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Report of a pearl oyster survey

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Report of a pearl oyster survey

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Report of a pearl oyster survey of vV. Vanua Levu, Beqa, Totoya,

and �Iakogai, in the Fiji Islands.

By Kelvin Passfield

November, 1995.

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ACKi�OWLEDG�IENTS

The author would like to acknowledge the assiscance of the Fiji Fisheries Division in

conducting the survey. In particular, Esaroma Ledua for organising the logistics of

the survey, including organising the availability of the Fisheries Division Reasearch

Vessel "Gonedau". If it were not for the attention paid to these details by Ledua, the

survey would not have achieved as much as it did. As team leader of the

research/survey staff, he did a commendable job.

Other members of the team, Apisai Sesewa, Saiasi Yabakibou, and Joevesa

Korovulavula, were also of great assistance. Apart from their support as divers

during the survey, they also collected valuable information from the villasrns in the

..,.

•'

area of the surveys. The crew of the Gonedau also gave their fullest cooperation, and

assisted the survey team in many ways..

All those mentioned in the list of people contacted assisted with their time,

information, and expertise. In particular Phil Woodward and Les Alisnlon at

SOPAC for assisting with map production, and Henry Yuen for his information

viewed from his position as a shell buyer. Thanks also to Bob Gillett, Ed Lovell, and

Patricia Kailola for proof reading the text, and also to Bob for providing some

logistical support. The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research

provided funding assistance, which was administered through the South Pacific

Commission.

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1. SD1\\tllYIARY AND RECOiY!lYIE:'fDATIONS

1.1 Summary

• Western Varnra Levu, Beqa Is, Tomya Is., and Makogai Is. were surveyed for

stocks of pearl oysters. Two species of commercial importance were noted, the

black-lipped oyster Pinctada margaritifera (Fijian name civa) and the giant

winged oyster Pteria penguin (Fijian name melamela).

• Abundance of P. margaritifera was low at all the survey sites, with parts ofW.

Vanua Levu having the highest densities. P. penguin could be considered locally

abundant in W. VanuaLevu and parts ofTotoya lagoon:

• Based on the survey results, present stock numbers of P. margaritifera are

considered too low to support an expansion of pearl farming in the areas surveyed.

It is possible that higher stock densities occur elsewhere in Fiji. Anecdotaf"

information suggests that north west and northern Vanua Levu may have higher

densities. Lau Islands have also been mentioned as perhaps having higher

densities. Further surveys would be needed to verify these reports.

• An increase in the use of hookah diving compressors for collecting marine

resources may be contributing to the low stock density.

• One pearl farm is currently under construction in northern Vanua Levu. At best, P.

margaritifera stocks may be able to support this single operation. Expansion of

round pearl culture using P. margaritifera would only be possible within the next

5 to 10 years in Fiji if hatchery reared stock were available. Such hatcheries are

now being experimented with in the South Pacific, and there have been some

recent successes.

• P. penguin is probably of sufficient localised abundance to be utilised in half pearl

or mabe culture. Experience inTonga sugges� that this could be successful. Spat

collectors could be deployed for this species. Expertise exists already for this type

of pearl culture in Fiji, and could possibly be utilised to begin mabe pearl

production in the near future.

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1.2 Recommendations:

The following recommendations are not presented in any particular order of priority.

1. A total ban on hookah compressor diving for commercial fishing. There should be

no discretionary exemptions. These are only providing short term gains, at the

expense of long term sustainability of marine resources. This ban should be enforced

at the village level, as well as a national level.

2. A ban:on the collection of both P. margaritifera and P. penguin for mother of pearl

(MOP). Remaining stocks should be conserved to support the possible expansion of

"fh pearl farming.· e ban could best be enforced at exporters and button manufac��rs.

The ban could be lifted, with limitations, when stock numbers increase. This is not

expected to occur in the short term, if at all. At least 10 years would be required.

3. An extensive education campaign in the villages should be undertaken prior to the

introduction of the bans mentioned above. The bans will only work if the people

realise why they are being instituted, and if they are enforced at the village level. It

should be pointed out that future generations will only be able to benefit from the

marine resources if their sustainability is ensured. Pearl farming can be quite

lucrative, but only if there are sufficient pearl oysters (P. margaritifera and P.

penguin) to support it.

4. Fiji should investigate the viability of establishing a pearl oyster hatchery, either at

Mak.ogai or elsewhere where conditions are favourable. This hatchery, if successful,

could allow Fiji to enter into round pearl farming using P. margaritifera much more

rapidly than by waiting for natural stocks to recover.

5. Additional survey work should be carried out in other parts of Fiji. Northern

Vanua Levu, northern Lau, and Wailagilala Atoll should be considered. Additional

information should be gathered from buyers prior to another survey to determine other

areas to target.

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2. INTRODUCTION

The Fiji Fisheries Division has been approached by commercial interests who have

expressed interest in initiating pearl fanin ng in Fiji waters utilising the black lip pearl

oyster Pinctada margaritifera or civa. In order to assess the viability of pearl farming

ventures in Fiji, the Fisheries Division decided additional stock abundance survey

work was required. Although a previous pearl oyster survey had been carried out

(Murray, 1992), it was felt that this should be expanded upon. The fisheries division

asked the South Pacific Commission (SPC) to provide technlcal assistance to carry out

a pearj oyster survey, so that the investors could be given accurate advice on the

potential of pearl farming here.

A consultant with extensive experience with pearl oysters in the Cook Islands was

recruited by SPC for a period of 5 weeks to assist the Fisheries Division with the

survey, and to recommend what future steps could be taken to initiate pearl farming

in Fiji

3. METHODOLOGY

The Fiji Fisheries Division selected 4 locations to be surveyed prior to the arrival of

the consultant. Criteria for selection were:

1. Areas in which previous resource surveys using SCUBA, (eg. giant clam surveys)

had indicated possible suitable habitat for P. margaritifera.

2. Areas where potential investors had expressed some interest.

3. Areas within a reasonable range of Suva for the Fisheries vessel Gonedau.

4. Areas where, if a spat collection, a fanning operation, or hatchery work was

deemed to be worthy of further investigation, a fisheries station was located in the

vicinity to oversee a pilot project

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5. Areas shown to be productive in a previous pe:irl oyster survey of Fiji (Murrav,

1992)

Based on one or more of these criteria, western Vanua Levu, Beqa, Totoya, and

Makogai islands were selected.

Aerial photographs were ordered to assist in more localised selection of dive sites in

these areas. However, these were not available until after the field work was

completed. Nautical charts were therefore used for this purpose.

Based on anecdotal information and the results of the 1992 survey, it was not exp.ected

that high densities of P. margaritifera would be found. The laying of transect lines

was therefore not considered to be an appropriate method for this survey.

Upon selection of a reef site, a buoy was placed at the spot where the survey dive was

to begin. 4 or 5 divers, using scuba, swam along the reef edge,.separated by

approximately 4 metres. After severai dives, each diver was asked to estimate the

width of reef slope that they considered that they could survey. A general agreement

of 3 meters per diver was reached. At the completion of each dive, and estimate o{ the

distance covered was obtained by visual sighting back to the buoy, and also by timing

the skiff in returning to the buoy at an estimated speed of 8 knots. An estimate of reef

area covered was obtained by multiplying the number of divers by the width surveyed

by each diver, and then by the total distance covered. A rangefinder would have

made this estimate more accurate, but was unavailable. Similarly, a GPS would have

been useful to confirm the estimate'. However, the GPS available was found to be

unsuitable for installation in an open skiff.

An additional measure of catch rates was made by dividing the total number of pearl

oysters found by the total number of diver hours, to give number of shells per diver

hour.

1 Assuming an accuracy of around 50 meters for a GPS location.

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While it is re:ilised that this may not be a strictly accur:ite method of survey, it was felt

that it was the most appropriate given the available resources and low srock numbers.

Initially, the survey only considered P. margaritifera. However, after the first 3

dives, numbers of the giant wing oyster, Pteria penguin, were observed. Recognising

the potential of this species in half pearl (mabe) production, these were subsequently

included in the survey.

P. margaritifera were measured (approximate) and the water depth noted. Pteria

penguin were counted only.

4.RESULTS

Figure 1 shows the location of the survey sites, and figures 2a to 2f show the

approximate locations of the dives at each survey site..

-----·-· ·-·

E1SQ• W

Norttier:n Oiviaion

•

VANUA l.E'IU

-·

•

-I

.•

D . · - - - L.-•-+--•-...-...-..-·-•-·--,

..•

/..)!:' i"Jl©"4-"~.:,~~:i'., 1'.

rulAU.U

-~~LCMAIVffl

...

GROUP~

Western Civi:siOn

Carrtr3l J

•

Clvision..,. •

--·

-·

,._.•

r--·- --

Eastern Clvision

___ a,.__

'?'-

Map

of Rll showing cert'tr..d

c;t..,J th._ 4--

western.

o.re.>S

northern, and eastem

�"""e1.e:\\.

dtvt.sJonsJ

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r-:�. 'l.b c

.. ---

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Var.u� \\..'2."u.

.·.

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�-

.(.:9 .1.e ( d�ves I$ .!.,-:; '2 I)

;••,·.·.,·.1i·

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A total of 35 dives for 5 divers, of an average duration of 40 minutes gave an overall

dive time of around 116 diver hours. A total 66 P. margaritifera were found, or

around 0.56 per diver hour. For the 32 dives ( 107 diver hours) in which P. penguin

were counted, 255 were found, or 2.4 per diver hour. The average density per 100

sq.m. for P. margaritifera was 0.02, and 0.08 for P. penguin. P. penguin was

therefore approximately 4 times more abundant than P. margaritifera overall for the

survey sites.

Overall oyster densities were very low, particularly for P. margaritifera. Vanua Levu

g had the hi hest densities for both species, with 0.04 per 100 sq.m. for P.

margaritifera. P. penguin could be considered locally abundant in parts of W Vanua

Levu, where a maximum density of 0.33 per 100 m2 was recorded.

Figure 3 shows the average densities per 100 sq. m. by location.

Figure 3.

Densities of P. margaritifera and P. penguin at the 4 survey

areas

0.40

0.35

- 0.30

ti-

-:-s 0.25

!. 0.20

�;?- 0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00

VanuaLew

Beqa

Totoya

Location

Makogai

Most of the P. margaritifera found were in the range of 15 to 17 cm dorso-ventral

measurement (DVM). Fig 4 shows the size frequency relationship for all P.

margaritifera found.

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Fi2:ure 4.

Size frequency for P.rrargarftifera

n=66

g>,

a~ -

u:Q)

� � 0 -N � � � � �� 0 -N M��

- --- -- - --- N N N NNN

Size (errs)

Figure 5 shows the depth distribution of P. margaritifera. The majoricy , 64%, were

found between 8 and 16 metres depth, with only 12% found deeper than this.

Figure 5.

% of P. m argaritifera at 3m depth intervals

20-22m 23-25m

17-19m So/o

2��

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The other major large bivalves found on the survey, with their common English and

Fijian names, were:

Lopha cristagalli or cocks comb oyster (dio vatu)

Hyotissa hyoris or honeycomb oyster (vasua vatu, dio vatu)

Spondylu.s squamosus or ducal thorny oyster (kalokalo )

Chama sp. or jewel box oyster (su)

5. DISCUSSION

The following is a discussion of results, combined with other relevant information,

for each location This is followed by a discussion on P. margaritifera and P.

penguin. Some areas of concern are noted, and recommendations are also made.

5.1 Locations

5.1.1 West Vanua Levu

Of the sites surveyed Vanua Levu had the highest stock numbers for both species.

Discussions with locals at Naivaka Village, Yaggaga Island, indicate that a middle

man is present. He buys P. margan·rifera at $4.00 per kg, and the villagers collect

about 80 kg per month. This is apparently collected by 3 or 4 villages in the area.

There is also a middleman in Galea and a cooperative store which buys shells in

Yadua.

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5.2.2 BEQA

Beqa ha d low densities of both species of pearl oyster. Its proximity to Suva, and

popular site for diving, may have some effect. It is reported that aquarium fish

collecting is also widespread there, and it is possible that divers incidentally pick up

pearl oysters, though no evidence of this was obtained. One company advised that

penalties are severe for a ny collector from th eir co mpany caught taking an ything other

than aquarium fi sh (J. Ma loney, pe rs comm.).

Beqa Ii.as around 11 villages in 2 districts. Apparently there are about 6 hookah

compressors operating from Beqa. These are supplied by middle men. Appare"fitly

these middlemen also provide boats and outboards in some cases. The presence and

entrepreneurial nature of middle men, while assisting in providing a market for marine

resources from remote areas, would appear to be having a negative impact on the high

value sedentary resources, including pearl shell, sea cucumbers, trochus, and lobsters.

In the past, there have been a number of FAO designed 28 ft fishing vessels bought by

people in Beqa. Some were financed by Fiji Development Bank (FDB) loans. One

plausible scenario given by fisheries staff is that a high level of exploitation of Beqa's

marine resources was the result of fishermen attempting to service these loans.

Despite this, the vessels were all repossessed because fishermen defaulted on

payments. The sedentary resources of high value, including pearl shell, would have

been the obvious choice of fishermen.

It is also reported that Beqa is regularly visited by poachers who also utilise

compressors.

5.1.3 Totoya

Totoya has 4 villages. By locally decreed and enforced legislation, c ompressors are

not allowed to be used on the island. Although compressors are not used, pearl

oysters are still uncommon, even at de pths beyond free divers cap abilities. Pteria

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penguin were common in some deeper areas of the lagoon. There is one villager who

buys pearl oysters (P. margaritifera) for use as MOP. He reports that he gets

approximately 20 bags (around 1400 kg) per year. This would equate to around 4500

shells per year. Our survey would suggest that this is perhaps an overestimate. It is

possible that he is including trochus and P. penguin in his figures.

P. penguin were found in reasonable densities immediately in front of Ketei village, in

at a depth of 25 to 30 metres. Spat collectors set in this area, below 15 meters, may

have positive results.

5.1.4 NI�kogai

N!akogai is the site of a Government agriculture station and the Fisheries Division

giant clam hatchery. It was chosen as a survey site because, if spat collector trials or a

trial farm was set up, there would be staff to oversee the project. Security would also

not be a problem. Parts of the lagoon are kept as a reserve, in which it was hoped we

would find unfished stocks of pearl oysters.

Results for Makogai were no better than for the other sites. By the end of the survey,

20 oysters had been collected and placed in the front of the hatchery. Research and

hatchery staff were to continue collecting any P. margaritifera and P. penguin found.

These would then be available for brood stock should hatchery trials ever eventuate.

5.2. General Discussion

5.2.1. P. m.argaritifera

The depths at which P. margaritifera were found tell us something about their

preferred habitat a nd fi shing pr essure. In an unfished popu lation, you woul d expect to

find the majority o f o ysters above 8 metres in de pth. The lower numbers fou nd in

these depths in this survey ( 24% of t he t otal) would p robably be the result of fishing

pressure at these depths. Below Sm, free diving is more diffi c ult. Although there is

no doubt that hookah compressors are u sed to some extent, these are probably more

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often used on the sandy sea floor where the sea cucumbers are more common, thus

Je::iving the pe::irl oysters on the deeper reef slope relatively unfished.

The number of P. margaritifera found in the study areas are Insufficient to consider

establishing commercial pearl farming based on the wild stock of this species. It is

unclear if low stock numbers are due to overfishing, or other causes. It is difficult to

ascertain wherther there have ever been large stocks of P. margaritifera in Fiji.

Exports from Fiji have never been high. From 1930 to 1938, an average of 4.1 mt

was exported per year, with a high of 10.9 mt In 1931 (Hornell, 1940). From 1975 to

1985 an annual average of 18.6 mt was exported. Exports reached a peak in 1988 of

57.5 mt, and have since declined, with a 1994 export of 12.5 mt (Anon, 1995). _:I'he

peak in 1988 may have been due to several factors. The price for i'vIOP In Fiji

nearlydoubled from $6.34/k:g In 1987 to $12.48 in 1989 (Anon., 1988; Anon., 1990)

Increased access to bank finance allowed more villagers to purchase boats, engines,

and equipment (Richards, 1994). Government vessels were utilised extensively after

the 1987 coup to travel around Fiji waters collecting marine resources from villlages,

some of which may have previously had limited access to markets. It is possible that

this high rate of exploitation was unsustainable, resulting in lower stock densities

today.

The number of P. margaritifera found is also too low for spat collection to be

considered economically viable. The number of spat collected would probably not

justify the time and expense involved In setting up and monitoring spat collectors.

l However, discussions with Mr Tokita, who previous y operated a pearl farm In Fiji

and is currently setting up a farm near Labasa, Indicate that their may be some

locations with greater stock numbers in other parts of Vanua Levu. He is optimistic

about establishing a farm utilising around 15,000 oysters per year for the next 5 or six

years, although it is unclear how he arrives at these figures. Locations he suggested

that may have higher stock densities were Galoa Is., Navidamo village near Raviravi,

and Nadogo Reef, in Northern Vanua Levu . Dependant on results of further surveys,

spat collection may be possible In these locations. However, the question of who

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would maintain them and ensure their securiry so far from a Fisheries Division station

would need to be addressed. Perhaps village level management would be possible.

:-:>·.-,·.-,· p. penguz.n

The number of P. penguin found in the survey around W.Vanua Levu was more

promising. If pearl farming were to start on a wider basis than at present, it may be

possible to begin with mabe (half pearl) utilising this specie�. Mabe are being

produced in Vava'u in Tonga on P. penguin that was introduced from Japan in the

1970's. Apparently the project is going well. Some published figures indicate a 65%

return of marketable mabe pearls which had an average value of $US37 each ((Gillett,

1993).. Up to 3 nuclei can be implanted in 1 oyster. This would provide a yield.of

around $US72 or $FJ100 per oyster. Mr Tokito has also produced these mabe pearls

in Fiji, and was employed to show the Tongans how to seed their Pteria penguin. He

has indicated that he may be available to assist a similar project in Fiji depending on

his work load at his own farm. Pearl farming in Fiji could possibly start off with

Pteria penguin mabe pearls, and proceed to round pearls when sufficient stock of P.

margaritifera are available.

Spat collectors could also be set for P. penguin in areas where natural stock has been

found to settle. These should be set deep, between 50 and 80 ft, as P. penguin shows

a preference for these depths. Deeper than this could cause problems with diving

safety.

P. penguin was found to settle almost exclusively on black coral trees (SPECIES).

This should be kept in mind in the event of any requests to collect black coral by coral

collectors and exporters. The present status of black coral collection in Fiji is

unknown.

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5.3. Other Issues

5.3.1. Location for pearl farms

Given the results of this survey, it may be a little premature to discuss sites for pearl

fanns. However, for the record, and perhaps future use, it should be no*=d that

satellite images are available for Fiji waters which can indicate areas of high

productivity which would be beneficial to a large number of filter feeders such as

pearl oysters. One of these images (Nimbus 7 Coastal Zone Satellite Image, May 7,

1981) was observed which showed areas in northern Vanua Levu to be very

productive. Interestingly this was also the area found to have the highest

concentration of large bivalves, including P. margaritifera and P. penguin, of our 4

survey sites. There is currently a joint ORSTOM/ USP project investigating carbon

fixation and productivity in some areas of Fiji, and publications may shortly be

available (Peter Newell, pers. comm.).

A number of sites were observed during the survey that have the physical

requirements for pearl farms, ie good water exchange, protected from bad weather..

There should be no trouble with suitable locations if stocks of oysters are available.

Security of sites however is another issue which cannot be addressed in this report.

5.3.2. Hookah Compressor Diving

Although it is difficult to get absolute numbers on hookah compressors operating in

Fiji, one of the compressor retailers in Suva indicated that they are selling

approximately 4 hookahs per month, and have been doing so for about the last 6

months. Another retailer has recently been asked to quote on 10 complete hookah

diving sets, as well as associated underwater fishing gear such as spear guns.

Discussions with locals from Yaggaga indicate 3 to 5 hookahs working from their

village. 8 hookahs are reported to operate from Galea, where there is also a

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"'middleman buying on behalf of Fijian/Chinese businessman. Yadua residents indicate

that

there

are

hookahs

the

village.

�

However, the 3 hookahs from Yaggaga have

-- -

been utilised extensively this year to help raise money to build the Yadua village

church. Beqa is also reported to be regularly visited by poachers who also utilise

compressors. Of the sites visited, only Totoya has a locally enforced ban on the use of

compressors.

Fisheries staff indicate that there is an official national ban �n compressor diving in

Fiji. However, exemptions can be given at the discretion of the Minister for Fisheries,

and during our survey we found the use to be widespread in two of the areas, Beqa

and Vanua Levu. The exemptions are apparently given so that co=unities can raise

funds for some co=unity project such as to help fund a community hall or new

school building. However, the resources may not outlast the number of community

projects that need funding. Other resources such as sea cucumbers and trochus would

probably greatly benefit from a total ban on hookah, with no discretionary

exemptions. Localised bans, such as in Totoya. which are decreed and enforced at the

village level, would have the best chances of success.

5.3.3. Total ban on collecting P. margaritifera and P. penguin for mother of

pearl.

From observations and discussions with villagers during the survey, it is apparent that

nobody is relying on P. margaritifera for a living. At the most, people may pick up 1

or 2 occasionally while fishing for other resources. It may therefore to be appropriate

to place a total ban on kilgnil pearl oysters for export as MOP. This may assist stocks

to grow over the long term to eventually support pearl farming. The best place to

police such a ban would be through controlling exports and at button blank factories.

One buyer was interviewed on the effects of ban. They pay $3.00 per kg for P.

penguin, and between $5 and $6 for P. margaritifera. Most P. penguin appears to

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come from south Vanua Levu and north Viti Levu. They export some unprocessed,

:ind use some in burron manufacture, usually only ·;,;hen they cannot get enough

trochus for their production capacity. Only about 20 % of their production is from

pearl shell, the other 80% being from trochus.

A ban on pearl shell processing and exporting would affect their operation, but not

critically so, as the bulk of their raw material is trochus shell. Their main concern is

in the sustainabilty of the resources, as they have made a major investment in setting

up their factory.

Eventually, if pearl farming did start, shells would again be available for button,,,

manufacture or export, when they were no longer suitable for culturing pearls.

The same argument could be put forward for P. penguin. However, as these would

be utilised for mabe pearls, they would not be suitable for button manufacture

afterwards as the shell is cut to harvest the mabe pearls. However, they would still

have some value as MOP.

5.3.4. Hatchery

f It appears that the only opportunity for an expansion o pearl farming in the near

future in Fiji lies with the hatchery production of spat. Even if areas with more wild

stock than that found on this survey were located, these would still probably at best

support the one farm that is currently being set up in Vanua Levu.

The Fiji Fisheries Division has a giant clam hatchery on Makogai Island. This could

possibly be modified to cater for pearl oyster spawning. The one drawback is limited

power supply. An algae lab should require air conditioning on a 24 hr basis. There is

a generator available that could run for 24 hrs per day during spawning runs if

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required. However, depending on the attempts at producing a micro encapsulated diet,

an algae Jab may noc be necessary Discussions with the hatchery manager indicate

that giant clam spawning finishes around October. Based on findings in Cook

Islands, August to October may be the best times for spawning P. margaririfera.

The FAO South Pacific Aquaculture Development Programem (SPADP) indicated

they would possibly be able to assist in setting up a hatchery, using expertise from

Okinawa. However, Makogai would not be considered bec�use it is too isolated. Au

ACIAR project in Kiribati has also recently had success in spawning P. margaritifera

in a comparatively low cost hatchery (Ito et al, 1995). The Tongareva hatchery in the

Cook Islands has also had some spawning success, as has a co=ercial hatchery-in

Hawaii.

6. Conclusion

" The only abundant pearl-shell of sufficient size for commercial use in Fijian waters

is the inferior quality known as black-lip" (Hornell, 1940).

Mr Hornell may have been correct in this statement in 1940, although the term

"abundant" is relative. The status of P. margaritifera stocks in Fiji could not be

termed abundant relative, for example, to stocks in Manihiki and Penryhn lagoons in

the Cook Islands..

Based on i nformation from loc al buyers and middlemen, around 2800 P.

margaritifera may be collected per year from Totoya, and similar numbers from the

other localised areas .. In formation from villagers and bu yers in W. Vanua Levu

suggests that around 3 ,000 k g p er month are collected from this area or perhaps

around 9 000 s hells depending on the size. Th e percentage of these that would be

suitable for growing pearls is unknown, bu t bas ed on the size frequency data collected

during this survey, only around 50% may be suitable. It could therefore be expected

that a farm may get as few as 4000 useful shells per year from this area, if they were

all sold to the farm.

3.2 Page 22

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Based on the Cook Islands, experience, this is insufficient for a comrnercial farm.

Technicians can be the most difficult component of a pearl culture enterprise to

arrange. They are expensive, and usually a large number of shells are required to

make it worth while paying their travelling and other expenses. A farm or farms with

a combined total of around I0,000 oysters would normally be needed to make it

worthwhile engaging the services of an experienced seeding technician on a

commercial basis.

A spat collector programem would be a costly affair, and the results are unlikely to

justify ihe expense or effort involved in setting collectors for P. margaritifera.

However, for P. penguin, it may be worth doing some trials in W. Vanua Levu ·ar

Totoya, with collectors set below 15 m..

It is possible that higher densities of P. margaritifera exist in other parts of Fiji. The

best indicator of where these places may be would be from the buyers of MOP.

However, the final buyers often purchase from middlemen, making the origin of the

shells hard to find. Possibilities include Wailagilala (the only atoll in Fiji), and

northern Lau. Reports from buyers and other anecdotal information gathered duril;lg

this survey also suggest higher stock numbers in northern Vanua Levu.

On a more positive note, there are sufficient P. margaritifera to be utilised as brood

stock in a hatchery. Skilled hatchery personnel are available in Fiji, and with some

technological transfer of information from an experienced pearl oyster hatchery

p specialist, they could probably successfully operate a earl hatchery. Although the

existing giant clam hatchery at Makogai may not be considered the ideal location by

everyone2, the fact that it already exists would make it the logical site for the hatchery,

at least until a more suitable site is located. Significant changes to the existing design

should not be necessary. ACIAR has recently sponsored a small scale successful

pearl oyster hatchery in Kiribati, and may be in a position to assist Fiji with finance

and/or technical expertise.

2 Mr Tanaka of SPADP indicated that they would not be able to support any attempts to initiate a pearl

oyster hatchery on Makogai, principally because of its isolated location and lack of regular transport.

3.3 Page 23

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References.

Anon. 1988. Fiji Fisheries Division Annual Report 1987.

Anon. 1990. Fiji Fisheries Division Annual Report 1987.

Anon. 1995. Fiji Fisheries Division Annual Report 1987.

Gillett, R. 1993. Half oearls from Vava'u ovsters. in Matangi Tonga, May-June.

Hornell, J. 1940. Reoort on the Fisheries ofFiii Government Printer, Suva.

Ito, M., J. Whitford, B. Tioti, and T. Tabee. 1995. Artificial Proomzation of Pearl

Ovsters: Present Status and Future Develooment in Oceania. Technical Paper S7-l,

presented at the JICA/Nlinistry of Fisheries Aquaculture Workshop, Nov. 20-24,

1995, Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

Murray, P. 1992. Pearl Oyster Survey of Fiji Waters. (Preliminary Report only)

FFA/Fiji Fisheries Division Report.

Richards, A. 1994.

Fisheries Resource Profiles FFA Report 94/4. Forum

Fisheries Agency, Honiara.

3.4 Page 24

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List of people contacted

Julian Dashwocd (SPC Noumea)

Tim Ad:ims (SPC Noumea)

Maciu Lagibalavu (Fiji Fisheries Division)

Saimone Tuilauca!a (Fiji Fisheries Division)

Barney Smith (ACIAR Australia)

David Evans (Scuba Hire)

Charles St Julian (Dive Centre)

Lael Peters (Fiji Recompression Ch:imber Operator)

Newton ,Yuen (Yon Tong Company, peal shell buyer)

Clyde Equipment (hookah diving compressor supplier)

Bob Gillett (Gillett, Preston and Associates)

Professor Peter Newell (USP Biology Dept).

Hydeyuki Tanaka (SPAPD)

Ed Lovell (Biological Consultants Fiji)

Robert Smith (Marine Geologist, SOPAC)

Les Allison (Computer Manager, SOPAC)

Phillip Woodward (Chief Cartographer, SOPAC)

Kc nneth Seeto (beche de mer buyer)

Jim Maloney (Aquarium Fish Fiji)

Jamie Whitford (Hatchery Specialist, Kiribati)

Vukila Yuki (Oceanography Lecturer, USP)

Tim Pickering (Marine Biology Lecturer, USP)

3.5 Page 25

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Itinerary

Nov 1, 7.25pm depan Rarmonga

Nov 2, 9 pm arrive Nadi, overnight in Nadi

Nov 3 11 am, depan Nadi

12 am arrive Nausori, proceed to Nabua, meet Ledua, pick up per diem

2pm. Meet with Ledua, Sesewa, Apisai, and Joe to discuss trip needs.

8 pm. depart fisheries wharf on Gonedau.

Nov. 4. 10 am. Arrive Nabouwalu, Vanua Levu. Meet with local fisheries officer.

Apisai and Joe depart by 4 wd to present Sevusevu to Tui Bua, and also the

traditional owner of Yadua, and one other chief.

Nov 5. Depart Nabouwalu. Arrive Yaggaga. Sevu sevu presented.

Nov 6. Do 3 dives around Yaggaga.

Nov. 7 1 dive in morning, then move to Yadua Is. Sai etc present Sevu .sevu. Ledua,

Joe and myself complete 1 dive (dive no. 5).

Nov. 8. Strong wind warning. Complete 3 dives at 2nd anchor position (North

Yadua). Also snorkelled along about 500m reef edge in shallow water, but saw

nothing.

Nov. 9. Strong wind warning continues. The skiff is damaged when it overturns on

its way back from Yadua village. The 15hp engine is also damaged. Tne crew

manage to repair the skiff temporarily to allow for 2 dives at Bua Bay., using the spare

25 hp engine. Move to Bua Bay. Do two dives here. 2 rivers flow into the bay. iYiove

to Nabouwalu and refill freshwater. Freshwater pump is found to no longer work

Nov 10. Head for Natovi landing, where we meet the mini bus and travel back to

Suva. The boat will arrive in Suva tomorrow, where repairs to freshwater pump can

be made. Another skiff and engine will be picked up in Suva.

Nov. 11. Report writing. Identify some shell specimens.

an' Nov 12. Continue report writing, meet with Juli Dashwood.

Nov. 13. To Lami Fisheries. Meeting with research dive team to organise next trip

logistics. Met with acting Director Tui Laucala to brief him on progress so far. Into

Suva and met with Tanaka. We discussed several issues, including hatchery

technology, the Pteria penguin project in Tonga. Also failed to find Thunder's report.

Went to USP library to see what information available on pearl oysters in Fiji (none).

Nov 14. To Marine Studies, USP. Discussions with Vukila Vuki regarding what

would be necessary for pearl farming development in Ono I Lau. PiYI, see boat off to

Beqa. They will do Sevusevu tonight.

Nov 15.. Meet boat at Navua. Some delay due to problems getting the fibreglass

skiff. Eventualyl reach Beqa after lunch. Do two dives.

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16. Do 4 more dives. Evening ashore talking to Dukuibeq::t villagers.

Nov 17. One dive A.'vL then depart for Suva. Frid::ty P'.:vL e::tter dat::t for Beq:i..

Nov. 18 Repor' writing, Suva

Nov. 19 day off.

Nov. 20 Preparation for evening departure. 9 pm depart Suva for Totoya.

Nov. 2 1 12: 15 pm, arrive Totoya. Se,msevu presented; 2 dives in afternoon

Nov. 22 4 dives.

Nov. 23 Compressor playing up. Manage only 2 dives.

Nov. 24 Compressor still playing up. Another 2 dives only;

4 pm depart Totoya for Suva

Nov. 25 Arrive Suva 6 am. Data entry and report preparation.

Nov. 26 Day off.

Nov. 27 Met with Tanaka again regarding P. penguin. Showed him some samples.

Preparation for early AM departure on Tuesday .

Nov. 28 ALY! depart Suva. Arrive Makogai at 9:30 ALY!. 3 dives.

Nov. 29 3 dives. Discussions with Ledua and Ben (hatchery manager) on

requirements to spawn pearl oysters.

Nov. 30 2 dives AM. Pearl oysters collected for potential brood stock and

aggregated in front of hatchery. PM departure for Natovi landing, mini bus to Suva.