The College of Micronesia’s Land Grant Program (COM LGP), in partnership with the Pohnpei State Offices of Resources and Development (R&D) and the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA), recently conducted a two-day trainer’s training on sea cucumber processing led by Mr. Masaya Miyazaki of Ama Cho, Japan, on Tue Nov 26th and Wed Nov 27th. The event took place at COM LGP Program hatchery facility in Nett Point. The main focus of this training was to train selected key trainers on how to process sea cucumbers, particularly the sandfish that’s being hatched by aquaculture researcher Dr. Manoj Nair and his aquaculture research team at the experimentation station at Nett Point. Ultimately after the trainers satisfactorily complete the training, they would then provide the same training in each of their communities with the goal of promoting food security, health and economic development throughout.
The 2-day training program commenced with an opening ceremony at the research station in Nett Point where Master of Ceremony R&D Director Mark Kostka called to order the event and gave his brief welcome remark by acknowledging and thanking the dignitaries including Pohnpei State Governor Stevenson Joseph along with other diplomatic representatives such as the Deputy Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy to the FSM, and the Ambassador of Japan to the FSM. In his opening remarks, the Governor expressed his sincerest gratitude to both the Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission for their ongoing support and steadfast contributions, providing a vital role in capacity-building efforts for economic development in the Micronesian region.
Following the opening ceremony, participants engaged actively in the demonstration and eagerly learned new processing techniques and explored strategies to incorporate these skills into marketing initiatives for local businesses. This interactive approach ensured that attendees not only acquired practical knowledge but also understood how to apply it in a business context, thereby enhancing local economic opportunities. The event concluded with Administrator Jorg Anson of the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture delivering the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their unwavering commitment and hard work, which significantly contributed to the success of the training program. Day 2 concluded with a presentation of certificates of completion by Executive Director Stanley Lorennij, trainer Masaya Miyazaki, Dr. Monoj Nair and the COM LGP executive secretary.
Group Pictured from left to Right – Pohnpei State R&D Director, Dr. Mr. Mark Kostka, Japan Ambassador to the FSM, H.E. Mr. Nobuo Kagomiya, Mr. Masaya Miyazaki of Ama Cho, Japan, Pohnpei State Governor, Honorable Stevenson Joseph, U.S. Embassy Charge’ d’affaires, Mr. Vincent Mut-Tracy, COM LG Associate Director (AES), DR. Manoj Nair, and Administrator Jorg Anson of the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture.