Within the scale of the TCP Project “Laamu Atoll Mariculture”, the consultant was recruited on a when-actually-employed basis with the following terms of reference:
Make an initial visit to the mariculture site in Laamu Atoll, to provide written recommendations on spawning, larval rearing and production of seedstock for commercial tropical sea cucumbers.
Provide subsequent technical backstopping via telephone, facsimile and/or electronic mail consultations, with regard to culturing techniques of commercial tropical sea cucumbers.
Provide assistance in procurement and culture of food organisms for larval stages of commercial tropical sea cucumbers.
Provide assistance in the procurement of pertinent literature on the culture, biology and ecology of commercial tropical sea cucumbers.
Make a follow-up on site visit, to troubleshoot problems, and monitor progress and a final visit to complete the project in good order and draft the Terminal Statement.
The consultant reached the Maldives on 12/12/95 and stayed in Male upto 15/12/95. During his stay in Male, he met the Director General of Fisheries the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, the Director of Fisheries and the Fisheries Resources Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries responsible for the sea cucumber project in Laamu Atoll. The Director, Oceanographic Society of Maldives (OSM) furnished further background information for the project. On 15/12/95, the consultant left for Kadhdhoo Island situated on the Laamu Atoll. The project site is on Gamu Island and it is 12 km. from the Kadhdhdoo Island. The consultant visited the site daily and had detailed discussion with an American scientist stationed at Gamu Island and working on seaweeds. The FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives paid a visit to the project site and briefed the consultant on the plan of work to be conducted. He also furnished details on the budget for the project.
The Oceanographic Society of Maldives, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in the Maldives, have constructed a building with the help of the Canadian Government in Gamu Island on Laamu Atoll. The building consists of two rooms and is situated about 150 m from the sea. They have also constructed two small rooms for a generator and the other to be used as store room. The Oceanographic Society of Maldives is contributing the services of one American Scientist to work on sea cucumbers. He is at present working on the asexual reproduction of some of the commercially important sea cucumbers and also making studies on the movements and feed requirements of sea cucumbers by constructing pens in shallow waters. Once the sea cucumber hatchery becomes fully operational, time should be devoted to the production of sea cucumber seed.
