A new aquaculture industry, culturing commercial bath sponges, is getting underway in Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Several areas outside the FSM have expressed an interest in this activity. The author was contacted quite some time ago about undertaking a survey for wild commercial sponge stocks in Kiribati. Due to a number of delays, the survey was not undertaken until late 1995.
The author arrived on Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, on September 18, 1995, and spent the next five weeks surveying Tarawa atoll and three other, near-by atolls. During all of the survey work the author was accompanied by several employees of the Kiribati Department of Fisheries. While a number of non-commercial sponges were observed in all of the lagoons surveyed, only one atoll had some sponges which might have some commercial value.
It must be noted here that the author was only able to survey a total of four atolls in Kiribati, a country comprised of more than 30 atolls. While the four atolls surveyed were all near Tarawa there are other atolls a great distance away that may be very different from those observed. The findings at the surveyed atolls in no way indicates what may or may not be found within other atolls in Kiribati.
At this point in time it will be up to the Kiribati government to continue the survey work. As noted above, several Fisheries employees assisted the author with all survey work, and they were to observe, first hand, where to look, and what to look for. They were also shown how to clean any sponges collected. The FAO South Pacific Aquaculture Development Project - Phase II (SPADP) funding this survey work, agreed to support one Fisheries employee travelling to Pohnpei to observe the work being undertaken there. While in Pohnpei he observed wild sponges and how to collect them. He also observed several established commercial sponge farms and he was able to participate with sponge planting activities.
Upon the completion of all work connected with this survey, there will be a well trained nucleus of personnel in Kiribati that should be able to continue making surveys for possible commercial sponges in the rest of the country. The Chief Fisheries Officer, of the Kiribati Department of Fisheries indicated to the author his willingness to allow his employees to continue the survey work. The Chief, and others, asked about the possibility of importing live commercial sponges in the event no wild stocks can be found and the author discouraged this course of action (for more about importing wild stocks from outside Kiribati please see Sponge Farming Constraints). The author has indicated his willingness, at no additional charge, to view and advise the Kiribati government on any cleaned samples of sponges they may find, even after the work under this project is completed.
In the body of this report the author makes several recommendations:
Investigate the possibility of introducing trochus and/or other marine snails to the outer reefs of the atolls in Kiribati.
Aquaculture has been identified as having much potential for the Pacific region, and virtually every area within Micronesia has included some form of aquaculture development within their respective development plans. During April, 1986, an Aquaculture Planning Workshop was held on Kosrae Island, in the FSM, and was attended by twenty-four experienced aquaculture managers, researchers, and economists from across the Pacific. The conclusions of the workshop were that the aquaculture of certain species, including commercial sponges, did indeed have good potential for Micronesia. The SPADP was created the following year by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations after, consultation with various Governments throughout the tropical Pacific, to assist in the development of aquaculture within the Pacific region.
Aquaculture development has been given a high priority by many island Governments and at the request of the Government of Kiribati, the SPADP agreed to support a limited commercial sponge survey of several atolls within Kiribati to assess the availability of wild commercial sponge stocks.
Natural commercial sponges are in high demand worldwide despite the introduction of synthetic sponges. Traditionally natural sponges are used by printers, artists, ceramic and leather workers, lithographers, window cleaners, and tile setters. In addition natural sponges are used in the cosmetics, medical, and automotive industries (Stevely, 1978). As wild stocks of commercial sponges can be quickly depleted future markets should depend on cultured sponges.
As noted above, the office of SPADP agreed to support this survey. The author was contracted, based upon his private work with culturing commercial sponges for the past several years, to conduct a four to five week survey of several atolls within Kiribati. The survey began on September 15, 1995 when the author left Pohnpei to travel to Kiribati and was completed on October 17, 1995 when the author returned to Pohnpei. Prior to leaving Pohnpei it was the authors understanding the survey was to be undertaken using the large research vessel belonging to the Kiribati Department of Fisheries, and one week was to be spent at each of four atolls. It was the authors understanding the atolls to be surveyed were located some distance away from Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati, and they were selected because sponges had been reported coming from several of them. As the commercial sponges found to date within the FSM and the Marshall islands have all been found in deep water (Pohnpei and Chuuk from 30 to more than 100 feet deep and in atolls within Yap State and the Marshalls' at least 80 feet deep) all the survey work in Kiribati was to be undertaken using SCUBA diving equipment while visiting each atoll. It was interesting to the author to note how different the atolls of Kiribati are from atolls in the FSM and the Marshall's are at least 130 to 140 feet deep - many are deeper. Except for some patch reefs inside their lagoons, the bottom is never visible from the surface.
In all of the atolls observed by the author in Kiribati, the bottom of each lagoon could be observed from the surface. Most atolls were less than 50 feet deep. The deepest spot observed during the entire survey was in one atoll and was approximately 80 feet in one small area. All of the atolls observed had very sandy and silty bottoms. While a number of non-commercial sponges were observed in all of the lagoons surveyed, only one atoll had some sponges which may have some commercial value.
A number of large sponges, similar to what in Florida is called a “grass” sponge, were found both inside and outside the lagoon at Marakei Atoll. The ones found inside the lagoon were significantly larger than those found on the ocean side of the reef. However, the value of these sponges is uncertain. All of the sponges found are very firm to the touch, but their fibers are very brittle and weak. It is very hard to squeeze these sponges but it is easy to tear or “break” them. In the opinion of the author, these sponges will have no value in the personal hygiene market, or in the more traditional sponge markets. However, they will certainly have some value as a decorative item, as is the case with the “grass” sponges from Florida. There is also a limited demand for natural of all kinds in the field of arts and crafts. In some applications, natural sponges are used to apply paint and the individual texture of each sponge leaves an individual or distinctive imprint. For this reason a variety of sponges with different textures are used by people using this technique. The Kiribati sponge maybe desired by this market However, this market has never been explored so its potential is unknown at this time.
As noted above, the author departed Pohnpei on Friday September 15, 1995, and arrived in Majuro that evening. The schedule was to depart Majuro the following Sunday morning but as the Air Marshalls plane did not return to Majuro as scheduled on Saturday, our departure was delayed until Monday, September 18. As the plane was several hours late departing, we did not arrive in Tarawa until mid-day on the 18th. The author was met by the driver from the Fisheries office and was taken to his hotel. After check-in a meeting was held with Ms.Tooti Tekinaiti at the Kiribati Fisheries office.
During the meeting it was learned the boat which was to be used to transport survey personnel to the other atolls for the survey work was no longer available. The author learned the boat was dispatched on an unexpected trip to one of the outer island groups. It was also learned the SCUBA compressor, needed to pump the SCUBA tanks, was broken so filling the tanks would be a problem. The fisheries people stated they had sent their compressor to the Public Works Department to try and get it fixed.
The Fisheries personnel told the author they now planned to have the survey work undertaken within the Tarawa atoll and at several atolls nearby, using a small boat which was just about to be completed by the Fisheries boat building people.
As a number of SCUBA tanks had already been filled, the author and two fisheries employees were able to make two dives in the Tarawa lagoon on Tuesday, September 19. The first dive (dive site # Ta1) was made on the west side of the Tarawa lagoon, near the main ship passage through the reef, just north of Betio island located on the south west corner of Tarawa atoll (see map on page 3). It should be noted here that along the entire west side of Tarawa atoll the reef is mostly 25 to 40 feet deep. The dive near the pass started on the reef flat at a depth of 30 feet and went down to the bottom of the pass at a depth of 60 feet. Survey personnel were able to observe approximately 3/4 of a mile along the south side of the pass. While a large number of non-commercial sponges were found, no commercial sponges were observed. The water was very silty with a visibility of only approximately 15 to 20 feet. The area surveyed was an equal mix of live coral and sandy patches. The second dive (dive site #Ta2) was made around a patch reef near the centre of Tarawa lagoon. The water was very silty and the bottom was mostly sand and silt with virtually no live coral. The water was approximately 30 to 40 feet deep and only a few, small non-commercial sponges were observed.
By Wednesday, September 20, the Fisheries people were unable to fill the tanks used the day before as their compressor was still not working and the one used to pump the tanks before was no longer available. We discussed the schedule for the survey work and author showed a short video tape from Pohnpei showing commercial sponge farms, wild sponges, and planting sponges. After viewing the video one of the fisheries employees stated he thinks he has seen wild sponges that look like the ones in the video, in some of the atolls in the Phoenix group. This is only his opinion and has not been verified as yet.
By Monday morning, September 25, the tanks were finally full but the boat to be used was stuck on shore due to the low tide and it could not be put into the water until that afternoon when the tide was high. By 2:30 that afternoon the boat was still on shore. The boat was not put into the water until 3:35 which did not allow enough time to go out that day.
On Tuesday, September 26, the author and two employees from the Fisheries Department made two dives, again in the Tarawa lagoon (see map on page 3). The first dive (dive site #Ta3) was made in the northern end of the lagoon. The dive started on the barrier reef flat at a depth of 20 feet Project personnel checked the outer slop, down to a depth of 80 feet, making a large circle back to the boat. The entire area was an equal mix of live coral and sand. No sponges of any kind were found during this dive. The second dive (dive site #Ta4) was made about half way down the west side of the lagoon, again on the barrier reef. This dive again started on the barrier reef flat at a depth of around 30 feet. The survey area was the inside slop, down to a depth of 50 feet, making a large circle back to the boat. This area had a lot of live coral with some sandy patches. A number of non-commercial sponges were found indicating the area was suitable for sponge growth. However, again no commercial sponges were found.
On Wednesday morning, September 27, the compressor was again broken and the tanks used the day before were not filled. The Fisheries people said they were trying to find someone to fix the compressor. By that afternoon the compressor was fixed and the tanks filled. Survey personnel departed Tarawa at 4pm that day and travelled to the next atoll north - Abaiang atoll.
On Thursday, September 28, the author and two Fisheries employees made two dives (see map on page 3). The first dive (dive site #Ab1) was made near a passage on the southwest side of the atoll. The dive site was approximately 20 to 50 feet deep, and while a number of non-commercial sponges were found, none were found above 35 feet. The area was a mix of live coral and sand. The second dive (dive site #Ab2) was made a few miles north from the first dive, again on the inside slop of the barrier reef. This area was approximately 20 to 40 feet deep, and was a mix of coral and sand. Again only a number of non-commercial sponges were found.
Friday, September 29, the author and two Fisheries employees again made two dives. The first dive (dive site #Ab3) was made near a pass approximately half way up the west side of the lagoon. The dive was made on the lagoon end of the pass at a depth of from 20 to 40 feet. This area was mostly sand with some live coral. Again a large number of non-commercial sponges, but no commercial sponges were found. The second dive (dive site #Ab4) was made at a pass between two reef islands, approximately 2/3 of the way up the west side of the lagoon. This area was mostly 20 to 40 feet deep with one small area down to 50 feet. There were many non-commercial sponges in this one deeper area, and no sponges of any kind in the rest of the area surveyed. This pass was mostly sandy with some live coral.
On Saturday, September 30, as all the SCUBA tanks were empty, project personnel returned to Tarawa. That evening the author met with Mr.H.Tanaka, SPADP and briefed him on the results to date.
Monday morning, October 2, we learned there was no fuel available to pump tanks or for the boat (the main supplier for the island was out and expected a delivery that day). That evening there was a reception which included the author, the Chief Fisheries Officer, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, and Mr. Tanaka. At the reception there was a discussion held concerning the possibility of chartering a boat that could be used to reach some atolls further away from Tarawa where we had received reports of sponges being present. On Tuesday morning, October 3, and agreement had been reached to charter a boat for a seven day trip to other atolls. We were scheduled to depart the next day.
On Wednesday, October 4, project personnel departed Tarawa that afternoon and arrived at the southern atoll of Abemama on the morning of Thursday, October 5. Upon arrival at the atoll, some time was spent unloading various commodities and miscellaneous items. The boat left for the first dive site at 11:10 that morning and we made two dives that day (see map on page 3). The first dive (dive site #Am1) was made in the “South Pass” located on the south west side of the lagoon. This was the deepest place at this atoll. The dive started at a depth of 30 feet and the author and two Fisheries employees surveyed down the side of the pass to the bottom - approximately 80 feet deep. This area was the best looking area so far observed by the author for the type of commercial sponge being cultured in Pohnpei. During the dive the current was very strong due to a large tide change so project personnel were able to survey a long stretch of this pass. There was a lot of live coral, good clear water, and a few sandy patches. A very large number of non-commercial sponges were observed once we were below 50 deep. However no commercial sponges were located. The second dive (dive site #Am2) was made near this pass but further inside the lagoon. This site was from 20 to 40 feet deep and had no current. It was a very good looking site, with a mix of live coral and sand, with fairly clear water. However, only a few non-commercial sponges were observed. At the end of the day the boat returned to the docking area.
On Friday, October 6, the boat did not leave for the dive site until 1:10 pm which only left enough time to make one dive that afternoon. This dive (dive site #Am3) was made near the lagoon end of the south pass. This was another good looking area, comprised mostly of live coral with some sand patches. This site was 30 to 50 feet deep and a number of non-commercial sponges were found indicating the environment is suitable for sponges of all kinds. After the dive the boat returned to the docking area to pick up the personnel that had gone ashore with the livestock the day before, as well as a number of coconuts to take back to Tarawa. The boat departed that evening for a small atoll in the north which was reported to have commercial sponges.
On Saturday, October 7, we arrived at the northern atoll of Marakei just at first light. Mr.James Uan went ashore at 7:25 am and returned several hours later with a poorly cleaned specimen of a type of commercial sponge. This sponge appeared to be similar to Florida sponge called a “grass” sponge. The sponge itself was very firm, almost hard, but the fibres were weak and easily torn. Before any survey work could be undertaken, project personnel and the crew of the fishing vessel had to go around the atoll and pay homage to the four “goddesses” located around the lagoon. At the last stop a small piece of a commercial sponge was found washed up on the shore, on the ocean side of the reef.
Later that morning the author talked to the owner of the first sponge and he stated more could be found inside the lagoon in shallow water. That afternoon project personnel again met with the owner of the first sponge and he showed us where he found it. He accompanied project personnel while walking in water about three to four feet deep, about ¾ to one mile from shore (site #Ma1), on the east side of the lagoon (see map on page 3). Project personnel walked for about one hour and found more than 50 sponges - ranging in size from 2 to 3 inches across up to more that 16 inches across. Several specimens were picked up for further cleaning. Upon returning to the boat the author completely cleaned one sponge and started the cleaning process on several others.
On Sunday, October 8, project personnel walked along the shore line, out side the reef, at low tide (site #Ma2), checking tide-pools, and found over 70 sponges ranging in size from 2 inches across to about 12 inches across. These sponges are similar to those found inside the lagoon except they are firmer, more compact, and not as tall. However, the fibres of these sponges are like those from inside the lagoon - easily torn. Samples of this sponge were taken back to the boat for cleaning and one small piece was preserved to be shown to the sponge taxonomist who will be visiting Pohnpei during December. It is doubtful any of the sponges found at this atoll will have much commercial value as noted above. While making a trip around the lagoon in a small boat (site #Ma3), project personnel observed several “patches” of the “grass” type sponge - one with more than 40 medium to larger pieces. Several pieces of this sponge were taken back to the boat for cleaning and one small piece was also preserved to be shown to the sponge taxonomist. That evening project personnel were told by the captain the fuel in the boat was running low and the boat may have to return to Tarawa on Tuesday rather than on Wednesday as originally scheduled.
On Monday, October 9, the vessel then moved to the nearby atoll of Abaiang which had been visited several weeks before. The plan was to take a day or so to check out the areas in this lagoon which were similar to the areas where we had found the sponges at the previous atoll. Upon arrival project personnel were told by the captain there was not enough fuel to move the vessel to the northern end of the lagoon where we had planned to check the outside reef flats and the eastern side inside the lagoon. Project personnel tried to check the shallow areas of the west side of the lagoon using the small skiff from the boat but the wind made the water much too rough. The project personnel were unable to check any new areas during this stop. That afternoon the captain informed us the fuel was almost finished and there was just enough to return to Tarawa if we left right away. The vessel departed that afternoon and arrived at the Tarawa dock at 8:20 pm. As the vessel was unable to get near the dock, all personnel were off-loaded using several small skiffs and all of our equipment and the sponge samples were left on board. This was the last day of actual survey work.
On Tuesday, October 10, some of the personnel from the Fisheries office returned to the vessel to retrieve the dive gear and sponge samples. The author went to the Fisheries office that afternoon to check on the sponges we had brought back from the trip and found them in a large container of water, still rotting.
On Wednesday, October 11, the author returned to the Fisheries office and moved the rotting sponges into the water near the office in the hope this would speed up the rotting process. The author met to Ms. Tooti in an attempt to set up a meeting with the Chief Fisheries Officer and the Minister or Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, to brief them on the results of the trip. The author was able to meet with the Chief and several of his staff and during this meeting they were shown the sponges we had brought back, both the cleaned and uncleaned ones.
On Thursday, October 12, the author returned to the Fisheries office and checked the rotting sponges. The sponges still had not rotted enough to finish cleaning. Later that day the author met with representatives of the Minister and brief them on the results of the survey work. They were shown the sponges we had brought back.
On Friday, October 13, the author again returned to the Fisheries office and checked the rotting sponges. They were still far from rotting enough to clean. The author had a final meeting with Fisheries personnel and during the meeting we discussed Mr.Uan coming to Pohnpei. The author left instructions with the Fisheries personnel on how to finish cleaning the sponges that were still rotting. The author also set aside several of the clean sponges and requested those sponges be sent to the SPADP office in Fiji.
On Saturday, October 14, the author departed Tarawa that morning and returned to Pohnpei on Tuesday, October 17.
Mr.James Uan, from the Kiribati Department of Fisheries, arrived on Pohnpei on November 9. He was on Pohnpei for a total of five full days. During that time he was able to view several private commercial sponge farms and at one of those farms he participated in all phases of planting commercial sponges. He was also able to view and handle more than one hundred sponges in various stages of rotting - as part of the cleaning process.
In addition, several dives were made during this five day period looking for wild commercial sponges. These dives were in very different environments to show Mr.Uan the various conditions where commercial sponges can be found. At least two different species of commercial sponges were found during these dives and all of the sponges varied greatly in both size and shape.
One day was spent looking over seven different species of cleaned commercial sponges - two species from Pohnpei, two species from the Caribbean and three species from the Mediterranean - and discussing the history of commercial sponge farming in Pohnpei. Advise was given to Mr.Uan on the best course of action to take upon returning to Kiribati. Mr.Uan was also reminded to check the sponges left rotting near the Kiribati Fisheries and to advise on their status.
The author attempted to arrange appointments with Mr.Moses Nelson, Administrator, FSM Division of Marine Resources but was unable to contact him. Several messages were left with his staff, but to no effect. A short meeting was held with Mr.Valentin Martin, Chief, Pohnpei State Division of Marine Resources. Mr.Uan and Mr.Martin, were able to discuss the status of their respective programs.
Mr. Uan left Pohnpei on Wednesday November 15 to return to Kiribati.
Only one species of commercial sponge was found during this survey, and at best, its market value will probably be very low. To obtain a reasonably return to the farmer of from US$1.50 to $2 00 per sponge a farmer would have to raise his sponges to at least eight to ten inches in diameter. How much time it would take to reach this size is unknown at this time. The “wool” sponge currently being cultured in Pohnpei takes approximately 18 to 24 months to reach a size of from five to six inches with a value of approximately US$2.00 per sponge.
Finding just this one species of commercial sponge does not eliminate the possibility there are other species of commercial sponges, with a much higher value, yet to be found within Kiribati. Based upon the limited personnel observations made by the author while in Kiribati, it appears the conditions within the surveyed lagoons are suitable to support commercial sponge farming. Future work in this area should include:
Establishing at least one test site within the Marakei Atoll to measure growth rates and to test the best method of growing the species of commercial sponge found there. Initially, these sponge cuttings should be planted in the same way the sea weed is currently being cultured - in shallow water, on lines between short stakes.
Survey other Atolls in Kiribati in an effort to determine if any other species of commercial sponge, which may be more marketable, exist within the country.
As the world demand for natural sponges is still far ahead of world supply, farming commercial sponges continues to show much potential. The author still strongly recommends the Government of Kiribati continue to look into the possibility of developing a commercial sponge culture/export industry.
As there are a number of marine organisms that can be utilised by local people, the author would like to make several recommendations, based upon personal observations, even though they may be beyond the scope of this sponge survey.
A species of commercial seaweed (Eucheuma) was introduced to Kiribati some time ago and is being successfully cultivated in several atolls. This should be encouraged and expanded as much as possible.
During the survey of the Tarawa lagoon (see map on page 3) the author noted several large areas (dive site #Ta3 and site #Ta5) of “sea grapes” (Caulerpa species) which have a high commercial value in many Asian markets. Harvesting, processing, and marketing this seaweed should be investigated with the idea of developing an exportable product.
A number of island countries throughout the Pacific, including the FSM, have introduced trochus to their reefs and are now enjoying a substantial income from the harvest and sale of trochus shells. During the 1995 harvest on Pohnpei, the price paid to the local harvesters was US$1.75 per pound. Pohnpei State alone realises several hundred thousand dollars per trochus harvest season.
The author is not aware of any country that is unhappy with any trochus introductions. As far as the author knows, there have been no reported negative impacts from these introductions. All of the Kiribati reefs observed by the author appear to be suitable habitats for trochus, and other commercial marine snails. Because of the large number of atolls, and the large size of most of these atolls, the reef systems in Kiribati are so extensive they would support large numbers of these marine gastropods. The author would like to strongly recommend the Kiribati government seriously look into introducing trochus, and other commercial marine snails to their reefs.
