Esaromea Ledua was contracted by SPC Fisheries Training Section to design and deliver the course programme. The training arrangement was discussed with the Director of Fisheries, Moses Amos and SPC Fisheries Training Specialist, Mr Teriihauroa Luciani. Overall, this first SPC course on seaweed farming was a success. The seven participants gained knowledge of and skills on seaweed farming. Their challenge will be to assist in the development of seaweed farming in Vanuatu.
Additional funding is available.
Currently there is a growing interest within the South Pacific island states towards the farming of the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii or known by many as Eucheuma cottonii . Like neighbouring island states, the Vanuatu Government is intending to venture into seaweed farming as a means of creating employment in rural coastal areas. Furthermore seaweed farming is envisaged to attract fishers as a means of reducing fishing pressure exerted on the already over-fished inshore resources. These were some of the reasons why the Vanuatu Government sought the assistance of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for training the trainers in seaweed farming.