Freshwater prawn aquaculture in the Pacific
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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Improving culture stock quality and nutrition in Fiji
Overview Objectives
This project seeks to: 1) compare the relative productivity of the prawn stock currently farmed in Fiji against selected high-performing stocks available in Asia; 2) assist in development of low-cost, nutritionally adequate feeds, based on local ingredients formulated specifically for freshwater prawns.
Project Background and Objectives
While freshwater prawn aquaculture is a relatively new industry in the Pacific, it has been identified as having great potential for the region. Until recently, freshwater prawn aquaculture in the Pacific was confined to Fiji. But other Pacific Island Nations have indicated a strong interest in developing their own industries, and look to Fiji for culture stock and expertise.
Macrobrachium rosenbergii is the most widely cultured freshwater prawn species in most parts of the world and culture stocks were first introduced to Fiji from Malaysia in the 1980s. Since then the Fijian Fisheries Division (MAFF) has bred post larvae and provided them free to local farmers for culture. Little is known about the quality or genetic attributes of the introduced freshwater prawn stock, or the impact that subsequent husbandry practices in Fiji may have had on stock quality or relative productivity. It is likely however, that stock quality has declined and modern generations may be significantly inbred.
ACIAR's entry into projects in Fiji on tilapia stock improvement from 1993 to 2001 coincided with the recognition by the Fiji Fisheries Division of the need to actively manage genetic quality in farmed aquatic species to maintain their productivity. There are unconfirmed reports by MAFF staff in Fiji that size at sexual maturation in female prawns has declined over time, an attribute symptomatic of inbreeding problems. And little is known in Fiji about the nutritional requirements of cultured freshwater prawns.
Fijian farmers thus stand to benefit substantially from a freshwater prawn stock improvement program linked to development of low-cost artificial diets. These issues require early attention before they impact negatively on growth and development of the industry in Fiji and more widely in the region.
Progress Reports (Year 1, 2, 3 etc)
Year 1:
Freshwater prawn aquaculture in Fiji is set to benefit from commencement of the current project in mid 2008 following a series of delays. Prawn farming is currently one of the most important sector in fisheries and is mainly concentrated in the central division. During the last 2 decades its development has attracted considerable attention for local production potential. The production of prawns is important to people's livelihood, income and food supply. Expansion of prawn farming in Fiji depends on availability of quality prawn post larvae (PL), the supply of which is currently the main bottleneck for further expansion. Several other pressing issues need to be addressed to ensure this new industry remains viable. Through this project several of these issues will be addressed.
The current project seeks to compare the relative productivity of the prawn strain currently farmed in Fiji against a set of selected high- performing stocks available in Asia. In addition we propose to develop low-cost feeds specifically for this species. Major achievements of this project to-date include: successful introduction of PLs of 3 high performing culture lines from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to Fiji, completion of quarantine (21 days) in Fiji and stocking of brood stock ponds at Naduruloulou Research Station (NRS). In addition, feed ingredient samples were collected from Viti Levu and taken to Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane for analysis. Other activities included preparation of the prawn hatchery and construction of 16 new research ponds for trials. In summary, the activities that were undertaken relate to mainly 3 of the 7 objectives i.e., objectives 1, 2 and 4. The activities of objective 1 have been carried out and completed successfully while activities relating to other objectives will be continued in 2009 as part of this 3 year research project. The progress made from March to December 2008 is given as per format below.
Year 2:
Fiji faces a significant problem currently that confronts many countries - a decline in inshore marine and inland freshwater fisheries due to over-exploitation, unregulated and destructive fishing practices, habitat modification and pollution of water bodies. This results from human activities including deforestation, agriculture, building of roads, hydro power generation, waste disposal, coastal marine area development and quarrying of gravel and sand. In the past 3 decades, many countries have responded by establishing aquaculture to help meet the increasing demand for fish and fish products. In Fiji, freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming is currently one of the most important sectors in fisheries and during the last 2 decades its development has attracted considerable attention. Production of prawns is important to local people's livelihoods, income and food supply. Expansion of prawn farming in Fiji will depend on the quality and availability of prawn post larvae (PL) and feeds, the supply of which are currently the main bottlenecks inhibiting industry expansion. Little is known about the quality or genetic attributes of the stocks currently farmed (introduced from Tahiti 1998) in Fiji or the impact that husbandry practices may have had on stock quality or their relative productivity. Other pressing issues affecting the Fijian industry include the sustainable production of PL and the marketable - size of prawns must be addressed to ensure this new industry remains viable. The current project commenced in mid-2008 after a series of delays and seeks to address some of these issues by comparing the relative productivity of the prawn strain currently farmed in Fiji against a set of high - performing stocks introduced from Asia and to develop low-cost feeds for local farmers.
This is the first annual report against the project work plan of the current three year project. The report includes core project outputs and additional activities that were conducted to meet core objectives. These include problems with PL production and overall project delivery at Naduruloulou Research Station (NRS), the main site for the project. An internal review was undertaken and remedial action was approved by the Project Leader (Assoc. Prof. Peter Mather) to address some identified problems. Major achievements of this project to-date include: successful introduction of PLs from 3 high performing culture lines from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, completion of their quarantine (21 days), rearing to brood stock stage, and collection of feed ingredient samples and analysis at Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane. Additionally, training was provided to Fisheries staff in prawn hatchery operation, maintenance of the prawn hatchery and brood stock ponds, assistance with designing 16 new research ponds for growth trials and formulation of protocols for satisfying Import Health Standard for introduction of prawns from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to Fiji and initiation of an MSc. program linked to the current project.
In summary, activities that were undertaken during the period under review relate mainly to objectives 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 in the project document. Activities of objective 1 commenced as per schedule with support from Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Fiji Quarantine and Inspection Service (FQIS) and were completed successfully while activities relating to other objectives were delayed or have yet to be completed. This was due to delays in release of project funds (from Fiji's Ministry of Finance (MoF) to Ministry of Fisheries and Forests (MFF)), delays in improvement of brood stock holding ponds due to poor weather, flooding of the brood stock holding ponds, breakdown of main water pump and uncertainties surrounding local Fiji staff appointment due to the current political instability in Fiji. Overall, the project is progressing satisfactorily given the above constraints.
Year 3:
This is the third annual report against the project work plan following granting of an extension for one year. The project experienced delays in the release of project funds (sent from QUT) to Fiji's Ministry of Finance (MoF), from MoF to Ministry of Fisheries and Forests, leading to delays in commencement of grow-out trials that finally commenced in July 2009 (14 months later than scheduled). This annual report includes core project outputs and additional activities that were conducted to meet core objectives during the period 1June 2009 to 30 April 2010. These include repeating grow-out trials due to problems with a water weed that had infested the pond bottoms due to the shortened period of pond preparation employed to meet the schedule of activities in the first grow-out trial (July-December 2009). The second set of growth trials commenced on 7th January 2010 following stocking of PLs in trial ponds. Major achievements of the project under review include: successful completion of grow-out trials of the 4 culture lines, analysis of feed samples at Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane and additionally, provision of a series of workshops on hatchery operation, pond design and management to Fisheries staff (as per request received by MFF staff and approved by Project Leader (Prof. Mather))and initiation of a second MSc. program linked to the current project. Some challenges for the prawn industry examined during the period under review included a grow-out system or farming system transition to prawn culture integrated with Chinese carps in addition to monoculture of prawns, and a shortage of PLs and quality feeds. There is also a need to provide a step-by-step guide to the process of farming prawns for staff and farmers.
In summary, activities that were undertaken during the period under review relate mainly to Project objectives 2, 3, 4, and 6. Activities for objective 1 commenced as per schedule and were completed successfully despite delays while activities relating to other objectives were completed partially under the period reviewed here. An extension of time and additional funds were approved by ACIAR to continue the project to 30 April 2011. Overall, the project is progressing satisfactorily given the above constraints.
Contact us for more information
Freshwater Prawn And Shrimp Farming
Overview Objectives
This project seeks to: 1) compare the relative productivity of the prawn stock currently farmed in Fiji against selected high-performing stocks available in Asia; 2) assist in development of low-cost, nutritionally adequate feeds, based on local ingredients formulated specifically for freshwater prawns.
Project Background and Objectives
While freshwater prawn aquaculture is a relatively new industry in the Pacific, it has been identified as having great potential for the region. Until recently, freshwater prawn aquaculture in the Pacific was confined to Fiji. But other Pacific Island Nations have indicated a strong interest in developing their own industries, and look to Fiji for culture stock and expertise.
Macrobrachium rosenbergii is the most widely cultured freshwater prawn species in most parts of the world and culture stocks were first introduced to Fiji from Malaysia in the 1980s. Since then the Fijian Fisheries Division (MAFF) has bred post larvae and provided them free to local farmers for culture. Little is known about the quality or genetic attributes of the introduced freshwater prawn stock, or the impact that subsequent husbandry practices in Fiji may have had on stock quality or relative productivity. It is likely however, that stock quality has declined and modern generations may be significantly inbred.
ACIAR's entry into projects in Fiji on tilapia stock improvement from 1993 to 2001 coincided with the recognition by the Fiji Fisheries Division of the need to actively manage genetic quality in farmed aquatic species to maintain their productivity. There are unconfirmed reports by MAFF staff in Fiji that size at sexual maturation in female prawns has declined over time, an attribute symptomatic of inbreeding problems. And little is known in Fiji about the nutritional requirements of cultured freshwater prawns.
Fijian farmers thus stand to benefit substantially from a freshwater prawn stock improvement program linked to development of low-cost artificial diets. These issues require early attention before they impact negatively on growth and development of the industry in Fiji and more widely in the region.
Progress Reports (Year 1, 2, 3 etc)
Year 1:
Freshwater prawn aquaculture in Fiji is set to benefit from commencement of the current project in mid 2008 following a series of delays. Prawn farming is currently one of the most important sector in fisheries and is mainly concentrated in the central division. During the last 2 decades its development has attracted considerable attention for local production potential. The production of prawns is important to people's livelihood, income and food supply. Expansion of prawn farming in Fiji depends on availability of quality prawn post larvae (PL), the supply of which is currently the main bottleneck for further expansion. Several other pressing issues need to be addressed to ensure this new industry remains viable. Through this project several of these issues will be addressed.
The current project seeks to compare the relative productivity of the prawn strain currently farmed in Fiji against a set of selected high- performing stocks available in Asia. In addition we propose to develop low-cost feeds specifically for this species. Major achievements of this project to-date include: successful introduction of PLs of 3 high performing culture lines from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to Fiji, completion of quarantine (21 days) in Fiji and stocking of brood stock ponds at Naduruloulou Research Station (NRS). In addition, feed ingredient samples were collected from Viti Levu and taken to Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane for analysis. Other activities included preparation of the prawn hatchery and construction of 16 new research ponds for trials. In summary, the activities that were undertaken relate to mainly 3 of the 7 objectives i.e., objectives 1, 2 and 4. The activities of objective 1 have been carried out and completed successfully while activities relating to other objectives will be continued in 2009 as part of this 3 year research project. The progress made from March to December 2008 is given as per format below.
Year 2:
Fiji faces a significant problem currently that confronts many countries - a decline in inshore marine and inland freshwater fisheries due to over-exploitation, unregulated and destructive fishing practices, habitat modification and pollution of water bodies. This results from human activities including deforestation, agriculture, building of roads, hydro power generation, waste disposal, coastal marine area development and quarrying of gravel and sand. In the past 3 decades, many countries have responded by establishing aquaculture to help meet the increasing demand for fish and fish products. In Fiji, freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming is currently one of the most important sectors in fisheries and during the last 2 decades its development has attracted considerable attention. Production of prawns is important to local people's livelihoods, income and food supply. Expansion of prawn farming in Fiji will depend on the quality and availability of prawn post larvae (PL) and feeds, the supply of which are currently the main bottlenecks inhibiting industry expansion. Little is known about the quality or genetic attributes of the stocks currently farmed (introduced from Tahiti 1998) in Fiji or the impact that husbandry practices may have had on stock quality or their relative productivity. Other pressing issues affecting the Fijian industry include the sustainable production of PL and the marketable - size of prawns must be addressed to ensure this new industry remains viable. The current project commenced in mid-2008 after a series of delays and seeks to address some of these issues by comparing the relative productivity of the prawn strain currently farmed in Fiji against a set of high - performing stocks introduced from Asia and to develop low-cost feeds for local farmers.
This is the first annual report against the project work plan of the current three year project. The report includes core project outputs and additional activities that were conducted to meet core objectives. These include problems with PL production and overall project delivery at Naduruloulou Research Station (NRS), the main site for the project. An internal review was undertaken and remedial action was approved by the Project Leader (Assoc. Prof. Peter Mather) to address some identified problems. Major achievements of this project to-date include: successful introduction of PLs from 3 high performing culture lines from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, completion of their quarantine (21 days), rearing to brood stock stage, and collection of feed ingredient samples and analysis at Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane. Additionally, training was provided to Fisheries staff in prawn hatchery operation, maintenance of the prawn hatchery and brood stock ponds, assistance with designing 16 new research ponds for growth trials and formulation of protocols for satisfying Import Health Standard for introduction of prawns from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to Fiji and initiation of an MSc. program linked to the current project.
In summary, activities that were undertaken during the period under review relate mainly to objectives 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 in the project document. Activities of objective 1 commenced as per schedule with support from Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Fiji Quarantine and Inspection Service (FQIS) and were completed successfully while activities relating to other objectives were delayed or have yet to be completed. This was due to delays in release of project funds (from Fiji's Ministry of Finance (MoF) to Ministry of Fisheries and Forests (MFF)), delays in improvement of brood stock holding ponds due to poor weather, flooding of the brood stock holding ponds, breakdown of main water pump and uncertainties surrounding local Fiji staff appointment due to the current political instability in Fiji. Overall, the project is progressing satisfactorily given the above constraints.
Year 3:
This is the third annual report against the project work plan following granting of an extension for one year. The project experienced delays in the release of project funds (sent from QUT) to Fiji's Ministry of Finance (MoF), from MoF to Ministry of Fisheries and Forests, leading to delays in commencement of grow-out trials that finally commenced in July 2009 (14 months later than scheduled). This annual report includes core project outputs and additional activities that were conducted to meet core objectives during the period 1June 2009 to 30 April 2010. These include repeating grow-out trials due to problems with a water weed that had infested the pond bottoms due to the shortened period of pond preparation employed to meet the schedule of activities in the first grow-out trial (July-December 2009). The second set of growth trials commenced on 7th January 2010 following stocking of PLs in trial ponds. Major achievements of the project under review include: successful completion of grow-out trials of the 4 culture lines, analysis of feed samples at Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) laboratory in Brisbane and additionally, provision of a series of workshops on hatchery operation, pond design and management to Fisheries staff (as per request received by MFF staff and approved by Project Leader (Prof. Mather))and initiation of a second MSc. program linked to the current project. Some challenges for the prawn industry examined during the period under review included a grow-out system or farming system transition to prawn culture integrated with Chinese carps in addition to monoculture of prawns, and a shortage of PLs and quality feeds. There is also a need to provide a step-by-step guide to the process of farming prawns for staff and farmers.
In summary, activities that were undertaken during the period under review relate mainly to Project objectives 2, 3, 4, and 6. Activities for objective 1 commenced as per schedule and were completed successfully despite delays while activities relating to other objectives were completed partially under the period reviewed here. An extension of time and additional funds were approved by ACIAR to continue the project to 30 April 2011. Overall, the project is progressing satisfactorily given the above constraints.
Contact us for more information
Freshwater Prawn And Shrimp Farming