A new report on mariculture has urged Pacific nations to think twice before embarking on sea-farming enterprises.
The report Opportunities for the Development of the Pacific Islands Mariculture Sector found that many mariculture projects had been undertaken in the past without proper economic studies, particularly of the costs involved and the potential markets for fish products.
Potential difficulties include expensive feed, long cropping cycles, competitive markets, expensive transportation and products requiring high labour inputs. The report describes mariculture as a risky activity.
It calls for more thorough market appraisals and estimates of production, distribution and marketing costs of any proposed new venture. The involvement of private industry at an early stage in research and development helps add a dose of realism.
The report includes on-ground assessments of mariculture activities in five Pacific Island countries (PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands and Marshall Islands).
The report is not entirely gloomy about the prospects for mariculture. Some products in some countries show promise, but their potential has to be rigorously assessed to see if they could become sustainable industries.
www.spc.int/DigitalLibrary/Doc/FAME/Reports/HambreyConsulting_12_MaricultureReport.pdf
