The Ministry of Fisheries is excited to announce notable progress in the establishment of an 80m x 100m seaweed farm at the Natila Seaweeds Farm in Tailevu, driven by the efforts of its Central Seaweed Team. This community-based initiative, developed in partnership with Natila Village, aims to boost local marine agriculture.
The project’s development unfolded in two key phases. The first phase took place from December 10 to 13 of the previous year, concentrating on the creation of seaweed nursery plots. Following this, seaweed seedlings were planted between January 13 and 21 of this month according to the planned layout for the farm.
The newly created farm features a dedicated nursery plot measuring 80m x 20m, already boasting 58 lines of established seaweed. The overall farm includes four plots, each 80m x 20m in size. One of these plots has completed the construction of 360 lines, with 200 of those newly seeded by the Central Seaweed Team. The local community has been trained in effective seaweed farming practices and is poised to finish planting the remaining 160 lines to achieve their farming goals.
To support this initiative, the Ministry’s team is committed to conducting monthly site visits, ensuring that the remaining plots are completed and essential infrastructure—such as drying racks and a storage shed—are established.
This progress reflects significant achievements, including the development of a comprehensive Seaweed Farm Plan Report and Standard Operating Procedures tailored for seaweed farmers across the nation. The Ministry of Fisheries asserts that this initiative represents a pivotal step towards commercial seaweed farming in Fiji. Focused on minimizing material costs and increasing production efficiency, the initiative aspires to cultivate 4,000 lines per farm site, fostering large-scale and sustainable seaweed operations for the future.
With strong community involvement and dedicated planning, the seaweed farm project is set to enhance local economies and promote sustainable practices in marine agriculture, generating hope for a fruitful future in Fiji’s aquaculture sector.