Coastal Fishery Report Card 2015 Photo: Quentin Hanich Quentin Photo:

Introduction This Coastal Fishery Report Card provides high-level The Roadmap anticipates a 10-year timeframe for all Pacific advice on the current status of Pacific coastal fisheries in Island countries to have put in place policies and legislation relation to the goals, indicators and strategies adopted by that provide for the involvement of coastal communities in Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in the Regional Roadmap the management of their fisheries resources. Communities for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries. Of course, not every will drive local management regimes with clear user rights, fishery issue is covered here, but the Report Card provides supported by national controls on export commodities. a snapshot that fisheries stakeholders and political leaders can use as a benchmark to gauge future progress on implementing the Roadmap. # 02 #11

# # RabbitTrochus 12 Solomon Islands The status of 01 (Siganidae) (Tectus niloticus) #04Groupers crab (Scylla serrata) sea cucumber (Epinephelidae)Parrot sh The status sea cucumber Streamlined spinefoot (Scaridae) resource status and resources (Siganus argenteus) sh of sea cucumber and fisheries and demographicCreel survey fisheries and recommendations in collaboration management with the LMMA Network (www.lmmanetwork.org) to assist people working Little spinefoot The status of with fishing communities in providing advice on appropriate fisheries management options. (Siganus spinus) These guide and information sheets have been produced by SPC ( Peacock hind resources for management (Cephalopholis argus) assessments The mangrove or mud crab, Scylla serrata, is found in Greentropical humphead and sub-tropical parrot inshore areas from Africa to the The family Siganidae Paci Species & Distribution of coastal finfishrabbit (Bolbometopon muric March 2014 Species & Distribution (EpinephelusGiant grouperlanceolatus) The shell colour c Islands. variesGoldspotted from a deep, spinefoot mottled green to very in Vanuatu in Fiji Rabbit dark brown/purple. Other related species ofsh Scylla may reef invertebrate in maze-like patterns. sh, in a singleThe genus, Siganu exist in some areas. atum) (TectusTrochus niloticus) November 2013 poison glands that are capabl The genus Species & Distribution(Siganus punctatus) sh have small mouths and man snails commonly calledMale to and female crabs can be distinguished from each ot resources and September 2013 Rabbit by the shape of the Paci The main speciesTrochus of crab;interest the contains  in many diff includes 28 species, commonly called (see illustration). c Oceans. sh are widely distributed across the niloticus (ex at Tokelau of southern Palau across the shell base) which has an off obliqueHoneycomb reddish stripes grouper and an interi ap is narrow in males and much wider in females shell. This speciesTrochus is harv niloticus), a large species (up to Steephead parrotMangrove or mud crab fisheries (Epinephelus merra) Mottled spinefoot BP D5 - 98848 Nouméa Cedex - New Caledoniawww.spc.int) for its shell which is used to make motherp shells. of pearl h Secretariat of the Pacific Community  ap (abdomen) on the underside of the (Siganus fuscescens) (Chlor d July 2013  n spines are sequipped. (the w Spotted parrot urus mirorhinos) recommendations  (Scylla serrata) Samoa e of giving a painfulone wound. of which has been drilled to produce button b erent species of sea ( ocellatus) shh © Copyright SPC, 2011 gure on the top of this page shows tw Leopard coralgrouper y species are covered Daisy parrot(Plectropomus leopardus) sh Yellow-edged lyretail The natural distribution of trochus is from the e the Paci Th (Chlorurus sordidus) for management e Locally-M Ocean to the Paci sh a ested for its  (Variola louti) nag Telephone: +687 26 20 00 species has been succe c Islands is Tectus ed M arin further Speciesto the east. In & 1957, Distribution they were intr e Ar ea There are approximately (L Facsimile: +687 26 38 18 MM to the Cook Islands and from Vanuatu to French or layer -white of thick shell pearly with A) N species vary g etwork E-mail: [email protected] large head and mouth. Indian andMany speci esh and particularly150 mm Vermiculated spinefoot Im c Ocean as far east as Fiji. However, the pro vi ith ng September 2014 The mangrove crab is found in muddy are in spots of yellow, the pra ctice o (Siganus vermiculatus)Juvenile trochus settleHabitats i with & Feeding and beds in the tidal mouths of f marine conservatio reatly but most have a wide body wi her Habitats & Feeding fisheries Adult rabbit boulders and rubble o rivers and sheltered bays. Diff ssfully transplantedshallow coral to countriesreefo trochus shells, n erent species a 2012/2013 around the world. In the Paci 160 species of groupers.Species The &Habitats Distribution buttons & Feeding The crabs burrow in the mud and generally have a restricted On atoll reefs, adult trochus tend socioeconomic generally decreases from green and brown. Many species form feeding sch home range (area over which they move toDarkcapped feed). parrot reef crest while on species are The familyareas of Scari seagrass. The key habitlanks). rabbit astern Indian down to d Mangrove crabs eat small clams, worms, shrimps, barnacles,(Scarus ovic re found in tropical andas temper inparrot spawning aggregations. sh are active in estuaries, lagoons and smallBrown-marbled grouper The giant es are well camoudae includes over 90 eps) sh sh. oduced from Fiji Trochus graze on coralsmaller,(Epinephelus and injured rocks or for nweak fuscoguttatus)intertidal mangrove reef crabs.  Juvenile mangrove found in all tropical islands. Rabbit sh are the areas (sites) at crabs are eaten by wading birdsn shallow and a wide areas range among of the largest bony  Parrot epths of about 20 m. parrot ats during the day. Adult crabs have sh, been plant found material in the stomachsand other of crabs. sharks They and also eat weighs up to into parrot-like sh have beak grouper, Epinepheluswest lanceolatus to eastcoral , butis free on important of suff food Polynesia. species of larger  survey report 50 cm long) are more importan continuallyc thelength. number on seagrass Thesh of feedlargest bed on evolvedseawespecieth a bright colours and teeth high islands, they sh, they are believed aged to be responsi communities, howev sh in the world an by a largeBolbometopon number of reef  murica  sh known 600 kg. Many of the smallerreef food groupe webs. s. Most species reach 30 sh. ats. weigh up to 46ate k waters The key Habitats & Feeding Habitatsto aggregate &along Feeding the tropical waters throug s, the green humpheadwater areas of ools and graze over large Parrot as associated

number of sp ocatingspecies g.plant Parrot growth tum , may growthe to coral 1. habitats in the life cycle of group are on reef slopes

d grows up to 3 m long and to 50 cmfused in as well as sh o are found on rock er. sh are foundwhichaggregationats they iin gather the life to breedsitescycle of Information sheets Information ecies is found in the Ind t in the catches of coastal houted and theseagrasses world and, an like reefparrot (where coral rubblethe adults (where live) the young nvery coral small reefs. plants. 3 m long, and sh, At night parrot e of the Adults ofn relatively many species shallow appea y coasts and in seagrass be ranges (areas i themselves in s. Because rabbit ian and Pacid the largest sh sleep in crevices or hole rs (40 to sh, they are importanhave a group of several (where adults gather toThe reproduce). mucus may from night-t a transparent covering or . They appear to graze c oceans. Groupers are not fastn which swimmer they live and feed) andof one parroters are the shallow repel parasites or hide the ds they oftenble for l keeping ime predators. The key hab where the sh are coral reefs an s after wrapping gills as powerful pumps to suck thei and the spawning r to have relativelysites), often small homon sh the settle), outer reef cocoon of mucus. They eat sh are eaten females in an area of reef. y gather to breed (th ie in wait for their prey or use their mouths  scent of the and spiny lobsters. sh. With their fused d, in manyitats species, in the the life areas cycle t in sh,coral small sharks, juveni  plant growth and s e spawning aggregation sh slope or in channels. s over long(zooxanthellae) distances and liv teeth, parrot surface is eaten male may ome may feed on the very e sh scrape coral to feed on plant material. Th ing within the coral. Some of t le sear turtles,preysmall from octopuses amoun crevices. and this helps with the di coral ts of foodey graze and continuall large qu small plants 90 kg ofparticles. coral particles As each each adult parrot and sand of lagoons and t antities ofgestion coral tohe of gain coralthe feeding activity also pre y release clouds of  by plants. Th year, their sh contri can produce about snappers and a ropical beaches is important e predators of parrot vents coral becoming smo ne wide range of larger reef  bution to the 2011  sh include moray .eels, Their thered

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Guide

Adequate and relevant information to inform management and policy

Goal 1 – Empowerment

The number of well-managed coastal fisheries in the and national polices. Intermediate outcomes against the Pacific islands is surprisingly small. Ineffective coastal following main result areas will be annually updated and fisheries management is a real threat to the sustainability reported to Forum Leaders: of Pacific fisheries, as it is these fisheries that currently provide Pacific islanders with most of their nutrition and i. Informed, empowered coastal communities with clearly employment from the fisheries sector. Governments defined user rights. need to establish policies and legislation that protect ii. Adequate and relevant information to inform fisheries resources and facilitate the ongoing supply of management and policy. marine foods to coastal communities. Healthy marine and coastal environments are fundamental to the long-term iii. Recognition of, and strong political commitment and sustainability of island societies, and provide the basis for support for, coastal fisheries management on a national both their livelihoods and economic development. Small and sub-national scale. pockets of effective coastal fisheries management will iv. Re-focused fisheries agencies that are transparent, not be adequate to address the deficit of well-managed accountable and adequately resourced, supporting fisheries. It will be necessary to build on successes and coastal fisheries management and sustainable to expand them to cover substantial areas of the coastal development, underpinned by CEAFM. environment. The process of scaling up actions will start The focus for achieving the empowerment goal will be on with a widespread appreciation and understanding of the preserving existing benefits (especially related to food process and benefits of a community-based ecosystem security) through better management policies, backed approach to fisheries management (CEAFM). This must be up by legal frameworks, and supported by community followed by increased support from national governments, engagement and empowerment. sub-regional and regional organisations and non- governmental organisations, in areas such as legislation Photo: Quentin Hanich Quentin Photo:

Goal 2 – Resilience Within 10 years all Forum Island Countries (FICs) will be upstream and consequent runoff effects, as well as by implementing strategies to manage the various threats to forces within the marine environment itself. The coastal coastal ecosystems. Only by conserving fisheries habitats, zones of tropical island countries include physical features controlling pollution and addressing damage from outside such as river deltas, coastal plains, wetlands, beaches, the fishing sector can we develop resilience to the impacts reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and lagoons. It of and ocean acidification. is counterproductive to address the problem of depleted coastal fish stocks by reducing fishing effort, restricting Warmer air and sea surface temperatures, ocean catches and imposing size limits, if the key threats to acidification, rising sea levels and greater rainfall are their recovery are degraded ecosystems. Intermediate expected to cause significant losses of coral reefs, outcomes against the following main result areas will be mangroves, and intertidal habitats, which annually updated and reported to Forum Leaders: provide shelter and food for coastal fish and shellfish. This is expected to cause reductions in the productivity of i. Strong and up-to-date management policy, legislation coastal fisheries. Entire islands and communities influence, and planning. or are influenced by, the biophysical characteristics, ii. Effective collaboration and coordination among human activities and ecological processes that occur in stakeholders and key sectors of influence. coastal catchments, coastal lands and coastal waters. Viewed from an ecosystem perspective, the coastal zone iii. More equitable access to benefits and decision- can be regarded as the transition zone between land and making within communities, including for women, youth sea. It is influenced by activities that affect water systems and marginalised groups.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 Overfishing of inshore marine species Sewage, nutrients entering coastal waters Pollutants, oil entering the sea from industry Pollutants, including oil from boats Pollutants, fetilisers from agriculture Garbage dumps at the edge of the sea Reclamation of land; loss of marine habitats Excessive coastal development (hotels, etc.) Silt entering coastal waters and lagoons Loss of beaches (sand mining) Loss of corals (cement, building, etc.) Environmental impacts identified Loss of corals (people on reef, gleaning, etc.) by fisheries managers in PICTs Loss of corals (coral bleaching) (from 0% = no effect, to 100% = severe effect; Destructive fishing methods (dynamite, etc.) based on questionnaires completed by heads Presence of alien and invasive species of fisheries agencies) Goal 3 – Livelihoods Policy actions and strategies that are to be reported on In most cases overfishing occurs because coastal annually to Forum Leaders will include: communities have no viable economic alternatives. i. Maintaining the contribution of coastal fisheries to food Aquaculture, water-based tourism and small-scale security – monitoring catches to keep harvests within fishing for tuna provide options, but many alternative sustainable limits and to ensure coastal developments sources of livelihoods will lie outside of the fisheries do not damage fish habitats. sector. The Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries envisages that, within 10 years, all FICs will ii. Using more of the national tuna catch to supplement have adopted policies to develop alternative livelihoods coastal fisheries production for food security. for coastal communities that are impacted by declining iii. Expanding the national infrastructure for food security fisheries resources. by installing low-cost inshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) to assist rural subsistence fishers to catch Fish is high in protein and rich in essential fatty acids and inshore pelagic fish. vitamins, and minerals such as iodine. The importance of fish in the Pacific diet, particularly for children, is iv. iIntroducing regulations for landing ‘discards’ and widely recognised. The Public Health Programme of the ‘bycatch’ from commercial tuna vessels at urban Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) advises that centres to provide low-cost fish in good condition/ up to 50 per cent of the daily protein intake recommended quality for local sales. by the World Health Organization (WHO) for good nutrition v. Diversifying the supply of fish in rural and urban areas will need to come from fish for people in the Pacific. This by developing sustainable small-pond aquaculture for means that, on average, each person in the region should freshwater fish such as Nile tilapia and milkfish. eat about 35 kilograms of fish per year. The challenge is to ensure that growing rural and urban populations continue This is the first report card for coastal fisheries, which sets to have access to fish for food. the scene and direction for future annual reporting against the identified outcomes to Forum Leaders.

MELANESIA MICRONESIA polyNESIA

14 1.0 1.0 12 0 8 0 8 10 8 0.6 0.6 6 0.4 0.4 (million) 4 0.2 2 0.2 0 0

N POP U LATIO 0 2010 2030 2010 2030 2010 2030 F ISH N EEDED 175,000 275,000 30,000 40,000 40,000 45,000 tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes .

(tonnes) Forecasts of population growth and quantity of fish needed for good nutrition in rural ( ) and urban ( ) areas of the Pacific

Produced by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

For more information: Colin Tukuitonga, Director-General, SPC – [email protected]