University of Hawaii expert partners with AIT to deliver Aquaculture Production Optimization Training

Tsunami affected community members chart-out ‘marketing plans’
for their aquaculture products as they rebuild back better lives.

The University of Hawaii-Hilo’s Dr. Kevin Hopkins, Director of the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, through the partnership of AIT’s Post-Tsunami Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Program, recently conducted a training workshop in Ranong, Thailand, on how to increase production without increasing effluents.

Participants to the Aquaculture Production Optimization Training, held on 4-5 September 2007, were occupational group leaders and farmers who received support from revolving fund village banks initiated by the Post-Tsunami Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Program.

Principles on carrying capacity were explained to encourage producers to minimize the adverse impact on the environment, reports Dr. Amrit Bart, of the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD).

The training also focused on improving existing aquaculture techniques to optimize production revenues. Participants were guided by a series of participatory exercises aimed at developing skills on how to analyze risks and limit adverse environmental externalities and economic costs.

Following the training, farmers vowed to follow the better management practices. AIT officials explained that these techniques should enable participants to enhance their income and preserve the environment, at the same time.