AQUACULTURE NEEDS, PRIORITIES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION

The Pacific Islands aquaculture sector has great socio-economic value and economic potential, but remains largely under-developed.  There are many reasons for this, and they are not limited only to matters of technical capacity.  There are numerous challenges that continue to deny the Pacific region the long- term benefits that can be derived from the development of sustainable aquaculture.  SPC members nevertheless aim to mainstream aquaculture into their economic and social development agendas, as a response to (i) the decline of coastal fisheries, (ii) population growth, (iii) increase resilience to climate change and natural disasters, and (iv) achieve post-pandemic economic recovery.

A Regional Aquaculture Assessment was conducted among SPC members in 2021-22, and a consultative Regional Aquaculture Strategy process is ongoing for completion in 2023 for endorsement by SPC members.  Though not yet complete, some priority areas for actions under the Strategy are likely to include:

• Emphasis upon Extractive (unfed), Restorative or Nature-positive (improves the environment) and Climate-smart (resilient, and/or sequesters carbon) forms of aquaculture.
• Expansion of aquaculture through under-utilized species (bivalve shellfish, seaweeds, sea cucumbers) and under-utilized environments (offshore, freshwater) can play to the strengths of the Pacific region, if constraints in hatchery capacity and food safety are addressed.
• Further research on indigenous species with aquaculture potential, such as freshwater fishes, bivalve molluscs, sea cucumbers, and seaweeds.
• “Public money” co-funding mechanisms for expansion of commercial aquaculture that delivers public-good benefits should be explored: from development-partners, donors, and/or philanthropic foundations.
• Multi-sectoral approaches to explore closer integration of blue and green economies via Integrated Coastal Food Systems, to develop “scalable and context-specific integrated coastal food production systems that are climate resilient, nourishing, culturally relevant, and support equitable livelihoods appropriate to local contexts” (working across agroforestry, soil and livestock management, community-based fisheries, aquaculture and other sustainable natural resource management practices, including strengthening the food- water-energy nexus).