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Prepared for the Ministry of Fisheries
Kingdom of Tonga
Title: Survey of Limu Tanga'u
During the period of the first phase project (1986–1992), the FAO South Pacific Aquaculture Development Project (SPADP) defined that seaweed would be one of the most appropriate aquaculture commodities for the Pacific islands for export purpose, that are at present limited in number. The second phase of SPADP starting from 1994 followed the strategy of the first phase and generated awareness in exploration of seaweed farming development in the region.
Although SPADP learned through a scientific reference of the existence of useful seaweed (Cladosiphon) in New Caledonia. SPADP was thoughtlessly not aware of the distribution of a similar seaweed in Tonga until Mr.Kikutani, a JICA aquaculture expert sent SPADP Cladosiphon algae sampled from Tonga in 1995 because of its limited appearance in a certain time. No other countries reported this seaweed in the region other than Tonga and New Caledonia.
A brown algae Cladosiphon is called “Limu Tanga'u” in Tonga and is well known by the people as a seasonally edible seaweed, and it is consumed in the domestic market to a limited extent. Cladosiphon algae is being cultured extensively in Okinawa islands, Japan for domestic food market. Its production was about 10,000 tonnes annually and it was a major aquaculture commodity in volume in Okinawa. It is noted that the seaweed farming in Okinawa is contributing not only in generating income of islanders but also in protecting coastal fisheries resources from over-fishing because of observance of fishing restrictions by fishermen owing to the stabilized and increased income from the seaweed farming.
Fortunately, since the quality of Cladosiphon from Tonga was well accepted in the Japanese market and its market is still growing, two seaweed processing companies agreed to conduct a joint harvest trial with the Fisheries Division in 1996. This survey aimed to grasp the biological and ecological features of this seaweed as well as to assess the viability of its commercial harvest.
Mr.Ed Lovell is an experienced Fiji-based reef biologist. He unveiled extensive areas of natural Cladosiphon habitats in Tonga. These areas would suit its farming production in the future, and SPADP wishes Limu Tanga'u could be one of the largest national export commodities similar to that of squash.
Tanaka Hideyuki
Chief Technical Adviser
SOUTH PACIFIC AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (PHASE ii)
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
(GCP/RAS/116/JPN)
Suva, Fiji