Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm
Coastal aquaculture section is responsible for developing and supporting coastal aquaculture resources particularly seaweed and currently.
Seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii)
The introduction and feasibility of seaweed farming in Solomon Islands was initiated in 1988 by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). Until the inception of the EU RFEP diversification program in 2002, seaweed farming was not commercialized. Commercial farming of seaweed was made possible through funding from the EU Commercialization of Seaweed Production in Solomon Islands (CoSPSI) project from 2002-2008. MFMR then took the lead to promote and expand farming of seaweed throughout Solomon Islands. From 2012- 2015, funding from the Mekem Strong Solomon Islands Fisheries (MSSIF) program boosted seaweed production to its peak (1500 tons) in 2014. MFMR continued supporting the seaweed program until 2017 when the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) assisted the MFMR through its funding support to develop and expand seaweed farming through 2019. Currently, Wagina in Choiseul Province remains the largest seaweed producer.
Beche-de-mer
Beche-de-mer is currently under research phase led by Dr Komatsu Toru of the Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Foundation (OFCF). Research is still ongoing to identify larval feed requirements to improve survival and investigate feed quality and quantities required for seed production.
RESOURCES:
View/download maps of seaweed farm
Brochure - Seaweed (PDF)