Inland aquaculture in PNG: improving fingerling supply and fish nutrition for smallholder farms

During 2005 we carried out research work and training at the Highlands Aquaculture Development Centre (HAQDEC). This facility is located at Aiyura and run by Officers of Eastern Highlands Province. It is nationally significant because it is the main fish hatchery in PNG. Also, research was carried out at laboratories in the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury campus. In summary, the activities that were undertaken relate to 4 of the 5 objectives i.e. Objective 2 (Develop improved on-farm feeds and fertilisers for Smallholder farmers), Objective 3 (Substantially increasing the fingerling supply from HAQDEC), Objective 4 (Trial aquatic bacteria in feed to improve fish nutrition) and Objective 5 (Extend the fish husbandry package and findings to farmers). Activities relating to Objective 1 (Develop a fish husbandry package for smallholder farmers) will commence in 2006. The progress made in 2005 is summarised as follows.

For Objective 2 (Develop improved on-farm feeds and fertilisers), at UWS a comparative study was undertaken on the impact of six (6) types of fertiliser on the bacteriology of water and sediment in extensive, freshwater aquaculture. The two key factors that were investigated were the a) effect of the fertilising regime on bacterial succession in fish ponds, and b) the nutritional value for fish of the benthic and planktonic biota for each fertiliser. The fertilisers were cow manure, chicken manure, mushroom compost, dried lucerne, dried oat hay, and soluble fertiliser (urea and superphosphate). Experiments were carried out in triplicate mesocosms (50 litre volumes) and repeated. Unfertilised mesocosms were used as a control. Two variations were studied in which results for a) high vs low level of each fertiliser, and b) new vs aged sediment were compared. Funding for this study was provided by an UWS internal competitive grant (50%) and ACIAR project funds (50%). The final collection and analysis of samples will be completed in February 2006. The data will then be fully analysed and a decision will be made on publication and the next direction in the investigation. It is hoped that the work will provide evidence for determining the most appropriate fertilising regime for extensive farming in new and aged fish ponds in PNG (i.e. for ponds without powered aeration and with low rates of water exchange). Data on types and numbers of bacteria, extracellular microbial enzymes, nutrient concentrations, biophysical measurements and survival & growth rate of fish is currently stored on Excel data bases. Draft reports are in preparation. Aquatic bacteria that have been isolated during the study will be used in Objective 5 in 2006.

For Objective 3 (increasing fingerling supply from HAQDEC), progress was made in all of the six activities listed in the Project document. The results will a) reduce bottlenecks at the hatchery stage of fingerling production (ie juvenile fish) and b) substantial increase fingerling supply to smallholder farmers throughout PNG. The enthusiastic officers at HAQDEC were assisted through visits by international experts - Dr Mohammed Akterazzuman from Bangladesh, Mr Satya Nandlal from Fiji, and Dr Geoff Allan, Mr Peter Graham and Mr Brett Herbert from Australia. Also, improvements were made in aspects of hatchery operations as a result of experiments performed by Project Officers (Ms Hopa Simon and Mr Wally Solato) and staff at HAQDEC. A summary of the activities and the results are as follows.

3.1 A major workshop, "The Hatchery Review of Operations at HAQDEC" was held from 7th to 11th November 2005 at Aiyura - the program is attached (Appendix 1). More than 20 farmers and officers from 6 Provinces of PNG participated. Two experts in breeding and culture of GIFT fish were invited from Bangladesh (Dr Md Akteruzzaman) and SPC in Fiji (Mr Satya Nandlal). They generously shared their knowledge with participants and provided instructive training and extension. A full day of panel sessions provided the Workshop with excellent notes that will form the basis of the Hatchery Manual that we are currently drafting. A method based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) was used to identify key problems and solutions. The Hatchery Manual should be completed by mid-2006 and it will be tested and modified by staff at HAQDEC under operating condtions. It will also form the basis of a Smallholders Hatchery Manual that will be produced by the project and distributed by the Project throughout PNG at the workshops and through Co-operator farms.

3.2 Ms Hopa Simon, one of the project's Technical Officers, performed the experiments to determine the cause of mortalities of GIFT fingerlings during transport and to determine the appropriate protocols for ensuring high survivals during transport. Up until now, the mortalities for GIFT fingerlings have been averaging around 70-90% for trips of 3 to 4 hours, even though bags were oxygenated. It has been almost impossible to transport fingerlings to farms that are more than 12 hours from Aiyura. The research was designed to measure survival of fingerlings while testing a range of sedatives, chemicals, packing densities and water quality. A key finding was that the use of rainwater from storage tanks at Aiyura was a major cause of mortalities. By using low concentrations of salt in the rainwater, or using reservoir water, it was possible to reduce mortalities significantly. The further addition of low concentrations of sedative and the use of battery-operated aerators during harvest and transport was also very important. Ms Simon gave an excellent presentation of the results at the Hatchery Review and she is currently drafting a report on the study. We are planning to submit a manuscript to the journal of "Asian Fisheries Science" for publication.

3.3 Mr Wally Solato, our other Technical Officer, has been installing a system for managing separate broodlines for GIFT. Three families of fish have been collected from the original stocks that were distributed to regions of PNG. Although only a handful of the original GIFT survived in quarantine at Aiyura in 1998-2002, the offspring that are now spread throughout many farms in the regions of PNG, have fine characteristics. There is a good argument for introducing replacement families of GIFT, however the specimens that we have observed in PNG do not suffer from deformities or other characteristics of weak, inbred fish. So we will continue with our families of broodlines and gain training as we go.

3.4 Techniques for constructing a new water bore at HAQDEC have been applied to a low lying section of the Fisheries Station. Initial tests were performed in October and a second attempt was made in November 2005. Once the necessary pipe fittings are purchased, the bore should be pumped in. Hopefully this will be completed in early 2006. Assistance has been provided by the mechanic that we employed, Mr Steven.

3.5 The first training and extension workshops at HAQDEC for small-scale hatchery operators was held in November 2005 at the Hatchery Review, as outlined in 3.1 (above). At the Hatchery Review smallholder hatchery operators attended from 6 provinces and the manual that we are preparing will extend the skills and training at the future Workshops.

3.6 We have recorded the data on fingerling production and distribution by HAQDEC since 1980 for common carp and GIFT as well as for Erap since 2003 for GIFT. We have not yet made accurate records of the number of fingerlings distributed by smallholder hatcheries, however this will be attempted in 2006. The data has been entered into an Excel spreadsheet and was transmitted to NFA in August 2005 for their databases. The database will be updated every 6 months.

For Objective 4 (Trial aquatic bacteria in feed to improve fish nutrition) one activity has been undertaken. Aquatic microbes have been isolated and selected for testing on feeds. So far the bacteria have been cultured with a broth based on oaten straw. The growth and survival rates of atremia have been remarkable. The assessment of the bacteria's capability to improve the nutritional status of this low-value feed is being assessed. This work is on-going and testing will expand in 2006. Funding was provided by UWS (50%) and ACIAR (50%) in 2005.

For Objective 5 (Extend the fish husbandry package and findings to farmers), some skills and knowledge has been provided to the industry at the Hatchery Review (as outlined above in 3.1). At this stage only a small number of smallholder farmers benefited, however the accumulation of extension material has begun.

This is a project with a national focus and in the last 12 months training and extension of skills have been given to smallholder farmers, NGOs and government officers from a range of Lowland Provinces at two project Workshops at Erap's Aquaculture Centre.

The major events that have occurred during the last 12 months are as follows.
At Erap (Lowland Aquaculture Facilites of NDAL):
1. The TOs, Billy Kerowa and Bangan John were new recruits and they started in February 2006 working under Johnney Soranzie, the OIC at Erap Aquaculture Centre. Unfortunately Bangan John left soon after starting and has not been replaced. Billy Kerowa has been learning the skills for operating fish ponds at Erap and assisting Johnney in the construction of a GIFT hatchery at Erap. Billy travelled to Aiyura for further training - particularly in using pH, Dissolved Oxygen, salinity meters and loggers.
2. The Co-operator farms. Johnney Soranzie selected 10 co-operator farms and has supplied them with tools (shovels, etc). He held the first introductory workshop at Erap in February 2006. This went well. He needs a reliable vehicle in order to maintain visits to farms and this is under discussion.
3. Farm-based workshop. Johnney also organised the first farm-based workshop in August 2006. At the workshop the farmers carried out activities that are part of the "Halpim long pis farma" (i.e. fish husbandry package).
4. Feed work. Johnney visited Project Support Services (PSS) to obtain information on feed machines for Geoff Allan's ACIAR project. Johnney and other team members attended ACIAR's feed workshop at Aiyura in November 2006 and received training on making pellet fish feed.
5. Siot long wokim (Shirt for work). The Lae soccer team participated in the program - the team carried out activities at Erap station and after the work, the team received the ACIAR sponsored football shirts.

At Aiyura (Highland Aquaculture Development Centre of EHP Government):
1. The TOs, Hopa Simon and Wally Solato, worked on feed trials and broodstock respectively. Hopa received training at a Feed workshop in Thailand and Wally received training at SPC in Fiji on broodstock. Wally prepared 5,000 fingerlings for the SPC-ACIAR project in Yonki Reservoir. Unfortunately, Hopa left the project in about September-October 2006 after suffering from Typhoid and a number of other problems. Hopa has not been replaced yet and it is still not clear whether she will be returning to the project..
2. Yonki cage culture. Awepstar Seka, the officer in charge returned to Goroka and EHP administration worked out a plan for meeting its own needs and the commitments to ACIAR for Aiyura and Yonki, especially the cage culture project. Wally Solato assisted Peter Minimulu and Jacob Wani with Cathy Hair's ACIAR-SPC cage culture project.
3. Management and Infrastructure. Kine Mufuape, the OIC at HAQDEC was suspended by EHP Government in June 2006 and replaced with Mr Silas. Prior to this, Kine contracted a carpenter to build a smoke house for drying feed and fish. Also he contracted an electrician to complete the supply of power to all houses, including the new meter boxes for the field workers and their families. The water tank was picked up from Lae after the Canter truck was re-registered and repaired. The plumber has connected the water supply to houses however the water supply is still insufficient. The poor water supply at the HAQDEC aquaculture station as well as the whole of the Aiyura valley is very serious. The Technical Advisor, Mr Nephion Tarapi was successful in getting funds from EHP Government to improve the water supply to HAQDEC and the AVI, Mr Kevin Lange has been assisting with implementing the water plan. The new clutch for the Landcruiser was purchased and installed. The new computer was faulty and returned to Port Moresby for repair. It was returned to Aiyura but there is no email connection in operation. The phone/fax machine at HAQDEC was out of service for most of the year. Jacob Wani, Peter Minimulu, Mr Silas and the team at HAQDEC assisted with the Feed Workshop that was conducted under ACIAR's Feed initiative.
4. Feed work. Hopa Simon carried out excellent work in 2005 to identify the cause of fingerling mortalities during transport. Also she started investigating the usefulness of seeds from Elephant grass as a feed for GIFT fish in a 100-day experiment using triplicates for a range of treatments. She ran the experiments in the 12 experimental ponds - triplicates for 3 treatments and a control. The experiment was not completed at the time Hopa left her position. Unfortunately while she was ill with Typhoid, the grass that she was using was cut down and the experiment needs to be repeated. Further work on a whole range of "nil cost" feeds are planned to be carried out during the project once the team can meet and make a plan. The team received training for preparing pellet feeds using the feed machinery from Geoff Allan's project. Funds are needed to purchase ingredients and maintain this important initiative.
5. Farm-based workshop. The first farm-based workshop for the highlands was organised by Kine Mufuape and Hopa Simon for July 2006 in Simbu Province, however this was cancelled because of the re-structure of administration of HAQDEC. Efforts are being made to organise a new workshop in the Highlands. The Project Leader travelled to the highlands in October 2006 and selected 3 Co-operator farms in the Goroka area in an effort to encourage the team to select the remaining co-operator farms. The remaining Co-operator farms still remain to be selected by the team.
6. Siot long wokim (shirt for work). There are two football teams in Aiyura wanting to participate in the program - a boys and girls' team. Previously Kine Mufuape distributed a selection of second-hand shirts brought up by the Project Leader in the March trip as a trial. There were a few problems, but now that we have sorted that out, the next time will be with proper ACIAR shirts. Shirts have been purchased and emblems have been added to the shirts. The shirts are to be taken to the highlands for the next workshop.
7. Kevin Lange, the AVI from Tasmania, arrived in March 2006 and has settled into his accommodation at Aiyura High School. He is assisting the team with water installation, repair of vehicles, general back-up and technical advice.

In April, 2007 the project team met and reviewed the project. As a result, the distribution of remaining funds and objectives were revised. Since then, the team has made substantial efforts to get back on track. We welcome the return of Ms Hopa Simon to the position of Technical Officer at Aiyura. Mr Wally Solato successfully moved from Aiyura to Goroka and is now working with NDAL. Mr Billy Kerowa and Mr Douglas Kawa both continue at Erap. The Australian Volunteer, Mr Kevin Lange, who was stationed at HAQDEC in Aiyura for two years (2006-8), completed his stay in PNG in March 2008.

All Technical Officers have prepared workplans for their station and off-station work. These workplans vary from officer to officer - topics include studies with formulated fishmeal-based feeds, GIFT broodstock production trials, fingerling trials, polyculture and trials with sex-reversal of GIFT fish. The feed-manufacturing machines arrived at all stations (Goroka, Erap, Port Moresby, Banz and Aiyura) and the Officers are working to get them installed and, in some cases, they are now successfully producing pelleted fishmeal-based feed.

The publication by ACIAR of our book: "Aquaculture in PNG: Status of freshwater fish farming" was printed and distributed by ACIAR. Farmers who participated in the study, NGOs, Officers and all interested parties received copies. The monograph is available on the ACIAR website.

A strategic review of the operations of the Highland Aquaculture Development Centre (HAQDEC) at Aiyura, was carried out by the team in July 2007. This review gave the staff at Aiyura a chance to express themselves to the project. Judging by follow up trips in October 2007 and May 2008, the staff at Aiyura is working well towards substantial improvements. Major improvements include: repair of the inlet canal to the water reservoir and replacement of timbers of monk - now the reservoir is full for most of the year.

Two good second-hand vehicles were purchased for the project and are operating in Morobe and Eastern Highlands Provinces. The vehicles were paid for from the project's funds. Fuel, registration and maintenance are provided by the project and at the conclusion of the project in 2009, the two vehicles will become the property of NDAL.

The project has extended its "Fish Husbandry Package" at four workshops at demonstration farms have trained 250 new farmers in the last 12 months. The workshops are based on getting the farmers to carry out activities over three days. The team brings GIFT fingerlings (and common carp) so that the farmers can stock ponds once they have constructed them (usually 3 to 6 months later). Workshops were held as follows:
February 2007 - Workshop Avini Village, Koruo Fish Farm (80 fish farmers attended).
November 2007 - workshop at Asai village, Madang Province (75 attended)
November 2007 - Bihute workshop, EHP (35 prisoners attended)
May 2007 - Bihute Training workshop EHP (40 prisoners & officers attended)
November 2007 - Banz workshop, WHP (52 attended) (5 days workshop)
February 2008 - Kundiawa workshop, Simbu 75 attended
November 23 - 26th 2007 - Faiyantina Workshop (33 participants)
February 2007 - Workshop Avini Village, Koruo Fish Farm (80 fish farmers attended).

The farmers are very keen to learn at these workshops - they always ask for a return visit in 12 months to reinforce and renew their training so that they get more skills and confidence. The farmers in greatest need are in remote regional areas away from the big towns. Some farmers walk for 2 days to attend. We have found that the workshops have a high impact and within 12 months, the farmers generally have a surplus of GIFT fingerlings.

The project has started working with 20 co-operator farms - 10 in the highlands and 10 in the lowlands. Preparations are being made for off-station work with trial feeds and other aspects of the "Fish Husbandry Package". While the project's activities at Co-operator farms are yet to reach our planned goals, there were three visits by officers to initiate the work at the farms, as follows:

June 2007 - visited 10 lowland co-operator farms
July 2007 - visited 10 highland co-operator farms
September 2007 - visited 10 highland co-operator farms

At the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Australia, an experiment on polyculture (carp and redclaw) was carried out - it showed that this could be a useful culture system for reducing the over-breeding of prolific breeders (such as redclaw crayfish and GIFT). This may have application in PNG - Billy Kerowa started work to apply the results to polyculture with common carp and GIFT fish. Also at UWS, several strains of bacteria were isolated which have interesting enzyme profiles which may be useful for aquaculture.