USP to assist in the operation of a commercial prawn farm in Fiji
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 | Dr Kenneth MacKay (centre) of the Institute of Marine Resources explains USP's role in the prawn farming project. Looking on on Mr Paul Boocock (left) of Dairy Farms Fiji and Dr Tim Pickering of Marine Studies Programme.
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The University of the South Pacific has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Dairy Farms Fiji (DFF) to help develop a commercial prawn farm at its site in Navua, Fiji. Dairy Farms Fiji is part of the New Zealand Company which has taken over management of the former Fiji Government owned Viti Corp Farm in Navua. As part of the MOU, USP through its Institute of Marine Resources (IMR) will manage the first six month Phase 1 through technical support; training of the future farm manager and supplying the prawn post larvae from the Marine Studies Aquaculture prawn hatchery. Subsequently in Phase 2, DFF will take over management while USP will continue to supply prawn post larvae and offer consulting advice. Apart from this IMR will also be involved with ongoing research at the site. According to IMR Director Dr Kenneth MacKay, the Institute through many of its staff members had substantial experience with smaller scale prawn farms in Fiji, and management of large scale shrimp farms in Mozambique. “In addition, the Marine Studies Programme (MSP) aquaculture Prawn Hatchery has been producing prawn post larvae for two years to small scale operators and has recently supplied DFF with enough of this to stock about half the ponds in Phase I,’’ said Dr MacKay. He added that this expertise had been built up by the vision and expert supervision of Dr Tim Pickering the MSP Senior Lecturer- Aquaculture. As part of its involvement in the project, the University establish the feasibility of a commercial scale prawn farm in the Pacific; further development of the MSP’s prawn hatchery; a site for national and regional training and research; enhanced credibility leading to future consulting opportunities in Fiji and the Pacific, and of course jobs for its graduates. According to Dr MacKay, IMR was pleased that DFF was opting to work with a locally-based regional research institute rather than going overseas. “We have the expertise here and are happy to enter into this MOU which will be of benefit to all parties involved.’’ Mr Paul Boocock of DFF, the company had spent millions of dollars revitalising the diary industry in Fiji and were seeking options on how to produce aquaculture. “The best part was when we came to USP and the preferred option to engage local people at community level as well as expert staff to assist in research. This is an excellent outcome and we are very please to be working with the University in this venture. “There is no doubt that USP has top research facilities which we will make use to revitalise prawn farming in Fiji.’’
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