BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita Provincial Fisheries Office in Auki conducted two days training for seaweed farmers at Hepea village within Tarapaina area of Small Malaita from November 11-12.

The training is funded by New Zealand through Mekem Strong Solomon Islands Fisheries (MSSIF) project and implemented by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

The training is an integral part of MFMR’s aquaculture program, where seaweed farming is high among its activities in the Solomon Islands.

MPFO officer who supervised the training, Mr Alick Konamalefo said the training aimed to engage coastal communities in the province with this economic activity.

“MPFO is privilege to offer the training to seaweed farmers at Hepea village and surrounding villages of Tarapaina.

“The farmers were happy to offer with the training, considering the importance of the fishery activity to support their livelihood.

“The training involved both theory and practical and farmers were pleased to start their seaweed nursery with about 570 seedlings.

“Resources for the nursery; includes seaweed seedlings and ropes were provided by the community. A total of 3-rafters of seaweed nursery were deployed for the community.

 “The nursery will become a breeding hub for seaweed distribution for families within the communities,” he said.

Konamalefo said the training was among many other seaweed trainings MPFO had conducted to communities and seaweed farmers across the province.

He also noted since the past years, an increasing of seaweed farming has been witnessed in the province with more people going into the activity.