World Aquaculture December 2019

24 DECEMBER 2019 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WA S.ORG preventing the rapid re-growth of invasive seaweed species. Several innovative companies at HOST Park in Kona produce, sell or research other rare products such as octopus (Kanaloa Octopus Farms, Silver Spiral Seas), corals (Kohana Kai Aquafarms), and many species of marine invertebrates (Indo-Pacific Sea Farms). Realizing Aquaculture’s Potential in the Hawaiian Islands Hawaiʻi’s population of 1.4 million people imports more than 88 percent of their food, including 49 percent of their seafood (Loke and Leung 2013). Large segments of the population are food insecure (Hawaii Health Matters 2019) and diseases related to poor diet (e.g. diabetes) are rampant. Aquaculture can be an important means of addressing these issues but well-known obstacles such as complex and inhibitory regulations and permitting still stand in the way. Even with the existing challenges, the value of aquaculture production has been a consistent and growing contributor to Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy and, in 2017, “other” aquaculture and algae values combined would rank fourth in agriculture products values and together comprised over 13 percent of the $564 million in total agricultural production (NASS 2018). While algae and broodstock shrimp have been steady and major contributors, expansion of other existing and new species could potentially increase the size of the aquaculture sector and its benefits to society. Growing public and political awareness of the need for local sustainable food production and the need to assume responsibility for food security, rather than reliance on imported sources, may help ease the regulatory barriers. The urgency to increase local food security is heightened by the growing impacts associated with climate change. Various forms of aquaculture increase resiliency to climate change impacts and make contributions to natural resource management. Several opportunities stand out as prime targets for investment and future R&D. In part due to Hawaiʻi’s past legacy in aquaculture and in part due to its prime location and resources, the State is positioned to continue making significant contributions to world aquaculture in terms of technology and innovation. Hawaiʻi’s aquaculture community has a proven track record for innovation, the experience, the mentors and the political will continue to play an important role. For example, many of the new startups at HOST Park are companies that focus on technologies that will eventually be transferred to others to benefit world aquaculture. These include better growth management through improved sensors and data analysis, improved and more sustainable feeds, improved health and traceability mechanisms. Hawaiʻi is also known for hatchery operations that are diverse and have the capability of producing dozens of species. More support is needed to fully realize the potential of these operations and to stabilize hatchery production for local small farmers, which tends to fluctuate based on funding. Hawaiʻi’s hatcheries can provide the basis for more local grow-out operations, both land- and ocean-based. Hatchery production of certified high-health animals and plants turns Hawaiʻi’s geographic isolation into a competitive advantage and an international exporter of high-value products. Although open-ocean aquaculture is currently only represented by one farm near Kailua-Kona, the permitting process is nowwell- articulated, although still time-consuming, expensive and encounters public opposition. The possibility of moving farming into federal waters offers an opportunity to overcome this and new systems such as the Kampachi Farm’s submerged seaweed farmmay offer alternatives. Another bright spot in aquaculture are the efforts to restore the ancient Hawaiian fishponds to increase their contributions to local food security and preservation of traditional cultural practices. Recent efforts to streamline the permitting process for restoration has been a significant step forward but more needs to be done to assist practitioners and community members who still struggle with the costs, complex permitting and environmental impacts from surrounding terrestrial areas. Finally, Hawaiʻi offers unique and invaluable assets to support a robust aquaculture industry. The advantage of its isolation and high degree of biosecurity are clearly shown by the thriving SPF shrimp industry. Six decades of research have provided ample demonstration of the biological feasibility of culturing dozens of warm- and cold- water species. If the political will exists to temper or remove obstacles such as permitting difficulties (many of which also impact other forms of agriculture), more of these well-researched species could be farmed. The clear benefits of easing the regulatory environment for responsible farming can be seen at NELHA, where the combination of pre-permitting, technical assistance and infrastructure enable the larger and small companies to establish and grow. The recent support from the state legislature for business assistance and revival of the Aquaculture Development Program has been applauded by industry. The future for aquaculture to make a big difference in Hawaiʻi and the world is clear. References Aquaculture Development Program, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii. 1981. Mariculture and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion State-of-the-Art Assessments. A technical supplement to Ocean Leasing for Hawaii. 1981. Aquaculture Planning &Advocacy, LLC. 2014. 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Hawaii aquaculture development: Twenty-five years and counting, lessons learned. In: Species and Systems Selection for Sustainable Aquaculture. Eds: P.S. Leung, C.-S. Lee and P.J. O’Bryen. Published in Cooperation with the United States Aquaculture Society, W.O. Watanabe, USAS Publications Chair. Blackwell Publishing. 2007. Costa-Pierce, B.A. 1987. Aquaculture in ancient Hawaii. BioScience 37(5):320-331.