The team has completed all fieldwork and analysis. We are currently completing the project report and preparing a proposal to be submitted to ACIAR for a follow-on project (FIS/2001/083). The findings of the project are to be submitted for publication by ACIAR in the Working Paper Series.

The following is a brief outline of the findings.

In May 2003 at a Workshop in Goroka EHP, our research team presented the findings of its study of inland pond aquaculture in PNG and received input from fish farmers, officers and other stakeholders. There are approximately 10,000 fish farms in PNG and the annual production of the aquaculture industry is valued at K5 million. The surveyed of 313 farms, as well as hatcheries, institutions and markets revealed that there are three kinds of fish farmers:

- new comers (NU PELA) who have not harvested yet, representing 45-55% of the industry;
- established farmers (OLD PELA LIK LIK) who have harvested at least one crop and have less than 1000 fish in their ponds, representing 40-45% of the industry;
- pioneer farmers (OLD PELA) who have harvested at least once, have more than 1000 fish stocked, have considerable infrastructure and are focused on selling to restaurants or exports and they represent 5-10% of the industry.

The median farm had 2 ponds with a total area of 60m2. Some of the most relevant findings were that common carp was farmed in more than 90% of farms. Home consumption accounted for 40% of farmed fish, indicating that fish was an important source of protein for small-holder farmers and 70% of farmers have a high or very high intention to construct more ponds. The three most significant areas for research that were identified in the survey were fingerling supply, feed/nutrition and marketable species.

Feed. Garden vegetables, kitchen leftovers, worms and termites were the only food sources for most farms, though in 10% of farms, commercial pelleted feed was supplemented. The cost of pellet feed is a highly significant problem. No fertilisers were used in 59% of farms, 79% of farms used a flow through system and very few small-holder farms could be described as integrated.
Fingerling supply. HAQDEC was the main source of fingerlings for PNG, though OLD PELA farmers generally had developed their own hatchery. Nevertheless, fingerling supply was either a highly or very highly significant problem for 63% of farmers. Transport times for fingerling supply from HAQDEC ranged from a few hours to several days and transport-related mortalities were common.
Marketable species. NU PELA farmers grew common carp, while OLD PELA farmers cultured the greatest range of species, including carp, trout, tilapia, barramundi and crocodiles. Experienced farmers tended to search for the species that is most marketable and appropriate for their circumstances. "Gift" tilapia appears to be gaining in popularity in 2003. Nevertheless there is a strong push for trout farming by some highlands farmers and this is supported by research providers (Stirling University) and NGOs (ADP), even though it appears to be a non-economic species for farmers in PNG. On the other hand there is a strong desire, particularly in Western Province, for culturing native species (eg crayfish such as Cherax and Macrobrachium species, catfish and eel-tailed catfish).

The team has completed all fieldwork and analysis. Members are currently completing the project report and preparing a proposal to be submitted to ACIAR for a follow-on project (FIS/2001/083). The findings of the project are to be published by ACIAR in its Working Paper Series.
The following is a brief outline of the findings.
In May 2003 at a Workshop in Goroka EHP the project team presented the findings of its study of inland pond aquaculture in PNG and received input from fish farmers, officers and other stakeholders. The initial estimate of 6000 farms had now moved to approximately 10,000 and the annual production of the aquaculture industry was valued at K5 million.
The survey of 313 farms, as well as hatcheries, institutions and markets revealed that there are three kinds of fish farmers:
new comers (NU PELA) who have not harvested yet, representing 45-55% of the industry;
established farmers (OLD PELA LIK LIK) who have harvested at least one crop and have less than 1000 fish in their ponds, representing 40-45% of the industry;
pioneer farmers (OLD PELA) who have harvested at least once, have more than 1000 fish stocked, have considerable infrastructure and are focused on selling to restaurants or exports and they represent 5-10% of the industry.
The median farm had two ponds with a total area of 60m2. Some of the most relevant findings were that common carp was farmed in more than 90% of farms. Home consumption accounted for 40% of farmed fish, indicating that fish was an important source of protein for smallholder farmers and 70% of farmers have a high or very high intention of constructing more ponds. The three most significant areas for research identified in the survey were feed/nutrition, fingerling supply, and marketable species.
Feed: Garden vegetables, kitchen leftovers, worms and termites were the only food sources for most farms, though in 10% of farms, commercial pelleted feed was supplemented. The cost of pellet feed is a highly significant problem. No fertilisers were used in 59% of farms, 79% of farms used a flow through system and very few small-holder farms could be described as integrated.
Fingerling supply: Highlands Aquaculture Development Centre (HAQDEC) was the main source of fingerlings for PNG, though OLD PELA farmers generally had developed their own hatcheries. Nevertheless, fingerling supply was either a highly or very highly significant problem for 63% of farmers. Transport times for fingerling supply from HAQDEC ranged from a few hours to several days and transport-related mortalities were common.
Marketable species: NU PELA farmers grew common carp, while OLD PELA farmers cultured the greatest range of species, including carp, trout, tilapia, barramundi and crocodiles. Experienced farmers tended to search for the species that is most marketable and appropriate for their circumstances. The GIFT tilapia, an improved strain developed under the WorldFish Center's Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) project, appears to be gaining in popularity in 2003. Nevertheless there is a strong push for trout farming by some highlands farmers and this is supported by research providers (Stirling University) and NGOs (ADP), even though it appears to be a non-economic species for farmers in PNG. On the other hand there is a strong desire, particularly in Western Province, for culturing native species (e.g. crayfish such as Cherax and Macrobrachium species, catfish and eel-tailed catfish).

This period is covered in the Final Report - see Final Reports section in PISA.

See Final Report