Solomon Islands Aquaculture Development Plan 2009-2014
SPC, 2009 – Cover design: Muriel Borderie – SPC Publications SectionSolomon IslandsAquaculturedevelopment plan2009-2014
Solomon IslandsAquaculturedevelopment plan2009-2014Produced by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesSolomon IslandsSecretariat of the Pacific CommunityNoumea, New Caledonia, 2009
Secretariat of the Pacific Community 2009All rights for commercial / for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPCauthorises the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational orresearch 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 forcommercial / for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original SPC artworkmay not be altered or separately published without permission.Original text: EnglishSecretariat of the Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication dataSolomon Islands Aquaculture development plan 2009-2014 /produced by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Solomon Islands.1. Aquaculture — Solomon Islands. 2. Fishery management —Solomon Islands.I. Title II. Solomon Islands. Fisheries DivisionIII. Secretariat of the Pacific Community639.809593AACR2ISBN: 978-982-00-0343-9This plan was produced by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.Financial and technical assistance was provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.Appreciation is extended to other government agencies, NGOs and private sector companies inSolomon Islands who contributed to the formulation of this document during a national planningworkshop and follow-up consultations.Secretariat of the Pacific CommunityBP D598848 Noumea CedexNew CaledoniaTel: 687 26 20 00Fax: 687 26 38 18spc@ spc.intwww.spc.intPrepared for publication atSecretariat of the Pacific Community headquartersNoumea, New Caledonia, 20092
TABLE OF CONTENTS3
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LIST OF ACRONYMSAASI:Aquarium Arts Solomon IslandsCoSPSI:Commercialization of Seaweed Production - Solomon IslandsEU:European UnionFAO:Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsFSPI:Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific InternationalFSPSI:Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Solomon IslandsICLARM:International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management(now the WorldFish Center)GIFT:Genetically improved farmed tilapiaMAC:Marine Aquarium CouncilMFMR:Ministry of Fisheries and Marine ResourcesMOP:Mother of pearlNGO:Non governmental organisationPCC:Post larval capture and cultureSIME:Solomon Islands Marine ExportsSPC:Secretariat of the Pacific CommunityRFEP:Rural Fisheries Enterprise ProgrammeUSP:The University of the South PacificWWF:World Wildlife Fund for Nature5
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLESFigure 1:Map of the Solomon Islands.Figure 2:Prioritization process for aquaculture commodities forSolomon Islands.Figure 3:Seaweed production in Solomon Islands.Figure 4:Production of tilapia between 1950 and 2002 (source FAO).Figure 5:Export of juvenile giant clams from 1997 to 2001.Figure 6:Export of farmed corals (in pieces) from Solomon Islandssince 2000.Figure 7:Export of black-lip pearl oyster MOP from 1990 to 1994.Figure 8:Export of gold-lip pearl oyster MOP from 1990 to 1993.Figure 9:Export of prawns from 1993 to 1999(production stopped in 1999 due to ethnic tension).***6Table 1:List of commodities initially assessed for prioritization.Table 2:Outcome of the prioritization process commodity rankings.Table 3:Number of farmed corals vs. number of wild corals exportedfrom Solomon Islands since 2000.Table 4:Number of aquarium species sold by Mbabanga Island andRarumana village in each year of commercial PCCoperations between 2004 and 2006.Table 5:Value (SBD) of aquarium species sold by Mbabanga Island andRarumana village in each year of commercial PCCoperations between 2004 and 2006.Table 6:Potential number of households that could be involved inaquaculture based on the four key commodities.Table 7:Reality check – what would be required to make an annualincome of SBD 10,000 for a Solomon Island sponge farmerselling into the retail trade?Table 8:Summary of other potential commodities relevant to theSolomon Islands context.Table 9:Aquaculture Division staff status and requiredqualifications.Table 10:Development plans for each commodity.Table 11:Cross-sectional plan for strengthening the aquacultureindustry.
FOREWORDIt is my privilege to present the Solomon Islands Aquaculture DevelopmentPlan, 2009-2014.I am confident that this plan will provide a way forward for the governmentand the people of the Solomon Islands to address the many issues faced bythis sector.Aquaculture is relatively new to the Solomon Islands compared to othercountries. But being a newcomer should not be an excuse to simply sit andwatch. The tide of overexploitation of resources is slowly creeping againstus. If there is a time that we need to join hands together and act, it is today.This is both important and urgent.Aquaculture has the potential to contribute to our people in terms of foodsecurity and livelihoods. This plan provides a central platform for aquaculture programs that the country wishes to undertake now and in the future.I believe that you will find that its objectives are simple, realistic and adoptable for those that needed it most – our people.Furthermore, it is for our people that the government puts emphasis on ruraldevelopment. This is our challenge, and aquaculture’s contribution will notgo unnoticed.Please join with my government as we begin a journey down a path that willsee the realization of aquaculture in the Solomon Islands.Hon. Minister Nollen C. LeniMINISTER FOR FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES7
1. INTRODUCTIONBy 2010, the population of Solomon Islands will have reached 550,000 and theamount of fish required for food will be around 10,000 tonnes per year. It is alsoestimated that 20,000 people will be seeking to obtain some level of income fromthe sale of fisheries products by 2010.The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) aims to meet these needsby re-examining how best to allocate the national fisheries resources to food security, livelihoods and national revenue. As part of this process, the ministry isdeveloping an aquaculture development plan for Solomon Islands. Aquaculture ofinshore resources offers opportunities to create new livelihoods and export commodities. Freshwater aquaculture can supply fish for food in areas where inshorefisheries are limited and tuna are difficult to access.Figure 1: Map of Solomon Islands: land area 27,556 km²; freshwater area910 km²; exclusive economic zone 1,340,000 km². There are six majorislands in Solomon Islands: Choiseul, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal,Malaita and Makira, plus 992 smaller islands. The capital, Honiara, is onGuadalcanal.8
2. PURPOSE OF THE AQUACULTURE PLANThe purpose of this aquaculture development plan is to identify the coastal andfreshwater commodities that can be produced most easily, and profitably, to helpmeet food and income requirements in Solomon Islands. The plan identifies theroles of partner agencies that can assist in meeting these needs and indicates howmany households could be engaged in aquaculture by 2010, 2015 and 2020 if thesector is successfully developed.The plan is consistent with the objectives of Solomon Islands’ Medium Term Development Strategy 2008–2010, particularly the targets for the economic and productive sectors. It falls within the framework of Solomon Islands’ National BiodiversityStrategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and provides a development pathway that willguide MFMR’s corporate strategy and the Solomon Islands and Secretariat of thePacific Community’s joint country strategy for (JCS) 2009-2012.3. AQUACULTURE GOALS OF SOLOMON ISLANDStt Identify and prioritise the aquaculture commodities required to meet thenational need for food and livelihoodtt Establish viable aquaculture enterprises and provide the training necessary toexpand the sectortt Strengthen the national capacity to establish and manage aquaculture at alllevelstt Attract investment in aquaculturett Develop competition (especially for export markets)tt Provide technical support for key industry stakeholders, e.g. farmers, privatesector, NGOs and donorstt Develop responsible policies for aquaculture and gazette the supportingregulationsSeaweed farmer from Vaghena Island9
4. BACKGROUND OF AQUACULTURE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS4.1 General informationAdvantages for the development of aquaculture in Solomon Islands:tt Availability of resources, broodstock and raw material or local feedingredientstt Large areas of coastline and freshwater bodies with diverse opportunitiestt Relatively skilled labor force with experience in primary productiontt Low labour coststt Pristine environment and access to good quality watertt Relatively closeness to export markets (e.g. Fiji and Australia) and an emergingdomestic marketConstraints to development of aquaculture in Solomon Islands:tt Unstable government with no clear policies for aquaculturett Difficulties in gaining access to suitable land (land disputes and traditional andcustom inheritance)tt Lack of appropriate technical, business and management skillstt Lack of technical aquaculture know how and access to good informationtt Lack of infrastructure and communication technology (existing services maybe expensive and unreliable)tt Lack of ‘in country’ competitiontt Lack of encouragement for private investmenttt Geographical barriers create difficulties for transportation between commodityproduction centres and markets4.2 Brief history of aquaculture development in SolomonIslandsAquaculture is relatively new in Solomon Islands. However, some developmentshave been undertaken, mostly by the private sector:1. Farming of Macrobrachium by the South Pacific Aquaculture Company in 19862. Farming of Penaied prawn, e.g. by the Ruaniu Prawn Farm Company in 19943. Seaweed research (Kappaphycus) also in 198610
4. Establishment of the WorldFish Center (formerly known as ICLARM) andsubsequent research and development of giant clams and pearl oyster from1986 to 2000In 2000, the Solomon Islands Government established the Aquaculture Division (AD) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in response togrowing national interest and increasing regional development of this sector.The primary role of the AD is to support the development of aquaculturethrough the goals described above.Both population growth and depletion of wild stocks of aquatic resourceshave helped promote the importance of aquaculture as an alternative meansof supplying food and livelihoods in rural areas.Aquaculture will also contribute to helping Solomon Islands to build economicgrowth through export commodities.Most of the aquaculture activities in Solomon Islands stopped during the heightof the ethnic tension in 1999-2000. For example, the Coastal Aquaculture Centreoperated by the WorldFish Center was destroyed along with the small prawn industry that had recently been established. The effects of ethnic tension crippledrural-based industries and have discouraged foreign investors. Further setbackswere experienced during the latter years of the ethnic crisis (2000–2003) until lawand order were restored by the international force (RAMSI) in 2003.4.3 Organisations/partners involved in the aquaculturesector4.3.1 Key government agencies with statutory roles in aquacultureMinistry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR)MFMR is the lead government agency for statutory management of fisheries andaquaculture in Solomon Islands. The ministry issues licences to harvest fish commercially and monitors and regulates fish harvesting activity. Draft regulations forcommercial aquaculture are under development. MFMR also has R&D and community extension/capacity-building functions. The Aquaculture Division (MFMR AD)has qualified and experienced staff with knowledge of a range of aquaculturecommodities. AD currently focuses on seaweed, and is collaborating with otherinstitutions (see next section) on several aquaculture initiatives involving commodities such as pearl, giant clam and marine ornamentals.11
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Lands, Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Conservations and MeteorologyThe Ministry of Agriculture supports the rural agrarian sector, for which aquaculture is a potential alternative land use. The Ministry of Lands oversees land surveyand land tenure. These are key issues for aquaculture ventures, which require asound legal basis for occupying coastal or marine sites and developing farm infrastructure. Any environmental assessment work will require the assistance of thedepartment of environment.4.3.2 International agencies and NGOsWorldFish Center (WFC)General information:The WorldFish Center has been present in Solomon Islands since 1986. Two fieldstations were originally established, the main one outside Honiara and another inthe Western Province. The WorldFish Center and MFMR have initiated most giantclam and pearl oyster research and development in Solomon Islands. WorldFishworks closely with MFMR and when possible, the private sector, with the aim ofdeveloping livelihoods for rural Solomon Islanders.WorldFish maintains an office in Honiara and aquaculture operations are carriedout from its field station at Nusa Tupe in the Western Province. Since 2005, ahatchery has been operating at Nusa Tupe, primarily for giant clam culture.Current aquaculture projects:tt Commercialisation of blacklip and whitelip pearl oysterstt Hatchery-reared clams and village grow-out with possibilities for restockingtt Post-larval capture and culture of fish and invertebratestt Sponge farming trialstt Coral farming for the ornamental markettt Rabbitfish cage culture in partnership with SPC and MFMRWorldFish is also working with WWF and has previously worked with MAC on supporting livelihood opportunities through environmentally sustainable forms ofaquaculture. Much of this work has been funded under the New Zealand assistanceprogramme (NZAID). In 2007/2008 the EU funded WorldFish and MFMR to assembleall the information needed by investors to make decisions about launching pearlfarming in Solomon Islands.12
Link with MFMR Aquaculture Development Plan:WorldFish is a close partner of the MFMR aquaculture programme and has the capacity and facilities to carry out experimental studies on relevant commodities.The longstanding working relationship between WorldFish and MFMR is continuallybeing improved to support the industry on a long-term basis.Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific – Solomon Islands (FSPSI)General information:FSPSI is based in Honiara and currently has three permanent staff. They operatein areas such as the Central Islands Province in Gela, Marau Sounds in GuadalcanalProvince and Langa Langa Lagoon in Malaita Province. FSPSI is one of a group ofNGOs that operate under the supervision of FSPI in Fiji.Current projects:FSPSI has been very supportive of reef management and conservation and activein coral farming for the aquarium trade and restocking. They have the technicalcapacity to carry out community-based work in rural areas of Solomon Islands andrecently published a study on the economic viability of producing farmed and wildcorals for the aquarium trade.Links with MFMR Aquaculture Development Plans:FSPSI have a good track record of community-based marine resource management.They are experienced in coral farming and have good linkages with MFMR and thecommunities they work with.World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)Whilst aquaculture is not a primary objective of WWF, the organisation has assisted the development of aquaculture in Solomon Islands. In recent years, WWF hasbeen an active partner of WorldFish in identifying and training rural communitiesin types of aquaculture techniques that they believe provide sustainable alternative livelihoods.Marine Aquarium Council (MAC)MAC does not have an office in Solomon Islands but has provided input on occasion. WorldFish and WWF work closely together on setting up farming and handlingprotocols according to MAC guidelines so that exporters and producers understandhow to acquire certification for use of best environmental practices and qualitycontrol standards.Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Areas (SILMMA)Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Areas network promotes a network ofmarine protected areas established through participatory processes within communities as a response to the depletion of marine resources at local levels. Aquaculture has the potential to provide alternative sustainable livelihoods as one part13
of the overall marine resources management ‘tool-kit’ developed by participatingcommunities in the SILMMA network.Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)General information:SPC is an inter-governmental organisation that provides technical support andpolicy advice to member governments. MFMR is the main Solomon Islands counterpart for SPC’s fisheries and aquaculture programmes. The SPC Aquaculture Sectionbased in New Caledonia includes specialists in freshwater and marine aquaculturewho provide technical assistance to MFMR through desk work and in-country fieldwork.Current projects:SPC’s aquaculture programme has supported the development of aquacultureprojects in Solomon Islands in various capacities. It was involved in the rejuvenation of the seaweed industry in the early 2000s and has been active in disseminating information and providing training and technical assistance to MFMRand industry players. SPC has also contributed to other activities such as the PCC(post-larval capture and culture) and sponge projects.At a strategic level, SPC assists MFMR to formulate national aquaculture strategiesand more broadly assists the government to develop the institutional capacity required to meet its obligations. SPC organises regional forums and mechanisms thatenable Solomon Islands to share information and collaborate with other PacificIsland countries and territories, expert agencies and donors.Links with MFMR Aquaculture Development Plans:SPC was commissioned by MFMR to assist the AD to complete the Aquaculture Development Plan. SPC also has roles in helping to ensure the MFMR’s developmentstrategies are relevant and achievable, providing communication links betweenprojects and aquaculture bodies, and providing in-country training and specialistassistance where requested14
4.3.3 Current relevant projects in Solomon IslandsCommercialisation of Seaweed Production, Solomon Islands (CoSPSI)The CoSPSI Project, funded under the EU Stabex Fund, is being implemented by Gillet Preston and Associates under a contract with the Solomon Islands government.CosPSI has offices in Honiara (at MFMR) and in Gizo (near the Provincial FisheriesCenter). The purpose of the CoSPSI project is to sustain seaweed production in ruralareas of Solomon Islands by providing materials, training and extension services.SIMROSSIMROS is a New Zealand funded institutional strengthening project. Based atMFMR, it is aimed at consolidating MFMR’s strategy and includes a review of theFisheries Act. SIMROS may assist the development of aquaculture through appropriate legislation, regulations and licensing laws, assisting private sector development, and addressing other institutional issues.4.3.4 Private companies currently operating in the aquaculture sectorSolomon SeaweedIn 2007, Solomon Seaweed was the only holder of a license allowing the export ofraw seaweed. The company is active in extension services and has buying agentsstationed in production areas, who assist farmers with quality control and buytheir product. These agents are paid a commission based on production.Aquarium Arts Solomon Islands (AASI)AASI has been in Solomon Islands for over 15 years and is the only holder of a license al
t Strengthen the national capacity to establish and manage aquaculture at all levels t Attract investment in aquaculture t Develop competition (especially for export markets) t Provide technical support for key industry stakeholders, e.g. farmers, private sector, NGOs and donors t Develop responsible policies for aquaculture and gazette the .
Select Bibliography on Solomon Islands, 2003-2017 3 Select Bibliography on Solomon Islands, 2003-2017 Clive Moore Introduction There is an excellent bibliography on early Solomon Islands: Sally Edridge's Solomon Islands Bibliography to 1980, published in 1984 in Suva, Wellington and Honiara by the Institute of Pacific Studies at The University of the South Pacific, The Alexander Turnbull .
Solomons is the complimentary inflight magazine of Solomon Airlines, the national airline of the Solomon Islands. It is published four times a year by Front Page Limited. Correspondence to the airline to: The Chief Executive Officer Solomon Airlines PO Box 23, Honiara Solomon Islands Tel: 67
Aquaculture Without Frontiers Aquaculture education (including minority institutions) Market driven aquaculture: developing and sustaining an industry Aquaculture Economics Ecology & Environment Policy & regulations Organic Aquaculture: Future Opportunities Certification Endangered species Frogs Water Quality & Effluents Extension/Technology .
Solomon Islands’ 0.2019 HDI of 0.567 is below the average of 631 for countries in the medium human development 0.747group and below the average of for countries in East Asia and the Pacific. From East Asia and the Pacific, Solomon Islands is compared with Kiribati and Vanuatu, which have HDIs ranked 134 and 140, respectively (see Table B).
Aquaculture is relatively new to the Solomon Islands compared to other countries. But being a newcomer should not be an excuse to simply sit and watch. The tide of overexploitation of resources is slowly creeping against us. If there is a time
Luxury Solomon Diving (Photos Courtesy of Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions) By Ken Hoppen . Solomon Island Dive Expeditions, have relocated her to Honiara, the capital city of this island chain. This 30m long vessel now journeys to remote locations such as the Florida Islands, the Russ
Country Case Study: Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands, as most Small Island Developing . pending a final review and cabinet endorsement. A key milestone in the process was the development of four urban profiles of the city of Honiara, the tow
PROF. P.B. SHARMA Vice Chancellor Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi College of Engineering) (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) Founder Vice Chancellor RAJIV GANDHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (State Technical University of Madhya Pradesh) 01. Name: Professor Pritam B. Sharma 02. Present Position: Vice Chancellor Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi College of Engineering) Bawana Road .
