Transcript 5. Aquaculture and Climate Change

Aquaculture & Climate Change
By Monte Depaune
Introduction
 Nauru traditionally practiced extensive
aquaculture method of milkfish (Ibiya).
 Currently there are few people involved still
involved in aquaculture for subsistence purposes.
 There is a move to revive aquaculture of milkfish
with the main aim of substituting importation of
the product and creating an alternative
livelihood.
Current Status of Aquaculture
Recommendations
Action Taken
Govt considers strengthening
development of the aquaculture
sector (i.e. brackishwater
farming of milkfish) and looks at
the possibility of mariculture of
certain species, to expand
options currently available from
reef resources.
•A review of the 5 Year
Aquaculture Development Plan
is being finalized.
•The Nauru Aquaculture Holding
Facility will be constructed this
year and operational by the end
of the year.
Projected Changes to Aquaculture
Food security
 Culture brackishwater
fish for food security is
gaining momentum
 ‘Drivers’ are increasing
populations and a
decline in the coastal
fisheries
Milkfish
Brackish ponds
Freshwater ponds
Cage culture
Milkfish Production
 30 – 80 tonnes per year in
intensive systems in Guam
 5 – 15 tonnes per year in Kiribati
 Four farms now operate in
Palau
 Capture-based culture trials
underway in Fiji, Solomon
Islands and Tonga
Projections for milkfish
Increased temperatures will
 extend the geographical
range of spawners and
season for fry collection
 Result in faster growth
rates
 But some pond
management problems
Pond management
 Increased risk of stratification from higher temperatures
causing de-oxygenation; pond aeration may be needed
 Greater heat stress, and incidence of pathogens
Overall assessment
 Milkfish aquaculture is likely to be favoured by climate change
Nile tilapia
Semi-intensive
culture in
earthen ponds
Aquaponics
Red Tilapia – Cage Culture
Intensive
Recirculating
Intensive flow-through
Lined ponds
Projections for Nile tilapia
 Tilapia aquaculture has a
low vulnerability and is
expected benefit from
warmer temperatures and
higher rainfall
Pond management
 Increased risk of stratification from higher temperatures
causing de-oxygenation; pond aeration may be needed
 Greater heat stress, and incidence of pathogens
Overall assessment
 Nile tilapia aquaculture is likely to be favoured by climate
change
Summary
 Plans to increase future production and
livelihoods from brackishwater aquaculture
are national priorities
 Brackishwater aquaculture should benefit
from climate change