Centre of Excellence in Papua New Guinea

Highlands Aquaculture Development Centre (HAQDEC), Aiyura

png_haqdec2_b1The prime objective at HAQDEC is freshwater aquaculture development. The centre is located in the Eastern Highlands Province funded by the provincial DAL with technical assistance from Japan. Research conducted at HAQDEC has included fingerling production, introduction and breeding of exotic fish species, pond fertilisation and development of different fish feeds. The centre has also provided training in aquaculture and supply of fingerlings to fish farmers. Species cultured at the station have included several species of carp, tilapia and rainbow trout. The facility has about 40 ponds of various sizes (50-50,000 m²), hatchery, research laboratories, feed mill and quarantine facilities.

Erap Research and Development Center. National Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Erap

One of DAL' s research center's concentrating on carp and tilapia (mainly GIFT strain, mossambicus sp and rendalli sp) The aim is to establish a hatchery for tilapia in the future.

Bismarck Barramundi Ltd

png_barramundi1_b1This company specialises in farming of the local species of barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Broodstock were transported from Kikori, Gulf Province, to Madang where they were successfully spawned. Larval survival was estimated at 200,000, half of which were reared to juvenile stage and transferred to ocean cages for grow-out to commercial size. The company anticipates increasing production for domestic and export markets.

The parent company of Bismark Barramundi, PNG Aquaculture Ltd, anticipates farming the indigenous black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) which thrives naturally in the Bismarck Sea.

Mainland Holdings Ltd

png_mainland_b1Reported as the largest saltwater crocodile farm in the world, with 350 broodstock. Crocodile farming for high quality leather is targeted by the farm for merchants in Japan and France. The farm also sells crocodile eggs and wild crocodiles under a special management arrangement.

Mainland Holdings is interested in integrating fish farming with its current operations. Facilities have been established. Mono-sex (male) culture of GIFT tilapia is preferred, with further research and development expected in the future. Tilapia eggs imported from Luzon University, Philippines, will be utilised in Mainland's operations.