The controversial Chinese fish farm planned for Hao atoll. (Image: Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods)

Chinese firm cuts planned investment to set up fish farm in Hao

FRENCH POLYNESIA
Thursday, May 24, 2018, 02:50 (GMT + 9)

Chinese company Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods will go ahead with its plans to set up a fish farm on Hao atoll after getting authorization from the French Polynesian government.

Nevertheless, although it initially considered investing about USD 1,500 milliom, it has now downsized its plans and has decided to invest five times less, that is to say USD 320 million, Radio NZ reported.

The newly elected president Edouard Fritch outlined his push for the 'blue economy' and announced that the head of Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods, Wang Cheng would arrive before the end of the month.

Hao, a major military base in the latter part of last century when France carried out its nuclear weapons tests, has a long runway and a port, both seen as crucial to freight fish to distant markets.

The newly elected government has given the company a raft of concessions, such as tax free import of material and fuel for 30 years.

Meanwhile, a representative of the opposition, Moetai Brotherson, pointed out that the choice of Hao is wrong.

"They want to put more than 2,000 fish cages into the lagoon of Hao, which is known to be polluted by radioactive waste. To us, doing aquaculture in a polluted lagoon is a total nonsense because who wants to eat fish that comes from a polluted lagoon?"

The French government has rehabilitated the atoll but struggles to dispel concern that the clean-up failed to remove all traces of the weapons tests.

Just over a year ago, there was a protest on nearby Rikitea against the delivery of gravel from Hao, fearing the material was irradiated.

Furthermore, Brotherson said he believed that farming grouper inside Hao lagoon would not make economic sense.

"It takes six kilos of sardines from Argentina to raise one kilo of fish from the Hao aquaculture project, which is a total nonsense," he said.

According to Asia Times, Beijing paid substantial financial aid and subsidies to Tahiti government leaders before the aquaculture project was approved.

While the report gives no further details, it ties in with growing speculation in mainly Australia that China is eyeing an expanded presence, possibly even a military one, in the South Pacific.

For years, however, Chinese satellite tracking ships have made port calls in Papeete for years, without causing any concern.

The official relationship between Papeete and Beijing remains cordial, but because the territory is part of France, Paris has a final say in many aspects.

The Chinese consul told Tahiti-infos that when Chinese businesses invest abroad, the respect the principle of using local resources and hiring local people.

All in all, Brotherson is not convinced by the Hao aquaculture project viability and fears it ends up being a white elephant.

Related articles:

- Chinese fish farm allowed to be set up in Hao
- Chinese company is getting ready to start giant aquaculture project

 
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