NOUMEA (Oceania Flash) — Latest statistics in New Caledonia revealed that the French Pacific territory’s tuna and shrimp industries were among the fastest growing, the daily newspaper Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes reports.
According to the territorial statistics and economic studies institute, or ISEE-NC, receipts from exports or maritime-related products—such as shrimp and tuna—totaled three billion French Pacific francs, or around $22 million, as of Dec. 31, 2001 for a total quantity of 3,148 tons for that period.
This is an increase of some 32.3 percent in quantity and of 13.6 percent in value compared to the previous year, 2000.
According to the same statistics, Japan is the biggest buyer of New Caledonia marine products, 43.5 percent of the value, followed by metropolitan France, 25.3 percent, Australia, 10.4 percent, Hong Kong, 5.6 percent, and the United States, 4 percent.
New Caledonia’s current fishing fleet consists of some 23 long liners. They belong to three companies—Navimon, 12, Pecheries de Nouvelle-Caledonie, 10, and Albacore, one.
Other fishing companies are also preparing to become operational: Pescana, with a fleet of eight vessels; Arafura, three vessels; and Blue Lagoon Farm, a company that also operates an aqua-farm in Kone, which is north of New Caledonia’s main island, with a plan to operate 10 vessels.
Apart from exports, including the highly lucrative extra-fresh air shipments totaling 700 tons in 2001, New Caledonia’s marine products are also sold on the local market.
The ISEE institute, in its latest reports, also points out that New Caledonia’s parliament has recently introduced legislation pertaining to fishing, which forces fishing vessels to be registered under the French system and also restricts their fishing area to the 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
To further protect the territory’s fish resources, a catch quota system was also being considered.
Aqua farming was also seen as a high achiever last year, with a yearly output of 1,810 tons, compared to 1,723 in 2000.
Most of the production—1,754.6 tons of frozen shrimps— was exported, a 40 percent increase compared to 2000 for a total value of close to two billion French Pacific francs.
“This definitely is a record figure,” ISEE said, adding the shrimp’s success story was mainly due to the niche up-market those products target.
