Paul Christian Ryan Vate Ocean Gardens Ltd. & South Pacific Ocean Gardens Ltd. Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu & President (Elect) Of Vanuatu Aquaculture and Fisheries Association Introduction Vate Ocean Gardens Ltd developed as smaller scale version of previous models undertaken in Ghana & observed in Thailand. Simplistic and appropriate technology for Vanuatu conditions. Observed Government and NGO trials and results. Researched potential as investors. Island Nation with massive importation of seafood products for tourist trade and local consumption. Trade-off by local fisherman to sell wild caught products due to high price.
History Accidental discovery of Lake Manuro. Environmental disturbed ecosystem. Evaluation of Lake Manuro for aquaculture. Suitable for higher density culture of tolerant species. Availability of species for culture in Vanuatu. Limited to originally imported stock from Fiji. Locate supplier of fry willing to assist with Red Tape. Nam Sai Farms, Thailand. Establish Import Protocol for Tilapia, fish meal, methyl testosterone and commercially produced feed. Current Status Vate Ocean Gardens Ltd. Operating +75 cages within Lake Manuro, North Efate. No further importation of floating feed from Thailand. Reliance upon local ingredients. Target harvest weight of 750-100g. Diversification of species. Emphasis upon GIFT and Red Hybrids at present. Reduced feed inputs & stocking density reduced overall production. Considering supply of vacuum packed frozen fillets. Storage life! Seeking further local ingredients for feed manufacture
Development Issues Land Disputes. Tilapia initially NOT locally accepted as product. Development of Import Protocols via NZ & Australia standards. Isolated farming location. No communication. Staff training. Transportation from quarantine facility to grow out facility. Logistically difficult to transport fry shipments from Thailand to Vanuatu. Culture System Lake ecology limiting factor. Unknown carrying capacity. Culture system has no inlet or outlet. Input totally reliant upon rainfall. Slow development. Additional cages according to seasonal variation. Utilization of nutrient rich environment. Strong competition with exotic fish previously introduced to ecosystem. Preparation for variability in seasonal water quality.
Production Potentially at present 150,000kg/ year safely Utilization of nutrient rich environment. Supplementary feeding! Local feeds. Fresh feed manufactured almost daily near site. Diversification to additional species. GIFT performance superior to red hybrids. Marketability VOGL initially produced 1000g fish. Purchased by resorts and higher end restaurants in periods of poor wild catch. Local market requested 4-5 fish/ kg. Family meal. Stigma attached to tilapia by expatriate community. This spread throughout community. Eventual success. No reports of off flavour Demonstration of filleting required for yield purposes. Many restaurants filleting fish as replacement required. All product currently sold fresh and whole. Once VOGL proved consistent supply, local inland/ freshwater fisherman placed fish upon market erratically.
Problem Areas & Constraints Government Protocol does not permit breeding/ no hatchery. Importation of fry reliant upon airfreight availability. Ever increasing freight rates. Competition for freight space from increasing tourism sector. Forcing costs higher. High variability in Lake system with limited history of parameters. Environment & Culture Lake Otas (Manuro) initially considered unhealthy due to land clearing (high nutrient levels) and introduction of carp & gourami Lake water originally crystal clear with sand/ coral debris substrate prior to land clearing. Culture cages placed within benthic substrate during early grow out period. Removed 2-3 months prior to harvest. Heavily reduced feeding protocol.
Feed Manufacturing Tusker Brewery Waste Vanuatu Abattoir Meat Meal Copra Meal. Biodiesel Plants. Water/ Freight damaged imported flour & rice used with feed. No perfected formulation. Varied feed formulation proving economically feasible. Use of appropriate technology! Recent Developments Introduction of alternate predatory species. Development of local Tuna Processing Factories. Ability to produce fish meal locally. Local supermarkets realizing back up supply.
Food Security Ni-Vanuatu population prefer fish over other products traditionally. Security vs. affordability! Market Competition Tilapia is NOT the desired fish by consumers in Vanuatu. Sales dependent upon wild caught fish supply. Ni-Vanuatu population prefer marine fish. Price DOES reflect purchases. Stigma attached to tilapia. Especially GIFT or dark coloured. Asian community major consumers of tilapia, prefer dark fish. Red Hybrids associated with reef fish. Competition from Tuna Fishery By- catch. National Airline currently utilizing Imported Basa fillets for onboard catering. Needs to change!
Social Acceptance Price is key!!!! Production method must suit location. Tilapia not marketed as Tilapia. Perche Cerise!!! French translation for Cherry Perch. Tilapia currently referred to as Cherry Fish Export Potential Requests from Fiji & Australia. Melanesian Spear Head Group (MSG) Australia requesting Organic Status. Naturland Guidelines/ Standards ( & GGA) for Organic Status.
Future Prospects Development of multi- species freshwater hatchery. Processing of product. Increase shelf life. Development of local aquaculture species. Alternate Species Basa Barramundi Australia Red claw (Cherax. sp.) Freshwater Prawns Mangrove Jack etc.
Marketing goals Increase domestic demand Provide variety to local markets Maintain environmental awareness Market tilapia as ecologically efficient and sustainable Most seafood restaurants Most grocery stores Compete with chicken, beef, pork Restraints Endless list! Most overcome ( & overcome economically feasible in Vanuatu) Questions welcome.
Tilapia aquaculture in Outer Islands Current belief is that tilapia are maintenance free. Site suitability vs. appropriate technology vs. subsistence vs. profitability! Initial plan as private investors was to develop medium sized farm. Support satellite farms.
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