Over the first semester 2006, a workshop on coordination and rescoping of activities took place in Suva, Fiji, in April 2006. After this workshop, a significant number of activities has been conducted effectively as part of this Component and continued over the second semester resulting in satisfying progression.

Project 2A-1: Postlarvae (fish and crustacean) capture and culture for aquarium trade and restoking

The first part of this project in French Polynesia produced a Guide for the identification of reef fish larvae in French Polynesia. This handbook was published in close collaboration with the Polynesian Fisheries Department.

Besides this product, 3 scientists from CRIOBE and IRD will publish a paper on the biology of larvae in a scientific journal. This work is a precious tool to potentially improve capturing methods targetting high commercial value species.

The second part of this project concerns fundamental research progress on catch and raise of post-larvae through the work of a french student from ENSAR in an aquaculture farm on the USP campus in Fiji. A Fijian student from USP began a study comparing larval and zooplankton geographical distribution.

Another french student still prepares a thesis on the optimisation of restocking techniques in the natural environment (co-supervised by both the University of Perpignan and USP).

In regards to technical training, besides strengthening the USP technicians working for the aquaculture farm, a second fishing site has opened in the village of Muaivoso where fishermen have been trained by the ECOCEAN society to become familiar with capture techniques of larvae and contribute to the project. A preliminary study on the evolution of the Fijian legal framework has been done to improve the economic use of fish larvae.

Besides, a pilot study was launched in Wallis and Futuna to assess economic potential of capturing crustacean larvae for the aquarium market.

Project 2A-2: Improvement of knowledge and capacity for a better management of reef ecosystems

This project comprises three areas of activity, New Caledonia, Fiji and French Polynesia. It made considerable progress after the workshop held in April 2006 in Fiji where the main topic was identification and scoping of activities designed to implement management indicators for reefal and lagoonal ecosystems, the preliminary work step was carried out in Fiji, essentially in Muaisovo (where USP and IRD are collaborating) and Rotuma (USP). In New Caledonia, the work in marine environment management involving local community was carried out in Ouvea, encouraging the protection of the lagoon. The results of a study on Mangrove crabs in the region of Voh-Kone-Pouimbout have been released.

Two other workshops on the project C2A2 were held during the second semester 2006 on the campus of USP in Fiji. LMMA held the first workshop on coral reef fish management indicators and coral ecosystem monitoring and the second, where IRD was involved, compared different underwater fish count methods.

Project 2A-3: Synopsis and extension work on indicators for monitoring the health of coral ecosystems and developing a remote sensing tool

In Fiji, an Australian student doing his thesis developed indicators for monitoring the health of coral ecosystems by processing satellite images and a Fijian student working in palaeontology is doing some coral coring. A workshop conducted by the GCRMN, in USP, capitalized information of coral reef monitoring of 7 countries in Pacific Centre, which will be compiled in a report due for the beginning of 2007. A network of underwater temperature loggers occurs in Fiji and other countries of the GCRMN Melanesian node. In French Polynesia, CRIOBE compiled a report on the Polynesia Mana network, including data on Tokelau, Cook, Niue, Kiribati, Tonga, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. In New Caledonia, a study on the use of underwater video to monitor marine resources was conducted and published in the Fisheries Bulletin of SPC (download the PDF file).

Project 2A-4: Testing of novel information feedback methods for local communitis and users of reef and lagoon resources

This project is the least advanced of Component 2A. The production of an interactive DVD in collaboration with IRD for the public at large for the purpose of education slightly progressed with the completion of 2 sections out of 10. The student exchange programme made some progress.

Project 2A-5: Specific studies on i) the effects on the increase in atmospheric CO2 on the health of coral formation and ii) the development of eco-tourism

A literature review on the “effects of the increase in atmospheric CO2 on the health of coral formations due to anthropogenic influence”, completed by a postgraduate student from the University of Perpignan, will be added to the final synopsis.

The service provider in Fiji conducted a study on the development of hotel eco-certification standards and will begin the major staff training component. At this stage the ecocertification system is called “blue star”. The results from the Fijian trial are awaited before developing a regional approach, with priority given to those where hotel-based tourism is developing (especially in French Pacific OCTs).