Comparison of community-based pearl farming in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Comparison of community-based pearl farming in the Federated States of

Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Zanzibar, Tanzania

Maria C. Haws, University of Hawaii HiloSimon C. Ellis, Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei

Narriman Jiddawe, Institure of Marine Science, University of Dar Es Salaam

Elin Torrel, University of Rhode IslandAviti Mmochi, Institute of Marine Science, University of Dar Es Salaam

• Population 38.7 million 107,000 68,126

• Life expectancy at birth 55 Years 69 66 • Under five mortality/1000 (2011) 51 38 49• GNI per capita (2011) $US 1,360 3,240

2,500• Living on less than $2/day 88% 45% NA• Children in secondary school 5-6% 80-86%

91%• Married women aged 15-19 16.8% NA NA• Human Developmet Ranking (of 182) 151 NA NA• Vehicles per 1000 individuals 5 NA NA

TANZANIA FSM RMI

Country Statistics

Population Reference Bureau, World Bank

OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY-BASED PEARL FARMING

ZANZIBAR (7 years)

• SUPPORT INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT EFFORTS• LINKED TO NO-TAKE ZONES FOR COCKLES• EMPOWER WOMEN• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PACIFIC ISLANDS (+25 years)

• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT• SUPPORT OUTER ISLANDS’ COMMUNITY INTEGRITY AND

CULTURE• ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD

Other LivelihoodsZanzibar• Fishing• Seaweed farming• Reef gleaning• Agriculture• Gravel making• Charcoal making

FSM/RMI• Fishing (mainly subsistence)• Copra (subsized)• Some handicrafts• Government jobs

Species & ProductsZanzibarPteria penguinPinctada margaritiferaHalf pearls/mabeMabe jewelryShell crafts

FSM/RMIPinctada margaritifera

Round pearlsPearl jewelryLimited shell crafts

Shared Challenges

• Lack of capital• Grant funded• Obtaining stock• Cultural inhibitions• Limited extension• Limited techology, infrastructure, logistics

Challenges and Advantages in ZanzibarChallenges• Poverty• Food insecurity• Gender issues• Scarcity of supplies and

tools• Women generally lack

maritime experience

Advantages• Previous mariculture

experience (seaweed)• Resident

scientists/extension agents• Previous capacity building

and organizational support• Limited income

expectations• No need for highly trained

grafting technicians• Not isolated, transportation

available

Challenges and Advantages in FSM/RMI

Challenges

• Isolation• Populations divided between

islands• Little previous capacity building

or organizational structure• Political conflicts• High income expectations• Traditional tenure systems• Need for trained grafting

technicians

Advantages

• Greater availability of stock

• More access to tools and technology

• Good maritime skills• Handicraft experience

Approaches in Zanzibar• Focused on existing women’s groups• Jewelry first, pearl farming later• Outreach and training was to large groups• Private farms• Some cooperative marketing• In context of ICM and MPA’s• Regular contact and support • Funding regular, long-term

and generally adequate

Approaches in FSM/RMI

• Farms are generally community owned• Less regular technical assistance due to isolation• Difficult to contract grafting technicians due to low

numbers of stock• Funding often patchy• How to obtain stock?• Spat collection/nursery

Current status-FMS and RMI

• Three community farms (Nukuoro, Namdrik and Rongelap)

• Small harvests (3000-10,000)• Jewelry manufacture• Public sales locally and regionally• Spat collection improving• Hatchery production improving• Profitability not yet achieved

FSM/RMI

Current Status-Zanzibar

• Established shell and mabe craft businesses• Limited by stock availability• Developing a community center• Increased income:– School fees– Houses built– Savings– Reinvestment

Next steps• Improve spat collection and nursery care • Improve hatchery production (RMI)• Grafting training• Improved business management• Scale up farms• Expand to other areas• Strengthen extension capacity

RMI pearls

Stock issues

FSM– Two hatcheries– Spat collection at

Nukuoro

RMI– Hatchery at College of

the Marshall Islands– Spat collection at

Namdrik

Zanzibar– Collection of adult specimens– Trials with spat collection– Possible hatchery production

Factors of success

• Availability of wild spat• Extension support, local and international• Funding• Individual ownership• Immediate revenues• Capital• Gender?

Thanks to:United States Agency for International Development

European UnionThe David and Lucille Packard Foundation

University of Hawaii Sea Grant College ProgramUSDA-Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and

Ranchers ProgramMisereor