Samoa Aquaculture Sector

Transcription

1 Samoa Aquaculture Sector Aquaculture in Samoa is a minor industry in terms of production, income generated and employment. True aquaculture started in 1954 when an SPC aquaculture expert visited Samoa to assess the potential of establishing fish ponds. This was part of an effort to improve the nutrition of local inhabitants and it was also part of a regional project important to the economic and social welfare of the people. Tilapia was then selected as a suitable species for culture. The history of aquaculture has been less than impressive. Several initiatives undertaken by government and private sector to trial potential species, both introduced and local, have not prospered. p This was mainly due to lack of technical input, poor management, poor maintenance and consecutive cyclones in 1990 and Species that were farmed previously include: Philippine green mussel, Pacific oyster, FW prawns, crayfish, giant clams, tilapia, seaweed's, turtles, trochus and baitfish. 1

2 Two types of aquaculture in Samoa: 1. Village-level level or subsistence - eg. Tilapia cultured in existing water bodies and small ponds; clams grown-out in lagoons 2. Commercial or large-scale small-scale commercial farm for giant clam export to the aquarium trade. Private Giant clams - Marisearch, locally owned research facility; producing giant clams for export mainly for the aquarium trade Aquaculture Government Giant clams (Tridacnid species) - Grow-out in village lagoons - Fisheries Division (FD) Giant Clam Hatchery (Est. 2000) for re-seeding purposes Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus, O niloticus) - stocked into natural ponds and lakes - FD Tilapia hatchery (Est. 1991) for re-seeding purposes. Mudcrab - Trials of farming mudcrab (Scylla serrata) inside pens within mangrove areas 2

3 National Policies National Environment and Development Management Strategies As one of the Target Environmental Components, it aims to increase the harvestable stocks of fish and other marine resources by developing fish farming to supplement natural stocks. (NEMS 1993) Statement of Development Strategy For the Agriculture sector, in particular village and subsistence fisheries it looks at practices to, I. Strengthen supply of fisheries resources and II. Promote stock enhancement (SDS 2002) Fisheries Division Mission Statement In its mission statement invested within the corporate plan, the development of fishery resources is its main goal, Promotion of optimum and ecologically sustainable use of the country s fishery resources and to develop suitable alternatives to substitute for harvesting depleted resources (FD 1995?) Value and Trends of Aquaculture Production - Overview 1. Giant clams - considered a delicacy and overharvesting depleted stocks in some areas - introduced species (Tridacna gigas, T. derasa, Hippopus hippopus) farmed in the late 80 s but perished during the cyclones in 1990/91 - few wild stocks prompted stock enhancement programme and construction of giant clam hatchery - Used mainly for stock enhancement through grow-out in village lagoons - Export - private 2. Tilapia - introduced as an alternative food fish, to improve diet and considered to have a shortage of fish in Samoa - farmed in earthen ponds, stocked into existing water bodies - currently consumed and sold locally 3

4 Aquaculture Products Uses Markets - harvested for food (clams, tilapia, mudcrab, etc.) - to generate income - local markets: restaurants/hotels/local population - overseas: for the aquarium trade Advantages and potential - Food security - Providing variety & alternative source of protein - Increasing stocks from re-seeding and stock enhancement programmes - Income generation for people and economy of island nations - Reduce imports of seafood - Employment - Increased awareness of aquaculture and its potential - Potential of local species for culture limited but species identified for culture with high potential includes those previously introduced 4

5 Impediments & constraints Major constraints include: j - Lack of hatcheries to support seedstock - Lack of sites for large-scale aquaculture - Lack of compounded feeds and suitable feed ingredients - Lack of infrastructure and capacity 5