FISHERIES Fisheries in the Economies of Pacific Island Countries and Territories The benefits of fisheries to the people and economies of the Pacific region extend Territories Island Countries and of Pacific far beyond their economic returns, and managing these fisheries sustainably is important at every level. Maintaining up-to-date information about the various components of the fisheries sector is critical in enabling Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), and their communities, to make informed decisions about FISHERIES IN management of local and regional fisheries, and for a range of development THE IN organisations, institutions and donors to plan and implement effective development assistance in collaboration with PICTs. THE ECONOMIES Accessible and current fisheries data remains elusive in the Pacific region, especially in coastal fisheries, seven years on from the first edition of this work in 2009, and 15 years after the issue was raised in the 2001 Benefish study. A regional commitment to improving the collection of uniform fisheries statistics must evolve if real of Pacific Island progress is to be made in managing fisheries in the region in a coordinated and ECONOMIES sustainable way. Countries and Through the extensive field research carried out in this study, this volume provides updated, original information in a range of fisheries areas that will be extremely Territories useful for Pacific Island countries and territories and their communities, and for regional organisations, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and donors. The Pacific Community The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation supporting development in the Pacific region. It is an international organisation Robert Gillett owned and governed by its 26 members, including 22 Pacific Island countries and territories. For almost 70 years the Pacific Community has been providing the Pacific Islands region with essential scientific and technical advice and services to achieve lasting improvement in people’s lives. The Pacific Community’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, and it has regional offices in Fiji and Federated States of Micronesia, a country office in Solomon Islands, and field staff in other countries and territories. It is one of nine member agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP). SPC’s working languages are English and French. Robert Gillett [email protected] | www.spc.int Headquarters: Noumea, New Caledonia FISHERIES IN THE ECONOMIES of Pacific Island Countries and Territories Robert Gillett Noumea, New Caledonia, 2016 ii Fisheries in the Economies of Pacific Island Countries and Territories © Pacific Community (SPC), 2016 All rights for commercial/for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPC authorises the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that SPC and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for com- mercial/for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original SPC artwork may not be altered or separately published without permission. First published by the Asian Development Bank in 2009 as: “Fisheries in the Economies of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories” Second edition - 2016 Original text: English Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data Gillett, R. D. Fisheries in the Economies of Pacific Island Countries and Territories / Robert Gillett 1. Fishery management – Oceania. 2. Fisheries – Oceania. I. Gillett, R. D. II. Title III. Pacific Community 338.3720995 AACR2 ISBN: 978-982-00-1009-3 Funding This publication has been made possible with funding from the Australian Government. Disclaimer This study has been prepared by the consultant, Mr Robert Gillett, for SPC and DFAT. The study includes the views and recommendations of the consultant and does not nec- essarily reflect the views of SPC or DFAT, or indicate a commitment to any particular policies or actions While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the material appearing in this book, SPC and DFAT cannot guarantee that the information contained in the book is free from errors or omissions. SPC and DFAT do not accept any liability, contractual or otherwise, for the contents of this book or for any consequences arising from its use. Cover photos Michel Blanc (left) and Francisco Blaha (right). All rights reserved. Published by the Pacific Community, 2016 BP D5 98848, Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia www.spc.int | [email protected] Printed by Ultimo Group, Auckland, New Zealand Contents Foreword ..................................................................................................................... xi About the Author .......................................................................................................xiv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................xv Abbreviations .............................................................................................................xvii Currency Equivalents ...................................................................................................xx 1 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................1 2 Background ............................................................................................................12 3 Study Considerations and Definitions ....................................................................14 3.1 This Study ............................................................................................................14 3.2 The Study Area .....................................................................................................15 3.3 Definitions ...........................................................................................................17 4 National Accounts, GDP and Fishing ....................................................................20 4.1 National Accounting .............................................................................................20 4.2 Important Considerations for the Fishing Sector ...................................................22 5 Country /Territory Specific Information on Benefits from Fisheries ......................24 Fishery Benefits in the Independent Pacific Island Countries ...................................25 6 Cook Islands...........................................................................................................27 6.1 Volumes and Values of Fish Harvests in Cook Islands ...........................................27 6.2 Contribution of Fishing to GDP ..........................................................................36 6.3 Exports of Fishery Production ...............................................................................38 6.4 Government Revenue from Fisheries ....................................................................39 6.5 Fisheries-Related Employment ..............................................................................40 6.6 Levels of Fishery Resource Consumption ..............................................................42 6.7 Exchange Rates .....................................................................................................45 7 Federated States of Micronesia ...............................................................................46 7.1 Volumes and Values of Fish Harvests in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) .....46 7.2 Contribution of Fishing to GDP ..........................................................................59 7.3 Exports of Fishery Production ...............................................................................61 7.4 Government Revenue from Fisheries ....................................................................62 7.5 Fisheries-Related Employment ..............................................................................63 7.6 Levels of Fishery Resource Consumption ..............................................................64 7.7 Exchange Rates .....................................................................................................65 iv Fisheries in the Economies of Pacific Island Countries and Territories 8 Fiji ..........................................................................................................................66 8.1 Volumes and Values of Fish Harvests in Fiji ..........................................................66 8.2 Contribution of Fishing to GDP ..........................................................................79 8.3 Exports of Fishery Productiont .............................................................................82 8.4 Government Revenue from Fisheries ....................................................................85 8.5 Fisheries-Related Employment ..............................................................................86 8.6 Levels of Fishery Resource Consumption ..............................................................90 8.7 Exchange Rates .....................................................................................................91 9 Kiribati ...................................................................................................................92 9.1 Volumes and Values of Fish