Fiji Fisheries Resources Profiles
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FIJI FISHERIES RESOURCES PROFILES Compiled by Andrew Richards1 with contributions from Maciu Lagibalavu2, Subodh Sharma2 and Krishna Swamy2 FFA Report No.94/4 1Research Coordination Unit, Forum Fisheries Agency 2Fiji Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry PREFACE The South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) was approached by the Fiji Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests to provide technical assistance in the compilation of a set of Fisheries Resources Profiles. While no specific terms of reference were provided by the Ministry, those used for the preparation of Profiles in other FFA member countries were followed: ? With assistance from national fisheries staff, examine all closed and current files pertaining to fisheries resource matters in Fiji; ? Assess, collate and compile all written matter, data, etc., which provides information relating to resource abundance, distribution, exploitation, etc., in Fiji; ? Review existing legislation controlling the exploitation of living fisheries and marine resources in Fiji and advise on appropriate regulations for controlling the existing fisheries for those resources currently not protected; ? Based on the information examined, produce a comprehensive set of resource profiles for the fisheries and marine resources of Fiji. The report was prepared before, during and after a three week visit of FFA’s Research Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Richards to Fiji in October/November 1993. This report provides an overview of the fisheries and marine resources identified as being of importance to the commercial, artisanal and subsistence fisheries sectors in Fiji. The main purpose is to provide the basic information required to assess the current levels of exploitation, and to identify the research and management requirements for future developments. The information for each fisheries and marine resource is divided into four main areas: a brief description of the resource (the species present, their distribution, and the aspects of their biology and ecology relevant to exploitation and management); an overview of the fishery (its utilisation, production levels and marketing); the status of the stocks; and management concerns (research issues, the current legislation and policies regarding exploitation, and recommended management options). Preparation of the report was greatly facilitated by reference to previously prepared Fishery Resource Profiles (Lewis, 1985a), and to Fiji Fisheries Division Annual Reports for the years 1985-1992. Tim Adams provided useful comments on a draft of this report. The Fiji Fisheries Bibliography (McDowell et al., 1993) was an invaluable source of information. Funding for this report was provided by the International Centre for Ocean Development of Canada. Opinions, where expressed, are those of the FFA Research Coordinator and in no way reflect the policy of FFA or the Fiji Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. ii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations AUD Australian Dollar BIDC Business and Industrial Development Committee C.I.F. Cost, insurance and freight inclusive quotation CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DWFN Distant Water Fishing Nation EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone FAD Fish Aggregation Device FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FFA South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency F.O.B. Free On Board FJD Fiji Dollar FTIB Fiji Trade and Investment Board GDP Gross Domestic Product IDA Inside Demarcated Areas ICOD International Centre for Ocean Development IMR Institute of Marine Resources (USP, Fiji) IOI International Ocean Institute, South Pacific Regional Operation Centre IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature JCU James Cook University of North Queensland JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency JOCV Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests (Fiji) MMDC Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Centre MOP Mother-Of-Pearl MSP Marine Studies Programme (at USP) MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield NATCO National Trading Corporation (Fiji) NRS Naduruloulou Research Station N.Z. New Zealand ODA Outside Demarcated Areas PAFCO Pacific Fishing Company Limited (Fiji) PNG Papua New Guinea RAP Rural Aquaculture Programme SCUBA Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus SPC South Pacific Commission SPADP South Pacific Aquaculture Development Project TBAP Tuna and Billfish Assessment Programme UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme US/USA United States of America iii USD United States Dollar USP The University of the South Pacific VAT Value Added Tax YPR Yield Per Recruit iv TABLE OF CONTENTS A. BACKGROUND ..........................................................................................................xvi A.1 THE COUNTRY............................................................................................xvi A.2 THE PEOPLE................................................................................................xvi A.3 THE ECONOMY...........................................................................................xvii A.3.1 Recent Economic Performance.........................................................xvii A.3.2 Importance of foreign aid to fisheries development in Fiji .................xviii A.4 FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES ...................................................xviii A.4.1 Institutions ......................................................................................xviii Fisheries Division .....................................................................................xix South Pacific Regional Aquaculture Development Project..........................xix International Ocean Institute .....................................................................xix A.4.2 Fisheries Resources Legislation .......................................................xviii A.4.3 Educational Institutions ...................................................................xxi A.4.4 Management of Fisheries Resources ................................................xxii A.4.5 Development Plans..........................................................................xxiv A.4.6 The Fisheries...................................................................................xxiii A.4.7 Regional and international agreements relating to fisheries and marine resources ..........................................................................xxiv A.4.8 Procedures for investors ..................................................................xxiv References ................................................................................................xxvi B. FISHERIES RESOURCES PROFILES ........................................................................27 Bony fish (Osteichthyes) ....................................................................................................27 1. Estuaries and Lagoons [gusuniwai, lomaloma] .............................................................27 1.1 INSHORE FISH .............................................................................................27 1.1.1 The Resource...................................................................................27 1.1.2 The Fishery......................................................................................28 1.1.3 Stock Status.....................................................................................30 1.1.4 Management ....................................................................................30 References ................................................................................................32 1.2 MULLET [kanace] .........................................................................................33 1.2.1 The Resource...................................................................................33 1.2.2 The Fishery......................................................................................34 1.2.3 Stock Status.....................................................................................35 1.2.4 Management ....................................................................................35 References ................................................................................................36 1.3 REEF FISH ....................................................................................................38 1.3.1 The Resource...................................................................................38 1.3.2 The Fishery......................................................................................39 1.3.3 Stock Status.....................................................................................40 1.3.4 Management ....................................................................................41 References ................................................................................................42 1.4 EMPERORS...................................................................................................43 1.4.1 The Resource...................................................................................43 1.4.2