Center for Tropical and Subtropical
Aquaculture

Regional Notes

Vol. 12 No. 3 Summer 2001 ISSN: 1053-590X

The Oceanic Institute and the University of Hawaii
41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795

Ms. Alcian Clegg wrote the HTML code to prepare this document for the World Wide Web
April 3, 2002. Hard copies are available for distribution while supplies last.

Recycled farms give a new twist to fish farming

Most of us have heard once or twice the value of recycling household items like aluminum cans and newspaper to help preserve the

earth, but Bob Kern and John Santangelo decided that recycled goods might also be perfect for constructing an ornamental fish farm.

In July 1996, Tropical Ponds of Hawaii (TPH) put their first fish into the water. It was the culmination of a dream that had started when Santangelo was the County Councilman and Kern was his Treasurer. Together they brainstormed on ways to bring fresh money into Hawaii. Most importantly they wanted to show high school graduates that open-ended opportunities for them did exist and to entice Hawaii’s college graduates back to the islands with the promise of a flourishing industry. They found their redeemer in freshwater ornamentals.

Kern, a special education teacher was especially interested in finding a field in which he could hire some of his students with disabilities and provide them with opportunities that were otherwise unreachable to them. Most jobs intended for his students after graduation were in food service. Many of his students even ended up not working at all and relinquishing all of the brainpower they had developed in Kern’s class. Kern felt that fish farming could be fun and rewarding for anyone, including his students.

Santangelo and Kern got their start in the business when Sea Grant Extension Service distributed free fish to individuals interested in starting ornamental fish farming. Although the pair was determined to build their farm, they did not have a tremendous amount of capital and had decided not to rely on grants. Fortunately the two were resourceful and non-discriminating when it came to their building materials.

Located in the Puna district on the Big Island of Hawaii, the porous lava rock ground proved to be a challenge for Kern and Santangelo. The ground had to be lined after the ponds were dug to absorb some of the water. At first, TPH used shredded paper. That soon proved to be a lot of work and not extremely effective. Next they tried cardboard boxes from grocery stores. Those too were borderline acceptable. Then one day hearing about some carpet that was being torn out of a building and hauled to the dump, recycling became the clear choice. They used the recycled carpet as padding under the pond liners along the rock and on the walkways to protect the site from UV radiation and prevent skinned knees (or worse) if any of their employees were to fall. In fact, TPH now has an arrangement with a local carpet-laying company to get the old carpet for free. The deal provides TPH with a cheap, effective means of padding the ground and the carpet companies with an easier, more efficient, and more earth-friendly method of disposing of old carpet than hauling it to the local dump.

The usually high-priced shadecloth used on their farm is also a hand-me-down from another local farmer who switched from growing flowers to coffee and did not have use for the covering anymore.Further inspiration came to Kern when the school he worked at announced they would be tearing down one of the buildings. TPH handled the job and then purchased the materials from the torn down building. All of the proceeds went to the Parent Teacher Association. Since then TPH has been hired to do other jobs and each time they walk away with more materials for their farm.

At one time TPH also had a partnership with tire stores and auto shops. As a service to the businesses, TPH would haul the tires away saving the businesses the tire disposal fee. The tires were then packed with dirt and used to build ponds. They later decided that the time investment was too high and therefore made that endeavor economically unfeasible, but a worthwhile pursuit.

TPH is a fine example of how not limiting themselves to the norm can be tremendously advantageous. In addition to recycled materials, TPH also utilizes remnants. TPH builds their pools based on the size of old roofing remnants, instead of purchasing materials to preset requirements which offers much less flexibility and demands higher prices. At TPH uniformity is not a requirement. Their pools are all different shapes and sizes depending on the shape and size of the remnants and that does not bother them in the least.

For some, the idea of a mismatched, recycled farm may seem too bohemian, but for Bob Kern and John Santangelo of Tropical Ponds of Hawaii, who perhaps might not have been able to afford to construct a brand new farm, their farm suits them just fine. They currently employ some of Kern’s old students and a few handicapped volunteers from a nearby program. Marketing is still proving to be a hurdle, but not a terminal one. Since 1996 TPH has constructed over 16 ponds, 36 pools, and cultures close to 30 species. They may not be the biggest freshwater ornamental fish growers or the shiniest, but the farm is producing fish and it definitely is interesting to look at.

Letter from the director - Cheng-Sheng Lee

Since 1988, CTSA has been nurturing sustainable aquaculture in the region through the funding of over 130 projects. Although CTSA recognizes that there are advantages for continued support of some of our ongoing projects, because of the limited funding we currently have, we have to cease the support of continuing projects for concepts newly identified by the industry as needing attention. A prime example of that is the freshwater ornamental research that we have been funding for the past eight years. As a result from that research, the freshwater ornamental industry in Hawaii has become a more viable industry and gained attention statewide. Other funding agencies such as Sea Grant and the Pacific Business Center have supported this project and it is possible for the project to look at other sources of funding. The Pacific Tropical Ornamental Fish Program is expected to oversee the development of this industry. This does not indicate in any way that CTSA no longer feels that the project is necessary. Nevertheless, it is CTSA’s hope from the beginning of each extended project to get the project on its feet and to a point where other funding sources will be willing to take the chance that CTSA did several years ago. Only by that time, because the project has already been established through CTSA’s support, it is not as great a risk. CTSA’s task is to fund new areas of interest that are prospective candidates for increased interest and viability through further exploration.

To help the projects progress to the next stage, CTSA first asks those in the industry what elements they feel would help the industry stand on its own (See story on Page 5). Then, CTSA hopes to establish partnerships with other public and private funding agencies and transfer the feedback from the farmers to the other agencies. Your input is always welcome.

AQUA CLIPS

The Pacific Regional Marine Ornamental Workshop

By Jean-Paul Gaudechoux, Fisheries Newsletter – January-March 2001

An interesting new WSI project that is moving into the commercial phase is their man-made live rock. After years of research, WSI finally has found the right formula (mix) for a good artificial live rock. These artificial rocks are placed in the sea in marked locations to allow algae and various small marine organisms to settle on. The final product looks very much like a wild live rock. The red color becomes important for distinguishing between artificial live rock and wild live rock.

The big ones that don’t get away may lead to smaller fish

Reprinted in the Honolulu Advertiser from the Associated Press – Monday, July 16, 2001

Research indicates that as bigger fish are removed from the population, the smaller fish left behind take on more influence in breeding the next generation. Some of those smaller fish also are reaching sexual maturity earlier, producing offspring that are both small and programmed to be mothers while still young.

Aquaculture farms supply one-third of seafood

By Starr Wedemeyer, West Hawaii Today – Thursday, August 2, 2001

Leonard Young, aquaculture specialist with the Aquaculture Development Program (ADP) of the Department of Agriculture said Hawaii does enforce regulations on the aquaculture industry. The Water Commission of the Department of Health, the Land Use Commission at state and county levels and other agencies in the state enforce regulations of Hawaii aquaculture farms, Young said. ADP while evaluating aquaculture farms ensures farms adhere to regulations, Young said. The 24 aquaculture farms at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority are under strict guidelines enforced by the Department of Agriculture, said NELHA scientist Tom Daniel.

Offshore farms ready to make a splash in Kona

By Starr Wedemeyer, West Hawaii Today – Tuesday, August 7, 2001

Beginning next year, Kona Blue Water Farms (KBWF), a division of Black Pearls, Inc., plans to produce juvenile fish in a land-based hatchery at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii and move the fish to submerged and surface net pens offshore. KBWF plans to raise mahimahi with broodstock from offshore and will expand to raise opakapaka, ehu, and deep water snapper. KBWF, working with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, will develop hatchery culture methods for other Hawaiian bottomfish. KBWF also is working on hatchery culture techniques for reef fish targeted by tropical fish divers.

CeaTech has big appetite for shrimp

By Dave Segal, Honolulu Star-Bulletin – Saturday, August 11, 2001

“Our marketing strategy has been to get these very good tasting animals into the mouths of people though seafood shows and tastings,” Ceatech Senior Vice President Paul Bienfang said. “And repeatedly, after having done this, the buyers would say, ‘Great, I love it,’ and request more product than we could provide. The demand from the buyers of premium products is significant. So for us to be able to meet that demand, we need to be larger. Many times they’ll request a particular form or size of shipments on a certain frequency. These are much easier to accommodate when you have larger production capability.” Hence, in February, Ceatech announced that it had received commitments for up to $3.9 million in financing from its investors. The money, which is being used as working capital, also has been used to double its number of one-acre ponds to 40 from 20 at the Kekaha Agricultural Park (the last few of which are slated for completion next month) and to construct a recently completed $1 million processing facility in nearby Hanapepe.

\

Have you ever wondered what you are feeding your shrimp or fish? Or how the diets you are using are made? Or how best to store your feed? Then the courses below are for you!

Aquatic FEEDS MANAGEMENT COURSE for Shrimp Farmers

Saturday, December 1, 2001

Aquatic FEEDS MANAGEMENT COURSE for Finfish Farmers

Saturday, December 8, 2001

Location: The Oceanic Institute, Waimanalo, Hawaii	Time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Deadline for Registration: October 15, 2001	Cost: $400 per person per course*
Maximum Class Size: 20 participants per course
Course Topics Include: - nutrient requirements - ingredients - formulation - storage - economics - physical quality - and nutrition deficiencies.	Topics Specific to Shrimp and Finfish Include: - on-farm feeding methods - live larval feeds - hatchery feeding methods - - and broodstock diets.

For Registration & More Information Contact:

Gary E. Karr, Training and Education Program Manager

The Oceanic Institute

Phone: (808) 259-3146

E-Mail: gkarr@oceanicinstitute.org.

*Under certain conditions, the State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) may be able to help fund employee training. The Employment and Training Fund program (ETF), administered by the DLIR, Workforce Development Division, provides funds to assist employers who need to upgrade their employees’ skills. For further information about ETF, please contact your nearest Workforce Development Division office.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR WESTERN SARE GRANTS

The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) Program is now seeking proposals for more than $2 million in grants for 2002-2003 for research and education, professional development, and farmer/rancher projects. Grant applications are available at http://wsare.usu.edu/, or call the Western SARE office at Utah State University at 435-797-2257. Examples of past SARE-funded projects can be viewed at the WSARE website.

WSARE has strengthened the economic assessment and outreach requirements in the research and education grants program. It offers:

* Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (also known as Chapter 1) grants

* Professional development program grants

* Farmer/rancher grants

The national SARE effort, which was mandated by Congress in the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills, is implemented by four regional councils, in cooperation with CSREES. Western SARE is coordinated by Rasmussen and led by an administrative council that represents diverse agricultural, business, producer, and public interests in the West.

The Western region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Island Protectorates of American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Deadline is October 15, 2001

< < #

The Pohnpei bath sponge -- creating an industry

Sea sponges have been used for bathing for thousands of years. And with the global trend of ecological awareness and the demand for nature-made products increasing, the popularity of natural sea sponges is rising in both the U. S. and abroad. The soft, absorbent, and durable sponges have become an item of escalating demand for bathing, crafting, washing, etc. Unfortunately, the Pohnpei bath sponge (Coscinoderma mathewsi), a close relative of the more popular sea wool sponge, is available only on some small islands in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and has yet to make its presence known worldwide.

Culture techniques for the Pohnpei bath sponge have been nearly exacted by sponge expert and former Sponge Aquaculture Agent, Richard Croft, on Pohnpei, FSM. Coscinoderma mathewsi is currently the only sponge being cultured in the FSM. Although sponge culture trials were undertaken pre-World War II, commercial sponge farms have only recently come online. There are currently five small farms scattered around Pohnpei, which is an ideal location for a sponge farm because of the abundance of clean, nutrient-rich water.

Collectively, these farms sell approximately 100-120 sponges per month in the local market although the production levels are much higher. Croft feels a major bottleneck to the industry is trying to find appropriately sized markets. Because the farms are all relatively new, production is not yet sufficient to supply an entire market on their own, which makes things difficult for the farmers. Being the sole suppliers of the Pohnpei bath sponge for reasons that are obvious, the demand in markets other than the local one, is high. So high in fact, that when the local farms pooled their resources, they got a contract with a company from the UK for approximately 80,000 sponges a year. The farmers, however, were only able to supply a little over 12,000 sponges per year and the contract was soon lost.

The farmers currently are seeking niche markets with demand for lower quantities than supplying all of England. Simon Ellis, Aquaculture Extension Specialist, stationed on Pohnpei was just awarded a grant to fund a project that aims to identify niche markets for the bath sponges in Hawaii.

For more information contact Richard Croft at mailto:croftpnp@mail.fm or call 011-690-320-5374.

Return to Top

Back to Publications List

Back to CTSA Home Page

Freshwater ornamental workshops provide plan for the future

As briefly discussed in this month’s Letter from the Director (Page 2), the Freshwater Ornamentals research CTSA has been supporting for over a decade is reaching a turning point. The project is looking toward ending its funding reliance on CTSA and building on existing and creating new relationships with other funding agencies across the state. So, now as Clyde Tamaru, Principal Investigator, of the Freshwater Ornamentals project evaluates the future of this project, he first consulted with the freshwater ornamental farmers of Hawaii.

Over the summer, Dr. Tamaru conducted three workshops, one each on Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui. During each session of “Hawaii’s Tropical Freshwater Ornamental Fish Industry (What are we doing now and where are we going?)” Dr. Tamaru gave an overview of the current market trends and the status of the U. S. freshwater ornamental industry and then conducted an open forum for participants to give their feedback on which areas they felt the industry needed to focus to make the industry profitable for them and how they felt this could be accomplished.

The need for additional workshops and training was a common request from participants on the neighbor islands. Agency support and relationships such as, improved information dissemination, a long-term commitment to support industry from agencies and extension services, and cheap water for farmers located within city limits, was the most frequent appeal from those on Oahu. Marketing information and help was the one common thread through all of the workshops. Farmers felt that the need to know the needs and wants of the buyers was especially important. They moreover estimated that this could be accomplished by finding funding to support a study to provide market predictions and trends. Developing associations and co-ops was also important to the farmers, who felt that creating a cooperative would help to build a stronger, more unified industry.

Cheng-Sheng Lee participated in two of the workshops and felt the sessions provided an avenue for increased interaction amongst the farmers and encouraged them to voice their opinions.

Full proposals currently under review

July 31st was the deadline for all solicited full proposals. CTSA received thirteen in response to their request, representing many institutions and a plethora of species. Especially notable is the number of new projects being proposed this year. The proposals received were:

• Aquaculture of Extension and Training Support in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands – Year 14

• Aquaculture of Marine Ornamental Species – Year 3

• Development of Black-lip Pearl Oyster Farming in Pohnpei State – Year 2

• Disease Management in Hawaiian Aquaculture – Year 9

• Library Aquaculture Workstation – Year 15

• Transitioning Hawaii’s Tropical Freshwater Ornamental Fish Industry – Year 3

• Culture of the Feather-Duster Worm Sabellastarte spectabilis in Hawaii

• Culture of the mullet, Moolgarda seheli, in Palau

• Culture of Two Hawaiian Zoanthids (Order: Zoantharia) and a Hawaiian Soft Coral (Order: Alcyonacea) for the Marine Aquarium Trade

• Feather Duster Worm (Sabellastarte sanctijoeshi) Culture for the Marine Aquarium Trade

• Improving Hatchery & Nursery Methods for Sturgeon in Hawaii

• Evaluation of Tilapia Species and Varieties for Establishment of a Tilapia Hatchery in Guam

• Reproduction and Selective Breeding of Pacific Threadfin

All proposals are currently under intensive review. The Technical Committee will meet in mid-October, following receipt of the reviews. Proposals having thus far been accepted will be sent back to the Project Working Groups for final revision before compiling the proposals into the 15th Annual Plan of Work.

Moi info now available

Two publications focusing on the reemerging and increasingly popular species, moi, published by CTSA, are available by request.

CTSA Publication No. 145 is an information sheet entitled, “Growout Techniques for the Pacific Threadfin Polydactylus sexfilis” by M. Chambers, J. Zimmerman, and A. Apeitos. The six-page information sheet gives an overview of the growout protocols developed through research at The Oceanic Institute (OI) for aquaculture and stock enhancement purposes.

CTSA Publication No. 146 “Economics of a Pacific threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis) Hatchery in Hawaii” by L. Kam, P. Leung, A. Ostrowski, and A. Molnar reports on a spreadsheet model that was developed based on current practices at OI. The economic model aimed to determine a viable scale for a commercial Pacific threadfin hatchery in Hawaii.

To receive either or both of these publications please contact Alcian Clegg at (808) 259-3168 or by email at mailto:aclegg@oceanicinstitute.org. Or visit our website at http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/CTSA/publications/index.html to download.

Did you know we have a

W e b s i t e ?

Visit us at http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/CTSA

CTSA receives approval from USDA

CTSA was ecstatic to receive approval for its 14th Annual Plan of Work (POW). Funded projects under the Year 14 POW include:

• Library Aquaculture Workstation – Year 14

• Disease Management in Hawaiian Aquaculture – Year 8

• Marine Food Fish Seedstock Production – Year 3

• Aquaculture Extension and Training Support for the U. S. Affiliated Pacific Islands – Year 12

• Aquaculture of Marine Ornamental Species – Year 2

• Transitioning Hawaii’s Freshwater Ornamental Aquacul-

ture Industry – Year 2

• Black Pearl Culture in the Pacific

Together the projects comprise a powerful workforce dedicated to further developing and supporting aquaculture in the region. All projects are scheduled to start in the near future.

Hawaii MEP offers help to local farmers

By Kathy McKenzie

Your business depends on producing results. So does ours. We help Hawaiian companies gain an advantage over competitors by improving production and business operations to successfully compete in the global marketplace. By integrating high-performance methods and technologies you will improve your profits, strengthen your competitive position and grow your business.

How We Help

Hawaii Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) offers affordable solutions for your business – from market research and networking to eBusiness and lean manufacturing. Our project managers provide information, decision support and assistance to help your organization apply new production and management techniques.

Our role is to:

Ø Solve technical and management problems by providing hands-on support or by linking your business with expert resources.

Ø Produce bottom-line results that add strategic value through projects that leverage the strengths of your company.

We provide solutions by utilizing our business and manufacturing professionals who have specialized knowledge about doing business in Hawaii. Our methodology can take your company systematically from its current state of operations to a dramatically improved future state – a high performance enterprise.

Hawaii MEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST MEP). By integrating high-performance methods and technologies, you can improve your profits, strengthen your competitive position, and grow your business.

This network provides even the smallest businesses with access to over 2,000 business and manufacturing specialists. State funding is currently available to provide matching funding for your company, for project work with Hawaii MEP.

To learn more about us visit our website at http://www.hawaiimep.org/, or call us:

Contact: Kathy McKenzie, (808) 383-3659

Allan deFries, (808) 383-3658

Save These Dates!

Who: The Hawaii Manufacturing Extension Partnership

What: Hawaii MEP Workshop: Lean Concepts Training

“Lean101: Principles of Manufacturing”

When: September 25th and 26th

Where: The NELHA Conference Room, Kailua-Kona

When: October 4th and 5th

Where: The Pearl Country Club, Aiea

The Hawaii Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Hawaii MEP) is offering small and medium-size Hawaii businesses help and solutions to succeed. The Hawaii MEP Workshop: Lean Concepts Training will be held in Kailua-Kona, September 25th and 26th, and in Honolulu, October 4th and 5th. The workshop, Lean 101: Principles of Manufacturing will examine lean manufacturing, including the elimination of the seven “deadly” wastes in manufacturing: Overproduction, Wait Time, Transportation, Inefficient Process, Inventory, Motion and Defects – the biggest opportunities facing manufacturers today. These techniques make it possible to transform companies by improving productivity up to 30%, reducing lead-time up to 90%, improving quality up to 85%, and reducing space requirements by as much as 75%.

To register for the workshop call Hawaii MEP at (808) 383-3659 two weeks prior to the start of the workshop which you wish to attend.

Hawaii MEP, is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST MEP). The Lean Concepts Workshop is offered exclusively through the national NIST MEP system and its certified lean manufacturing trainers.

Return to Top

Back to Publications List

Back to CTSA Home Page