Ensuring Long-term Viability of Small-scale Mariculture, Hawai’i/US Pacific Islands

The overall objective of this project (ended December 2004) was to expand production of marine invertebrates on small farms, improve farm efficiency, increase knowledge of farm technologies and economics and increase institutional capacity to sustain these goals. The project focused on three island areas as pilot sites that suffer from economic marginalization, yet have growing marine aquaculture industries. These areas are largely rural, isolated areas where Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander suffer from high unemployment and associated social ills. The island of Hawaii (“the Big Island”), Pohnpei Island, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the atoll of Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) are currently nuclei of aquaculture development in each island group. CRC contributed to the following specific objectives: Formalizing current partnerships and collaborative alliances through establishment of a Collaborative Alliance for technical assistance providers and private sector representatives to create a collaborative education/outreach effort to foster aquaculture farm development. Analysis and development of economic and environmental policy to assure that public policy promotes a business environment conducive to marine aquaculture development while ensuring long-term sustainability of the environment and social welfare through adequate institutional and legal safeguards. Development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce risks to producers, optimize production efficiency and protect against environmental impacts. BMPs are one of a number of potential management tools that support sustainable aquaculture development.