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MRC» Outreach Program» Sustainable Aquaculture Initiative
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2007 News
 November 2007 The Fish Farm for Haiti Project, and Margaret Pennicaud from Martha’s Vineyard invited us to visit their site in Lilavois. Their efforts in Lilavois have helped build a school, gardens, fish ponds, and soon a new chicken coop. During this time we were able to visit other fish projects in Haiti, and a vocational school focused on small scale agriculture, trades, and business/marketing. The next two weeks were spent in L’Acul. After visiting ponds in the mountains, we spent some time assisting with the installation of concrete composting corners. We had the opportunity to work directly with the farmers, and review all the existing methods, as well as work with 4 agricultural interns from Port au Prince. Working in the hatchery on periodic maintenance, such as sexing and sorting fish as broodstock is becoming routine. The prospects of CODEP raising all of their own fingerlings for the coming year are looking good. And as contingency, we were able to source new fish in Port au Prince. At the end of the trip we were lucky enough to attend the wedding of a good friend in Haiti, Clemont, who has been instrumental in our project with his energy, patience, and kindness. First and foremost, Clemont is a leader and an important contributor in CODEP’s development success. Congratulations! September 2007 We returned to Haiti for one week in September, a few months after our last visit. While previously we had focused on pond set up, and one on one work, this trip was intended to observe and troubleshoot. To many of the farmers, the idea of using periphyton exclusively to raise fish is new. While they are gaining experience and trust with the system, our biggest challenge is to emphasize the importance on following through with each component. Compost for example, is a crucial element to drive the growth of algae, and the difference between some compost and a full compost bin is great. An important demonstration is emerging as farmers with more compost are raising larger fish – as the season continues this difference becomes more pronounced and is available for other farmers to observe. We worked with Rick and Kathy and the CODEP animators to arrive at a solution to ensure proper attention to each pond’s compost. Important steps were made to assign responsibility and accountability to all of the components of the fish ponds. Over the week we also had the chance to meet with local marine fishermen. We were able to have a round table discussion about the state of their fishery, their daily life, and ideas for the future. The Haitian coastal fisheries, like many in the Caribbean, are minimally productive and heavily fished. The high price of land often prevents fishermen from switching to traditional agriculture, and with no other source of income, they are forced to continue fishing. Summer 2007 Sarah Riley from Boston College has joined our efforts as an MBL intern this summer. She and Don Myers continue to provide invaluable help with our greenhouse and related research. This summer’s objectives include resolving several specific challenges that have arisen from our visits to Haiti, including pond fertilization and Tilapia population management. May 2007 In an effort to help the Haitian fish farmers implement the new concepts presented, Nick Warren returned to Haiti and spent the month of May working there. This visit coincided with the rainy season and a new start for the fishponds. Nick and the farmers were able to work side by side to install periphyton substrate, compost systems, and stock the ponds with fingerlings. This informal partnership allowed time for the farmers to ask specific questions and for us to learn about available resources, lifestyles, and local culture, each of which play a critical role in successfully raising fish. Several of the Haitian animators, village leaders in farm production, were particularly interested in culturing fish and had in-depth understandings of agricultural and natural systems. We extended much technical information to these individuals, which they can then convey to their peers. Many Haitians spend hours each day walking great distances to collect water. In an attempt to improve access to water, the MBL’s Program in Sustainable Aquaculture purchased and delivered a “Treadle Pump”, a simple and effective human-powered water pump, and its blueprints. The treadle pump is easily built in Haiti and has proven enormously valuable in similar environments in Africa. It has the potential to alleviate the water collecting demands associated with aquaculture, agriculture, and household use, and saves energy that can be used in other aspects of daily life. March 2007 Nick Warren and Bill Mebane traveled to Haiti to meet Rick and Kathy Land and visit the CODEP fish farmers. The primary goal of this week’s visit was to get reacquainted with those involved in the CODEP program and assess the current obstacles preventing successful fish production. For a variety of reasons, such as lack of fish feed, poor technical support, and political instability, many of the 50+ ponds that had been constructed lay fallow with little or no fish being harvested. The largest challenge for the future will be introducing and implementing methods of raising fish that do no rely on commercially produced fish food, as they have in the past. 25 animators, men and women who manage fish farms through the CODEP program, attended a seminar presented by Nick and Bill detailing various methods for managing ponds and increasing fish production. Following the seminar everyone had a chance to tour the demonstration ponds, ask questions, share ideas, and enjoy a tilapia fish fry. Back to Current News |
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