From Westpac were Neil Anthony Sims of New South Wales, Australia, John Cates of Hawaii, and John Corbin of Florida. They are here to present the possible and very realistic economic advantages if the commonwealth were to partake in open ocean cage culture, a technology that will have a huge impact on the future of aquaculture.
NMC-CREES is the commonwealth’s leading authority to develop the local aquaculture industry and other related programs.
The experts suggested that investing in the open ocean cage culture, or OOCC, is a team effort between the government and the people.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos wanted to know if the plan is feasible. “By the end of the day, it’s going to all come down to its feasibility,” he added.
The infrastructure for the OOCC will include spherical or double cone shaped cages made of a Kevlar-like, high strength polyfiber netting, with a steel pike frame giving the net semi-rigidity. These are submerged to 40 to 75 feet. The cages are anchored to the sea floor with cement blocks. Water in the frame pipes give extra ballast, and also serve for buoyancy. The size of the cages can be anywhere from 20,000 to 1.4 million cubic feet. A 100,000-cubit foot cage holds about 60,000 fish.
The fish are fed through a pipe that runs from the surface down to the tank. For harvest, the cages are brought up to the surface by blowing air into the frame pipes, just like in a submarine.
The infrastructure on land consists of a building used as a hatchery/nursery, a warehouse to store feedstock, and a small processing plant for filleting and packaging the harvested fish.
In the processing plant, the fish is packed on ice and flown out directly to the market, where, depending on species, it can sell for $10-$50 per pound.
OOCC is an environmentally sound investment with a high return of investment, but will it work in the CNMI?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes.
According to Michael Ogo, aquaculture specialist with NMC-CREES, “We have everything that is needed for this industry on this island.”
Cates said the project will cost $5 million to implement.
More information will be presented during today’s symposium at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall. It starts at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Another symposium will be held tomorrow, same time and place.
Scientists and industry leaders are the guest speakers.
