MARINE FISH AND SHRIMP CAGE CULTURE IN FRENCH POLYNESIA
French Polynesian islands are located at the Eastern part of South Pacific Ocean and possess a large potential for fish and shrimp culture. Up to now, the development was focused on land culture in ponds. However, during the last ten years, techniques evolved towards cage culture.
Tropical fish such as round batfish (Platax orbicularis) was found suitable as a candidate species for cage culture. Cages with PVC nets (Sansuy) tested in lagoon conditions proved to limit fouling. And their flexibility in terms of dimensions, shape and cost may induce local producers to invest in such culture practices. Expectations in terms of yield appeared
satisfactory to launch and assist local producers at professional, semi-industrial scale. Growth curves (Fig 1) indicate the potential of cage culture and at least could contribute to satisfy the need for local consumption of Platax orbicularis, a Tahitian reef finfish delicacy. Fish will be harvested at 500g (6months old in cages) or 1kg (12months old) with good survival (>80%). Another priority species is the Blue shrimp L.stylirostris which can be reared in such PVC lagoon cages ;and can sustain up to 55% survival at 20-25g (Fig.2) according to the type of commercial feed (com#1 or com#2). Imported sinking extruded feed could support an FCR~1.5:1 for finfish, and specific feed for blue shrimp could display an FCR~2.0:1. Improvements will focus on extruded feed to adapt to omnivory-herbivory status of Platax as well as in shrimp feed (com#2) mineral/lipid balance and cost reduction for both in connexion with manufacturers from France and New Caledonia.
Comparative performances for shrimp will be proposed with L. vannamei and later on F. brasiliensis.
Tropical fish such as round batfish (Platax orbicularis) was found suitable as a candidate species for cage culture. Cages with PVC nets (Sansuy) tested in lagoon conditions proved to limit fouling. And their flexibility in terms of dimensions, shape and cost may induce local producers to invest in such culture practices. Expectations in terms of yield appeared
satisfactory to launch and assist local producers at professional, semi-industrial scale. Growth curves (Fig 1) indicate the potential of cage culture and at least could contribute to satisfy the need for local consumption of Platax orbicularis, a Tahitian reef finfish delicacy. Fish will be harvested at 500g (6months old in cages) or 1kg (12months old) with good survival (>80%). Another priority species is the Blue shrimp L.stylirostris which can be reared in such PVC lagoon cages ;and can sustain up to 55% survival at 20-25g (Fig.2) according to the type of commercial feed (com#1 or com#2). Imported sinking extruded feed could support an FCR~1.5:1 for finfish, and specific feed for blue shrimp could display an FCR~2.0:1. Improvements will focus on extruded feed to adapt to omnivory-herbivory status of Platax as well as in shrimp feed (com#2) mineral/lipid balance and cost reduction for both in connexion with manufacturers from France and New Caledonia.
Comparative performances for shrimp will be proposed with L. vannamei and later on F. brasiliensis.