Post on 31-Mar-2015
Comparison of community-based pearl farming in the Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Zanzibar, Tanzania
Maria C. Haws, University of Hawaii HiloSimon C. Ellis, Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei
Narriman Jiddawe, Institure of Marine Science, University of Dar Es Salaam
Elin Torrel, University of Rhode IslandAviti Mmochi, Institute of Marine Science, University of Dar Es Salaam
• Population 38.7 million 107,000 68,126
• Life expectancy at birth 55 Years 69 66 • Under five mortality/1000 (2011) 51 38 49• GNI per capita (2011) $US 1,360 3,240
2,500• Living on less than $2/day 88% 45% NA• Children in secondary school 5-6% 80-86%
91%• Married women aged 15-19 16.8% NA NA• Human Developmet Ranking (of 182) 151 NA NA• Vehicles per 1000 individuals 5 NA NA
TANZANIA FSM RMI
Country Statistics
Population Reference Bureau, World Bank
OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY-BASED PEARL FARMING
ZANZIBAR (7 years)
• SUPPORT INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT EFFORTS• LINKED TO NO-TAKE ZONES FOR COCKLES• EMPOWER WOMEN• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
PACIFIC ISLANDS (+25 years)
• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT• SUPPORT OUTER ISLANDS’ COMMUNITY INTEGRITY AND
CULTURE• ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD
Other LivelihoodsZanzibar• Fishing• Seaweed farming• Reef gleaning• Agriculture• Gravel making• Charcoal making
FSM/RMI• Fishing (mainly subsistence)• Copra (subsized)• Some handicrafts• Government jobs
Species & ProductsZanzibarPteria penguinPinctada margaritiferaHalf pearls/mabeMabe jewelryShell crafts
FSM/RMIPinctada margaritifera
Round pearlsPearl jewelryLimited shell crafts
Shared Challenges
• Lack of capital• Grant funded• Obtaining stock• Cultural inhibitions• Limited extension• Limited techology, infrastructure, logistics
Challenges and Advantages in ZanzibarChallenges• Poverty• Food insecurity• Gender issues• Scarcity of supplies and
tools• Women generally lack
maritime experience
Advantages• Previous mariculture
experience (seaweed)• Resident
scientists/extension agents• Previous capacity building
and organizational support• Limited income
expectations• No need for highly trained
grafting technicians• Not isolated, transportation
available
Challenges and Advantages in FSM/RMI
Challenges
• Isolation• Populations divided between
islands• Little previous capacity building
or organizational structure• Political conflicts• High income expectations• Traditional tenure systems• Need for trained grafting
technicians
Advantages
• Greater availability of stock
• More access to tools and technology
• Good maritime skills• Handicraft experience
Approaches in Zanzibar• Focused on existing women’s groups• Jewelry first, pearl farming later• Outreach and training was to large groups• Private farms• Some cooperative marketing• In context of ICM and MPA’s• Regular contact and support • Funding regular, long-term
and generally adequate
Approaches in FSM/RMI
• Farms are generally community owned• Less regular technical assistance due to isolation• Difficult to contract grafting technicians due to low
numbers of stock• Funding often patchy• How to obtain stock?• Spat collection/nursery
Current status-FMS and RMI
• Three community farms (Nukuoro, Namdrik and Rongelap)
• Small harvests (3000-10,000)• Jewelry manufacture• Public sales locally and regionally• Spat collection improving• Hatchery production improving• Profitability not yet achieved
FSM/RMI
Current Status-Zanzibar
• Established shell and mabe craft businesses• Limited by stock availability• Developing a community center• Increased income:– School fees– Houses built– Savings– Reinvestment
Next steps• Improve spat collection and nursery care • Improve hatchery production (RMI)• Grafting training• Improved business management• Scale up farms• Expand to other areas• Strengthen extension capacity
RMI pearls
Stock issues
FSM– Two hatcheries– Spat collection at
Nukuoro
RMI– Hatchery at College of
the Marshall Islands– Spat collection at
Namdrik
Zanzibar– Collection of adult specimens– Trials with spat collection– Possible hatchery production
Factors of success
• Availability of wild spat• Extension support, local and international• Funding• Individual ownership• Immediate revenues• Capital• Gender?
Thanks to:United States Agency for International Development
European UnionThe David and Lucille Packard Foundation
University of Hawaii Sea Grant College ProgramUSDA-Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers ProgramMisereor