The Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum) held two training programmes fin Bau Island as part of the side events of its 7th Senior Official Meeting in Suva, Fiji. The Forum co-partnered with the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF), an international organisation focusing on progressing sustainable and inclusive development of Pacific island countries. Emphasising its focus on blue economy, the two training programmes given were Implementing Floating Net Cage (FNC) and Showcasing Innovative Electric Engine Technology for Boats.
The side events started on 5 June 2023 in two separate locations in Bau Island, a small island alongside the coast of Fiji’s main Island of Viti Levu. The Floating Net Cage (FNC) training was carried out to empower the locals with innovative methods and techniques for marine and fisheries environment, to practice for sustainable aquaculture based on a traditional farming system through the technique showcased. They were introduced and given the chance to practice on how to apply the new approach in aquaculture technique ranging from managing the cages, making nets and frames, placing, and observing the seeds and the fish, and other knowledge about sustainable fisheries management.
Meanwhile for the Innovative Electric Engine Technology for Boats, the forum invited Azura Indonesia, a winning startup of AIS Innovation Challenge program with its technology called MantaOne. The technology was developed to replace the conventional four-stroke petrol engines that is known to produce higher emission. MantaOne is seen as an advanced way for providing equipment for fishing, as it requires no fossil fuel and needed minimal maintenance. This engine is fit for smaller boats, which is also suffice for the local communities and the small-scale fishing activities.
Ms Nadea Nadilla from Azura Indonesia during the training expressed her hopes that the training will equip the local to apply a new approach for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fishing activity. “We wanted to reinvent the way to save our ocean, (with) one engine at a time,” said Nadilla.
In addition to that, Ms Arpana Pratap from the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) expressed her appreciation to the AIS Forum for this collaboration and mentioned that these training programmes would benefit the local communities and would address the issues of food security.
“The aquaculture industry for Fiji will contribute significantly to food security and minimize the pressure on natural fish populations in the ocean. It can also contribute to poverty alleviation and import substitution. There are adequate land and water resources in Fiji which can be utilized for aquaculture development,” said Ms Pratap.
The slow development of aquaculture for contribution to domestic food supply is identified as one of the major constraints facing the fisheries sector in the Pacific and needs to be addressed adequately. Blue economy development in the Pacific is one of the main focusof the PIDF and it fully supports initiatives such as these.
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum was established following the UN Ocean Conference in 2017, with the aim of fostering collaboration and concrete development cooperation among archipelagic and island states across Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean. The forum has become an influential platform for addressing crucial issues among its member countries. The Forum will hold its 7th Senior Official Meeting in Suva on June, 7th 2023(*).
Media Contact:
Thomas Benmetan, Head of Marketing & Communication for AIS Forum (thomas.benmetan@undp.org)
