In May this year, ACIAR’s Fisheries program manager, Dr Chris Barlow, visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) to check out the progress of several fisheries projects (the inlandaquaculture project in Goroka and a mariculture project at Nago Island, Kavieng). Highlights of the trip included 'finding Nemo' and seeing some of the amazing work coming out of a pearl-development project...
Clownfish (Image courtesy of Zelko Slamaj) |
“In one scenario, there is work being done on clown fish—made extremely popular as an aquarium fish by the film ‘Finding Nemo’. One of the angles we are following is to develop a sterile ‘Nemo’ which will help protect the PNG supply into the global market,” Dr Barlow said.
The work presents a great opportunity for market
development and increasing opportunities for people working in the
aquarium-supply area.
“There’s also much enthusiasm for sea cucumber
work. We visited Limanak village where a restocking activity is underway. There
are only about 500-600 sea cucumbers stocked so far, but there is good survival
and growth,” Dr Barlow said.
"These projects are helping to contribute to the sustainability of marine species and livelihood development for coastal communities."
“Some exciting developments are occurring with
oysters. While there is limited progress at this stage with edible oysters,
pearl production is making great advances. The longlines are growing well and the
project team is getting some beautiful and distinctive colours”, Dr Barlow said.
An ACIAR-funded pearl production project, Abaiang Lagoon, Kiribati |
Image courtesy of J Hunter Pearls |
“Round pearls are more valuable, but the profitability
and amenity for local producers is favourable with the mabé. We’re aiming to
extend the work being done in Tonga and Fiji into PNG,” Dr Barlow said.
Previous work has already
been completed on a project whereby mabé culture was introduced to the farm of
the biggest round pearl producer and major local employer in Fiji, J HunterPearls. A local artisan—the best carver in Fiji—turned the mabé
into beautiful jewellery. Some of the mabé have been sold in Europe.
Towards the end of 2013 the current pearl project will be holding a women's handicraft workshop at the
mariculture research station in Nago Island, Kavieng, PNG.
The Mabé have been carved by a local artisan Image courtesy of J Hunter Pearls |
Image courtesy of J Hunter Pearls |
It’s appropriate that this post is published the
day before World Oceans Day, as we appreciate hard-earned ‘gifts from the sea’
that have the potential to lessen the burdens on the lives of people in
developing nations and the aquatic resources they, and their neighbours, depend
on.
By Alexandra Bagnara, ACIAR Communications
By Alexandra Bagnara, ACIAR Communications
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