SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION
UNPUBLISHED REPORT No. 10
REPORT ON SECOND VISIT
TO
KIRIBATI
1 April – 5 September 1984 and 31 October – 19 December 1984
by
P. Taumaia Masterfisherman
and
P. Cusack Fisheries Development Officer
South Pacific Commission Noumea, New Caledonia 1997 ii
The South Pacific Commission authorises the reproduction of this material, whole or in part, in any form provided appropriate acknowledgement is given
This unpublished report forms part of a series compiled by the Capture Section of the South Pacific Commission's Coastal Fisheries Programme. These reports have been produced as a record of individual project activities and country assignments, from materials held within the Section, with the aim of making this valuable information readily accessible. Each report in this series has been compiled within the Capture Section to a technical standard acceptable for release into the public arena. However, they have not been through the full South Pacific Commission editorial process.
South Pacific Commission BP D5 98848 Noumea Cedex New Caledonia
Tel.: (687) 26 20 00 Fax: (687) 26 38 18 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.spc.org.nc/
Prepared at South Pacific Commission headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia, 1997 iii
SUMMARY
The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project (DSFDP) visited the Republic of Kiribati for the second time between April and December 1984. The visit was conducted in two distinct phases; from 1 April to 5 September the Project was based at Tanaea on Tarawa in the Gilbert Group and operated there and at the islands of Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana. During the second phase of the visit, after an interval of 7 weeks, the Project transferred to London village at Kiritimati (Christmas Island), in the Northern Line Islands, some 2566 km west and north of Tarawa, and operated from there between 31 October and 19 December of the same year.
Because the two phases of the visit were conducted in geographically isolated locations and because the aims were significantly different this report is presented in two sections.
Phase I: Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana.
The central aim of this part of the visit was to conduct training in deep-bottom fishing techniques for fishermen unfamiliar with the method, and to conduct survey fishing to determine the extent of deep-bottom grounds and stocks at Tarawa and four outer islands. In conjunction with these activities, the Masterfisherman was to evaluate the suitability of local canoe designs and advise on their appropriate fitting out to participate in the deep-bottom fishery, and to assess the potential economic viability of the fishery.
Twenty-three fishing trips were completed at Tarawa and the other islands aboard a variety of fishing craft. Fifteen of these trips were made aboard canoe designs under evaluation, and most often with two different canoe types fishing in concert on any one trip. Fifty-seven local fishermen, including the members of a government demonstration team, participated in the trips and underwent training to some degree.
Fishing effort was concentrated on bottom droplining although a small component of incidental trolling and mid-water handlining was also conducted.
A bottom droplining effort of 569 reel hours produced a catch of 901 fish with a total weight of 3370.3 kg. The unsaleable proportion of the catch was high at 34 per cent of the total by weight and the overall catch rate for saleable species a modest 3.9 kg/reel hour. Catch rates varied considerably from island to island, with a high of 7.9 kg/reel hour for saleable species recorded at Abemama, to lows of 0.3 kg/reel hour at Arorae and Tamana. The range in catch rates appeared to be partly attributable to difficulties experienced in obtaining supplies of suitable bait at some sites, but also to the limited extent of deep-bottom grounds evident at islands, such as Arorae and Tamana. However, it is likely that bottom resources were poorer in areas of poor catch rate.
The several canoe types evaluated were found to be generally suitable to the fishery although some difficulties with under-powering were noted in particular circumstances.
The saleable component of the catch comprised a satisfactory proportion of the valued Lutjanids, or deep-water snappers, of the Etelinae and Apsilinae sub-families (32.1%) and it was concluded on the basis of operations in the areas surveyed that a limited number of small-scale operators using available craft and equipment could enter the fishery successfully so long as present support services were maintained, and augmented to a degree, and the development of the fishery carefully monitored. iv
Phase II: Kiritimati
The Project's work assignment at Kiritimati included the demonstration of deep-bottom fishing techniques and the conduct of a preliminary survey of deep-bottom fishing grounds and fish stocks. As well, the Masterfisherman was to investigate the potential for utilising the facilities and expertise of Kiribati Marine Export at Kiritimati to establish export markets for the catch taken by this fishing method. Seventeen fishing trips were completed during the seven weeks of the visit. All trips were made aboard a 7 m fibreglass skiff fitted with four of the Project's Western Samoan-type wooden handreels, during which training and survey fishing was conducted at sites to the north and south of the Project base at London village, in the lee of generally strong easterly winds.
A bottom-fishing effort of 185 reel hours produced a catch of 1000 fish with a total weight of 3135 kg, of which 476 kg was locally unsaleable (15.1% of the total by weight). The catch rate recorded for saleable species only was one of the highest recorded thus far by the Project at 14.4 kg/reel hour. However, 50.5 per cent of the locally saleable catch comprised Lutjanus bohar or red bass which, although it was sold and consumed at Kiritimati, would almost certainly be unsaleable on export markets due to this species widespread association with ciguatoxicity. No deep-water snappers were taken though it is possible that this may have been due to the depths fished rather than the absence of these species in the area.
Attempts to trial market samples of jobfish and grouper were inconclusive as no market reaction was forthcoming before the Project's departure. It was concluded that a deep-bottom fishery at Kiritimati has good economic potential if the current availability of bait continues, if the entry of operators into the fishery is phased, in conjunction with monitoring of catches and catch rates, and if continued efforts are made to establish export markets for the species taken.
v
RÉSUMÉ
Dans le cadre de son Projet de développement de la pêche au demi-large, la Commission du Pacifique Sud a, pour la deuxième fois, entre avril et décembre 1984, mené à Kiribati une mission qui a été accomplie en deux phases distinctes. Du 1er avril au 5 septembre, les activités se sont déroulées à Tanaea, sur l'atoll de Tarawa, dans les îles Gilbert ainsi que dans les îles d'Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae et Tamana. Lors de la seconde phase, la mission s'est déplacée à London village, à Kiritimati (île Christmas), dans les îles de la Ligne (nord), à quelques 2 566 km à l'ouest et au nord de Tarawa, où elle a mené ses activités entre le 31 octobre et le 19 décembre de la même année.
Les deux phases de cette mission ayant été menées dans des zones géographiques isolées et leurs objectifs étant sensiblement différents, ce rapport est présenté en deux parties.
Phase I : Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae et Tamana
Cette partie de la mission a eu essentiellement pour objet d'assurer la formation aux techniques de pêche au grand fond de pêcheurs peu rompus à l'utilisation de cette méthode et de prospecter les zones et les stocks de grand fond de la région de Tarawa et de quatre autres îles périphériques. Parallèlement, le maître de pêche devait déterminer si la conception des pirogues locales leur permettait de participer à des opérations de pêche au grand fond et donner des conseils sur leur aménagement; il devait aussi évaluer la viabilité économique potentielle de cette pêcherie.
Vingt-trois sorties ont été réalisées à Tarawa et dans les autres îles à bord de plusieurs bateaux de pêche. Quinze d'entre elles l'ont été à bord de pirogues dont la conception était soumise à évaluation et le plus souvent, de deux embarcations de type différent, qui pêchaient ensemble lors d'une même sortie. Cinquante-sept pêcheurs locaux, dont des membres d'une équipe de démonstration du service des pêches, ont participé à ces sorties et ont, dans une certaine mesure, bénéficié d'une formation.
L'effort de pêche a essentiellement porté sur la pêche à la palangrotte de fond bien qu'accessoirement il ait été consacré à la pêche à la traîne et à la pêche à la palangrotte entre deux eaux.
On a enregistré 569 heures/moulinet de pêche à la palangrotte profonde, au cours desquelles 901 poissons d'un poids total de 3 370,3 kg ont été capturés. La part invendable des prises a été élevée puisqu'elle représente 34 pour cent du poids total alors que le taux de prise global des espèces vendables n'est que de 3,9 kg/heure/moulinet. Les taux de prises ont sensiblement varié d'une île à l'autre puisqu'on a relevé des maxima de 7,9 kg/heure/moulinet à Abemama et des minima de 0,3 kg/heure/moulinet à Arorae et à Tamana. Cette disparité des taux de prises semble être en partie imputable aux difficultés d'approvisionnement en appâts appropriés sur certains sites mais également à la faible étendue des zones de grand fond dans des îles telles qu'Arorae et Tamana. Cependant, il est probable que les ressources des grands fonds étaient plus pauvres dans les zones où les taux de prises enregistrés ont été faibles.
Les divers types de pirogues évalués sont apparus dans l'ensemble bien adaptés à la pêcherie bien que certaines difficultés liées à une sous-motorisation aient été relevées, dans certains cas particuliers. vi
Parmi les poissons vendables, on a noté une proportion satisfaisante de lutjanidés profonds, qui appartiennent aux sous-familles Etelinae et Apsilinae (32,1%) et sont très appréciés; on en a conclu, à la lumière des opérations conduites dans les zones prospectées, qu'un petit nombre d'opérateurs pratiquant la pêche artisanale à l'aide des embarcations et du matériel disponibles pourrait exploiter avec succès cette pêcherie tant que les services de soutien actuels seraient maintenus, voire légèrement augmentés, et que le développement des opérations de pêche serait surveillé de près.
Phase II : Kiritimati
Parmi les activités menées dans le cadre de la mission à Kiritimati, figurait une démonstration des techniques de pêche profonde et la réalisation d'une étude préliminaire des zones de pêche et des stocks de poissons profonds. Le maître de pêche devait également explorer les possibilités d'utiliser les moyens et les compétences du service d'exportation des produits de la mer de Kiribati à Kiritimati afin de trouver des marchés d'exportation pour le poisson capturé grâce à cette méthode. Au cours de cette mission qui a duré sept semaines, dix-sept sorties ont été réalisées − toutes à bord d'une embarcation en fibre de verre, de 7 m de longueur équipée de quatre des moulinets en bois du type Samoa-Occidental, prévus pour ce projet. Lors de ces sorties, des opérations de formation et de prospection ont été entreprises dans des zones situées au nord et au sud du port d'attache de London village, à l'abri des vents d'est généralement forts.
Une opération de pêche profonde de 185 heures/moulinet s'est soldée par la capture de 1 000 poissons d'un poids total de 3 135 kg dont 476 kg n'ont pu être vendus sur le marché local (15,1% du poids total). Le taux de prises des espèces commercialisables, soit 14,4 kg/heure/moulinet a été l'un des plus élevés enregistré jusqu'à présent dans le cadre du projet. Cependant, 50,5 pour cent des poissons vendus sur le marché local étaient composés de Lutjanus bohar ou anglais qui, bien qu'ils soient vendus et consommés à Kiritimati, seraient presque certainement invendables sur les marchés d'exportation car ils ont la réputation d'être ciguatoxiques. Aucun lutjanidé profond n'a été capturé bien qu'il soit possible que cela s'explique par la profondeur de pêche plus que par l'absence d'espèce dans la zone.
Les tentatives d'expérimentation sur des échantillonnages de mékouas et de loches vendus sur le marché n'ont donné aucun résultat puisqu'aucune réaction n'a été enregistrée avant la cessation des activités du projet. On en a conclu que la pêche en eau profonde à Kiritimati avait un bon potentiel économique si les stocks d'appâts se maintenaient au niveau actuel, si l'entrée d'opérateurs dans la pêcherie était échelonnée, en même temps que s'exerçait une surveillance des prises et des taux de prise, et si des efforts constants étaient déployés pour trouver des débouchés à l'exportation pour les espèces capturées.
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The South Pacific Commission gratefully acknowledges the friendly support and assistance afforded the Project by the Government of the Republic of Kiribati and the Kiribati Fisheries Division during this visit. Particular thanks are due to Chief Fisheries Officer Mr Onorio and Senior Fisheries Officer Mr T. Tikai who assisted the Project while based at Tarawa, and Assistant Fisheries Officer Mr B. Naburennara at Kiritimati. In addition, thanks are offered to the members of the various demonstration teams who worked long and sometimes irregular hours in support of the Project, especially Mr R. Beniamana, and to the fishermen of Kiribati, without whose co-operation little could have been achieved. ix
CONTENTS
Page
PHASE I: TARAWA, ABAIANG, ABEMAMA, ARORAE AND TAMANA
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. BACKGROUND 1
2.1 General 1 2.2 Existing fisheries 4
3. PROJECT OPERATIONS 4
3.1 General 4 3.2 Boats and equipment 5 3.3 Training activities 10 3.4 Handling and disposal of the catch 10 3.5 Data collection 10
4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 11
4.1 General 11 4.2 Bottom droplining 11 4.3 Trolling 12
5. FISHING AREAS 13
5.1 Tarawa 13 5.2 Abaiang 14 5.3 Abemama 15 5.4 Arorae 16 5.5 Tamana 17
6. ECONOMICS OF THE FISHERY 18
7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 20
PHASE II: KIRITIMATI 22
8. INTRODUCTION 22
9. BACKGROUND 23
9.1 General 23 9.2 Existing fisheries 23
x
10. PROJECT OPERATIONS 23
10.1 General 23 10.2 Boats and equipment 24 10.3 Training activities 24 10.4 Handling and disposal of the catch 24 10.5 Data collection 25
11. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 25
11.1 Bottom droplining 25 11.2 Trolling 26
12. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 27
13. REFERENCES 27
APPENDICES
1A Summary of operational aspects of fishing trips at Tarawa, Abaiang, 29 Abemama, Arorae and Tamana 1B Summary of operational aspects of fishing trips at Kiritimati 31
2. Basic equipment required for deep-bottom handreel fishing 33
3. Topics covered in the training programmes 35
4. Standard fishing data collection form 37
5A Species composition of the bottom catch at Tarawa, Abaiang, 39 Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
5B Species composition of the bottom catch at Kiritimati 45
6A Species composition of the troll and mid-water handline catch at 49 Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
6B Species composition of the troll catch at Kiritimati 51
1
PHASE I: TARAWA, ABAIANG, ABEMAMA, ARORAE AND TAMANA
1. INTRODUCTION
The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development (DSFD) Project is a mobile village-level rural development project which operates in Pacific Island nations at specific Government request, and which has the following broad objectives:
— To promote the development or expansion of artisanal fisheries throughout the region, based on fishery resources which are at present under-utilised, in particular the deep- bottom resources of the outer reef slope;
— To develop and evaluate new simple technology, fishing gear and techniques suitable for use by village fishermen, which will enable fishermen to substantially increase catches while reducing dependence on costly imported fuels; and
— To provide practical training in appropriate fishing techniques to local fishermen and government fisheries extension workers.
The Project has visited 17 countries and territories of the SPC region since its inception in 1978. This assignment was its 39th country visit and its second to Kiribati.
The DSFDP first visited Kiribati between 23 April and 18 November 1980 following a request from the Government there for 'assistance in assessing the potential for an artisanal deep-bottom fishery in local waters'. The Project was based in Tarawa for the seven months of its stay although several survey trips were made to the islands of Maiana and Kuria. The catch rate recorded by deep-bottom handreeling, at 7.2 kg of saleable fish per reel hour, was high compared to results obtained by the Project elsewhere in the region. The report of the visit concluded that while the catch rate was good and the gear and techniques employed were suitable and effective, little was known of the extent of bottom-fishing grounds throughout the group, nor of the ability of local deep-bottom resources to withstand sustained fishing pressure. Likely restraints to successful development of the fishery were seen as the apparently limited deep-bottom fishing grounds adjacent to some islands, the presence of a high proportion of Lutjanus bohar (20% of the catch) which is generally unsaleable for export due to its reputation for ciguatoxicity, the relatively limited local market for fresh fish, and a shortage of suitable vessels and support services to enable fishermen to enter the fishery. It was recommended that catch rates and composition be carefully monitored and that development be phased gradually in conjunction with the provision of appropriate financial and technical support. (Taumaia and Gentle, 1987).
The current visit was conducted following a request from the Government of Kiribati for assistance with the proper fitting out of various local canoe types for deep-bottom fishing, for further demonstration of deep-bottom fishing techniques and for an assessment of the commercial viability of the fishery at the eastern point of Tarawa and at the islands of Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana. In response to this request one of the Project's three Masterfishermen, Mr Pale Taumaia, was assigned to work in Kiribati for approximately six months from 1 April to 5 September 1984.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 General
The Republic of Kiribati comprises 33 islands spread over more than 5 million sq km of ocean (Figure 1). They are in three groups: the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands. The official estimate of Kiribati's land area is 719 sq km, but this figure does not include the uninhabited 2 islands of Malden (81 sq km), Starbuck (16.2 sq km), Caroline (2.3 sq km), Vostok (0.7 sq km), and Flint (3.2 sq km). Kiritimati (Christmas) is the largest island with an area of 364 sq km.
The islands are all of young coralline limestone, mostly forming atolls. They do not rise above 4 m except for Banaba (Ocean Island), which is an uplifted atoll rising to 81 m. The islands have sandy, rubbly, coral soils and even on islands with high rainfall drought conditions occur frequently because of the porosity of the soils. This, and the thinness of the soil layer, causes a general paucity of vegetation. Little can be grown except taro, coconuts and pandanus.
The climate is influenced by the steady flow of the north-east and south-east trade winds towards the equator. These winds converge to form a band of low pressure tropical air which generally brings disturbed showery weather. Mean annual temperature is 28°C. Rainfall varies considerably and tends to increase with distance from the equator. The wettest months are from December to February; the driest are August, September and October.
Population is around 60,000 (1982 SPC estimate) plus 3000 in Nauru or working elsewhere overseas. Thirty-two per cent of the population live in South Tarawa and the balance is distributed over North Tarawa and the twenty-two other inhabited islands. Ninety-one per cent of the population are Micronesian and the remainder Polynesian, European and Asian.
The majority of the population live by subsistence agriculture and fishing. Some labour is employed in the phosphate working in Nauru and on overseas ships. Otherwise the work force is mainly employed by the Public Service. Main imports are food, manufactured goods, transport equipment and machinery, and fuels. Copra is the most significant export. Some income is derived from a government investment fund established with phosphate royalties and from fees from fisheries access agreements. 3
Figure 1. The Republic of Kiribati 4
2.2. Existing fisheries
Subsistence fisheries of great diversity are widely practised, reflecting the I Kiribati reliance on their marine environment and its resources, an affinity common among Pacific territories with only little arable land. Trolling offshore and within the lagoons by sail or outboard- powered craft, shallow-water droplining, gill-netting, hand harvesting of the reef flats, spearfishing and 'kabara' or mid-water handlining are all widely conducted.
Perhaps the most culturally significant fishery has been poling offshore for tunas and at Tarawa a substantial fleet of 4.8 m to 7.6 m skiffs regularly engage in this fishery to supply the considerable local demand for fresh fish, but large-scale commercial exploitation of this rich resource has only recently been developed. Since independence government policy has been one of development of local commercial fishing operations as well as licensing of foreign fleets to fish in Kiribati's waters. To date four industrial pole and line vessels have been acquired which operate under the management of the Mautari Fishing Company based at Betio on Tarawa. Catches by these vessels are generally transported to American Samoa for sale.
Baitfish for industrial pole and line operations is regularly supplied by the Temaiku fish farm project which maintains 18 ponds stocked with milkfish (Chanos chanos). Fish too large for use as bait are sold locally at A$0.60/kg and the Project also sells block ice.
The Kiribati Fisheries Division is headquartered at Tanaea at South Tarawa and extension officers are assigned to each of the outer islands. Support services for fishermen include the supply of fishing gear at less than retail prices, outboard motor repair facilities, and the supply of a variety of fishing craft constructed at the FAO/UNDP Artisanal Fishing Boat Project boatyard. Some effort has also been devoted to the development of a small-scale, export based seaweed farming project.
3. PROJECT OPERATIONS .
3.1 General
Twenty-three fishing trips were completed during the Project's stay at Tarawa and the four outer islands visited, and in many cases trips involved two boats fishing in concert. Although weather conditions were generally fine, occasional strong north-east and south-east winds hampered fishing operations along the east coasts of some areas. Some time was lost due to mechanical breakdowns on the vessels 'Nei Problem' and 'Angiroai' and in travel between bases, and at Abemama a fuel shortage curtailed some operations. Table 1 summarises Project activities at each location.
Table 1 - Summary of project activities
DATES LOCATION ACTIVITIES
1 April – 24 April Tarawa Preparation of vessel 'Nei Problem', recruitment of trainees. 25 April – 15 May Tarawa Training of demonstration team and local fishermen. Trips 1 to 5. 17 May – 23 May Abaiang Survey and training trips. Trips 6 to 11. 1 June – 12 June Abemama Survey and training trips. Trips 12 to 18. 26 June – 29 July Arorae Survey and training trips. Trips 19 to 22. 2 July – 5 July Tamana Survey and training trips. Trips 23 to 26 19 July – 27 July Tarawa Training trips. Trips 27 to 29.
Detailed trip records are contained in Appendix 1A. 5
3.2 Boats and Equipment
A variety of vessels were employed during Project operations, with selection emphasising craft commonly in use by local fishermen. At Tarawa ll trips were conducted aboard a Fisheries Division craft, the 'Nei Problem'. This 8.5 m aluminium-hulled catamaran of FAO/UNDP design (Figure 2) was powered by a 25 hp Yamaha outboard motor and carried a 15 hp stand-by. The 'Nei Problem' was fitted with four FAO Western Samoan-type wooden handreels and the Project's compass and echo-sounder were mounted.
At outer island locations, three different FAO/UNDP design fishing craft were employed, the 'Onauti' a KIR-I (Figure 3) design 6 m sailing canoe fitted with a 9.9 hp Yamaha outboard, the 'Angiraoi' a KIR-2 (Figure 4) design 7.3 m sailing canoe which carried a stand-by 5 hp Yamaha outboard and paddles, and the 'Temon' a KIR-3 design canoe powered by a 5 hp Yamaha and carrying paddles. Each of the canoe types were fitted with three wooden handreels of KIR design. These handreels are basically a design variation of the FAO/Western Samoan handreels though somewhat smaller in overall dimension and with an adjustable foot-brace designed to mount on various canoe types. A portable compass and the Project's portable echo-sounder were also carried on the canoes, stored in a waterproof box. As well, wooden and plastic handcasters, which are I-Kiribati fishermen's standard equipment, were carried on all trips. Movement of the Project from island to island was made aboard the fisheries extension vessel, 'Nei Tewenei' a 14.5 m steel launch powered by a 200 hp Cummins diesel engine. Owing to limited deck space the various fishing craft were towed in transit to operational bases.
Figure 2. 'Nei Problem' the FAO design alia catamaran used in operations at Tarawa and Abaiang
6
Figure 3. 'Onauti' the FAO design KIR-1 sailing canoe used at Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
7
Figure 4. 'Angiraoi' the FAO design KIR-2 sailing canoe used at Abemama
The wooden handreels of both designs (Figure 5) were loaded with 500 m of 130 kg test monofilament nylon line and fitted with a terminal rig bearing three Mustad tuna circle hooks, as shown in Figure 6. 8
All vessels were equipped with suitable anchoring gear for deep-bottom fishing as illustrated in Figure 7. This comprised a simply constructed grapnel anchor made of four 1.5 m lengths of 9 mm reinforcing bar, welded together and bent into a grapnel shape; a 5 m length of 12 mm chain shackled to the anchor; approximately 440 m of polypropylene anchor rope, of a diameter appropriate to the size of the vessel (generally 12 mm), and fitted with a "no-return" barb made of 4 mm galvanised fence wire; and an inflatable buoy of 75 kg or greater flotation, fitted with a snap shackle on a short rope eye which could be loosely clipped or shackled to the anchor rope so as to slide freely along it.
Details of the basic equipment required for deep-bottom fishing are given in Appendix 2.
Figure 5. FAO Western Samoan type wooden handreel used aboard the 'Nei Problem' 9
Figure 6. Typical terminal gear for deep-bottom fishing
Figure 7. 'Self-hauling' anchor gear 10
3.3 Training activities
The introduction of a relatively new fishing technique in an area where local fishermen are experienced and competent in a variety of locally well-proven and reasonably successful fishing methods presents some particular problems. It was decided in consultation with the Kiribati Fisheries Division that the most effective approach to introducing the Project's gear and methods would be to work with fishermen who expressed a real interest in entering the deep-bottom fishery. Radio broadcasts at Tarawa, and fisheries extension officers in the outer islands, were used to spread word of the training programme and recruits selected on the basis of their interest.
Training was conducted very informally in the initial stages, at all locations. Most often the Masterfisherman accompanied trainees on fishing trips directed by them, during which they pursued their favoured techniques, and the introduction of deep-bottom fishing gear and methods occurred incidentally. Once the effectiveness of the technique had been demonstrated more formal training was conducted in gear rigging, the use of the handreels, the selection of suitable fishing sites and deep-bottom anchoring techniques.
As during the Project's previous visit to Kiribati, time was devoted to the training of a Fisheries Division demonstration team who would be capable of continuing the training programme after the Project had departed and, in particular, introduce deep-bottom fishing techniques to outer islands not visited during this or the previous Project visit. Fifty-seven trainees participated in the programme including the demonstration team members, 10 at Tarawa, 2 at Abaiang, 13 at Abemama, 16 at Arorae, and 16 at Tamana. Appendix 3 details the topics covered during the training sessions.
3.4 Handling and disposal of the catch
When ice was available at Tarawa fish were placed in a thick slurry of ice and salt-water in a portable ice-box immediately after unhooking. Gilling, gutting and washing was completed at the first opportunity and the fish then placed back in the ice-box for transport to port. However, because the Project was based at Tanaea and ice was only available from Betio, it was often not possible to obtain supplies. On trips without ice the fish were gilled, gutted and washed and stored in the shade. As the reef passage giving access to Tanaea is negotiable only at high-water and the 'Nei Problem' often had to wait for the tide before entering the lagoon some catches were landed in deteriorating condition. Ice was unavailable at all outer island sites fished and the catches there were neither gutted nor gilled, but stored in the shade and landed as soon as possible.
Disposal of the catch was the responsibility of the Kiribati Fisheries Division. At Tarawa, Abaiang and Abemama, part of the catch was shared among participating trainees and the remainder sold to the public at prices ranging from A$ 0.60/kg at Tarawa to A$ 0.40/kg at some of the outer islands. Catches landed at Arorae and Tamana were shared among the trainees.
Strong demand for fresh fish was evident at all sites, and local catches were seldom sufficient to satisfy this. Only oilfish, snake mackerels and sharks were unsaleable, although readily eaten if given away. The red bass (Lutjanus bohar) was readily accepted for consumption despite this species reputation for ciguatoxicity elsewhere in the Pacific.
3.5 Data Collection
SPC Masterfishermen use a standard logsheet, shown at Appendix 4, to record catch, effort and other data, and make detailed notes of their daily activities and of any supplementary information required. During this Project visit, data collected for each trip comprised: time spent travelling, anchoring and fishing; fishing area, fishing depth or depth range; number of crew; quantity and type of fishing gear, fuel and bait used; the specific identity of each fish caught, where this could be determined; and the total number and weight of each species taken by each fishing method.
11
4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
4.1 General
Twenty-nine fishing trips were completed during the course of the survey and training programme, with a total of 491 hours spent at sea, discounting travel between islands. Eight trips were made at Tarawa, six at Abaiang, seven at Abemama, four at Arorae and four at Tamana. Fourteen of these trips, at Abemama, Arorae and Tamana, were made with two craft fishing in concert. Fishing activities and the gear and techniques employed varied only slightly from trip to trip, depending on the vessel in use, the requirements of the training programme, weather and sea conditions and the availability of bait. Deep-bottom handreeling was conducted during all trips, while shallow-water handlining and trolling were conducted as determined by bait catching requirements, opportunity and, often, the desire of trainees to spend some time during trips fishing by familiar techniques.
Areas surveyed ranged from the eastern point of Tarawa north to Abaiang, south to Abemama and Arorae then back north-west to Tamana and Tarawa again.
4.2 Bottom droplining
Bottom fishing in deep or shallow water, either drifting or at anchor, and using a multiple hook terminal rig hauled by hand or reel was conducted during all 29 fishing trips. Wooden or plastic handcasters are standard trolling and droplining equipment for I-Kiribati fishermen and were carried on all trips. The FAO Western Samoan-type wooden handreels were used when fishing from the catamaran 'Nei Problem' and the KIR design wooden handreels were generally used when fishing from the several canoe types. When the Western Samoan-type reels were mounted on the canoes, they were found to be rather more efficient and easier to operate than the smaller KIR types. These reels' extra height allowed the fishermen to stand while hauling, giving greater purchase on the reel handle, and large fish could be swung inboard more easily as well.
Bottom fishing technique was basically similar whether handlines or handreels were used. When targeting deep grounds on the outer reef slope, suitable sites were identified by using the echo-sounder (target depth being around 200 m) or known grounds located by referring to landmarks and bearings. Fishing was conducted both drifting and at anchor. The technique of drifting with wind or current over suitable grounds is the bottom fishing technique most widely practiced in Kiribati. If bites were made at a particular spot and then declined as the boat moved, lines were hauled and the boat motored, sailed, or paddled back up into the wind or current and the procedure repeated. Deep-bottom fishing at anchor is the Project's standard technique and by this method, once a suitable site was located, the anchor was dropped in water shallower than that of the chosen fishing spot and in a position so that prevailing wind or current would carry the boat back over the deeper area as the anchor warp was paid out. At some sites fished, where the reef slope was of moderate gradient, the boat had to be anchored in water of the same depth as the fishing site, or even in deeper water. On some occasions sea conditions, or the preference of the local fishermen, dictated that bottom fishing be carried out in shallow waters.
Once the boat was resting at anchor bottom fishing was conducted using the handreels or handlines fitted with a terminal rig and a sinker of up to 2 kg, depending on depth or current strength. The sinker was lowered to the bottom and thereafter the line kept taut by hand to allow the fisherman to respond to bites by striking and to reduce the possibility of tangling with other lines. Because of the elasticity of the long lines deployed, much reliance is placed on the 'self-hooking' qualities of the tuna circle hooks used.
After fishing, or when shifting to another fishing site, a simple technique was employed to retrieve the anchor, which greatly reduced the effort required in hauling by hand. The anchor warp was tied off to the stern and the boat motored quickly ahead to break out the anchor. Forward motion was continued until the anchor streamed behind the boat and the inflatable buoy was then clipped or shackled onto the anchor warp and released. Water resistance forced the buoy back along the line until it was trapped by the 'no-return' barb. The boat was then run back along the line with one crew member feeding it inboard by hand and the 12 anchor, suspended at the surface by the buoy, could be easily recovered. When attempting this technique aboard the KIR 2 design 'Angiraoi' and the KIR 3 design 'Temon' it was found that the 5 hp motors fitted were often not powerful enough to break out the anchor; this was usually overcome by having two craft haul one anchor in tandem.
Skipjack is regarded as the best bait for bottom fishing. While fishing at Tarawa supplies of skipjack were readily available from the pole and line vessel base at Betio. On the visits to Abaiang and Abemama enough bait was carried aboard the 'Nei Tewenei' for one week's fishing and thereafter trolling was conducted to capture bait supplies. The 'Nei Tewenei' also made one round trip between Abaiang and Tarawa to bring back additional bait. Considerable difficulty in obtaining suitable bait was experienced at Arorae and Tamana, where local custom dictates that powered craft may not troll for tunas. Tuna fishing at these islands involves either poling with pearl-shell lures or the mid-water handlining technique of 'dropping-stones', locally known as 'kabara', and the Project was occasionally able to obtain bait from local fishermen who used these techniques.
One hundred and ninety-one hours of bottom fishing involving an effort of 569 reel/line hours (effort is calculated as one reel or line in use for 1 hour = 1 reel/line hour produced a catch of 901 fish with a total weight of 3370.3 kg, of which 1154 kg or 34 per cent comprised unsaleable species consisting mainly of oilfish, snake mackerels, and sharks. The saleable component of the catch was dominated by deep-water snappers (Lutjanidae) of the Etelinae and Apsilinae sub-families, with 468 fish landed with a total weight of 1085.3 kg, comprising 32.1 per cent of the overall bottom catch. The most significant species in this group were the rosy jobfish (Pristipomoides filamentosus) and the short-tailed red snapper (Etelis carbunculus). Next most significant of the saleable catch were groupers and cods (Serranidae), often of large individual size; the 162 fish taken in this group totaled 679 kg or 20.2 per cent of the overall catch. Of interest was the small component, in terms of percentage by weight of the overall catch, of red bass (Lutjanus bohar) recorded during this visit (4.3%) compared to the 1980 DSFDP visit (20.5%). A detailed record of the species composition of the bottom catch is given in Appendix 5a.
The catch rate recorded for all species taken by bottom fishing, or CPUE (catch per unit of effort) of 5.9 kg, although lower than the 8.8 kg recorded during the 1980 visit, compared well with results recorded by the Project elsewhere in the Pacific and the lower figure probably reflects the range of areas fished and the difficulties experienced in obtaining bait at Arorae and Tamana.
The cpue for saleable species only was 3.9 kg and the cpue excluding sharks but including other unsaleable species, 5.1 kg. Details of catch rates recorded at each island are given in Section 5.
4.3 Trolling
Trolling offshore among schools of pelagic species and along the outer reef for species which inhabit the surface waters over the reef drop-off, is a fishing activity which is generally complementary to bottom-fishing. Trolling may be conducted opportunistically while travelling to bottom-fishing grounds to augment catches or specifically to capture bait. Trolling lines rigged with lures appropriate to the species targeted may be stored on handcasters, or lines so rigged may be trolled directly from the handreels.
During this visit, trolling was conducted during only eight of the 29 bottom-fishing trips completed and fishing effort totaled 34 line hours. The limited trolling time comparative to time spent travelling was determined by the requirements of the deep-bottom training programme, local fishermen's obvious familiarity with trolling techniques and the fact that on many occasions bait supplied by the pole and line base at Betio was on hand. At Arorae and Tamana where bait from Betio was not available, trolling by powered craft was prohibited by local custom, based on the belief that engine noise interfered with the traditional 'kabara' fishing widely practiced there.
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The troll catch of 36 fish with a total weight of 190 kg was all readily saleable and was dominated by tunas, in particular yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and the species most favoured as bottom-fishing bait, skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). CPUE recorded was 5.2 kg/line-hour.
While at Tamana 'kabara' was conducted during one bottom-fishing trip in an attempt to obtain bait. Three hours fishing produced 2 yellowfin tuna with a total weight of 12 kg. A detailed record of the species composition of the troll and mid-water catch is given in Appendix 6.
5. FISHING AREAS
5.1 Tarawa
Figure 8. South Tarawa showing the areas fished
The Project was based at Tanaea, near the south-eastern point of Tarawa, for six weeks in the initial stage of the visit, during which the Masterfisherman familiarised himself with local fishing activity and markets, consulted with the Kiribati Fisheries Division concerning the Project's programme, prepared the fishing craft 'Nei Problem', and conducted training in deep-bottom fishing techniques to a government demonstration team and to local fishermen. Five trips were completed during this period. A further week was spent fishing from Tanaea at the conclusion of the Project stay during which three trips were completed. All trips made here were aboard the catamaran 'Nei Problem'.
The reef passage close by Tanaea giving access to the open sea was negotiable only at high water and some shallow-water droplining was conducted while waiting for tides. Most deep- bottom fishing was carried out in an area just north of the easternmost point of the island (see Figure 8) with regular passage to the Mautari Fishing Company base at Betio to pick up ice and bait. Depths fished ranged between 150-180 m on most trips. Trolling was conducted only during the last three trips during the second phase of operations there. Table 2 summarises the catch and effort by bottom fishing and trolling and detailed trip records can be found in Appendix 1A.
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Table 2. Summary of catch and effort at Tarawa by each fishing method
Fishing N° of Fishing Effort Catch cpue Method trips hours (reel/line) N° Weight (kg) hours (kg)
Bottom droplining 8 75 135 180 1392.0 10.3 Trolling 3 11 22 15 89.0 4.0
Total *8 86 195 1481.0
* Some trips combined both fishing methods
5.2 Abaiang
Figure 9. Abaiang
The Project transferred to Abaiang, to the north-east of Tarawa, aboard the 'Nei Tewenei' and towing the 'Nei Problem'. Six trips were completed during 10 days at the island. Most fishing was conducted along the western reef in the lee of prevailing winds. All fishing was carried out aboard the 'Nei Problem' with the 'Nei Tewenei' acting as a mother boat, storing catches and helping sound depths to identify suitable fishing sites. Target depths were around 120- 180 m but considerable difficulty was experienced with strong currents when attempting to anchor and drift fishing and shallow-water fishing resulted. The outer reef slope was found to be generally steep in the areas surveyed. Trolling was conducted during only one trip. Table 3 summarises the catch and effort recorded and detailed trip records can be found in Appendix 1.
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Table 3. Summary of catch and effort at Abaiang by each fishing method
Fishing N° of Fishing Effort Catch cpue Method trips hours (reel/line) N° Weight (kg) hours (kg)
Bottom droplining 6 29 90 194 408.0 4.5
Trolling 1 2 4 6 13.0 3.3
Total *6 31 200 421.0
* One trip combined both fishing methods
5.3 Abemama
Figure 10. Abemama
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The Project transferred to Abemama (Figure 10) aboard the 'Nei Tewenei' and completed 7 fishing trips there between 1 and 12 June. All trips but one involved two craft, the KIR design sailing canoes 'Onauti' and 'Angiraoi'. Bait carried from Betio was stored in portable ice-boxes and was used while it lasted. Fishing depth averaged 150 m and some difficulty was experienced with anchoring procedure because the 'Angiraoi's 5 hp outboard was often not powerful enough to break out her anchor. Mechanical problems with this motor resulted in the 'Angiraoi' being towed to fishing sites on a number of occasions. Three trips included periods of trolling for bait.
Table 4 summarises catch and effort recorded and Appendix 1 contains detailed trip records.
Table 4. Summary of catch and effort at Abemama by each fishing method for both boats
Fishing N° of Fishing Effort Catch cpue Method trips hours (reel/line) No Weight (kg) hours (kg) Bottom droplining 7 55 167 444 1426.0 8.5 Trolling 3 6 12 13 76.0 6.3
Total *7 61 457 1502.0
* Trolling was conducted during 3 bottom fishing trips
5.4 Arorae
Figure 11. Arorae
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Four fishing trips were conducted at Arorae (Figure 11) which lies at the south-east extent of the Gilbert group. The island has no enclosed lagoon, only a fringing barrier reef. All trips involved two craft fishing in concert, the 'Onauti' and the KIR 3 design 'Temon'. No skipjack was on hand for bait, nor was trolling for bait under power permitted by local custom. Baits used were generally of inferior quality, though some fresh rainbow runner (Elegatis bipinnulatus) was obtained from local fishermen. Fishing depth ranged from 60 m to 200 m. Catches were poor and included a high proportion of undesirable oilfish, snake mackerels, and sharks. Table 5 summarises catch and effort recorded and detailed trip records are contained in Appendix 1.
Table 5. Summary of catch and effort at Arorae for both boats
Fishing N° of Fishing Effort Catch cpue Method trips hours (reel/line) N° Weight (kg) hours (kg) Bottom droplining 4 32 128 46 118.0 0.9
5.5 Tamana
Figure 12. Tamana 18
Tamana (Figure 12) which lies west of Arorae has no lagoon and only a fringing barrier reef. Four trips were completed there between 2 July and 5 July. All trips involved the two canoes used at Arorae, 'Onauti' and 'Temon', and fishing depth were generally more shallow than at other areas, with most effort around 60 m. Bait was in particularly short supply here and again local custom prohibited powered trolling. Some rainbow runner was obtained from local fishermen to use as bait and during one trip the 'Temon' landed 2 yellowfin tuna by mid-water handlining. Table 6 summarises catch and effort recorded and Appendix 1 contains detailed trip records.
Table 6. Summary of catch and effort at Tamana for both boats
Fishing N° of Fishing Effort Catch cpue Method trips hours (reel/line) N° Weight (kg) hours (kg)
Bottom droplining 4 28 81 40 32.3 0.4
Mid-water handlining 1 3 6 2 12.0 2.0
Total *4 31 42 45.3
* One trip involved both fishing methods
6. ECONOMICS OF THE FISHERY
The following is an examination of the likely economics of a small-scale bottom droplining operation in Kiribati, based on the operational records for the 7 trips completed during the Project's stay at Abemama, aboard the KIR-1 design canoe 'Onauti'. These trips and the craft and fishing site have been selected as being most locally typical of the Project's operations in Kiribati. It must be noted however that the good quality skipjack bait used here was purchased at Betio and that fuel use is inflated because the 'Onauti' towed its partner craft 'Angiraoi' during 4 of the trips.
Table 7. Direct income and expenditure averaged for one trip by the 'Onauti at Abemama
Number of trips 7 Average duration of trips 8.5 hours Average fishing effort per trip (3 reels in use) 12 reel hours
Expenditure Income
Average bait consumed per trip, 7.7 kg at A$0.60/kg 4.62
Average fuel consumed per trip, 25 l. at A$0.66/l 16.50
Average catch of saleable fish per trip, (66% of total catch) 137 kg (5.6 kg/reel hour), at A$0.60/kg 82.20
TOTAL 21.12 82.20
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Taking account of the trip averages given in Table 7, Table 8 projects income and expenditure for a KIR-I canoe such as the 'Onauti' over one year, based on the purchase of a fully-equipped craft under loan for A$2,600.00 and assuming that income from catches and direct operational expenses would be similar to the figures recorded for the 'Onauti' at Abemama. The important exception is that the average fuel use per trip has been recalculated as 15 l rather than 25 l to take account of a proposed 2 man crew rather than the 4 who were generally aboard at Abemama and to discount the inflated fuel consumption resulting from towing the 'Angiraoi'. Estimates are given for secondary operational expenses and for wages for one crewman.
Table 8. Projection of annual income and expenditure for KIR-I canoe with two-man crew engaged in bottom-droplining
Effort Income (A$)
3 trips per week x 40 fishing weeks per year 120 trips per year x 6 hours fishing each trip 720 fishing hours per year x 2 handreels in use 1440 reel hours per year x 5.6 kg saleable fish p/reel/hr 8064 kg per year x A$0.60/kg 4838.40
Item Expenditure
Loan repayment (5 year loan at 10% interest reducing annually) 650.00
Fuel – 15 l p/trip at A$0.66/l x 120 trips per year 1188.00
Oil and grease – (estimated) 70.00
Maintenance and repair, replacement of gear (estimated) 200.00
Ice – (20 kg p/trip at A$0.05/kg x 120 trips) 120.00
Bait – (7.7 kg p/trip at A$0.60/kg x 120 trips) 554.00
Wages for crew (25% of gross income from sales) 1209.50
TOTAL 3991.50 4838.40
SURPLUS 846.90
A number of factors affecting the figures given in Table 8 would be variable in any practical fishery and should be considered in projecting the commercial viability of a fishing operation so hypothesised. Some of the variables likely to increase the economic viability of such an operation are given on the left, below and some likely to diminish it, on the right:
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Factors likely to increase economic Factors likely to diminish economic viability validity
In the sample trips, fishing operations This was virtually the first exploitation were restrained to some extent by the of deep-bottom resources at Abemama. requirements of the survey and training Sustained fishing pressure may result in programme. A commercial operation a decline in catch rates. would fish longer, harder and with more efficiency in spots known to be productive.
Skipjack is the bait proven most Bait used was purchased at Betio and effective for deep-bottom fishing, if carried to Abemama aboard the support unavailable or difficult to capture catch vessel 'Nei Tewenei'. Bait caught locally rates may decline or excessive fuel use by trolling or other methods would be consumed by trolling in pursuit of this involve only a small fuel cost. species.
Sharks, oilfish and snake mackerels are excluded from calculations of income In any small-scale operation a proportion from fish sales when, in fact, they would of the catch will be consumed by the fetch some return. crew and a proportion will likely be shared according to local custom.
Fuel use was heavier than might be expected in an efficient commercial A decline in catches from known sites operation's because the 'Onauti' was used over time might require travel to to survey the extent of deep-bottom progressively more distant sites. grounds.
7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The results of the fishing activities conducted during the Project's stay indicated that bottom fishing grounds of markedly different extent and with varying degrees of potential for exploitation exist at the five islands surveyed.
Catches recorded at Tarawa and Abemama, taken with good quality skipjack bait, were high in comparison to results obtained by the Project elsewhere in the region, and a lively market for the catch indicated that good potential exists for a limited number of small-scale operators to enter the fishery successfully at these sites. The availability of ice and its proper use to preserve catches as well as the continuing availability of KIR-design canoes and handreels, and bait, are likely to be important factors contributing to the successful development of the fishery.
Although catch rates recorded at the other lagoon atoll of Abaiang were significantly poorer, the strong winds and currents prevailing during the Project's stay there disrupted deep-bottom fishing operations considerably, and catches taken were often from more shallow depths than the ideal. It is possible that better catches would be taken in better conditions.
At the islands of Arorae and Tamana, which have only fringing barrier-reefs, catch rates were particularly poor and although the most obvious hindrance to successful fishing was lack of bait, the outer reef slopes at these islands were found to be generally steep and only limited areas of depth suitable for deep-bottom fishing were noted. Available charts indicate that similar bottom topography exists at a number of other islands in the group. However, although available charts give only limited coverage of most areas, the presence of widely scattered shoals and banks suggests that as yet undiscovered deep-bottom fishing grounds may exist in unsounded areas.
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While it would appear that the fishing craft, gear and techniques employed during the visit were appropriate and adequate for the effective harvesting of local deep-bottom fish stocks the potential for the effective development of such a fishery will be dependent at each island on factors such as the availability of suitable bait, the extent of local deep-bottom fishing grounds and local demand for the catch.
The following recommendations are seen as important to the realisation of the potential of the deep-bottom fishery:
The boatbuilding and design development programme is probably the most important and effective support service provided for local fishermen, this programme should be continued with particular emphasis on fuel economy (especially the use of sail), outboard motor reliability and some training for owners in outboard motor maintenance.
The design of the KIR handreels should be reviewed in light of the better efficiency reported for the Western Samoan reels when fishing at depth. The Fisheries Division demonstration team should continue with a programme of training in deep-bottom fishing techniques and gear handling and should expand on the survey of bottom-fishing grounds.
A programme of fish aggregation device (FAD) deployment should be implemented if possible, with a view to assisting the artisanal catch by trolling and mid-water handlining, especially at sites where suitable bottom fishing bait is regularly difficult to capture.
Fisheries Division should undertake further work aimed at determining the extent of the resource, including the establishment of a simple sampling programme to monitor landings of deep-bottom species and collection of related information on fishing area and effort. The entry of small-scale operators into the fishery should be encouraged on a phased basis appropriate to the catch and resource data gathered and the monitoring of market conditions.
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PHASE II: KIRITIMATI
8. INTRODUCTION
This assignment was the second phase of the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project's (DSFDP) second visit to Kiribati and the first time the Project has operated at Kiritimati.
The visit was conducted at the request of the Government of the Republic of Kiribati following the completion of the first phase of the Projects' operations based at Tarawa. The assignment was in line with the Government's aim of developing Kiritimati as an alternative economic centre to South Tarawa.
The aims of the visit were to establish a training programme in deep-bottom fishing technique through demonstration fishing with a government team who would continue such work after the Project's departure, also to survey deep-bottom grounds and fish stocks and to evaluate the economic potential of the fishery, especially the export market potential of the species taken by this fishing method.
SPC Masterfisherman Pale Taumaia was assigned to work at Kiritimati following the completion of his duties in the Gilbert Islands Group, and after a seven week interval of leave.
Figure 13. Kiritimati 23
9. BACKGROUND
9.1 General
Kiritimati (Christmas Island) which lies just north of the equator and some 2,566 km west and north of Tarawa is the largest island in Kiribati and the largest purely coralline island in the world (Figure 13). The major portion of the island, in the north-west, encloses a large lagoon studded with coral patches which is exposed to easterly winds and currents. The interior of the land area contains more than 100 lakes or ponds, some of which are several kilometres in diameter.
The island is linked by air with Tarawa and Honolulu and has a six-monthly shipping service to Tarawa. As Kiritimati contains more than half of the total land area of Kiribati the government is anxious to develop the island as an alternative economic centre to South Tarawa. This development plan is centered on fisheries.
9.2 Existing Fisheries
A variety of artisanal fishing methods are widely practiced on the island especially trolling, gill-netting, spear fishing, shallow-water handlining and the collection of lobster. Fishing craft in use include a variety of skiffs generally powered by 25 hp outboard motors, a few sailing canoes and a good many single-man, paddling canoes.
The local Kiribati Fisheries Division base at London village is staffed by an Assistant Fisheries Officer, two administrative assistants and several labourers. The Division's main area of responsibility is the maintenance of a fish farming project involving the rearing of milkfish (Chanos chanos) in ponds. The Division also maintains a mechanical workshop for private outboard motor repair, though at the time of this visit a chronic shortage of spare parts had largely disrupted this service. A government marketing authority, Kiribati Marine Export, based at Banana village, has responsibility for marketing and airfreighting of milkfish supplied from the Fisheries Division ponds and rock lobster tails collected by local fishermen. At the time of this visit some 450 kg of milkfish, at an export price of A$0.66/kg and an average 160 kg of lobster tails, at A$1.76/kg, were exported to Honolulu each week.
10. PROJECT OPERATIONS
10.1 General
Seventeen fishing trips were completed during the seven weeks' of operations at Kiritimati. The first week was spent in preparing gear, mounting handreels and organising the selection of trainees, and thereafter an average three trips were conducted each week. All trips were initiated at London village and fishing effort was concentrated at sites north and south of, and immediately adjacent to the main passage. Bottom droplining was conducted during all trips and opportunistic trolling for species suitable as bait on three occasions. During the final trip a bottom longline set was completed as a training exercise.
Initial trips were devoted to training of a government demonstration team and later trips involved the training of local fishermen selected by Fisheries Division as interested in learning this fishing method.
Weather conditions were fine and dry throughout the visit, though the persistently strong easterly and south-easterly winds prevailing determined that all fishing was conducted in the lee of the island at the sites previously described. Detailed trip records can be found in Appendix 1b.
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10.2 Boats and equipment
All fishing was conducted from the Fisheries Division craft 'Olympia', (Figure 14), an 8 m Yamaha fibreglass skiff powered by a petrol/kerosene fueled, 25 hp Yamaha outboard motor and with a 15 hp Yamaha outboard stand-by motor mounted on the transom. This boat was fitted with four FAO/Western Samoan-design wooden handreels (see Figure 5), each of which was loaded with 500 m of 130 kg test nylon monofilament line and a terminal rig bearing 3 tuna circle hooks (see Figure 6).
Figure 14. Yamaha 8 m fibreglass skiff similar to 'Olympia'
The Project's portable Furuno echo-sounder, with a depth range to 300 m, was carried in an open box and used to locate areas of suitable depth for bottom fishing. In addition, the boat carried suitable anchoring gear (see Figure 7), a compass, gaff, two shark nooses and a portable ice-box. An assortment of lures and lines for trolling was also carried on some trips.
10.3 Training activities
Two Fisheries Division personnel were attached to the Project during the first week at Kiritimati. These officers were to form a demonstration team trained to conduct an on-going programme of deep-bottom survey and fishing demonstration after the Project's departure. This team assisted in the fitting out of the 'Olympia', the rigging of anchoring tackle and fishing gear, and with organising the training programme. One or the other of them participated in the first five fishing trips completed, after which they were assigned to Fisheries Division duties in Hawaii.
A second team was trained over the next five trips and these two officers thereafter accompanied most subsequent trips and assisted in the demonstration of deep-bottom fishing techniques to private fishermen. Practical training in the rigging of the terminal gear was conducted ashore with each trainee preparing his own gear with materials supplied by the Project, training in deep-bottom techniques was conducted at sea during actual fishing operations. Details of the topics covered in the training programme are given in Appendix 3.
10.4 Handling and disposal of the catch
Fish were placed in a thick slurry of ice and salt-water immediately after unhooking and held in this state in the on board ice-box until landed. Gilling and gutting after chilling was only performed to demonstrate the technique to trainees and was not standard procedure. Upon landing, the catch was transferred by road in portable ice-boxes to the Marine Export cold- storage facility at Banana village for later sale. Local sales were managed by the Fisheries Division and all species save sharks were sold for A$0.45/kg. Initial consumer resistance to 25 the red bass (Lutjanus bohar), because of the species reputation for ciguatoxicity, led Fisheries Division to experiment with salting and sun-drying of this large component of the catch. However, once it was apparent that those consuming this species suffered no obvious ill effect, the fish soon gained acceptance and was sold freely along with the other catch.
Specimens of small tooth jobfish (Aphareus rutilans) and curve-banded grouper (Epinephelus morrhua) were made available to Marine Export management as samples to air freight to Hawaii for test marketing but no results were made available before the Project's departure.
10.5 Data collection
SPC Masterfishermen use a standard data form, shown at Appendix 4, to maintain detailed records of each fishing trip. During this Project visit, data collected on each trip included: time spent steaming, anchoring and fishing; fishing area; fishing depth or depth range; number of crew; quantity and type of gear, fuel and bait used; the specific identification of each fish caught, where this could be determined; and the total number and weight of each species taken.
11. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
11.1 Bottom droplining
Bottom droplining, employing a multiple hook terminal rig lowered and hauled with the wooden handreels, was conducted at anchor during all 17 fishing trips completed. An account of the methods of fishing site selection, anchoring and anchor retrieval and bottom fishing by handreel can be found in Section 4.2 of the preceding report on the Project's operations elsewhere in Kiribati.
One hundred and twenty-five hours at sea and a bottom-fishing effort of 185 reel hours produced a catch of 1,000 fish with a total weight of 3,135 kg, for a catch rate or CPUE (catch per unit of effort) of 16.9 kg/reel hour for all species. The unsaleable proportion of the catch (472 kg of sharks) was 15.1 per cent of the total and the CPUE for saleable species only was 14.4 kg/reel hour. This was one of the highest catch rates for locally saleable species recorded thus far by the Project, and is equalled only by the rate recorded at Nukulaelae atoll in Tuvalu during 1983. It must be noted, however, that the red bass (Lutjanus bohar) accounted for 50.5 per cent of the catch by weight and at many locations where the Project has operated this species was unsaleable due to its widespread reputation for ciguatoxicity. Table 9 gives comparative catch rates for a selection of atolls and associated coralline islands where the Project has operated.
Bait used during this activity was milkfish obtained from the fish farm project.
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TABLE 9. Catch rates recorded for bottom-droplining by the DSFDP at selected Pacific atolls and associated coralline islands
Island Country Island Year Catch per unit of effort (kg) type excluding sharks but including all other species
Kiritimati Kiribati Atoll 1984 (this visit) *14.0 Tarawa " " 1984 (preceding visit) 3.3 Abaiang " " 1984 " " 4.3 Abemama " " 1984 " " 7.9 Arorae " Coralline 1984 " " 0.3 Tamana " " 1984 " " 0.3 Tarawa " Atoll 1980 (first visit) *7.2 Maiana " " 1980 " " *7.2 Kuria " Coralline 1980 " " *7.2 Funafuti Tuvalu Atoll 1977 2.5 Funafuti " " 1981 8.0 Funafuti " " 1983 7.5 Vaitupu " Coralline 1983 7.9 Nukulaelae " Atoll 1983 14.9 Nukefetau " " 1983 4.8 Fakaofo Tokelau " 1982 2.1 Nukunonu " " 1982 2.4 Atafu " " 1982 1.9
* Includes Lutjanus bohar ** Average figure for the three sites
The absence of deep-water snappers of the Eteline sub-family, which are the prime target species for this fishing method, is probably a reflection of the somewhat shallow depths fished during this visit (averaging around 150 m) compared to the Project's standard target depth of 200 m. It is possible too that deep-water snappers may occur on grounds outside the rather limited areas in the lee and to the west of the island, fished during this visit. Details of catch and effort by trip can be found in Appendix 1b and the species composition of the bottom catch in Appendix 5B.
11.2 Trolling
Trolling was conducted during only 3 of the 17 trips in conjunction with bottom-fishing operations with the aim of capturing skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) as an alternative, and previously well-proven, droplining bait. A total trolling effort of 8 line hours was accumulated during 4 hours of fishing with 2 trolling lines in use, and the catch of 6 fish totaled 21 kg, for a CPUE of 2.6 kg/line hour.
The catch included 12 kg of skipjack which was subsequently used as droplining bait, but as no appreciable difference in bottom catches was noted little further trolling was conducted.
During the final trip at Kiritimati, a 110 hook bottom-longline was deployed as a demonstration and training exercise. Two sets were made, one at 90 m with a soak time of 45 minutes and one at 60 m with a soak time of 40 minutes. The effort of 15.6 hook hours (calculated as 10 hooks per hour soaking) produced a catch of 86 kg for a CPUE of 5.5 kg/hook hour. Details of catch and effort by both these methods can be found in Appendix 1b. The species composition of the troll catch as shown in Appendix 6B and the bottom- longline catch in Appendix 5B. 27
12. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
The high catch rate recorded and the ready supply of effective bait from the milkfish ponds combine to provide an excellent potential for an efficient and productive deep-bottom fishery at Kiritimati. Whether the fishery could be developed as a commercially viable enterprise however is open to question. A number of small-scale operators entering the fishery with a view to supplying local demand would likely soon encounter difficulties with oversupply, due to the island's small population. The obvious solution to such a situation would be to take advantage of the regular air connection to Hawaii and the marketing expertise and handling facilities of Kiribati Marine Export to develop an export market for deep-bottom species. However there are aspects of the fishery, some demonstrated during this visit and some of an as yet unproven nature, which have the potential to restrain commercial development both in the short term and long term.
The presence in the catch of a 50.5 per cent component of Lutjanus bohar, which would almost certainly be unsaleable on export markets, and the total absence of the prime deep- water snappers resulted in a catch which presented a significantly lower component of species with good export market potential than the saleable catch rate figure might suggest. It is possible, however, that the species composition of the catch might vary in favour of the more desirable species if greater depths were fished (this has been the experience at a number of other locations surveyed by the Project) and other, as yet untested grounds, sampled. Test marketing of jobfish, grouper and other table species recorded in the catch might also prove to increase the component of exportable fishes and boost economic viability.
In consideration of the Fisheries' long-term potential it must be noted that little is currently known about the ability of deep-bottom resources to withstand increased and sustained fishing pressure. It is possible that early economic success in the fishery might encourage the participation of more operators than bottom-stocks could sustain and a decline in catch rates and individual fish size, as well as associated changes in the species composition of catches, could occur. However, a number of Pacific island countries have developed a deep-bottom fishery without apparent detriment.
The monitoring of catch rates and species composition of catches by the Fisheries Division and the careful phasing of increased exploitation, as well as vigorous and on-going efforts to establish export markets would be important aspects of any management programme.
13. REFERENCES
Anon (1986) Atlas of the South Pacific, Wellington, New Zealand, Government Printing Office
Anon (1984) Pacific Islands Yearbook. Sydney, Australia, Pacific Publications.
Gulbrandsen O_/_. and Savins M. (1987) Artisanal fishing craft of the Pacific Islands. FAO/UNDP Regional Fishery Support Programme. Suva, Fiji. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Kleiber P. and Kearney R.E. (1983) An assessment of the skipjack and baitfish resources of Kiribati. Skipjack survey and assessment programme, Final country report No. 5. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission.
Taumaia P. and Gentle M. (1983) Report on the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project visit to the Republic of Kiribati (23 April-18 November 1980). Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. 28 29
APPENDIX 1A
Summary of operational aspects of fishing trips at Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
Bottom Effort Catch Bait Fuel Trip Location Trip fishing (line Trolling Catch used used No. Weight No. Vessel hours hours hours) hours No. Weight (kq) (i) 1 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 24 9 27 16 96.0 0 0 0 5 41 2 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 27 6 18 15 96.0 0 0 0 8 43 3 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 21 5 15 15 186.0 0 0 0 4 68 4 T arawa 'Nei Problem' 23 6 18 18 273.0 1 0 0 8 77 5 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 23 4 12 18 232.0 0 0 0 6 41 6 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 12 4 12 48 141.0 0 0 0 21 20 7 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 13 4 12 12 28.0 0 0 0 15 40 8 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 16 , 21 40 46.0 0 0 0 7 41 9 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 15 5 15 40 78.0 2 6 13.0 6 50 10 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 14 6 18 11 13.0 0 0 0 7 36 11 Abaiang 'Nei Problem' 8 3 12 43 102.0 0 0 0 26 23 12 Abemama 'Onauti' 10 4 8 35 191.0 0 0 0 10 16 'Angiraoi' 9 4 12 58 140.0 0 0 0 10 15 13 Abemama 'Onauti' 7 3 9 34 194.0 0 0 0 9 18 'Angiraoi' 7 2 6 18 30.0 0 0 0 6 *0 14 Abemama 'Onauti' 9 3 15 37 81.0 2 3 24.0 7 45 15 Abemama 'Onauti' 7 4 12 46 203.0 0 0 0 9 18 'Angiraoi' 7 4 12 35 101.0 0 0 0 7 *0 16 Abemama 'Onauti' 9 4 12 33 80.0 2 2 8.0 5 27 'Angiraoi' 9 5 15 34 63.0 0 0 0 4 .*0 17 Abemama 'Onauti' 11 6 18 33 65.0 2 8 44.0 6 36 'Angiraoi' 11 8 24 27 103.0 0 0 0 4 .*0 18 Abemama 'Onauti' 8 4 12 30 146.0 0 0 0 8 16 'Angiraoi' 8 4 12 24 29.0 0 0 0 11 7 19 Arorae 'Onauti' 9 5 15 7 27.0 0 0 0 2 9 T emon' 9 4 12 5 44.0 0 0 0 2 5 20 Arorae 'Onauti' 8 4 12 2 2.0 0 0 0 2 7 'Temon' 8 4 12 1 2.0 0 0 0 2 3
30
APPENDIX 1A (cont’d.)
Bottom Effort Bait Fuel Trip Location Trip fishing (line Catch Trolling Catch used used No. VJessel hours hours hours) No. Weight hours No. Weight (kg) (l) 21 Arorae 'Onauti' 8 4 12 12 10.0 0 0 0 3 7 'Temon' 8 4 12 5 1.0 0 0 0 2 3 22 Arorae 'Onauti' 7 3 9 8 19.0 0 0 0 2 9 'Temon' 8 4 12 5 11.0 0 0 0 2 5 23 Tamana 'Onauti' 6 3 9 4 4.0 0 0 0 1 5 'Temon' 6 3 9 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 3 24 Tamana 'Onauti' 6 3 9 3 0.5 0 0 0 1 5 'Temon' 6 4 9 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 3 25 Tamana 'Onauti' 8 4 12 10 5.0 0 0 0 2 11 'Temon' 9 4 12 6 9.0 0 0 0 3 9 26 Tamana 'Onauti' 8 5 15 12 9.5 0 0 0 2 7 'T emon' 8 2 6 3 0.3 **3 2 12.0 2 5 27 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 24 6 12 10 171.0 2 1 1.0 15 90 28 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 24 6 18 71 259.0 5 13 82.0 40 50 29 Tarawa 'Nei Problem' 13 5 15 17 79.0 4 1 6.0 6 75
TOTAL 491 1 91 569 9013370.3 20 36 190.0 299 989
* Indicates that vessel was towed ** ‘Kabara’ (mid-water handling) 31
APPENDIX 1B
Summary of operational aspects of fishing trips at Kiritimati
Bottom Effort Bait Fuel Trip Trip fishing (line Catch Trolling Catch used used no. hours hours hours) No. Weight hours No. Weight (kg) (I)
1 7 3 6 32 123.0 0 0 0.0 5 9.0
2 7 3 12 37 106.0 0 0 0.0 6 18.0
3 9 5 15 36 163.0 0 0 0.0 14 9.0
4 9 4 12 43 142.0 0 0 0.0 9 13.5
5 7 4 12 36 123.0 0 0 0.0 15 4.5
6 7 4 12 25 67.0 0 0 0.0 9 6.8
7 6 3 12 69 230.0 1 1 4.0 14 13.5
8 7 3 12 71 289.0 1 1 3.0 10 18.0
9 8 3 12 68 208.0 2 4 14.0 18 22.5
10 8 4 16 98 3,6.0 0 0 0.0 14 13.5
11 7 4 12 108 269.0 0 0 0.0 18 13.5
12 8 4 12 75 240.0 0 0 0.0 21 8.0
13 8 3 9 68 176.0 0 0 0.0 18 18.0
14 6 3 9 63 187.0 0 0 0.0 12 4.5
15 7 4 8 53 161.0 0 0 0.0 20 9.0
16 6 4 12 74 224.0 0 0 0.0 16 4.5
17a 8 2 2 7 25.0 0 0 0.0 5 13.5
17b * 2 * 37 86.0 0 0 0.0 23 *
Total 125 62 185 1 000 3135.0 4 6 21.0 247 199.3
* .Trip 17b involved the demonstration of a bottom longline; catch recorded is by this method
33
APPENDIX 2
Basic equipment required for deep-bottom handreel fishing
1. Western Samoa-type wooden handreels 2. 118 or 136 kg test nylon monofilament fishing line, in 500-metre coils 3. 45 kg test nylon monofilament fishing line 4. Turimoto N° 29 galvanised longline wire, or equivalent (3 x 3 stranded, 120 kg test) 5. MIustad tUna circle hooks, quality N° 3996OST, sizes 3–9 6. Berkley-McMlahon swivels, size 4/0, or equivalent 7. Kelux stainless steel lockfast swivels, size 4/0, or equivalent 8. 1 kg and 2 kg sinkers 9. 400 metres of polypropylene anchor rope, diameter appropriate to size of boat 10. Grapnel fishing anchor and chain or wire 11. Buoy for anchor retrieval 12. Standard pliers 13. Side-cutting pliers 14. Crimping pliers 15. Bait knife 16. Compass 17. Portable battery powered echo-sounder, depth range 0–400 metres 18. Gaff hook 19 Shark noose
35
APPENDIX 3
Topics covered in the training programmes
1. Handling of a fishing boat a. Safety at sea b. Knots and splices for mooring and anchor lines c. Construction of a grapnel anchor d. Use of equipment checklist before departure e. Anchoring in order to fish at the desired depth f. Use of a compass g. Marking of good fishing sites by landmarks and compass bearings h. Anchor retrieval i. Care and maintenance of boat after fishing trip
2. Handling of equipment and fishing gear a. Safety during fishing operation b. Use of Western Samoan type wooden handreel c. Use of handcasting reel d. Suitable knots and splices for monofilament line, wire leaders and traces e. Techniques for handling large fish f. Operation of an echo-sounder g. Care of gear to prevent corrosion h. Rigging gear in 'tackle-balance' (appropriate matching of hook, swivel and line sizes
3. Handling of then catch a. Suitable ice-boxes and coolers b. Unhooking fish c. Care in handling fish to avoid damage d. Use of ice/water slurrv e. Transporting fish for sale 37
APPENDIX 4
Standard fishing data collection form
39
APPENDIX 5A
Species composition of the bottom catch at Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight SpecIes English name, Kiribati name (where known) DEEP-WATER SNAPPERS
LUTJANIDAE (sub-families ETELINAE, APSILlNAE)
Aphareus rutilans 25 130.0 Small-tooth jobfish/silvermouth
Aprion virescens 8 53.0 Green jobfish Awai
Etelis carbunculus 43 214.0 Short-tailed red snapper
Etelis coruscans 5 23.0 Longtail snapper
Paracaesio xanthurus 1 0.3 Southern fusilier
Pristipomoides auricilla 17 11.0 Gold-tailed jobfish
Pristipomoides filamentosus 129 299.0 Rosy jobfish
Pristipomoides flavipinnis 10 24.0 Yellow jobfish
Pristipomoides multidens 12 38.0 Large-scale jobfish
Pristipomoides typus 39 111.0 Sharp-tooth snapper
Pristipomoides zonatus 179 182.0 Banded flower snapper
Sub-total 468 1 085.3 40
APPENDIX 5A (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight
SHALLOW-WATER SNAPPERS
LUTJANIDAE (sub-family LUTJANINAE )
Lutjanus bohar 30 144.0 Red bass Ingo
Lutjanus gibbus 16 13.0 Paddletail Ikanibong
Lutjanus kasmira 51.0 Blue-lined snapper
Lutjanus spilurus 30.7
Sub-total 54 158.7
EMPERORS
LETHRINIDAE
Gnathodentex mossambicus 55 113.0 Large-eye sea bream
Lethrinus amboinensis 11.3 Ambon emperor
Lethrinus elongatus 13.0 Long-nose emperor
Sub-total 57 117.3
41
APPENDIX 5A (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight
GROUPERS, CODS AND CORAL TROUTS
SERRAN/DAE
Cephalopholis aurantius 31.0 Orange rock-cod
Cephalopholis igarasiensis 42.0 Yellow-banded grouper
Epinephelus chlorostigma 49 66.0 Brown-spotted grouper
Epinephelus leprosus 9 433.0
Epinephelus maculatus 11.0 Spotted grouper
Epinephelus microdon 1 22.0 Marbled cod
Epinephelus miliaris 64 42.0
Epinephelus morrhua 30 111.0 Curve-banded grouper
Epinephelus truncates 11.0
Sub-total 162 679
JACKS AND TREVALLIES
CARANGIDAE
Caranx lugubris 44 130.0 Black trevally
Seriola rivoliana 3 15.0 Deep-water amberjack
Sub-total 47 145.0 MACKERELS AND TUNAS SCOMIBRIDAE
Gymnosarda unicolor 1 10.0 Dogtooth tuna Tawatawa
Sub-total 1 10.0 42
APPENDIX 5A (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight
OILFISH AND SNAKE MACKERELS
GEMPYLIDAE
Promethicthys prometheus* 31 19.0 Snake mackerel
Ruvettus pretiosus* 27 431.0 Oilfish Idanibeka
Sub-total 58 450.0
SOLDIERFISH, SQUIRRELFlSH AND GLASSEYES HOLOCENTRIDAE
Sargocentron spiniferum 21.0 Squirrelfish
Sub-total 2 1.0 BARRACUDAS AND SEAPIKES
SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena qenie 19.0 Seapike Baniniua
Sub-total 1 9.0
43
APPENDIX 5A (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight
MISCELLANEOUS BONY FISHES
BALLISTIDAE Pseudobalistes fuscus* 12 10.0 Triggerfish
Sufflamen fraenatus* 82.0 Triggerfish
Xanthichthys mento* 31.0 Triggerfish
CONGRIDAE
Conger spp. * 3 10.0 Eels NEMIPTERIDAE Nemipterus peronii 2 11.0 SCORPAENIDAE Scorpeanodes spp. * Scorpionfishes 11 5.0 TETRAODONTIDAE Liosaccus cutaneous * 2 2.0 Puffer fish
Sub-total 41 41 .0 SHARKS
CARCHARHINIDAE Carcharhinus amblyrhynchus* 7 264.0 Shark Bakoa
Carcharhinus spp. * 3 410.0 Shark Bakoa
Sub-total 10.0 674.0
TOTAL 901 3 370.3 * Indicates locally unsaleable species 45
APPENDIX 5B
Species composition of the bottom catch at Kiritimati
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight Species (kg) English name, Kiribati name (where known)
DEEP-WATER SNAPPERS LUTJANIDAE Aphareus rutilans 3 20.0 Small-tooth jobfish/silvermouth
Aprion virescens 18.0 Green jobfish Awai
Pristipomoides auricilla 12.0 Gold-tailed jobfish
Pristipomoides multidens 14.0 Large-scale jobfish
Sub total 6 34.0
SHALLOW-WATER SNAPPERS LUTJANIDAE (sub-family LUTJANINAE ) Lutjanus bohar 455 1 583.0 Red bass Ingo
Lutjanus gibbus 55 46.0 Paddletail Ikanibong
Sub-total 510 1 629.0 EMPERORS
LETHRINIDAE
Gymnocranius griseus 57.0 Lethrinus amboinensis 13.0 Ambon emperor
Lethrinus elongatus 14 51.0 Long-nosed emperor 46
APPENDIX 5B (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight Lethrinus robrioperculatus 17 37.0 Redgill emperor
Lethrinus xanthochelius 12.0 Slender emperor
Sub-total 38 100.0
GROUPERS, CODS AND CORAL TROUTS SERRANIDAE Cephalopholis argus 11.0 Peacock rock cod
Epinephelus chlorostigma 176 203.0 Brown-spotted grouper
Epinephelus maculatus 11.0 Spotted grouper
Epinephelus microdon 4 12.0 Marbled cod
Epinephelus morrhua 149 468.0 Curve-banded grouper
Epinephelus spp. 31 29.0
Variola albimarginata 4 11.0 Lunar-tailed cod
Variola louti 13 49.0 Lunar-tail cod
Sub-total 379 774.0
JACKS AND TREVALLIES CARANGIDAE
Caranx lugubris 22 48.0 Black trevally
Elegatis bipinnulatus 14.0 Rainbow runner Kamaa
Seriola rivoliana 12 63.0 Deep-water amberjack
Sub-total 35 115.0
47
APPENDIX 5B (cont’d.)
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight BARRACUDAS AND SEAPIKES
SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena qenie 12.0 Seapike Baniniua
Sub-total 1 2.0 MISCELLANEOUS BONY FISHES SCORPAENIDAE
Scorpaena spp. 89.0 Scorpion fishes
Sub-total 8 9.0
SHARKS
CARCHARHINIDAE Carcharhinus amblyrhynchus 22 450.0 Grey reefshark Bakoa
Carcharhinus melanopterus 1 22.0 Blacktip reefshark Bakoa
Sub-total 23 472.0
TOTAL 1 000 3 135.0 49
APPENDIX 6A
Species composition of the troll and mid-water handline catch at Tarawa, Abaiang, Abemama, Arorae and Tamana
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight Species English name, Local name (where known)
JOBFISH
LUTJANIDAE Aprion viriscens 12.0 Green jobfish
Sub-total 1 2.0
JACKS AND TREVALLIES
CARANGIDAE Elegatis bipinnulatus 7 14.0 Rainbow runner
Sub-total 7 14 MACKERELS AND TUNAS
SCOMBRIDAE Acanthocybium solandri 1 18.0 Wahoo
Euthynnus affinis 47.0 Mackerel tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis 7 25.0 Skipjack tuna
Thunnus albacares 16 124.0 Yellowfin tuna
Sub-total 28 174
TOTAL 36 190 51
APPENDIX 6B
Species composition of the troll catch at Kiritimati
GROUP FAMILY No. Weight Species English name, Kiribati name (where known) MACKERELS AND TUNAS
SCOMBRIDAE Auxis thazard 15.0 Frigate mackerel
Katsuwonus pelamis 4 12.0 Skipjack tuna
SEAPIKES
SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena qenie 14.0 Seapike Baniniua
TOTAL 6 21.0