Locally sustainable aquaculture in New Caledonia

Seafood are an important source of protein for people across the Pacific, and aquaculture is a key strategy for developing a blue economy in the region while reducing overfishing of wild populations. However, currently most of the feed for aquaculture and livestock in the Pacific is imported.​

In New Caledonia, the aquaculture sector produces 1500 tonnes (approx. 18 million euros per year) but is dependent on imports of non-sustainable resources such as fish meal and soybean meal from South America.​

With funding from the Pacific Fund and in partnerships with IFREMER and the private sector in the region (ADECAL, SICA, SOPAC, Ridley Corp), this pilot will convene actors from across the food system. They will come together to address a common challenge and work collaboratively so that they can build resilience to this and future shocks, including climate, biosecurity and decarbonisation.​

Raw materials (raw or by-products) of plants and animals produced in the Pacific region will be evaluated for their suitability in feed, particularly for prawn farming. This includes insect meal the feeds on food waste.​​