ynesian turtle tea1n could be invited to extend its aotivities to other islands in the area. The CNJTIXO Tahiti Laboratory and the local Fisheries Service are able to develop large-scale aquaculture farms for molluscs and crustaceans 1 in view of the scale of ·investments -and their experience in this aotivityo It would be advantageous to reach agreement with the Tahiti CNEXO organizatiorw as juvenile and post larvae production of suitable apeoies oan be used for pilot aquaculture projects over the whole area •

.American Samoa Out-of-reef deep sea fishery developnent appears to be the best way to develop the project's recommendations in .American Samoa. Fish poisoning must be carefully investigated as about 40% of the total catch from the new dory project are now discarded.

Western Samoa The coastal natural environment provides the Western with only small deltaic areas, scattered coral reefs and small lagoon.surfaces. Out-of-reef fishiilg cen be developed and limited pilo·I; experiments can be started in some brackish and freshwater ponds on the feasibility of fish culture. Development of should be investigated.

~ A good local market, cheap labour and many suitable sites for pond construction favour the development of aquaculture in Tonga. Technical assistance will be required for th:Ls purpose. Improved exploitat:ion of reef and lagoon marine :resources through the use of new gear would have a beneficial impact on the local economy.

Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands In spite of its exclusion from the present FAO/UNJ)p project, TTPI remains among the best areas to demonstrate and to carry out feasibility studies for aquaculture rather than for out-of-reef fisheries. The work end reports of the Palau Mariculture Demonstration Centre must be taken into consideration before eny decisions are made regarding other equatorial islands of the area, i.e. Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Solomons, Papua New Guinea. The Marshall a·boll group offers natural environmental conditions identical to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and the Tuamoti Archipelago, and many other scattered · atolls in other groups. Progress made in exploitation of marine resources in the Marshall atoll group should be carefully reviewed for possible application to other Pacific islands. 18

3.2 COASTAL FISHERIES

3a2.1 Out-of-reef fisheries A comprehensive survey in the area is required to ass.ass the natural stock composition and volume between 40 and 200 fathoms. This will necessitate skilled s·ta.ff using a wide range of gear in order to make suitable recommendations for the best equipment to be used by the local fishermen. This would be on the scale of a.

reg:ional pro,jeot and the SPC approach to the problem is oor:t'ect, i.e. a threc·-~rea:r project covering the whole area and for which the CommisGion has already budgeted

more than US~~ 500 OOO. Any, agency equipment useful to the project can be transferred to the care of the SPC as part of the UNDP contribution to the enterprise. If the technical and economic feasibility for this new type of fishing :is promising it ohould be suggested to the UNDP to support the organization of a demonstration centre with training boats, able to distribu·te information on the new activity among the islanders. The Kagoshima Department Fisheries Laboratory (Japan) is now the only cent:::·e with adequa·te equipment and a trained crew for deep bottom fisheries in ·the tropical Pacific area.

Reef and_ lagoon resources

~ta~era

Improved cooperation between affected. areas in methods of control and eradica~ tion of ciguatera is an urgent requirement for better use of existing reef and lagoon resources. To obtain a uniform approach to the collection and identification of samples, it is recommended that a team of experts be established to visit all affected areas.

Reef end laJS..oon resom'ce surve;r A comprehensive reef and lagoon research can only be achieved by using new techniques ·and with the support of a multid.isciplinary international team. The project area is so Hide that the basis for any· selection for natural potential develop-­ ment among the islands must be supported by the findings of a satellite or aerial remote sensing and scam1ing survey. In such a way it will be possible to classify, at frequent intervals during the year, the best producing areas, using superficial temperature variationa, chlorophyl pigment density and other criteria, giving an accurate idea of the natural environment evaluation with the main productivity relationships. 19

After the selection of areas, the team must make physical and biological observations in the field to obtain more precise information on the potentialities to be developed. Investment and teohnological intervention to promote production will only ·baJce place after the first sys·bematio and basic approach. It is therefore recommended tha,t an international coordinated muHidisoipline,:cy project be established in which international and national agencies are associated,

as well as public and private bodies with a vested. interest in the establishment of '~ special pro.)ect or agency in charge of building up an organization and creating the management for a general survey of reef and la.goon potentinl resources in the ti,opioal and equatorial Pacific Islands.

Beche-de-mer resources Before any new development in beche-de-mer production, overfishing factors in relation to the dynamics of the edible species of natural stock must be investigated. Beche-de-mer supplies must be controlled and the local fisheries service should put a quota limitation on catches by restriction of the fishing season and by delineation of reserve areas. F'or rational exploitation, information should be assembled on growth rate, natural mortality and recruitment for all commercial species in the area. Rather than depleting the natural population and giving temporarily a large

tonnage of second·-quali ty marketable p:roducts 1 it is recommended that a small-scale processing plant be constructed, aiming to produce limited quantities of a high­ quali ty product.

Turtle resources The turtle tagging programme which has been established should be extended out­ side French Polynesia. The French Pol;ynesia.n Fisheries Service turtle team should be supported for at leant another three years, not only on Scilly Atoll but also on other islands where turtle reproductive concentrations are found. As demonstrated by the green turtle migration, regional regulations are required for natural stock conservation. It is recommended that' such regulations be introduced, and imposed on all islands to give complete protection to all species. As all islanders in the area are involved in turtle catching for food and for marketing, it is suggested that a family-scale farming project be started. Such an operation would however require good knowledge of feeding requirements and of diseases and general maintenance. All existing turtle farms in the Caribbean, Australia and elsewhere should 1Je surveyed by a consultant to report on the technology and investment potential with specific recommendations for the remote places in the Pacific Islands. Effor·ts should 'be made to develop new small""scalc) mangrove fishe11 i.es a-t the village levelg using mainly trap nets a,s urJed in ·the Medite:eranean lagoons and deltas. The llfodi ·terranean trap nets of south en• France are suggested as the most e:fficien t a.nd cheapest gear. Such nets can also be used for collection of fish ond crustacean seed for poncl cuHurev ancl of live ba:lt for local bon:lto boats. A mangrove project is sugges'tecl~ m

Western Micronesia)" A skillod mas'l.ex·ftsherimm would be required in addition JGo a pro j eoi; manager.

3 • 3 AQUAClJli'I1UIIB

3 • 3 .1 Q;y'~l~~:~~a~:miri,~ Project finding·s on approprie.te species and the 1Jest techniques and suitable

sites for development of oyster culture should be~ implemented .under separate na,tional programmes. The suHabilH;y· of native oysters (C~5t.S!J_

Other molluscs

Clam farming is possible in some places o Experimenti:i should be conducted with oultchless spat imported :from a, Californian hatoheryo Mussel farming may help in providing additional protein for the popu_lation ex1d a cheap feed for oultcu'ed crustacean so

Sh:~::!!!!JLf ~~~!lJI A survey to id.entify natural seed resources of shrimp should be carried out in the South lfostern Pacific Island.so Arrangements can be made with the Tahiti CNEXO Laboratory for providing and dis·t.ributing postlarvae for pond_ stocking. It is

reoomrnencled that various species be tested in ·!;he ponds9 including ~ ~1er~ensis and ~tanena~~ !!L~!l°"cero§_• As soon as postla:r.vae from .E• rn2E.Qdoi:i, E• semisu~, f• 1.~~y.s and metapenaeid species are 1waHa,ble~ experiments should be carried out to check their suitabl.lity for culture under local conditions.

The organization of srnall·~scale farming is :recommendedt using natural seed for

stocking. As two or ptirhaps three shrimp crops per year can be obtained9 a srnall­ scale scheme appears feasible. 3.3.4 !'i!!J: _f_l!:£!Oi1l,g Imp:rovemen·t of e:icis-ting small ponds fol' ouHure of mi1Jcflsh and mullet at ·the village level oan be made w:l.th a sma,11 investment. 'rhe culture of rabl1it fish (siganids) now under investiga.:bion :Ln I<'i;ji and :ln Palau should be con tinned as theoe fish a,re in gree;t demand over the ent:Lre a,:rea. A thorough survey should be undertaken of the na;l;ural seed resources of ·thes0 speeies and inves·Ugations :into their indu.ee;l breeding. Introduction of exotic speoies should be carefully investigated. ThtEt howEW·Jr should awaJ:t ·l;he outcome of the natural seed resource sur1rey.

3•4 EOATBUILDING

3 .4 .1 Sha1~1.£!L Wf!;~tf!Jie:r~~f] ,:!-!Ll~~~9~~8:'.£_~~9. Shallow water fisheriefl :ln lagoon areas are bes-t EJe:cved b;y· simple low-cost t flat­ or V-bottom wooden boats j/ ,,

;!)ee;p.J:2E~~i,~ecf~§llo~ In small :l.sla.nd communities, where distances to be covered to the fishing

groill1ds are short~ deep lining on the reef slope can be most efficiently and

eoonomicall;y· carried out by small displacement boats i such as the 35~ft design, with a larger oarrier vessel to t.rax1spo:ct fish to the market centres and to assure a supply of ice for preservation of the ca·hcho Detnils of the 'economics and planning of such a scheme of small unit fishedes are outlined in a project paper (Appendix. 5 (2·1) )o It must be stressed tha·b success wi 11 depend entirely on the maintenance given to the boat and especially to the engine. 'I'ogether with such a scheme, regular inspection and servicing by qualified personnel, plus basic training of the engineer who is to operate the engine, must be established.

Where distances are greater and economic Ol' social factors dictate a daily operation, the possibility of using a Hght? higher speed boat for this type of

fishery can also l)e considered. However 9 the catch rai;e end value of the catch landed must be high to justify the higher operaHng costs. It must also be recommended that the greater h.p. and higher r.p.m. engine needed for ·this t;y-pe of boat. is not only more expensive but requires considerably more care with particular attention to fuel

quality and regular maintenance. Be~for·e embarking on large-scale building of high·­ speed boats for deep lining? the economics of the operation plus problems of maintenance of high r.p.m. diesel and/or petrol englneB should be investigated by a pilot p1•ojeot.

:J} Suitable types are shovm in J!'AO F'isheries Technical Papers No~ ·117 9 Fishing Boat Designs ! Flat Bottom Boats and No,, 134w Fishing Boat Designs t 2 V-Eottom Boats. 3.4.3 §.~c_li_~~ l~~K~~e l·Cl:t'~O_ K:!:~lL8~cL~.kl, ltlhere the need exists fo1' at 1eaut rnedinm speed (!2·--18 kn) boats to :range

widely .in search of schools 9 tht~ highe:c cost of ·the ±'aster boat is oasie:!" to justify

in view of increased oatc1h rates. Ho1·JEJVe1· 9 whe1'e the :fishery is smi..c;r,m::;,lv a det;,iJ lf,{;' cos·t analysis should be me,d.e to

Suitable boo/i;s could "be found in -~he s:ize range 24- to 35~.ft equipped with irl"boa:rd diesel enginef.l. Inboard/ ou:b·bofl,l'd engbH:HJ are not oonsidered suf'fi.oi ent ly robust to

stand up to the :requh•ements of 1moh a fiBhe:r;y· in f1, developing co1mtryo

Boats, £ihoulcl be equ.ippetl with the oapabU.ity of multipfo t:rolling~ pearl shell

lure and possi bl;y· limited. 1iv1:)~boat oe,pac:l.tyo

:B'lat-·bo-ttorned dor:i es of the -~;ype being usod in the South Pacific do not represen·t ·the only or necessarily the best solution to the problem. Their definite advantages are in simpl:i.city and. relatively low in:i:tial coG·t but aga:l.nst ·'GJ'd.s must 1)e put. the higher operating costs and relci:Live deHcaoy of the hl.gh r.p.m. engine plus the small carrying capacity of the hull.

A possibly bwbter ~1olu:~ion would lv~ to }).'i:'OVide e, vessel which is designed to operate efficiently and oorn:fo:rtably i.n. the semi~displacement speed l'a:nge ( '!0-»15 knots)

with enough h,,p. to retet:l.n theBe s_peedFl even when loaded. 'Phe semi~displacenient hul1 of this ·1.;ype wou.ld lJe of modera;l;e dead :Pi.Be (up to 151)) Ytdth a rela-t:lvely long., narrow,

easily driven hull. Such a hull would 1rn more oom:l:'ortable 'I less inclined ·to hull damage due to pounding when driven a:t rJpeecl. ancl should have considerably lower running costs than the higher speed vesseL, 'rl1e 28.,,ft boat designed :for Western Samoa and the

proposed 35~.f·l; extension o:f tbifJ ·type, we1•e drawn up with these operating oha.racteristics in mind. It is suggested that the 0'\.1te:r z·eef pJ~ojeo·t 1 1·1hen deciding its vessel :requirements, should include bo·th do:des and a, vessel oJ' this type in order to obtain valid comparisons both from an econom:i.o aml operat:\.onal point of view to establish the best vessel type for thi£1 pa.r-tioular f.1.sher.i.es opera.t.iono

3.5 FELLOWSHIPS It is recommended tha-t the 'bes·t use fo~' fellowship money should be that of

financing vi si'ts i not in the a:rea, but to more advanced. places like Japan 1 the United States? Australia mid :New Zealand with tropical environments anrl with well=managed mar:l.ne resource dcwelopmen'l; and r;i,quacultu:re activi·ties,, 2.3

3.6 PUBLICATIONS The regional project newsletter should be replaced by ano·ther periodical

disseminating information and giving up-to~date and accura·te data on technological progress for regional marine resources development. It is recommended that the South Pacific Commission (Fisheries Branch), as a regional body, arrange for the issue of a South Pacific Fisheries Newsletter in French and English with the same distribution e,s the previous newsletter to administrationsf

scientific and eoonomio institntions 11 and entrepreneurs, and to professional people involved in the South Pacific Islands marine resource developmento

3.7 REGION.AL MEETJNOS It is recommended that arrangements be made for regional meetings every two or three years where the existing stocks ce.n be reviewed and 'discussions held on special problems relating to marine resources development. Such meetings should be attended by the people in charge of regional fisheries activities and by international experts

able to give up-t~date information on new techniques for the area. Papers and contributions for such meetings should be distributed in English and French. The first priority should be to arrange regional meetings on sldpjaok fishery development and aoquaoulture in the reef and lagoon environmente

25

PROJECT STAF.fl'

Dates of Service EH_ari; :i.!},g. D~}~-ao;;:QliidJ.ng~:QiiJ;~ FAO Ste,ff

J 0A0 'I'ubb Project Mu,nager 1 Ju:ne 1969 'l 5 Aug. 1971 F. Doumenge Pro,jeo·t Manage1' 1 lfov. ·1971 31 Oct. 1973 J. Fyson Project Manager (Acting) 2 Dec. 1970 18 Ii'eb. 1971 Boatbuilcler 1 Mar. 1971 31 Dec. 1972 D~M~ Popper Fish Culturist ·1 Mar. 1973 28 Feb. 1974 'r.P. Ritchie Shellfish Culturist ·1 July ·1972 30 June 1974

R.I. Clut·ter Marine Bfology {rleefs and lre,goons) 6 Jan. ·1971 20 Aug. 1971 F. Doumenge 1 Jl.ug. 1971 31 oat. 1971 R.l'I. George Marine Bioloi;:Y (Lobsters) 12. Oct. 1970 18 Apr. 1971 J.B. Glude Aquaculture ~Shellfish) 6 Jan. 1971 30 June 1971 J.R. Hendrickson Marine ~:ur·l;les 9 .rune 1971 8 Aug. 197'1 H.F. Hirth MarinG Turtles 7 S0pt o 1970 15 Jl80o 1970 a. Idyll Fishery Development K. Sachitha

Staff were made available by the ooun-te1'pa1'i; agenoyv the Sou:bh Pacifio Commission (by secondment from the Co1mninsio:n to the projeot)p and 8,lso by the Administrations of the territories of New Caledonia and. Fiji). 922~2::1?2.£1'. Dates of Service Name_ !':12!Lq!i£U ~:f!,enoy S_t_§_rtillfLPat.Q ~=~ v.T. Hinds Project Co~~fa1mger SPC 8 Apr. 1969 6 Deo. 197'1 R.H. Baird ProJeot Co~Manager SPC 9 Oot. 1972 31 Oct. 1973 Miss o. Pitt SeoJ?etary SPO 9 Nov. 1970 8 Nov. 1971 Mrs. A.B. Levell Seo1'etary SPC 8 Oct. 1971 31 Oot. 1973 Mme. c. Pichon Seoret

!J212e:ndi:x: 2

FELI,OWSHIP

Fellow Sub,jeot pountr;y: :!2fil:ati on Visited Robert M. Stone F'ishing techniques Western Srunoa 19-26 September 1972 (Fiji} Dories American Samoa 3 daysp August 1973 Skipjaok research Hawaii 7 days, August 1973 27

MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIRVlENT PROVIDED BY UN"DP j/

1) EquiJ!!!!ent boue;ht before 1 November-12ll US$ Microscopes and binoculars 1 500 Balances 500 Distilling apparatus 225 Oxygen moni"tor Bekman 495 Nansen bottles 625 Salinity temperature bridge 1 557 Aquanau-& diving unit 318 Laboratory equipment miscellaneous 712 Chemioals 1 340 Plankton nets 920 Fish:ing gear OOO Books 32

2) Equipmen_t bought after 1 November 1911 Volkswagen Van 3 204 91!1 Water tanks 127 500 Aquarium equipment 11,844 Magnetic stirrer 15 912 Air pump · 25 612 Laboratory equipment 43 249 Chemicals 31 238 Fishing gear 83 876 Boat 184 432 Accessories 10 675 Outboard Motor 69 242 Snapper reel 70 590 Turtle ·bags 47 236 Books 5 900 Miscellaneous 184 432

j/ US$ 1.00 ~ CFP F 77.00 (1 April 1973) 28

AREA COVERED J3Y THE PROJ"ECT AS PER THE PUN OF OPERA'.r:m:r

Territory Land Area Population Ad111inist:ea·tive 2 (krn ) {October '1973) System Currency

Melanesia

Fiji 18 300 530 OOO Independent F'i.jian $ New Caledonia 19 OOO 115 OOO French overseas Ii'rench Pacific territory Franc New Hebrides 14 700 85 OOO British/French ) Australian ~S condominium ) French Hnbrides Franc

Papua New Guinea 460 OOO 2 400 OOO Se li'·-i:;oven1ing Australian $ Solomon Islands 29 800 150 OOO British protecto:t'ate Australian $ ----ll'Iicronesia Gilbert and Ellice Islands OOO 80 OOO British colony Australian $ Guam 550 110 OOO U.S. territory US$ Nauru 34 5 OOO lndependen-h Australian 1) US '!'rust TerritorieEJ 780 105 OOO u.s. administra·~i tion & UN trusteeship PolYl'}esia

Cook Islands 234 22 OOO Self-governing ) New Zealand $ under New Zealand) French Polynesia 4 OOO 120 OOO French overseas French Pacific ·berri tory Franc Niue 258 5 OOO Sel:f-govenling ) New Zea.land $ under N e>-1 Zealand) .llmerican Samoa 197 25 OOO U@So territory US$ Western Samoa 2 900 120 OOO J'.ndependent Samoa 'I'ala Tonga 700 100 OOO Inrlependent Pitcairn 5 150 British colony Australian l~

Wallis Futuna 210 8 OOO French overseas French Pacific territory Franc Tokelau 10 3 OOO New Zealand New Zealand $ dependency 29

DOCUMENTS PRJI:PAlIBD DURING '.L'HE PROJECT

A. CONSULTANT REPORTS

(1) Report on marine fisheries and aquaculture in the South Paoifio Commission. Fo Doumeuge. SPC, Novmea. No. 1180/71. 127 P•

(2) South Pacific Islands ~ Marine tur-tle resources. H.,Fa Hirth. FA0 9 Rome. FI:SF/SOP/REG/102/2. 25 February 1971. 34 Pa

(3) Sou·th Pacific Islands ~ 1\113,rine turtle resou:roes. J oR~ Hendrickson. FAOJ? Rome. FiiSF/soP/REG/102/6. ·1 March 1972. 15 P•

(4) South Pacific Islands ~· Heport on the potential for shellfish aquacultureo John B. Gludee FAO, Rome. F'I:SF/SOP/REG/102/8. 13 March 1972. 100 p.

(5) South Pacific Islands - Hook lobs·ter resoi.n·ceso R0Wa George. FAO, Rome. FI:RAS/69/102/9. April 1972. 42 P•

(6) Reef and lagoon produotiv:t·ty, South Pacific IslandB. RoI 0 Clutte:r@ FAO, Rome. FI:DP/RAS/69/102/10. 24 June 1972. 68 P•

(7) Beche~dEF-rner inclust:ry in the South Pacific Isl[l.nds. IC. Sachi thananthan. FAO, Rome. FI :DP/RAS/ 69/ 102/ 11. ·15 May 1972. 32 P•

(8) South Pacific Islands - Aquaculture. DoKe Villaluz. FAO, Rome. DP/RAS/69/102/12. 20 June 1972. 51 P•

(9) South Pacific Islands Fir1heries Development 1\geucy - Report of review mission. Richard So Croker. UNDPo 1 Jtme 1972.

( 10) South Pacific Islands ·~ Fish:l.ng bout requirements. Jolm Fyson. FAO, Rome.

November 1973~ 15 P• 7 15 drawingso

]3., SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS FISHERIES NEWSJ,ETTER

( 11 ) No. April 1971 • SPc, Noumea. 16 P•

( 12) No. 2 August 1 971 • SPC 7 Nornnea., ·14 p. SPC Noumea. (13) Nos. 3-4 - March 1972. 1 33 P• 30

( 14) No. 5 May 1972. SPC 9 Noumea. 38 P•

( 15) No. 6 September 19720 SPC 9 Noumeao 16 P• ( 16) No. 7 December 1972. SPC 9 Noumea. 23 P• and 4-page colour reprirt,

( 11) No. 8 March 1973. SPC 1 Noumea. 36 P• (18) No. 9 July 1973. SPC, Noumea. 46 P• ( 19) No. 10 October ·1973. SPC, Noumea. 58 P• c .. REPORTS Oli' MEEI'JNGS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

(20) Report of the First Meeting 9 30 October~4 November 1970. SPC 9 Noumea. 32 P•

(21) Report of the Second Meeting, 18~22 October 1971. SPC, Noumea. 52 P•

(22) Report of the Third Meeting, 7~11 August 1972. SPC, Nournea. 97 P•

D. BOATBUIJJDIN G ~ REPORTS .AND PAPERS

(23) UN:DP/FAO 'runa Survey Mission to Tonga. Investigations of local boatbuUding and repair facilities and avHilability of construction materials. Cost estimates for 35- and 50-n fishing vessels. ,Tohn Ii'yson. June 1971.

(24) 'rhe small unit fisheries project 9 Flji 9 February 1972. John Fyson in collaboration with L. Vidaeus and J. Spottiswoode. Sections on boa;tbuilding7 vessel requirements and opera,ting costs.

(25) Construction 7 maintenance and repair of small fishing boats. Training course of 14 days duration given in Tonga; August-September 1972. John Fyson.

(26) Design and construction of FAO ferro-cement fishing vessels. Paper presented at the FAO Seminar on the Design and Construction of Ferro-cement Fishing Vessels, Wellington, New Zealand, October 1972. John Fyson in collaboration with o. Gulbrandsen and A. Haug. 19 p.

(27) Hand and machine tool requi.rements for equipping a small ferro-cement boat­ yard, Fi,ji. October 1972. John Fyson.

E. BOATBUHDilTG - DmHGN

Dra,wing No. FIJ-1-1 General arrangement Drawing No. FIJ-1-2 Lines and Bonjean curves

( 29) 35-ft ferro-cement bo~

Drawing Noo FI.J-2-1 General arrangement Drawing No. FIJ-2-2 Lines and offsets Drawing No. FIJ-2-.3 Construction Drawing No. FIJ-2-4 Superstructure .31

(30) 13.2 m (43-ft-4-in) ferro-o~~entJish carrier

Drawing No. FIJ-3-1 General arrangement Drawing No. FIJ-3-2 Lines Drawing No. FIJ-3-3 Construction

(31) )8-f"t ferro-oemen~ fishing boat

Drawing No. WSFl-1 Revised layout Drawing No. WS])l-2 Construction Drawing No. WSFl-3 Superstructure

(32) 28-ft medium-speed plywood fishing bo£:1

Drawing No. WS-1-1 Profile and deck plan Drawing No. WS-1-2 Lines and offsets Drawing No. WS-1-3 Construction Drawing No. WS-1-4 Construction sections

(33) Raft for oyster cultur.e

Drawing No. FIJ-4-1 Construction Drawing No. FJ.J-4-2 Building details

(34) Additional sketch drawin s for ro ect ro osals

27-ft fisheries patrol boats - General arrangement Modified arrangement for 5Q-.ft research vessel for .American Samoa 17-ft-6-in flat-bottomed wooden boats for inshore fishermen - Outline drawings for 35-ft medium-speed fishing boat for pelagic f.isheries Covered building bays for construction for ferro-cement fii;ihing boats. MR/H"JS66/E/10.75/1/400