Experimental fish ponds in the Highlands

Abstract

Because there is a clear need for more protein in the diet of the highlands people of Papua New Guinea, the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries is introducing aquaculture (fish farming) to these areas. There are experimental breeding ponds on the Highlands Agricultural Experiment Station, Aiyura, near Kainantu and at Dobel, near Mount Hagen. From both these places, fingerlings (young fish approximately the size of a finger) are distributed to highlands people for aquaculture in the same manner as seeds or seedlings are distributed by other divisions of DASF for agriculture. This article describes the work at Aiyura.