SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION

UNPUBLISHED REPORT No. 20

REPORT

ON THIRD VISIT

TO

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

14 January – 10 July 1984

by

Lindsay Chapman Masterfisherman

South Pacific Commission Noumea, New Caledonia 1998 ii

The South Pacific Commission authorises the reproduction of this material, whole or in part, in any form, provided appropriate acknowledgment 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This unpublished report forms part of a series compiled by the Capture Section of the South Pacific Commission’s Coastal Fisheries Programme.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, 1998 iii

SUMMARY

The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project (DSFDP) visited Papua New Guinea for the third time between 14 January and 10 July 1984, under the supervision of SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman.

The Project operated in West New Britain Province, Manus Province and East Sepik Province, conducting a survey and training programme in deep-bottom dropline fishing and trolling for coastal pelagic species. The Masterfisherman also assisted with the rigging and deployment of fish aggregation devices (FADs) while in East Sepik Province and conducted experimental fishing trials in their vicinity.

Most fishing effort was devoted to deep-bottom droplining in depths to 300 m, principal target species being deep-water snappers of the family Lutjanidae. A major project objective of trolling to assess coastal stocks of Spanish mackerel (Scomberamorus commerson) was curtailed due to this species seasonal scarcity at the time of the visit.

Fishing operations were most often conducted in association with village fisheries development programmes and a total of 20 Fisheries Division personnel and 29 local fishermen participated in trips and underwent training in the various fishing techniques employed.

The catch from all areas totaled 1,527 fish with a combined weight of 5,044.1 kg, of which better than 80 per cent was locally saleable. The deep-bottom catch included an adequate proportion of high- value species and no ciguatoxicity was noted. Catch rates recorded for deep-bottom fishing ranged from 10.8 kg/reel hour in West New Britain Province, and 7.0 kg/reel hour in East Sepik Province, to 6.4 kg/reel hour in Manus Province. The overall deep-bottom catch rate was 7.8 kg/reel hour.

These catch rates compare well with results recorded by the DSFDP elsewhere in the Pacific and indicate the presence of profitably exploitable deep-bottom stocks. The commercial development of the fishery appears likely to be hampered by a number of logistical, marketing and geographic restraints. This report includes an analysis of the economics of a small scale fishing operation, based on the Project's experience in the Wewak area, and some recommendations considered important for the successful progress of provincial fisheries development programmes.

v

RÉSUMÉ

Sous la direction du maître de pêche Lindsay Chapman, les agents de la Commission du Pacifique Sud ont séjourné, pour la troisième fois, entre le 14 janvier et le 10 juillet 1984, en Papouasie- Nouvelle-Guinée, dans le cadre du projet de développement de la pêche au demi-large.

Les activités menées au titre du projet, en particulier une campagne d'évaluation et un programme de formation à la pêche à la ligne à main et à la traîne par grandes profondeurs, se sont déroulées dans les provinces de la Nouvelle-Bretagne occidentale, de Manus et du Sepik oriental. Le maître de pêche a également contribué au montage et au déploiement de dispositifs de concentration du poisson (DCP) et a réalisé des essais de pêche à proximité de ces engins.

Les opérations ont consisté pour l'essentiel à pêcher à la ligne à main par des fonds pouvant atteindre 300 mètres, en ciblant surtout les lutjanidés profonds. Il a fallu abandonner l'un des principaux objectifs des activités de pêche à la traîne, qui était d'évaluer les stocks côtiers de tazards du lagon (Scomberamorus commerson), cette espèce faisant défaut à cette saison.

Les activités de pêche se sont souvent déroulées parallèlement à la mise en œuvre des programmes de développement des pêches locales et, au total, 20 membres du service des pêches et 29 pêcheurs locaux ont pris part aux sorties et ont bénéficié de la formation aux différentes techniques de pêche utilisées.

En tout et toutes zones de pêche confondues, 1 527 poissons, d'un poids total de 5 044,1 kg, ont été capturés, dont plus de 80 pour cent étaient commercialisables sur le marché local. Au nombre de ces prises, figurait une proportion non négligeable d'espèces à valeur marchande élevée et aucun cas de ciguatera n'a été relevé. Les taux de prises enregistrés pour la pêche au grand fond ont varié entre 10,8 kg/moulinet/heure dans la province de Nouvelle-Bretagne occidentale, 7 kg/moulinet/heure dans la province du Sepik oriental et 6,4 kg/moulinet/heure dans la province de Manus. Le taux de prises global correspondant à ces opérations de pêche au grand fond a été de 7,8 kg/moulinet/heure.

Ces taux de capture soutiennent favorablement la comparaison avec les résultats enregistrés ailleurs dans le Pacifique dans le cadre du projet; en outre, ils démontrent la présence de stocks de poissons de grand fond qui peuvent faire l'objet d'une exploitation rentable. Toutefois, le développement de la pêche commerciale risque, semble-t-il, de se heurter à un certain nombre de difficultés liées à la logistique, à la commercialisation et à la géographie. Ce rapport contient une analyse des activités des petites entreprises de pêche qui se fonde sur l'expérience menée dans la région de Wewak au titre du projet, et certaines recommandations considérées comme importantes pour la réussite de la mise en œuvre des programmes de développement de la pêche dans les provinces. vii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The South Pacific Commission acknowledges with gratitude the friendly support afforded the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project during its stay in Papua New Guinea. Particular thanks are due to Mr David Cook, Senior Fisheries Scientist for the Department of Primary Industry's Fisheries Division, who co-ordinated the visit.

In the provincial centres Mr Chris Mee, Manager of the Kimbe Coastal Fisheries Station, Mr Trevor Bell, Manager of the Lorengau Coastal Fisheries Station, and Mr Stewart Frusher, Fisheries Biologist at Wewak's Fisheries Resource Centre, all devoted a good deal of their time and energy in support of the Project.

Thanks are due also to boat skippers at each location and to the fishermen of Papua New Guinea whose co-operation and enthusiasm played a large part in the Project's success.

ix

CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. BACKGROUND 2

2.1 General 2 2.2 Existing fisheries 3

3. PROJECT OPERATIONS 4

3.1 General 4 3.2 Boats and equipment 4 3.3 Fishing techniques employed 7 3.4 Data Collection 8 3.5 Training activities 8 3.6 Disposal of the catch 9

4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 9

4.1 General 9 4.2 Deep-bottom droplining 9 4.3 Trolling 13 4.4 Vertical longlining and mid-water shark fishing 15

5. FISHING AREAS 17

5.1 West New Britain Province (Kimbe) 17 5.2 Manus Province (Lorengau) 18 5.3 East Sepik Province (Wewak) 19

6. DISCUSSIONS 21

6.1 General 21 6.2 Commercial potential 21 6.3 Development restraints 22

7. RECOMMENDATIONS 23

7.1 Fishing rights 23 7.2 Boats and equipment 23 7.3 Financial support 23 7.4 Fish handling and marketing 24 7.5 Diversification of fisheries 24 7.6 Specific recommendations for West New Britain 24 7.7 Specific recommendations for the Wewak area 25

8. CONCLUSION 25

9. REFERENCES 25

x

APPENDICES

1. Standard form for data collection 27

2A Species composition of the deep-bottom catch at each location 29

2B Species composition of the troll catch at each location 35

2C Species composition of the remaining catch at each location 37

3A Trip records for West New Britain 39

3B Trip records for Manus 41

3C Trip records for East Sepik 43

1

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 operated in Papua New Guinea on two previous occasions. A 1979 visit was based at Kimbe, West New Britain (Fusimalohi and Crossland, 1980) and a second visit, during 1982, operated at Port Moresby, at Samarai and Manus Islands (Chapman & Fusimalohi, 1998). Each of these visits involved the surveying and assessment of deep-bottom fish resources along the outer reef slopes, and the demonstration of appropriate gear and fishing techniques to promote the artisanal exploitation of this resource.

The current visit was conducted between 14 January and 10 July 1984, under the supervision of SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman. The visit followed a request of SPC by the Government of Papua New Guinea for assistance in conducting further surveys of deep-bottom fish resources and an assessment of coastal pelagic fish resources at specific sites. A further major aim was to promote the development of the local deep-bottom and troll fishery through the demonstration of appropriate gear and techniques to personnel of the Department of Primary Industry's Fisheries Division, and to local fishermen. A work programme was drawn up during consultations between senior SPC and Fisheries Division staff detailing the operational arrangements and Project aims at each of the three fishing areas selected. The Project's operational bases were established at Wewak (East Sepik Province), Lorengau (Manus Province) and Kimbe (West New Britain Province). Table 1 details the target work programme at each area.

Table 1: Target work programme at each fishing area

Kimbe—West New Britain Province

– To conduct a survey of coastal pelagic fish resources along the South Coast of West New Britain; and

– To demonstrate deep-bottom fishing technique and coastal trolling technique.

Lorengau—Manus Province

– To work with Fisheries Division personnel and local fishermen to improve current efficiency and productivity;

– To demonstrate proper fish handling and processing techniques; and

– To advise on suitable FAD deployment sites.

Wewak—East Sepik Province

– To conduct exploratory deep-bottom fishing trials;

– To conduct a troll survey of coastal pelagic fish resources, with reference to a local research programme and with special emphasis on the areas off Samap and Turubu villages; and

– To assist in the deployment of FADs and to demonstrate appropriate FAD fishing techniques.

2

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 General

Papua New Guinea (Figure 1) has a land area of some 476,500 sq km comprising the eastern half of the New Guinea mainland, the Bismarck Archipelago (Manus, New Ireland and New Britain), Bougainville and Buka. Hundreds of smaller islands lie within PNG's borders, scattered across the Bismarck, Solomon and Coral Seas.

The central core of the mainland is a massive cordillera interspersed with wide valleys at altitudes up to 1,800 m. Alluvium derived from active mountain erosion is deposited extensively in the broad, swampy Sepik River Basin and the low, swampy plain of the Fly River and Gulf of Papua. New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville are part of high island arcs.

Figure 1: Papua New Guinea, showing areas fished during this visit

Tropical rain-forest covers about three-quarters of the country. The remainder is covered in savannah, grassland and swamps. Some 97 per cent of all land is held under customary tenure and part of this is used for subsistence agriculture (much of it on a shifting or rotational basis). Cash crops include copra, coffee, rubber, palm oil and tea, grown on smallholdings and on plantations. There is some forestry.

Except in high altitudes the climate is tropical with uniformly high temperatures and regular heavy rainfall. PNG is one of the largest constantly wet areas in the world and rainfall in some areas ranges up to 5,000 mm annually. South-east trade winds predominate from May to October, and the north- east monsoons from December to March. During the transition winds are variable with periods of hot, humid calm. 3

Population is estimated at nearly 3.5 million, 98 per cent of whom are indigenous Melanesians. The rugged topography has divided the country into numerous regional settlements and has contributed to a remarkable cultural diversity. There are more than 700 indigenous spoken languages which fall into two main groups, Papuan and Melanesian. Pidgin was first used in trade and has become the common language though English is taught in schools and is widely understood.

The majority of the work force is engaged in primary production, either at subsistence level or in cash-cropping. Mining is important and a number of small manufacturing industries produce for the local market. The main exports are copper, gold, coffee, cocoa, copra and coconut oil and fish.

Politically independent since 1975, the country is divided into 19 administrative provinces, with the national capital at Port Moresby on the southern coast of the mainland. The national unit of currency is the PNG Kina (1 Kina = 100 Toea).

2.2 Existing fisheries

PNG's extensive coastline and offshore archipelagoes present a great diversity of coastal types and marine environments. The Gulf of Papua is characterised by large delta areas, mud flats and mangrove swamps. The North Coast and the high island coasts are typified by fringing coral reefs and narrow lagoons. Some of the smaller island clusters lie adjacent to extensive submerged reef systems or broad shallows.

Artisanal fisheries throughout the country reflect the diversity of coastal environments and, although an important element in subsistence food-gathering, are poorly developed by Pacific standards. This reflects to some extent the traditional preoccupation with agriculture common in Pacific states having large areas of arable land available.

Along the mainland and high island coasts and in the smaller island communities fishing activities include the harvesting of the reef flats, spearfishing, shallow-water handlining from dugout canoes, netting, and trapping in the fresh water reaches of the larger rivers.

Commercial exploitation of local marine resources has long been dominated by the offshore tuna fishery, conducted by foreign-based vessels and foreign vessels based locally under joint venture arrangements. During the 1970s the locally based pole-and-line fishery was the most productive Pacific based tuna fishery. Japanese vessels fishing in joint venture averaged catches of nearly 30,000 t annually between 1971 and 1981 (Tuna Programme, 1983). At the time of this visit the domestic fishery had been suspended following a downturn in the economics of the industry but a major offshore fishery continued with foreign purse-seine, pole-and-line, and longline vessels fishing under license in PNG's 200-mile Declared Fishing Zone. During 1982 the catch by Japanese purse-seiners and longliners alone was more than 67,000 t (PNG Department of Primary Industry, unpublished data). Joint venture prawn and lobster trawl fisheries also operate in the Gulf of Papua.

Other commercial exploitation of local marine resources is limited but includes a number of coastal fisheries stations maintained by government, some of which were established by foreign aid organisations. Catches collected at these stations are generally air-freighted to coastal urban centres or to Highland settlements where a shortage of affordable protein foodstuffs is general. Two coastal stations, Samarai and Daru, export quantities of reef fish fillets and barramundi fillets, respectively, to Australia. At some other centres the collection and domestic sale of crabs, lobsters and inshore fishes is an important commercial activity. Demand for fisheries products exceeds supply in most areas. In 1982 imported foodstuffs cost PNG some A$184.9 million, or 18.5 per cent of the country's total import bill (Anon, 1986). 4

3. PROJECT OPERATIONS

3.1 General

During the five months of this visit the Project operated at the three sites shown in Figure 1, for varying periods as detailed in Table 2.

Table 2: Movements of the project

Locality Dates (1984) Days spent at site

South-west coast of West New Britain 21 January to 21 February 31

Manus Island 26 February to 18 March 21

Wewak area 18 March to 11 May 54

Masterfisherman to Fiji 12 May to 12 June

Wewak area 13 June to 5 July 22

Because of the distances between operational bases the movement of the Project from site to site was effected by air transport. Little time was lost due to unfavourable weather as at all sites weather conditions were generally mild. During some rough periods fishing activities were restricted to sheltered waters or shore activities conducted. Between 12 May and 12 June the Masterfisherman was required by SPC to attend a Fish Handling and Processing Workshop in Fiji sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

At each operational base a vessel, complete with skipper and crew, was assigned to support the Project and fishing time was therefore maximised. Trainees were advised ahead of time of their scheduled training trips and either attended the vessel departure point, generally in good time, or were picked up at their villages at the commencement of trips.

3.2 Boats and equipment

Different fishing craft were made available at each operational base:

West New Britain

An aluminium monohull fitted with a 3 QM 30 Yanmar diesel and a tunnel-hull drive designed for shallow waters, a self-draining deck and a small cabin. This craft performed poorly in the open sea, its shallow draft (46 cm) being better suited to river navigation. The self-draining deck was set too low and was ineffective, particularly when the craft was laden. Aluminium hulls such as this are quickly heated in the tropics and may become very uncomfortable to work from.

Manus Island

One of seven locally produced 7.3 m plywood monohull dories, fitted with a 2 QM 20 Yanmar diesel. This boat performed well and was able to carry a good load without detriment to its handling. Craftsmanship was only fair and no two of the vessels encountered was built exactly the same. The poor quality of plywood available to the builders of these dories resulted in dry-rot appearing in several of them within a year of construction. 5

Wewak

A 7.9 m plywood dory, built in the Trobriand Islands by a local boat-building company and powered by a 3 QM 30 Yanmar diesel. This craft was designed with an elevated, self-draining after deck and had an integral ice box. The boat performed well, had good carrying capacity and was evidently well constructed. The elevated afterdeck could be lowered to good effect because the present setting resulted in unwarranted topweight.

The layout of fishing gear on each vessel was standard, with a pair of 3–4 m trolling booms fitted and two handreels mounted at the stern as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Standard deck layout of fishing equipment

The West New Britain craft was equipped with two of the Project's FAO, Western Samoan design wooden handreels. The Manus craft had a steel version of this handreel fitted incorporating a larger than normal reel drum which proved awkward to operate and the Wewak craft's local reels were found to be poorly constructed and were replaced by the Project's handreels of the same design. The FAO, Western Samoan handreel design is illustrated in Figure 3. 6

Figure 3: FAO, Western Samoan design wooden handreel used by the Project

Anchoring gear carried on each vessel was similar, and consisted of a simply constructed grapnel anchor fabricated from two 3 m lengths of 9 mm diameter steel rod (reinforcing bar), bent in half to form an eye in the middle, welded together and bent into a grapnel shape; a 5 m length of 12 mm diameter chain shackled to the anchor-eye; 440 m of polypropylene anchor rope of a diameter suited to the size of each vessel (generally 12 mm), and fitted with a 'no-return' barb of 4 mm diameter steel fencing wire whipped onto the rope about 1.5 m from the end; and an inflatable buoy of 75 kg or greater flotation fitted with a snap-shackle which could be clipped onto the anchor rope so as to slide freely along it. This gear is illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Self-hauling anchor gear 7

Two fish aggregation devices (FADs) were deployed during the early part of operations in the Wewak area, under the Masterfisherman's supervision. One FAD was anchored at a depth of 160 m and the other at 390 m. These relatively shallow sites were selected in an attempt to gather the numerous schools of mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis) and frigate mackerel (Auxis thazard) observed in the area. It was hoped that the nearshore placement of these FADs, if they were effective, would give access to improved fish resources to fishermen using dugout canoes. Semi-taut mooring systems were employed with a 1:10 scope. The mooring system is illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 5: FAD mooring system

3.3 Fishing techniques employed

Most fishing effort was devoted to deep-bottom droplining along the outer-reef slope, with the fishing craft at anchor and employing the handreels to lower and haul the lines. The primary species targeted by this technique are deep-water snappers (Etelis spp.), jobfish (Aphareus, Pristipomoides spp.), sea breams (Gnathodentex, Gymnocranius spp.), and fusiliers (Paracaesio spp.), although a wide variety of other deep-dwelling species also occur in the catch, including less desirable Gempylids and sharks. Species characteristic of shallower waters, including emperors (Lethrinus spp.), trevallies (Caranx spp.) and shallow-water Lutjanids, also appear in the catch because bottom irregularities and the swing of the fishing craft at anchor usually results in a considerable depth range being fished.

Trolling along the edge of the outer reef-slope was conducted in the area of each operational base. The target species was Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), although a variety of other species were also taken, including members of the Scombridae, Sphyraenidae and Carangidae families. A small component of less desirable species occurred in the catch, including red bass (Lutjanus bohar) and sharks.

Vertical longlining was conducted on two occasions in the vicinity of FADs in the Wewak area. Although this technique targets the deep-swimming tunas commonly associated with FADs the catches taken were entirely of sharks. A drifting shark line was employed during one trip at Wewak in conjunction with vertical longlining. 8

3.4 Data collection

SPC Masterfishermen use a standard logsheet, shown at Appendix 1, 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.

During this visit the PNG Fisheries Division requested that the Masterfisherman collect additional biological and catch data for each fish taken. This included the length, weight, sex, and gonad development of each fish and the depth and time of day (by one hour intervals) of each capture.

3.5 Training activities

The demonstration of deep-bottom fishing techniques and gear-rigging, and aspects of trolling techniques, were important components of the work programme at each fishing area. Although deep- bottom droplining had been introduced to some areas previously, and an awareness of basic trolling technique was widespread, few local fishermen appeared to employ these methods.

In the West New Britain area training was restricted to Fisheries Division personnel, because trips conducted there were essentially to conduct a resource assessment, and because local fishermen were not at all equipped to take advantage of the techniques employed.

At Manus Islands which has a strong fishing tradition and where local canoes are sea-going, some local fishermen participated in fishing trips and were trained in deep-bottom and trolling techniques. At Wewak a deep-bottom fishing training programme conducted by the Fisheries Division was already in progress. The interest generated by this programme motivated 21 local fishermen to participate in Project trips and observe deep-bottom fishing techniques demonstrated by the Masterfisherman.

Table 3 summarises the participation of local fishermen and Fisheries Division staff in training trips aboard the vessels employed by the Project.

Table 3: Participants in the training programme

Number of Number of Project Base Fisheries Division staff local fishermen

West New Britain 9 0

Manus Island 2 8

Wewak 9 21

TOTAL 20 29

The selection of local trainees was usually made by village elders after notification of the training schedule at each site by Fisheries Division staff. At some sites these arrangements had broken down and trainees were recruited on the spot. A number of trainees had little or no experience of offshore fishing and training in basic seamanship and boat handling was conducted in addition to fishing techniques and gear rigging.

9

3.6 Disposal of the catch

The disposal of the catch was the prerogative of the Fisheries Division, and arrangements varied at each area as follows:

West New Britain—All fish were weighed and then loaded on board one of two support vessels for transhipment to the Kimbe Coastal Fisheries Station for retailing. The fishing boat crew shared a payment of 35 toea/kg.

Manus Island—Catches were weighed and then loaded on board a support vessel for transhipment to the Laurengau Coastal Fisheries Station. Crew, and any participating trainees, shared a payment of 50 toea/kg for fish they caught.

Wewak—All catches were carried to Wewak and sold to Wama Marine, a Provincial Government fish trading authority. Prices varied by species, from Kina 1.20/kg to 80 toea/kg. The relatively low prices obtainable for fish at Kimbe and Laurengau were consequent to this catch having to be transhipped to urban centres for sale, with significant overheads.

4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS

4.1 General

Thirty-two fishing trips were completed during the course of the survey and training programmes at the three provinces visited, with a total of 785 hours spent at sea. Eleven trips were made along the south-west coast of West New Britain, four while based at the Fisheries Station at Lorengau in Manus Province, and seventeen in the area of Wewak and the Wallis Shouten Islands in East Sepik Province. Deep-bottom droplining and trolling were conducted during all trips. The comparative effort devoted to each of these fishing methods varied from place to place and trip to trip, depending on the local requirements of the survey and training programme, the fishing craft in use, the distance between operational bases and fishing sites, the regularity of support by ‘mother’ vessels in some instances, and weather and sea conditions. While based at Wewak some exploratory vertical longlining and mid- water shark fishing was conducted in the vicinity of FADs deployed earlier in the visit.

4.2 Deep-bottom droplining

Deep-bottom droplining was conducted at anchor along the outer reef slopes and employing the various handreel types to lower and haul the line, during all 32 fishing trips. Handreels were wound with 500 m of 130 kg test monofilament nylon, terminating with a wire terminal rig bearing three tuna circle hooks (sizes 5, 6 and 7 being most often rigged during this visit), as illustrated in Figure 6. Suitable sites were identified by echo-sounding (target depth being around 160 m), or known grounds located by referring to landmarks and bearings.

10

Figure 6: Typical terminal rig for deep-bottom fishing

Once a site was selected the anchor was dropped in shallower water and in a position chosen so that prevailing wind or current would carry the boat back over the fishing site as the anchor warp was paid out. At many of the areas fished however, the bottom gradient was very moderate and it was frequently necessary to anchor in water of the same depth as the fishing site, or even in deeper water. Once the boat was resting at anchor fishing was commenced by lowering the lines from the handreels, each line being fitted with the terminal rig described in Figure 6, and a 1 kg to 2 kg sinker, depending on depth and 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 fouling other lines. Because of the elasticity of the long lines employed much reliance is placed on the ‘self- hooking’ qualities of the tuna circle hooks.

After fishing, or preparatory to shifting to another fishing site, a simple technique was employed to retrieve the anchor, which greatly reduced the effort required in hauling by hand (Figure 7). (The slack was hauled in until the warp was vertical, the anchor warp was made fast, and the boat motored ahead to break the anchor free of the bottom). Once the anchor was freed, the boat speed was increased and forward motion was continued as the anchor streamed behind the boat and the inflatable buoy clipped onto the warp (see Figure 4) and released. The resistance of the water forced the buoy back along the warp until it became trapped by the 'no-return' barb. The boat was then run back toward the anchor with the warp being handed inboard and the anchor and chain, suspended at the surface by the buoy, easily retrieved (Figure 7).

The best proven bait for this fishing method is fresh skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and, this or other tunas, were used whenever available. While fishing in the West New Britain area few tuna were captured so bait was derived from Spanish mackerel and barracuda taken by trolling. Deep-bottom droplining was conducted during 251.5 fishing hours (55% of the total fishing time), with a total calculated fishing effort of 506 reel hours; reel hours being the standard unit of fishing effort used in determining the relative productivity of bottom droplining operations, and defined as the use of one handreel over one hour of fishing. 11

Figure 7: Anchor retrieval method 12

The catch comprised 1,311 fish with a combined weight of 3,957.5 kg and a catch rate (catch per unit of effort, or CPUE) of 7.8 kg/reel hours was recorded. The catch included 70 sharks of various species and two snake mackerels (Thyristoides marleyi), with a combined weight of 714.4 kg, and this component of the catch was locally unsaleable.

The saleable catch was dominated by deep-water snappers (Lutjanidae) of the Etelinae and Apsillinae sub-families which together comprised 647 fish with a combined weight of 1,523.7 kg, 38.5 per cent of the total catch. The most significant species occurring in this group were the large-scaled jobfish (Pristipomoides multidens), with 352 fish taken having a combined weight of 751.3 kg, and the short- tailed red snappers (Etelis carbunculus), represented by 70 individuals with a combined weight of 383.6 kg.

Next most significant of the saleable catch were groupers, cods, and coral trouts (Serranidae). Fish in this group were often of large individual size and the 84 fish taken had a combined weight of 483.0 kg (5.8 kg average). Other important components of the catch included 593.0 kg of shallow-water snappers (sub-family Lutjanidae) and 315.3 kg of jacks and trevallies (Carangidae). The notoriously ciguatoxic red bass (Lutjanus bohar) which is unsaleable in many areas of the Pacific, although it was consumed here, accounted for 7.5 per cent of the saleable catch. Some sharks were dressed and filleted and this flesh was readily eaten when given away, although it could not be sold. The species composition of the deep-bottom catch at each location is detailed in Appendix 2A.

Although the total bottom catch at each area varied considerably from 2,351.6 kg at Wewak to only 312.8 kg at Manus this may be said to reflect the varied bottom-fishing effort from site to site as the CPUE figures for each area were fairly similar. In fact, if the unsaleable portion of each catch is excluded the variation in catch rates between the three areas was no more than 0.8 kg/reel hour, as shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Catch rates recorded for the saleable dropline catch at each area

Location Effort Saleable catch CPUE (line hours) No. Weight (kg) (kg)

Kimbe 120.0 328.0 829.1 6.9

Manus 49.0 94.0 300.8 6.1

Wewak 337.0 817.0 2,113.2 6.3

TOTAL 506.0 1,239.0 3,243.1 6.4

Table 5 summarises overall catch and effort by droplining at each area and Table 6 catch rates recorded by droplining at other selected Pacific countries and territories visited by the DSFD Project.

Table 5: Summary of catch and effort by droplining at each area.

Catch Location No of Fishing Effort Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE trips hours (line No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) hours) (kg) (kg)

Kimbe 11 60.0 120.0 328 829.1 27 464.0 1,293.1 10.8

Manus 4 23.0 49.0 94 300.8 2 12.0 312.8 6.4

Wewak 17 168.5 337.0 817 2,113.2 43 238.4 2,351.6 7.0

TOTAL 32 251.5 506.0 1,239 3,243.1 72 714.4 3,957.5 7.8 Note : If sharks are excluded from the catch, CPUE = 6.4 If sharks and other locally unsaleable species are excluded, CPUE = 6.4 13

Table 6: Deep-bottom fishing catch rates recorded by the DSFDP at selected Pacific countries and territories

Country or Catch per unit of effort territory Fishing area Year of visit All species Excluding sharks

Papua West New Britain 1984 (this visit) 10.8 6.9 New Guinea

" " Manus " " 6.4 6.1 " " East Sepik " " 7.0 6.3

Vanuatu Tanna 1979 2.7 2.5 " Efate 1983 6.6 6.1 " Malekula " 2.0 2.0 " Epi " 3.6 3.3 " Paama " 6.7 6.5 " Espirito Santo " 9.2 7.8

Fiji Vanua Balavu 1981/82 32.9 9.2 " Lakemba " 9.6 6.7 " Southern Lau " 12.3 9.4 " Labasa 1984/85 10.8 6.3

New Caledonia Lifou 1979 7.5 7.2 " " Isle of Pines " 7.8 7.1

A total of 180.4 kg of bait was used during deep-bottom droplining operations resulting in a catch per kg of bait for all species of 21.9 kg or 18.0 kg for saleable species only.

4.3 Trolling

Trolling was the primary fishing activity conducted during operations along the south-west coast of West New Britain and during the early part of the visit to Wewak, and was conducted otherwise either opportunistically during transit to and from bottom-fishing sites or specifically to capture bait supplies.

Trolling lines were of fixed length and rigged directly from the trolling booms. Each line consisted of a boat length of 6 mm diameter braided cord fitted with a length of rubber shock-cord spliced into it and with a clip swivel fixed to the trailing end. A 25 m length of multi-strand galvanized steel wire (Bowden cable) was attached to the clip swivel. This wire terminated with a 5 mm torpedo swivel to serve as the attachment point for leaders and traces. Traces were most often made up from monofilament steel wire (piano wire) and fitted with a variety of lures or dressed baits. Wire knots were whipped by hand.

When rigging these lines for sub-surface trolling a chain of three torpedo shaped leads threaded onto a length of wire was fitted to the lines at the end of the galvanized wire length. Figure 8 shows the knots used to rig the wire and Figure 9 illustrates the rigging of a garfish bait.

14

Figure 8: Knots used to rig wire

Figure 9: Rigging a garfish bait for trolling 15

Most effort was devoted to trolling for Spanish mackerel (Scomberamorus commerson) along the line of the outer reef ‘drop-off’, where the reef slope descends into deep water. This line was identified visually in clear waters or by echo-sounding where necessary. Although the depth of water under the fishing craft will vary considerably according to the gradient of the reef-slope, the 30–40 m bottom contour is usually most productive. A line was trolled from each boom and one or two lines directly from the vessel's stern. When targeting Spanish mackerel, lures or dressed baits were rigged on wire traces, often with one of the boom lines weighted to present the lure or bait further beneath the surface. When targeting smaller species such as mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis), smaller lures were rigged on monofilament nylon leaders.

Some care is necessary when handling wire lines and gloves should always be worn. When hauling hooked fish the wire should be taken between thumb and index finger, the palm then rolled down and back toward the body to form a wrap across the back of the hand, two such wraps may be necessary to hold larger fish. If it becomes necessary to release the wire a quick twist of the wrist, leaving the fingers pointing in line with the wire, will free the hand cleanly. Once toothed fish such as Spanish mackerel or barracuda were brought alongside, a wrap was taken as close to the head as possible without danger and the fish either gaffed, if large, or lifted directly into the killing box.

The overall troll catch consisted of 206 fish with a combined weight of 908.6 kg, including an unsaleable component of 110.0 kg. West New Britain was the most productive area; the 147 saleable fish taken there totaled 649.7 kg and accounted for 81.4 per cent of the saleable catch from all locations. The unsaleable portion of the troll catch was all taken in this area and consisted of 8 sharks.

Less effort was devoted to trolling at Manus and at Wewak and both catches and catch rates recorded at these areas were considerably lower than at West New Britain as summarised in Table 7.

Table 7: Summary of troll catch and effort at each area

Catch Location No of Fishing Effort Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE trips hours (line No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) hours) (kg) (kg)

Kimbe 11 94.5 283.5 147 649.7 8 110.0 759.7 2.7

Manus 4 8.0 22.5 2 6.8 0 0.0 6.8 0.3

Wewak 17 76.5 207.0 49 142.1 0 0.0 142.1 0.7

TOTAL 32 178.5 513.0 198 798.6 8 110.0 908.6 1.8 Note : If sharks are excluded from the catch, CPUE = 1.6 If sharks and other locally unsaleable species are excluded, CPUE = 1.6

Spanish mackerel was the species targeted during the majority of trolling trips and the 384.2 kg landed accounted for 47.4 per cent by weight of the saleable catch from all locations. Barracudas and sea-pikes were next most significant, with a total weight of 163.8 kg (20.5% of the saleable total), followed by jacks and trevallies with 157.6 kg landed (19.7% of the saleable total). The species composition of the overall troll catch by location is detailed in Appendix 2B.

4.4 Vertical longlining and mid-water shark fishing

A 15 hook vertical longline was used on occasion during FAD-fishing trials in the Wewak area. The mainline was of 6 mm Kuralon (Japanese longline cord) and snoods were made up from 5 m lengths of 130 kg test monofilament nylon fitted with tuna circle hooks and longline clips. The snoods were clipped to the mainline at 15 m intervals during setting. A 2–4 kg sinker was employed to hold the line vertically and it was supported at the surface with three longline floats fixed at 15 m intervals to a surface line. Once set the vertical longline was tethered to the FAD, some 50 m down-current. Figure 10 shows the arrangement of this line. A drifting shark line was also used occasionally during FAD fishing. This is illustrated in Figure 11.

16

Figure 10: Vertical longline gear arrangement

Figure 11: Drifting shark line

The FADs had been in place for less than two months and the results of the vertical longlining trials indicated that the deep-swimming tunas targeted by this method had not then gathered in the area. Some baitfishes and juvenile mackerel tuna were observed but the catch taken consisted only of sharks, nine by vertical longlining and one with the mid-water single-hook shark line. These sharks were killed and bled and carried to shore for experimental processing. Table 8 summarises the catch and effort by these techniques while Appendix 2C gives a breakdown of the species composition. 17

Table 8: Summary of catch and effort for vertical longlining and mid-water shark fishing at Wewak

Catch Fishing No of Fishing Effort Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE method trips hours (line No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) hours) (kg) (kg)

Vertical 2 26.5 55.5 0 0.0 9 161.0 161.0 2.9 longline

1.5 M-water shark line 1 1.5 0 0.0 1 17.0 17.0 11.3

TOTAL 3 28.0 57.0 0 0.0 10 178.0 178.0 3.1 M-water shark line = Mid-water shark line

5. FISHING AREAS

5.1 West New Britain Province (Kimbe)

Figure 12 shows the area of the coast of West New Britain fished by the DSFD Project. The Masterfisherman worked in consultation with the management of the Coastal Fisheries Station at Kimbe and was accompanied by a counterpart fisheries officer during all trips. Under the local fisheries development programme a number of powered craft are employed in visiting villages along the coast encouraging the development of artisanal fisheries through demonstration and through co- operative fishing efforts with villagers. These craft are supported by a ‘mother’ vessel which carries marketable catches back to Kimbe for sale and supplies ice and other logistical support. Prior to the DSFD Project visit most fishing effort was devoted to beach-seining with village canoes, the powered craft and the ‘mother’ vessel working together.

Figure 12: Area of West New Britain Province fished.

18

During the Masterfisherman's stay a similar programme was followed with the fishing craft employed moving from anchorage to anchorage conducting local fishing trials and conducting training sessions for villagers with intermittent support by the mother vessel.

The island is mountainous and fringed by mangrove swamps. Numerous coral reefs and patches occur along the coast, extending up to 40 km seaward in some places. Extensive shallows are associated with these reef-systems and deep-bottom fishing grounds were generally located up to 25 km offshore. Trolling was conducted around the reef systems and along the outer reef edge. Weather conditions were generally favourable, though occasional 20 knot north-west winds hampered some fishing activities.

Deep-bottom fishing grounds located were quite productive and a satisfactory catch rate recorded although sharks interfered with fishing; on a number of occasions only one in three hooked fish were boated before being taken by sharks. Some trips were cut short despite good catches due to a lack of ice to hold the fish in good condition.

Trolling trials indicated that the area is likely to be productive for coastal pelagic species if sufficient effort were devoted to this technique, especially during the reported peak Spanish mackerel season from October to December. Sharks once again interfered with fishing, though to a lesser degree than during deep-bottom fishing operations. Table 9 summarises catches and effort by each fishing method in the West New Britain area and trip records are detailed in Appendix 3A.

Table 9: Summary of catches and effort by each fishing method at West New Britain

Catch Fishing No of Fishing (line Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE method trips hours hours) No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

Droplining 11 60.0 120.0 328 829.1 27 464.0 1,293.1 10.8

Trolling 11 94.5 283.5 147 649.7 8 110.0 759.7 2.7

TOTAL 11 154.5 475 1,478.8 35 574.0 2,052.8

5.2 Manus Province (Lorengau)

Figure 13 shows the area off Manus Island fished during this visit. The island is mountainous and elongated along its east-west axis. Mangrove swamps fringe the coast and a barrier reef, which lies well offshore, forms large lagoon areas, particularly in the north. At the time of this visit, the newly established Coastal Fisheries Station at Lorengau was still in the process of developing a local fisheries programme and associated operational difficulties determined that, in consultation with Fisheries Division management, this part of the visit was cut short.

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Figure 13: Manus Province fishing area.

Five trips were completed, two originating at Lorengau and three to fish in the area of offshore islands, in company with the local fisheries support vessel. Although only limited fishing effort could be recorded the results indicated that the area may have good deep-bottom fishing potential. The catch rate of 6.4 kg/reel hour was satisfactory and 96.2 per cent of the catch was locally saleable. Trolling results were poor, only two fish being taken during 8 line hours of fishing effort. Table 10 summarises catches and effort by each fishing method and trip records are detailed in Appendix 3B.

Table 10: Summary of catch and effort by each fishing method at Manus

Catch Fishing No. of Fishing Effort Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE method trips hours (line No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) hours) (kg) (kg)

Droplining 4 23.0 49.0 94 300.8 2 12.0 312.8 6.4

Trolling 4 8.0 22.5 2 6.8 0 0.0 6.8 0.3

TOTAL 5* 31.0 96 307.6 2 12.0 319.6 * Some trips combined more than one fishing method

5.3 East Sepik Province (Wewak)

Figure 14 shows the area of East Sepik Province fished during this visit. The Project was based at Wewak on the north coast of the New Guinea mainland, 80 km west of the mouth of the Sepik River. The Wallis Shouten Island group lies in an arc some 50–60 km offshore and creates an extensive area of sheltered waters.

20

Figure 14: East Sepik Province area fished.

The early part of the visit was devoted to the rigging and deployment of two FADs (described in Section 3.2) deployed in shallow waters in an attempt to congregate schools of small mackerel tuna and fregate mackerel, known to frequent the area.

Deep-bottom droplining was conducted at several sites along the coast and during two resource survey and training trips to Wallis and Vokeo Islands. Overall CPUE for this technique was 7.0 kg/reel hour with the best catch rate recorded at Vokeo Island where the large individual size of fish taken resulted in a CPUE of more than 10 kg/reel hour. Strong currents hampered fishing operations at all sites, particularly near straits between islands.

The work programme for the Wewak area envisaged that major effort would be devoted to a troll survey of coastal pelagic fish resources but, as early trials indicated that the primary target species, Spanish mackerel, were seasonally scarce, trolling effort was reduced in favour of more extensive deep-bottom fishing operations.

During the latter part of the visit experimental vertical longlining trials were conducted in the vicinity of the recently deployed FADs. Although baitfishes and juvenile tunas were observed to have gathered at these FADs the larger deep-swimming tunas targeted by this fishing technique were not evident, and the catch consisted entirely of sharks. One shark was also taken with the mid-water shark line which was set in an attempt to keep sharks from the vertical longline. Juvenile mackerel tuna and yellowfin tuna with weights of 0.2–0.4 kg were taken around the FADs with light trolling gear. Table 11 summarises catches and effort by each fishing method and trip records are detailed in Appendix 3C. 21

Table 11: Summary of catch and effort by each fishing method at Wewak

Catch Fishing No of Fishing Effort Saleable Unsaleable Total CPUE method trips hours (line No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (kg) hours) (kg) (kg)

Droplining 17 168.5 337.0 817 2,113.2 43 238.4 2,351.6 7.0

Trolling 17 76.0 207.0 49 142.1 0 0.0 142.1 0.7

Vertical 2 26.5 55.5 0 0.0 9 161.0 161.0 2.9 longlining

Mid-water 1 1.5 1.5 0 0.0 1 17.0 17.0 11.3 shark line

TOTAL 17* 272.5 866 2,255.8 53 416.4 2,671.7 * All trips combined more than fishing method

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 General

The catches recorded by the Project indicated the presence of significant deep-bottom fish resources in all three areas visited. Catch rates compared well with results obtained elsewhere in the Pacific and high value species occurred in adequate proportion, with only a small unsaleable component. No ciguatoxicity was noted in species taken and there were indications that sharks, though then unsaleable, could be sold if properly processed and marketed. Although troll catches were poor it appeared likely that this fishing activity would be seasonally productive, for example during the Spanish mackerel season from October to December.

6.2 Commercial potential

Although deep-bottom catches were taken from virtually unexploited stocks and it is probable that catch rates would ultimately decline under increased fishing pressure, the extensive grounds noted which are likely to have good bottom-fishing potential and the relatively scattered populations likely to exploit these resources indicate that a number of small-scale operations could enter the fishery productively, most probably on a village co-operative basis. Whether or not such operations could become economically viable is less certain.

At Manus and in West New Britain it was apparent that commercial village fishing activities were heavily dependent on the support of the local Coastal Fisheries Station’s fisheries development programmes. Although villagers could fish for local consumption using their own canoes for activities such as shallow-water handlining, the lack of powered craft, holding facilities or preservation techniques, and the distance to markets virtually precluded independent commercial fishing.

Under the Coastal Fisheries Station’s programmes powered fishing craft complete with boat captains, fishing gear, and the logistical support of a mother vessel, were made available to isolated areas periodically to give villagers an opportunity to derive cash income from fishing. Villagers fishing from their own canoes or from Fisheries craft were paid for their contribution to the catches loaded on the mother vessel for transport to market. Prices paid for fish ranged form 35–50 toea/kg depending on species and although this arrangement provided a fair return for participating village fishermen enthusiasm for such schemes was only sporadic. At the same time the programmes’ operational expenses required substantial government subsidy.

The situation at Wewak was quite different by virtue of the presence of a considerable market for fish at this populous centre. The Project fished from a vessel supplied by the local Fisheries Division 22 research programme with the stipulation that catches be landed and sold to Wama Marine, a Provincial Government marketing authority. A number of local fishermen were regularly engaged in deep-bottom fishing by handline from powered canoes and it is considered that catch rates recorded by the Project indicated that a local commercial deep-bottom fishery could well be developed.

Table 12 details the operational expenses and income recorded for the Project's fishing operations at Wewak as an indicator of the economics of small-scale fishing endeavour in this area.

Table 12: Income and expenditure recorded over 17 trips at Wewak

Item Income (Kina) Expenditure (Kina)

2255.3 kg of saleable fish less 20% for gilling and 1,804.20 gutting = 1804.2 kg at Kina 1.00/kg

Fuel - 615 l at 50/toea/l 307.50

Ice - average 10 blocks/trip x 17 trips at 170.00 Kina 1.00/block

Bait - 129 kg at Kina 1.20/kg 154.80 154.80

Gear repair and boat maintenance estimated 200.00

TOTAL 1804.20 832.30

TOTAL SURPLUS 971.90

Note: This table takes no account of wages or catch sharing for skipper and crew, nor of possible boat purchase loan repayments. The sale price for fish is based on the average price on offer for mixed species at the time of the visit and bait is calculated at its saleable value.

It may be expected that a commercial fishing operation, free of the restraints imposed by the Project's survey and training programme, and with an accumulation of local fishing knowledge and a regularised supply of suitable bait, would improve on the catch rates recorded by the Project. Proper processing and marketing of the shark by-catch might also increase returns.

6.3 Development restraints

A number of restraints were noted which have the potential to hinder the development of commercial fishing activities in the three regions visited. Some of these restraints may also discourage increased subsistence fishing efforts. The most significant restraint concerns the recognition of traditional fishing rights as well beyond inshore waters and the reef flats. Fishermen are generally restricted by this exclusion to fishing in areas along the outer reef slope or offshore only in the areas adjacent to their home territory. Such restriction would be likely to interfere with operators wishing to fish commercially on the best grounds within the range of their vessels.

Other significant restraints relate to the difficulties in providing technical and material support to generally inexperienced fishermen in remote areas. At Manus and in West New Britain the distance of fishing areas from substantial markets, and local agricultural traditions have been recognised as major factors discouraging more widespread and efficient village fishing endeavours. Attempts to encourage village fisheries have been based on providing intermittent opportunities for villagers to derive cash income through participation in Coastal Fisheries Station fishing programmes. The general failure of these programmes to generate self-sustaining commercial fishing operations has been, abetted by a scarcity of suitable powered fishing craft, the technical expertise to keep such craft in working order, and a lack of handling or preservation facilities at fishing sites, so that fish could only be caught and sold while a collection vessel was in the area. In West New Britain the apparently arbitrary movements of the collection vessel and inconsistency in fishing arrangements established by different fisheries officers led to confusion among local fishermen and ultimately less fishing effort.

23

In all areas a scarcity of effective, low cost fishing gear, and inexperience in efficient commercial fishing techniques have all served to discourage commercial endeavours.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 Fishing rights

The present recognition of traditional fishing rights over the outer reef slope and offshore should be reviewed by the National and Provincial Governments, and attempts made to encourage the negotiation of fishing access agreements between neighbouring areas. Some Pacific Governments have introduced legislation to give wider access to their areas to artisanal fishermen with some success, while still recognising the basic rights of traditional owners to manage the exploitation of their resources.

7.2 Boats and equipment

In order to foster real progress in village-based subsistence and commercial fisheries, suitable fishing craft and gear must be made more widely available, at prices or under schemes of assisted purchase which will allow willing groups who lack capital to acquire such basic fishing equipment.

Although much work has been done in the development of appropriate fishing craft designs and boat- building endeavours established much more emphasis and resources should be devoted to this aspect of fisheries development. The 7.3 m ‘Sandskipper’ catamaran design and the FAO design 9.7 m canoe should be tested extensively, and if found appropriate, put into production.

Irrespective of which vessel type is deemed most suitable the availability of fuel, oil and grease, and engine spares will affect the efficiency of local fishing operations. Problems of availability of such basic supplies will be most pronounced in the more remote areas and will be compounded if a variety of engine makes and models come into general use. In conjunction with the development of a locally appropriate fishing craft some attention should be paid to selecting and promoting the use of a standard engine type and in maintaining stocks of appropriate spares. Regional motor repair workshops and travelling mechanics, and the conduct of maintenance and repair training sessions should support the distribution of fishing craft. Equipment such as FAO design wooden handreels, trolling booms, and grapnel anchor could be locally manufactured and supplied as standard equipment for fishing boat purchases.

7.3 Financial support

As development capital is unlikely to be available in some village situations it is likely that financial support will have to be made available to encourage groups inexperienced in fishing or business management to commit themselves to the purchase of boats and equipment.

Attempts should be made to determine the most appropriate means of financial support within the framework of present budgets, some options would include:

– low interest or interest free loans;

– subsidised boat construction;

– user participation schemes (whereby potential fishermen assist in construction of vessels and gear under expert guidance); and 24

– aid-in-kind grants (engines, boats or fishing gear supplied under aid project funding or in place of fishing access fees).

The establishment of viable commercial fishing operations will also likely require a good deal of managerial support and advice. The most appropriate means to this end may be by establishing village fishing co-operatives and either training selected members in management practices or supplying trained personnel to work with such groups.

7.4 Fish handling and marketing

The development of commercial fisheries in remote areas will always rely on the ability to land catches in good condition at regional centres where a market for the product exists. The system of collection by mother vessels will remain important but, in order that village fishermen will gain confidence in this system, collection schedules should be regularised, as should buying standards. Lists of acceptable species, cleaning requirements and prices should be established, broadcast and adhered to, as the market allows.

More effort should be devoted to landing and marketing catches at regional centres in fresh chilled condition, rather than freezing which is the common practice at present. Chilled fish are a superior product and may be marketed more profitably with little extra effort.

Some regional fish marketing authorities appear to compete for the same Highland markets at present, and price-cutting has occurred. This situation should be rationalised so that fish from each centre are offered at similar prices. The more enterprising marketing authorities might be encouraged to attempt shipping prime species to the larger mainland centres where premium prices could be asked.

The dumping of low quality imported fish on the Papua New Guinea market, while providing a cheap protein source, will restrain the development of local fisheries and the marketing of local fish products. The national government may consider reviewing this situation, perhaps with consideration given to import tariffs or quota arrangements whereby importers are required to buy an equal amount of local fish products. Such steps should take account of the local industry's ability to replace the protein value of imported fish and any corrective measures should be phased in gradually so that reasonably priced fish products remain widely available.

In areas where collection of fish can only be sporadic, Fisheries Division should encourage the development of simple preservation techniques such as smoking, salting, and drying, and assist with promoting the marketing of such products.

7.5 Diversification of fisheries

The many different coastal types on Papua New Guinea and the broad range of adjacent marine environments suggests that fishing techniques which are successful in one area may not be suited to another. Fisheries Division should make efforts to diversify the range of village fishing activities and attempt to identify most locally productive techniques. A vigorous FAD deployment and maintenance programme would be an important component of such endeavours.

7.6 Specific recommendations for West New Britain

To eliminate the confusion over coastal fisheries station visits, fishing co-ordinators in the field should be consistent in the arrangement of fishing programmes. Co-ordinators could remain on station for four to six weeks with a one-week overlap to allow the new man time to familiarise himself with established operations. Village groups should be encouraged to purchase their own beach-seine nets and maintain them, perhaps with financial assistance at the outset or under time payment arrangements. This would have the effect of encouraging a degree of self-reliance and responsibility for gear as well as lowering programme costs. 25

7.7 Specific recommendations for the Wewak area

If all fish must continue to be sold through the Provincial Governments’ Wama Marine, then it is important that management has a good background in fish handling, processing and marketing.

The boat-building programme which closed down at the time of this visit should be re-activated under the supervision of an experienced boat-builder.

Due to the relatively gradual bottom slopes in this area it may be useful to experiment with bottom- longlining gear.

The FAD programme should be maintained and monitored to determine whether catches improve through the year or whether their location in the path of debris carried out of the Sepik River is unsuitable.

The bottom droplining training programme should be continued and extended to areas along the west coast where this type of fishing is not presently conducted.

8. CONCLUSION

The development of village fisheries throughout Papua New Guinea presents a complex and challenging task for both the Provincial and the National Governments. While fish resources appear to be abundant in many areas the restraints noted in this report, and others, has long meant that local marine resources have been underexploited.

Effective fisheries development programmes will likely be based on the twin principles of assisting villagers derive more food from their adjacent inshore areas and for artisanal fisheries pursuits to be perceived as a means of generating cash income.

The fisheries development programmes operating in the areas visited by the DSFD Project appear soundly based, and with continued government support and competent management may be expected to play an effective role in fostering greater local participation in inshore fisheries.

9. REFERENCES

Anon, (1986). South Pacific Economies 1982. Statistical Summary. Noumea, New Caledonia South Pacific Commission.

Anon, (1981). Pacific Islands Yearbook. Fourteenth edition. Sydney, Australia. Pacific Publications Ltd.

Anon, (1986). Atlas of the South Pacific Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Government Printing Office.

Chapman, L. & T. Fusimalohi. (1998). Report on second visit to three locations in Papua New Guinea (23 January – 2 May 1982). Capture Section, Unpublished Report No. 19. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia.

Fusimalohi T. & J. Crossland, (1980). Report on the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project in Papua New Guinea. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. 14 p.

Preston & al. (1987). Trolling Techniques for the Pacific Islands. A Manual for Fishermen. Handbook No. 28. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. 26

Tuna Programme (1983). An assessment of the skipjack and baitfish resources of Papua New Guinea. Skipjack survey and assessment programme. Final country report No. 12. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission.

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APPENDIX 1

STANDARD FORM USED FOR DATA COLLECTION

29

APPENDIX 2A

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE DROPLINE CATCH AT EACH LOCATION

FAMILY KIMBE MANUS WEWAK TOTAL Species No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight English name (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) DEEP-WATER SNAPPERS

LUTJANIDAE (sub-families ETELINAE, APSILINAE)

Aphareus rutilans Small-tooth jobfish/silvermouth 6 7.4 2 11.7 39 109.5 47 128.6

Aprion virescens Green jobfish 1 3.5 1 3.5

Etelis carbunculus Short-tailed red snapper 26 122.7 8 69.3 36 191.6 70 383.6

Etelis coruscans Longtail snapper 5 7.4 3 9.5 8 16.9

Etelis radiosus Pale snapper 2 0.9 4 10.6 6 11.5

Paracaesio kusakarii Saddled fusilier 1 1.3 3 8.6 4 9.9

Paracaesio stonei Stones fusilier 1 2.0 10 15.9 11 17.9

Pristipomoides amoenus Flower snapper 3 1.1 1 0.2 3 1.1 7 2.4

Pristipomoides auricilla Gold-tailed jobfish 1 0.3 1 0.4 2 0.7

Pristipomoides filamentosus Rosy jobfish 1 1.5 31 55.7 32 57.2

Pristipomoides flavipinnis Yellow jobfish 21 17.7 6 6.7 3 2.1 30 26.5

Pristipomoides multidens Large-scale jobfish 65 181.7 9 20.3 278 549.3 352 751.3

Pristipomoides typus Pink jobfish 43 84.3 43 84.3

Pristipomoides zonatus Banded flower snapper 20 15.6 8 9.2 6 4.6 34 29.4

Sub-total 151 359.3 36 121.2 460 1,043.2 647 1,523.7

30

SHALLOW-WATER SNAPPERS

LUTJANIDAE (sub-family LUTJANINAE)

Lutjanus argentimaculatus Mangrove jack 5 19.4 4 15.5 9 34.2 18 69.1

Lutjanus bohar Red bass 42 101.7 20 74.5 15 68.4 77 244.6

Lutjanus erythropterus Saddled-tail sea perch 39 93.0 39 93.0

Lutjanus gibbus Paddletail 31 19.8 3 2.1 1 0.9 35 22.8

Lutjanus malabaricus Scarlet sea perch 17 31.1 17 31.1

Lutjanus rivulatus 2 9.5 3 11.5 5 21 striped-faced snapper

Lutjanus rufolineatus Rufous sea perch 1 0.2 3 0.6 4 0.8

Lutjanus temorensus Blood snapper 9 13.3 3 6.1 58 79.9 70 99.3

Lutjanus spp. Unidentified snapper 1 3.1 2 8.2 3 11.3

Sub-total 89 163.7 32 101.5 147 327.8 268 593.0

EMPERORS

LETHRINIDAE

Gnathodentex mossambicus Large-eye sea bream 26 34.3 64 89.6 90 123.9

Gymnocranius greseus Sea bream 1 0.8 1 0.8

Gymnocranius robinsoni Striped-faced sea bream 1 1.3 2 3.0 3 4.3

Lethrinus kalopterus Orange spotted emperor 1 1.3 6 6.1 2 3.3 9 10.7

Lethrinus microdon Emperor 2 2.9 2 2.9

Lethrinus miniatus Long-nose emperor 5 9.8 2 4.6 6 20.1 13 34.5

Lethrinus spp Unidentified emperor 3 1.0 3 1.0

Sub-total 35 46.4 9 12.0 77 119.7 121 178.1

31

GROUPERS, CODS AND CORAL TROUTS

SERRANIDAE

Cephalopholis argus Peacock rock cod 1 1.0 1 1.0

Cephalopholis sexmaculatus Black-banded rock cod 3 1.2 3 1.2

Cephalopholis spp. Unidentified rock cod 1 0.2 1 0.2 Epinephelus amblyechalus Rock cod 3 3.5 3 3.5

Epinephelus areolatus Spotted cod 2 1.0 2 1.0

Epinephelus chlorostigma Brown-spotted grouper 2 1.9 1 1.5 3 3.4

Epinephelus cometae Snakeskin grouper 1 1.9 1 1.9

Epinephelus magniscuttus Large-scaled grouper 2 8.0 2 8.9 4 16.9

Epinephelus malabaricus Flowery grouper 1 14.0 1 7.6 2 21.6

Epinephelus microdon Marbled cod 2 9.5 2 9.5

Epinephelus miliaris Grouper 1 1.1 1 1.4 2 2.5

Epinephelus morrhua Curve-banded grouper 10 17.5 4 7.5 19 28.2 33 53.2

Epinephelus septemfasciatus Seven-banded grouper 4 71.0 5 215.5 9 286.5

Epinephelus tauvina Grouper 1 4.5 9 48.0 10 52.5

Epinephelus spp Unidentified grouper 1 6.7 1 16.5 2 23.2

Plectropomus oligacanthus Coral trout 1 1.3 1 1.3

Plectropomus spp. Unidentified trout 1 1.0 1 1.0

Variola albimarginatus Coronation trout 1 0.4 2 0.7 3 1.1

Variola louti Luna-tail trout 1 1.5 1 1.5

Sub-total 23 110.8 11 37.6 50 334.6 84 483.0

32

JACKS AND TREVALLIES

CARANGIDAE

Caranx lugubris Black trevally 1 6.0 3 8.9 4 14.9

Caranx melampygus Blue trevally 1 1.8 1 1.8

Caranx sexfasciatus Bigeye trevally 10 17.3 13 35.1 23 52.4

Caranx tille Trevally 17 50.4 17 50.4

Elegatis bipinnulatus Rainbow runner 8 18.6 8 18.6

Seriola rivoliana Deep-water amberjack 8 53.3 2 14.3 23 109.6 33 177.2

Sub-total 19 76.6 2 14.3 65 224.4 86 315.3

MACKERELS AND TUNAS

SCOMBRIDAE

Gymnosarda unicolor Dogtooth tuna 3 63.0 1 5.0 4 68.0

Sub-total 3 63.0 1 5.0 4 68.0

OILFISH AND SNAKE MACKERELS

GEMPYLIDAE

Thyrsitoides marleyi Snake mackerel 2 8.9 2 8.9

Sub-total 2 8.9 2 8.9

SOLDIERFISH, SQUIRRELFISH AND GLASSEYES

HOLOCENTRIDAE

Adioryx spinifer Squirrelfish 4 2.2 4 2.2

Ostichthys japonicus Deep-water squirrelfish 1 0.4 1 0.4

Sub-total 5 2.6 5 2.6

33

BARRACUDAS AND SPIKES

SPHYRAENIDAE

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 1 9.5 1 9.5

Sphyraena forsteri Forster’s seapike 1 0.9 1 0.9

Sphyraena jello Yellow-tail seapike 1 4.0 11 45.8 12 49.8

Sub-total 2 4.9 1 9.5 11 45.8 14 60.2

MISCELLANEOUS BONY FISHES

FAMILY UNKNOWN

Argyrops bleekeri 1 1.1 1 1.1

Canthiderris spp. 3 4.7 3 4.7

Lipocheilus carnolabrum 1 1.8 5 11.6 6 13.4

Sub-total 1 1.8 3 4.7 6 12.7 10 19.2

SHARKS

CARCHARHINIDAE

Carcharhinus albimarginatus Silver-tip reef shark 13 279.0 2 12.0 10 142.5 25 433.5

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchus Black-tip reef shark 13 179.0 1 18.0 14 197.0

Carcharhinus plumbeus Reef shark 2 25.0 2 25.0

Galeocerda cuiveri Tiger shark 1 4.0 1 4.0

Triaenodon obesus White-tip reef shark 5 7.0 5 7.0

Unidentified reef shark 15 13.0 15 13.0

HEXANCHIDAE

Hexanchus spp. Six-gill shark 1 6.0 3 16.5 4 22.5

SQUALIDAE

Squalus spp. Spiny dog shark 4 3.5 4 3.5

Sub-total 27 464.0 2 12.0 41 229.5 70 705.5

TOTAL 355 1,293.1 96 312.8 860 2,351.6 1,311 3,957.5 35

APPENDIX 2B

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE TROLL CATCH AT EACH LOCATION

FAMILY KIMBE MANUS WEWAK TOTAL Species No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight English name (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

SHALLOW-WATER SNAPPERS

LUTJANIDAE

Lutjanus bohar Red bass 3 11.5 3 11.5

Sub-total 3 11.5 3 11.5

CORAL TROUTS

SERRANIDAE

Plectropomus oligacanthus Coral trout 4 13.7 4 13.7

Sub-total 4 13.7 4 13.7

JACKS AND TREVALLIES

CARANGIDAE

Caranx ignobolis Great trevally 10 69.1 10 69.1

Caranx melampygus Blue trevally 6 17.3 6 17.3

Caranx papuensis Brassy trevally 2 9.1 7 33.1 9 42.2

Caranx sexfasciatus Bigeye trevally 7 22.6 7 22.6

Caranx tille Trevally 1 3.5 1 3.5

Elegatis bipinnulatus Rainbow runner 1 2.5 1 2.5

Scomperoides tol Queenfish 1 0.4 1 0.4

Sub-total 25 118.1 10 39.5 35 157.6

36

MACKERELS AND TUNAS

SCOMBRIDAE

Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo 1 4.8 1 4.8

Grammatorcynus bicarinatus Double-lined mackerel 1 1.3 1 1.3

Gymnosarda unicolor Dogtooth tuna 2 22.5 1 3.8 3 26.3

Scomberamorus commerson Spanish mackerel 48 298.4 21 84.0 69 382.4

THUNNIDAE

Euthynnus affinis Mackerel tuna 3 10.8 8 1.9 11 12.7

Thunnus albacares Yellowfin tuna 1 11.5 9 13.0 10 24.5

Sub-total 56 349.3 1 3.8 38 98.9 95 452.0

BARRACUDAS AND SPIKES

SPHYRAENIDAE

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 4 19.6 1 3.7 5 23.3

Sphyraena bleekeri Barracuda 23 31.7 23 31.7

Sphyraena forsteri Forster’s seapike 7 6.3 7 6.3

Sphyraena qenie Dark-finned barracuda 25 99.5 1 3.0 26 102.5

Sub-total 59 157.1 1 3.0 1 3.7 61 163.8

SHARKS

CARCHARHINIDAE

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchus Black-tip reef shark 8 110.0 8 110.0

Sub-total 8 110.0 8 110.0

TOTAL 155 759.7 2 6.8 49 142.1 206 908.6

37

APPENDIX 2C

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE REMAINING CATCH AT EACH LOCATION

FAMILY KIMBE MANUS WEWAK TOTAL Species No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight No. Weight English name (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

SHARKS

CARCHARHINIDAE

Carcharhinus falciformus Silky shark 8 167.0 8 167.0

Carcharhinus spp. Shark 1 10.0 1 10.0

Unidentified reef shark 1 1.0 1 1.0

Sub-total 10 178.0 10 178.0

TOTAL 10 178.0 10 178.9

39

APPENDIX 3A

TRIP RECORDS FOR WEST NEW BRITAIN

Trip Fishing method Fishing Units of Catch * Bait Fuel No. hours effort No. Weight (kg) (l) (kg)

1. Trolling 12.5 37.5 26 124.3 Droplining 1.5 3.0 21 45.4 1.8 Total 14.0 47 169.7 1.8 50

2. Trolling 11.5 34.5 7 38.3 Droplining 7.0 14.0 15 38.3 4.0 Total 18.5 22 76.6 4.0 45

3. Trolling 13.5 40.5 23 80.8 Droplining 4.5 9.0 11 27.7 3.0 Total 18.0 34 108.5 3.0 60

4. Trolling 8.5 25.5 5 24.3 Droplining 10.0 20.0 54 187.5 7.6 Total 18.5 59 211.8 7.6 40

5. Trolling 6.5 19.5 7 42.5 Droplining 4.0 8.0 9 22.5 3.5 Total 10.5 16 65.0 3.5 50

6. Trolling 8.5 25.5 19 117.0 Droplining 4.0 8.0 34 192.5 4.0 Total 12.5 53 309.5 4.0 50

7. Trolling 6.5 19.5 4 19.0 Droplining 4.0 8.0 24 44.4 4.0 Total 10.5 28 63.4 4.0 35

8. Trolling 11.5 34.5 33 129.4 Droplining 5.5 11.0 20 50.3 4.5 Total 17.0 53 179.7 4.5 60

9. Trolling 7.5 22.5 16 47.3 Droplining 6.0 12.0 37 95.8 4.0 Total 13.5 53 143.1 4.0 35

10. Trolling 1.5 4.5 2 5.4 Droplining 5.0 10.0 18 30.3 2.0 Total 6.5 20 35.7 2.0 15

11. Trolling 6.5 19.5 5 21.4 Droplining 8.5 17.0 85 94.4 5.0 Total 15.0 90 115.8 5.0 40 Total Trolling 94.5 283.5 147 649.7 Droplining 60.0 120.0 328 829.1 43.4 Total 154.5 475 1,478.8 43.4 480 * Catch excludes sharks 41

APPENDIX 3B

TRIP RECORDS FOR MANUS

Trip Fishing method Fishing Units of Catch * Bait Fuel No. hours effort No. Weight (kg) (l) (kg)

1. Trolling 3.5 10.5 2 6.8 Droplining 3.0 8.0 21 48.4 2.5 Total 6.5 23 55.2 2.5 25

2. Trolling 2.0 6.0 0 0.0 Droplining 10.0 21.0 40 116.3 4.0 Total 12.0 40 116.3 4.0 45

3. Trolling 1.0 3.0 0 0.0 Droplining 2.5 5.0 18 52.6 2.5 Total 3.5 18 52.6 2.5 16

4. Trolling 0 0 0 0.0 Droplining 0 0 0 0.0 Total 0 0 0.0 0.0 15

5. Trolling 1.5 3.0 0 0.0 Droplining 7.5 15.0 15 83.5 4.0 Total 9.0 15 83.5 4.0 35 Total Trolling 8.0 22.5 2 6.8 Droplining 23.0 49.0 94 300.8 13.0 Total 31.0 96 307.6 13.0 136 * Catch excludes sharks 43

APPENDIX 3C

TRIP RECORDS FOR EAST SEPIK

Trip Fishing method Fishing Units of Catch Bait Fuel No. hours effort No. Weight (kg) (l) (kg)

1. Trolling 6.0 24.0 9 29.6 Droplining 9.0 18.0 35 89.7 6.0 Total 15.0 44 119.3 6.0 35

2. Trolling 5.0 15.0 3 10.8 Droplining 10.0 20.0 90 211.2 8.0 Total 15.0 93 222.0 8.0 25

3. Trolling 5.5 16.5 6 26.9 Droplining 17.5 35.0 55 150.2 11.0 Total 23.0 61 177.1 11.0 60

4. Trolling 5.0 15.0 2 9.6 Droplining 21.0 42.0 123 313.9 12.0 Total 26.0 125 323.5 12.0 40

5. Trolling 5.0 15.0 6 29.5 0.5 Droplining 11.5 23.0 102 196.8 9.0 Total 16.5 108 226.3 9.5 30

6. Trolling 4.0 12.0 0 0.0 Droplining 5.0 10.0 35 78.1 3.0 Total 9.0 35 78.1 3.0 30

7. Trolling 6.0 18.0 0 0.0 Droplining 7.5 15.0 35 94.7 8.0 Total 13.5 35 94.7 8.0 50

8. Trolling 2.5 7.5 2 18.0 Droplining 9.0 18.0 29 45.3 5.0 Total 11.5 31 63.3 5.0 30

9. Trolling 5.5 5.5 3 6.8 Droplining 10.5 21.0 30 104.0 7.0 Total 16.0 33 110.8 7.0 45

10. Trolling 4.0 4.0 0 0.0 Droplining 12.0 24.0 46 121.4 8.0 Total 16.0 46 121.4 8.0 30

11. Trolling 3.5 7.0 0 0.0 Droplining 8.0 18.0 30 58.9 3.0 Total 11.5 30 58.9 3.0 30

12. Trolling 6.5 19.5 0 0.0 Droplining 10.5 21.0 77 191.2 14.0 Total 17.0 77 191.2 14.0 50

13. Trolling 1.5 4.5 1 4.5 Droplining 15.5 31.0 61 324.8 11.5 Total 17.0 62 329.3 11.5 25

14. Trolling 4.5 9.0 0 0.0 Droplining 9.0 18.0 30 65.9 7.0 Total 13.5 30 65.9 7.0 40

44

15. Trolling 2.5 7.5 0 0.0 Droplining 2.5 5.0 2 5.2 2.0 Vertical longline 12.5 0 0.0 2.0 Total 17.5 2 5.2 4.0 25

16. Trolling 2.5 7.5 0 0.0 Droplining 8.0 16.0 17 26.1 6.0 Total 10.5 17 26.1 6.0 30

17. Trolling 6.5 19.5 17 6.4 Droplining 2.0 4.0 22 44.7 3.5 Vertical longline 14.0 0 0.0 2.0 Shark line 1.5 1.5 0 0.0 0.5 Total 24.0 39 51.1 6.0 40 Total Trolling 76.0 214.5 49 142.1 0.5 Droplining 168.5 337.0 819 2,122.1 124.0 Vertical longline 26.5 0 0.0 4.0 Shark line 1.5 1.5 0 0.0 0.5 Total 272.5 868 2,264.2 129.0 615 * Catch excludes sharks