Pacific Ocean Culture, a true example of a People, Planet and Profit venture

Led by Paul Ryan, a University of Tasmania’s Aquaculture Graduate and Specialist who has managed large scale projects in Africa and Europe, Pacific Ocean Culture specialises in finfish and crustacean production in both freshwater and seawater. Asking Paul about the business while he was in New Caledonia as part of PIPSO’s Trade Pasifika mission to the Pacific Business Forum, he says, “Nearly half of all fish consumed today in the world comes from aquaculture, making it the fastest-growing agro-food sector in the last 30 years. I have been in the industry for a very long time and food security is a major concern. I believe that aquaculture is the future and that Fiji is well positioned to be an aquaculture leader in the region.”

In September, Pacific Ocean Culture and Fiji National University signed a partnership for the company to operate the Navua Unifarm as a commercial business. Their aim is to produce 500 tonnes of finfish and crustaceans in their first year with increased production and diversification of species planned going forward. This will provide around 70% of Fiji’s fish supply. Pacific Ocean Culture definitely has the capacity to meet domestic demand as well as offer Certified Organic and Best Aquaculture Practice Certified products for export markets.

At the Pacific Business Forum, Paul shares with PIPSO that his attendance was perfectly timed with the company currently ramping up production in Fiji and undertaking considerable rehabilitation in Vanuatu. He adds, “My greatest takeaway from PBF was the assurance to myself (by other businesses) that my business model and market development strategy as a social and environmentally responsible business is in fact gaining dramatic momentum throughout the Pacific.” This assurance is not lost to major players in the government, non-government, and private sectors. Pacific Ocean Culture’s vision of having a Pacific-wide sustainable seafood future has amassed positive support from these partner organisations, giving Pacific Ocean Culture credibility and a guaranteed win. In a world characterised by threats of environmental catastrophes, the true winners here, are in fact all Pacific island people.