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Why is seacucumber so expensive? Click the link to watch the video https://youtu.be/sRH5KzNQxmc

The Past 20 years Approach to Solution; Political Campaign Attitude in Manus Province

Talking big and cash handouts comes election time somehow compels elected leaders to entice voters from the village level. This has seem to be the norm for the past 20 years.

A research of the tangible development happening on the ground will result in many unfulfilled book-report type mission statements, development plans, etc……Fine, but many of these development plans assumed that the ability to point out a problem somehow embues one with the ability to solve it. Reading up on rugby does not mean that you can play the game....or play it well....or play it well enough to win.....or play it well enough to win at a high level. Most past elected leaders of Manus that have tried to address development aspirations of the province simply do not play the game at all.

After 15 years on the job, 3x 5 year development plans have gone thru over millions of Kina without playing the game well enough to be tangible anywhere. In fact, this track record of our successive government has not exceeded the gains of small privately funded local projects/entrepreneurs in the province for the last 20 years

Successive leaders claimed to have the qualifications and the experience to treat the cancer in the province; the heavy handed, unsustainable five year development plans, methodologies and government support and subsidy of them.

Instead they set about redefining the core problems in their own imagination.....and proposed treating peripheral issues, alternative issues, issues en vogue, and side issues that more conveniently fit their own inexperience and association. The development ills of the province, initially against them....became de-facto [albeit] passive government support as they realized their “non- viable and un-implementable" vision" would never amount to anything.

Supporting that which will never be.... is cheap, easy and allows one to claim knowledge of what is really needed in the Province". Letting the development aspirations of the province off the hook with this get out of jail free card, the elected leaders in question were kinda certified as players...and were granted funding from the government which became a gravy train which fed off a momentum without deeds but cash handouts at the end of their term. As elected leaders seldom leave offices, development plans are taken as fact and funding continued with poor implemented strategies.

Staff supported them as condition for employment regardless of personal belief and inside whistle blowers were kept out to allow the unrealistic strategies to push forward without the wake-up calls.

Most of their advisors were "service guys" happy to sign on for "validation by association and inclusion in something important" A second tier signed on for that plus....perks, plane-rides, per diem and salaries.

This non-involved, in-experienced, cult based gravy train became the "auto-pilot go-to answer "on the eve of election campaign and the rest is a lack of productive history. This type of mentality, stake-holder, lose-lose situation de-railed the chances for real development reform in the 90's which have not reformed as of today….

Seaweed farmers of Kimuta island, Misima, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Just recently, we went on a trip to Misima Island in the Milne Bay Province. The purpose of our visit there was to see the seaweed farmers of Kumuta and Bagaman islands because they were having problems with their seaweed farms. For some unknown reasons, seaweed seedling form those areas are not growing outward but inward with bulbing at the tip.

Inward growth of seaweed seedling on the frame lines at Kimuta island, Misima, Milne Bay Province. Papua New Guinea

Due to shorter timing of our visit and delay in accessing resources, we only mange to visit Kumuta. It was rather unfortunate we could not got to Bagaman, Brooker, Motorina, Paneati and others in the "Deboyne and Clavados Chain". Despite this, we manage to see a litle to know that the basic fundamentals of seaweed farming wasn't there in those communities. At Kimuta, the farmers are not paying close attention to their farms albeit, height of interest in the community. There were evidences of algal growth on frame lines, indicating lack of timely maintenance. This could be because seaweed farming is new to them however, from our observation, this problem is almost benign and there appears a greater lack of technical advice and ‘show how’ by seaweed aquaculture officers towards the farmers in the Province. The farmers there are very pragmatic-learning by seeing and should they been guided well in the beginning, they surely will have developed that trait. Speaking to the farmers, we get the impression that there is inadequate technical training and support to the farmers. The farmers admitted to briefly being provided hands on training however, closer support for and greater guidance during actual planting and implementation wasn’t there. This highlights a very important need for greater extension work and closer coordination by seaweed aquaculture officers from both within the province and NFA in working with the farmers.

The bigger problem very noticeable out there is that farmers are placing their farms against the current (flowing water) instead of running it in parallel, thereby allowing greater movement and force exerted on the seaweed lines consequently affecting growth. The method employed is also not suited for current areas, as the frame lines are placed criss-crossed, like long line rafts, providing yet greater surface area of exposure to the currents, adding more pressure on the overall farming infrastructure. Additionally, the loop material used for “tie tie” (called macramé) is not suited for current areas as it tangles a lot and even worse, it gets weaker and breaks off easily. Not really good when the seedlings grow bigger. We even notice the tying of ‘tie tie’ to the frame lines are not done properly as the farmers just spin and do a slip knot of the ‘tie tie’ with the seedling attaché onto the main frame line and that is it- Leave it to the sea and the faith of having it intact throughout growth.

In the long term, such method/practise could become costly, with the unnecessary use of rope infrastructure providing greater surface area of exposure to currents and that which could become broken, tangled, and lost to the ocean by current? Having more materials in the sea would mean more effort in maintenance and costs of material.

The second bigger problem however, is that most farmers are planting inadequate seedling sizes. This we don’t suppose is due to lack of availability of seedlings but rather blame it on inadequate knowledge of the required stocking size for the specie. Kappaphycus or Euchema cottoni requires about a 100g or more of seeding size for better health and growth. Anything less than that would only act to prolong maturity, subsequently affecting harvests. In addition, making too many cuts on a tiny seedling only renders it prone to diseases and can attract growth distortions from various factors in the environment acting on the farms.

Thirdly, and that which is quite visible too is that farming infrastructures of ropes, lines, and stakes are not intact but loosely held together which is not very helpful in high current areas such as Kimuta.  While the current is good for natural maintenance and greater growth of seaweed, it would not help if you have loosely held infrastructure in the water as this will only aid and abide the force of currents acting on the farms-providing yet more movement to the seedlings. It is very important to have the frame lines and ropes tightly intact with greater anchorage at the bottom. 

It was also observed that several farms on the island have developed growth distortions to the crops. The seedlings are growing inward instead of spreading out. Speaking to the locals,we can confidently assert however, that seedling brought in to Kumuta were taken from an infected pool of seaweed from other islands which have already developed bulbing tips, and that  which are only now recirculated-, cut, farmed and transferred for further extension. Distribution of such seedlings would continue the problem if not removed.  It would be better to kill all those infected seedlings and re-introduce better quality seedlings for farming. We also noticed greater growth of some seedlings on a few of those farms on the island that are doing really well without any sign of infection and this could be used- be cut and distributed to other farmers on the island.

In terms of environment, and from our pre-assessment of the site, we must admit, Kimuta has some very impressive lagoon and habitat highly favorable for seaweed farming. The vast sandy channel and water quality and depth at this island is very promising for the prospect of commercial scale mariculture. The fact that seaweed has grown on the island is a confirmation of the environment, however, getting the basics right from the start is still a challenge. More importantly, having knowledge of the locational and meteorological characteristics of the site of farming is vital as this would be the baseline to inform a whole lot of other farming aspect. For example, determining what method employable, including the practise, handling, and greater maintenance of the farms - all of which will depend on the farmers’ greater understanding of the environmental and climatic/weather conditions of the site.

Overall, getting the basics right- in terms of the practice and technical aspect of seaweed farming dealing with the environment and climatic conditions should form the basis for further capacity building at the local scale. This is important as future interests and viability will depend on how much of the information is available to the general populace.  An immediate objective would be for fisheries officers to conduct more extension and collaborate closely with the farmers so that important knowledge and skills are imparted to the farmers in developing their capacity at the farming level. 

Seaweed has proven to be a promising source of income to the islanders since it started. Several exports have been done and farming has continued. The operation just needs to be revisited with emphasis to put on production of volume and sourcing market. For logistics wise,  Milne Bay, unlike other provinces, there are regular transport of cargos and goods by small ships to outer stations such as Misima and others, which the seaweed project could utilise in terms of providing the back load on returning to Alotau. Speaking to local shop owners at Misima, ships comes in 3 times in a week to unload cargo, however, there is no back load for the ships returning to Alotau. If any at all, the ships would be ferrying passengers and empty fuel drums on their return lag most of time.  This is a very good opportunity for seaweed farmers to utilise. There is also the option by airplane with PNG airlines landing their plane- few times a week, including that of charters out of Misima. 

In the end, we recommended to the Milne Bay Division of Fisheries and Marine Resource to take note of the following:

Solution working forward- in other words conducting survey of the environmental and physiographical characteristics at each site (islands) prior to establishing seaweed is a first step forward. An immediate objective would be for them to conduct an extension program to the islands already involved or are just beginning to engage in farming to ensure farming is done correctly. Such programs should target building capacity at the local scale by way of conducting hands on training, handling, maintenance etc., with greater information awareness on environment and weather conditions that will affect farming.

Crop security- the current period where the buying has stopped and farmers losing interest is perhaps the most challenging period as this would not only affects farming effort but rather on the greater security of the crop in the water. the seaweed crop in culture is non-native to PNG and so it is highly susceptible to the slightest of the changes in the environment. Farmers neglecting their farms only lead to the crops out growing its vitality and die out. It will be expensive to re-introduce the crops among other challenges that might come up as a consequence.  The immediate future challenge for seaweed cultivation in the province (or country as a whole)  would involve establishment of ‘local’ breeding and production management centres to reduce the dependency on importation and the development of diagnostic technology to detect disease/nonindigenous pests together with pathway management, contingency planning and capacity building at both institutional and farm level, to manage an outbreak, or loss to natural disasters should one arise.

Change of buying practise- The practise in Alotau is such that the farmers are not given greater leverage but are beholden to the operator for the provision of seed stock and farming equipment, considerably reducing their price-negotiating power. In fact farmers are paid on wages and not by the volume they generate. This has proven to not work out thus far, and the current feud with the operator over purchases and price has dramatically affected the operation in Milne Bay. There should be an intervention by the provincial government and NFA to provide better financing schemes to the seaweed farmers to fund their capital investments, which would allow them more independence in their negotiations with the buyers.

Securing market and a genuine operator- Current purchases by seaweed operator in the province have slowed due to unknown reasons but one that we can only speculate as we did not get the opportunity to meet with them, In the meanwhile, the Provincial Government would do well to work with NFA to find alternative market and buyer for seaweed products not only for Milne bay but inconsideration of other provinces as well. A shadow language here in Milne bay is that the current buyer operates almost remotely in their own terms which, is not good for the growth of this industry. If a private partnership should be fostered, it should be one that shows some responsibility and obligation for the greater growth and development of this industry in the country and one way to do this is to tie them own in their licensing condition.  An immediate consideration would be to orchestrate a buying situation similar to Bougainville whereby the AGB government has established a business arm that buys seaweed and does the exports. In that way, the revenue generated is channelled back to growth of seaweed operation for the province.

Production of Volume- While major farms at Ware and other islands where seaweed farming initially started have gone down following their feud with the operator; this has not stopped many other outer islands to continue farming. In fact, a new wave of farming has occurred –this time the lousaide group of islands with many of the farms in their nursery stages. This could be an indication that the seaweed farming has had an impact and its success stories now spreading. While this is good for the growth of the industry and for volume, it should note however, that some of the newer sites going into seaweed farming are quite remote and logistically disadvantaged. The farmers need to consider costs involved, in terms of shipping before they can go into farming. Despite this  seaweed is here to stay and it needs the planners or mangers involved to be become proactive in their thinking. The way we see it, the atolls and outer islands of Milne Bay need to generate the volume in order for this venture to be economically feasible.  At the moment, they’re asking for market but there’s no volume… eventually, farmers effort must also be complimented with regular buying to keep the activities going and hence, the marketing component that also needs attention..

Revisiting Tufi- Land of the long fjords

Tufi fjords, view from atop. Photo: Courtesy of Robinson Lui

We were on a fish collection expedition mission to Tufi and our team’s curiosity aroused as soon as we landed. It was an Airline PNG Dash 8 plane via Jacksons, Girua and then Tufi. Soon after we landed our team headed straight to local fisheries office for a briefing and then went our way to the resort to pick up our luggage.

AirlinesPNG dash8 aircraft parked at Tufi airstipe

Observing the place, I felt it was quite obvious that basic services in Tufi had not improved the last time I checked. For eight years since my last visit, I must admit I was taken aback by the slow progress and neglect of the place despite of it having a thriving world renowned dive tourism resort.  The thought of this almost unwitting infuriated me for I have formed a perception of such developments for many places I have visited in the  past.

It would not be akin to my nature to talk about this however, I have to resolve my personal convictions and catch my team who are new to the place and are fueled with curiosity, at least that’s what I know.  Avoiding conversing further with locals on the treatment their getting from the resort, I hastily rushed over to my team who have now collected all our luggage and are heading downhill.

Team walking downtowards tufi jetty

For a while, I thought tufi`s poor infrastructure is unmatched by its beauty and the uniqueness of the scenery and people. At least I had to reassure myself and such thinking almost subtly forgave my misgivings earlier.

SceninicTufi harbour.Photo: Courtesy of Robinson Liu

I am back with the team momentarily and having had our luggage picked up, we proceeded to the tufi jetty for our boat ride to Kofure, a small humble guest house situated about 20 minutes ride from the main station. It was Monday and not so many people according to one of our local guide. Strolling down hill, soon we recollected ourselves at the foot of the hill and went straight to buy rations from the only shop there including purchasing our fuel.

Above: tufi jetty area, view from downhill. B. Tufi Resort Jetty and Wharf area

As expected, we found out tufi jetty was as usual with minor activities by the locals going about conducting their business with a few expat guest whom we came with on the plane are already soaking the atmosphere with toe dipped by ramp.

Local canoes parked at the waterfront

It was already lunch time by then and we had to allow ourselves a mouthful of the local menu that almost instantly renewed my appreciation for that place. Barbequed red emperor wings and cassava pizza turned out savory and gut pleasing.  While enjoying it, my team and I had to mingle about with a few locals who had gathered to watch with such gimmick, probably because of our conversations or that could be for their own inquisition.

barbecued fish wings and cassava

A few of the sailors had parked by and watching vividly at the sight of us conversing among ourselves as if they would like to say something too. But it was their softer nature and respect for visitors that could have satisfied their inquest and so one would assume.

Kofure Guesthouse

The sea was less choppy and we were riding to Kofure which we intend to stay for the next couple of days while in Tufi.  Arriving at our destination we were greeted “Oro Kaiva”. This as I expect is a usual tradition of the local tufi people welcoming their guests. The phrase itself means in local vernacular as welcome! The village guest house was as humble as its people.  A few sacks of sago thatched roof houses bellowing with vivid faces shouting Oro, Oro. Oro Kaiva, that echoed almost continuously until we seated at a makeshift table newly dressed with white linen and red hibiscus flowers reassuring our arrival.

A makeshift table prepared for the team at Kofure

Around about  2pm, we finally convene for a breifing with the locals. The kids had swammed in around currrious about our personnel artifacts. The village chief made an announcement and finally we’re talking to the locals of our trip.  A series of conversations ensued and after awhile we were allowed to rest and recalled back our scheduled.

It was 3 oclock by then and our team deceided it was time to inspect the sea and spot some survey off the reefs.  My earlier dive encounters off the area seemed to be refreshed in my mind and I had to soon dicover its reality with enthusism.

The tide was lower at 1.5 meter of sea and we found ourselves walking on the sandy seagrass towards the crest,heading for a deeper enough water to catch some swim. While walking we tumbled upon what seem to be blue little damsels hovering over a patch of digitate porities. I was thrilled to learn what it was for I have known of little cute damsels fishes unique to that area

And here it was, dubed the ‘tufi damsel’ it had a striking pattern of lines all over.  This species was discovered earlier by the renowned world fish ichthyologist, Dr. Gerrald Allen. In his book, reef fishe´s of the tropical pacific, he named this species as Chrysiptera niger  but with a picture of this fish that is not synonomous with the current fish described.  It was only in 2010 that PNG collectors sent a new photo of the fish online, and the local, if not common name now is tufi damsel as they call it in the industry, a name that became akin with the significance of aquarium collection  in New Guinea.

On the crest the reef was crystal clear with lush coral vegetation and teaming with fish life. It was amazing seeing such reef, as only a few places in PNG would retain such neutrality in the face of climate change and population explosion. Well, I guess Tufi is exceptional and hope it remained like that for quite some time. Enjoying the beauty of the reef, we encountered yet another beautiful damselfish.

 

This time it was the Chrysitpera cyana, patterned differently to its kind above with an orange caudal fin. The reef seems to reward our team with countless and interesting fish species and we could not wait to test our newly attained underwater macro photography skills. The pictures in this story are what our team took as practice. Personally, it was such a perfect opportunity for me and I am thrilled to be in Tufi again. Our diving expedition continued to the slope and ledges along the fjords exposing yet those stunning treasures of the ocean. Clusters of yellow cardinal under a ledge were amazing as they lay there momentarily when we approached. Feeling our surge, they moved inch by inch towards the bottom almost like a pressure gauge acting on them.

For two days we had snorkeled and we needed a shot at scuba to reward out effort. It was Wednesday, and we agreed to rent a few dive tanks from the resort so we went there in the morning. We had run short of our supplies too and so the trip to the station fits perfectly well into our schedule. Soon we got all that we needed and headed out for our dive. At around about mid day, we were approaching Kwafurina bay headed for Smith´s Island.

This island as we learned was named after the first local who moved there.  He was Mr. Smith Ovenina and is still living on that island with his family. With a population of roughly 12 people and growing, it had beautiful surrounding.

The view from atop was stunning blending proficiently with its iconic landscape. The owner had build a few small guest houses of thatched sago roof to accommodate occasional tourists who frequent the area either for diving, bush trekking and bird watching.

For a moment we thought that this island wouldn’t offer much as we anticipate steep drop off from the way it looked, however, diving underwater at smith´s unravels yet some of the stunning crittersJ to our amusement.

A blue damsel again!, one of our team member pointed and we were only 3 meters in our descend.  For a worthwhile look, we discover it was a different one from our previous encounters. This time it was C. cymatilis and they were many of them here and there as we hover at 10 meter depth.   

With our local dive master accompanying us on the dive, we were safely within the limits between 10 to 15 meters depth. For about 20 minutes of dive time, we observed a relatively slopped contour and we were passing a few steep walls. At one turn along the dive, we observed a school of travelly of the species, Caranx sextriatus and apparently they saw us coming. The next thing was nothing short of a swamping experience, they were circling all around us probably curious at the air bubbles emanating from our tanks. The encounter lasted for while and soon they left and we continued on along the cliff.

A wideangle shot of the schooling travelly: Photo Courtesy of Lorel Dandava

We had gone down a few more meters and observed so many fish life, however, for me personally it was more of the macro world I thought of. While my team continued along, I was occasionally stopped for a close up of the smaller inconspicuous subjects. The trimna goby was well placed for me and I started focusing on them.

And even the purple bluish headed nano goby can take a toll on your curiosity too. They would hover over the rock surfaces and inside the ledges in schools. They too are amazingly unique for their kind!

Another species of interest I came across was bicolor goby of the genus ecsenius.  Occurring in pairs or sometimes solidarity, they´re posy and spectacular to watch.