A new report on the status of reef and near-shore fisheries of Pacific Islands has delivered a mixed verdict about their health.
It says some fisheries are under strain, some have been fished to the brink of local extinction, and that management action needs to be strengthened to protect this valuable resource.
The report, issued by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), looks at four main areas: reef fisheries, near-shore fisheries, aquaculture, and the roles of men and women in fishing occupations.
Mr Lindsay Chapman, SPC’s Coastal Fisheries Programme Manager, says Pacific Island population growth is placing increasing pressure on the fisheries accessible to local fishers.
“Our problem is to collect accurate data on these fisheries – who is catching what, and how much are they taking,” he says. “Without good data it is difficult to establish reasonable limits and good management plans.”
He says the need for reliable catch information and sensible management is more important than ever, given the dual impacts of climate change and increasing fishing pressure.
