Development challenges of a finfish farm in Pemba, Mozambique

GAVIN JOHNSTON

Introduc)on

Diversifica)on:  new  species,  new  country,  new  opportuni/es    Base  species:    whitefish  =  exis/ng  technology  -­‐>  use  as  the     base  to  kick-­‐start  a  diversified  opera/on  with  focus  on     high  value  niche  species  to  expand  our  product  range    

Development  Milestones

•    Site  selec/on  and  interac/ons  with  Mozambican  consultant  began  in  late  2006•    First  specula/ve  site  visit  to  Pemba  in  Jan  2007•    Visited  CEPAM  and  the  failed  prawn  opera/on•    Met  with  Mozambique  foreign  investment  agency  and  entered  into  partnership     talks  regarding  CEPAM  –  signed  public-­‐private  partnership  agreement     March  07

Development    Milestones  con/nued

•    Early  2008,  we  were  granted  the  investment  permit•    By  mid  year  we  had  successfully  completed  all  necessary  statutory  requirements.•    Visited  fin-­‐fish  opera/ons  and  research  sta/ons    on  the  Indian  Ocean  islands  of     Mauri/us,  Reunion,  MayoUe  to  build  rela/onships  with  producers  and     researchers  in  the  SWIO  region  –  managed  to  secure  co-­‐opera/ve  agreements     with  French  cobia  hatchery  producers.  (larvae,  work  visits,  advisory  capacity)

Mozambique  opera)ng  climate

•    Structurally,  there  is  good  vision  for     aquaculture  development  and     interest  and  support  at  high  level  in     government•    Mozambique  has  challenges  at  middle     government  level  where  corrup/on     and  backhanding  is  common•    Fiscal  benefits  are  nego/able  and  are     highly  dependent  on  physical     opera/ng  area  and  sector

SiteNorthern  Mozambique  –  Cabo  Delgado  Province

Posi/ves:•  Protected,    fully  marine  ecosystem•  Large  area•  High  /dal  range•  Depth  profile  >  20M•No  major  rivers/runoff•Ideal  water  temperature•No  Cyclones•Necessary  infrastructure

Nega/ves:•  Remote•  Poten/al  for  thea•  Apparent  elevated  BOD•Few  land  opera/onal  sites

Cobia  –  WhyPosi/ves•    Exis/ng  technology•    High  growth  rate•    High  density  culture•    Excellent  flesh  quality•    Good  flesh  yield•    Processes  well

Nega/ves•    Disease  suscep/bility•    Market  development

Sources: FAO tech report

2007 = 29,500t

Cobia growth rate under farmed conditionsFi

sh M

ass

(Kg)

So whats the way forward for the WIO Region?

Development of commercial aquaculture in the Western Indian Ocean Region – the fundamentals to success.

MANAGEMENT - Current lack of capacity, expats->training->locals

SITE - High level of significance, direct effect on profitability

GOVERNMENT POLICY/LEGISLATION - Appetite for support or waiting to crack the golden egg? - SA government selling abalone – should be regulation, compliance

INFRASTRUCTURE - Support services, Electricity, Freight handling, Roads

RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS - Don’t re-invent existing technology, rather adapt to suit local conditions

MARKETING - Realism, Realism, processing (value adding), wider range of niche products, Realism

PILOT PHASES - An absolute necessity for later commercial success, although can be expensive, longer development time - Rather more than less - Gateway to accountable management and financing - Must demonstrate success in all important indicators before big capital is spent

IE Biological parameters – Growth, FCR` Logistical capacity Management Ability and Labour Government support Local environment, ie theft Markets Cost of operating in a remote area

Key Question : “How can mariculture grow sustainably in the WIO region” – significant issues from the weekHatcheries - High quality, reliable juvenile production.

Veterinary Services – Diagnostic and extension service capability - Commercial farms/government to lead the way to prevent similar problems as in the east.

Feed – Quality of feed = quality and growth of your product Species with low reliance on fishmeal (pricing and market issues) Services – Processing, Packaging, Logistics

Markets - Local markets very important Process/value add locally – drive niche products Exports good for country economics but exposed to exchange rates Consumer perception of farmed fish/ Carbon miles – WIO remote

Environmental – sustainability, biological carrying capacity climate change – increased jellyfish