MARINE STOCK ASSESSMENT SURVEY, VANUATU 1998- 2000. COCONUT CRAB BECHE-DE-MER GIANT CLAM LOBSTER Jacob J.J. Raubani MANAGEMENT & POLICY SECTION FISHERIES DEPARTMENT VMB 9045 PORT VILA, VANUATU. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHERIES. Fisheries Technical Report. July 2003 -10- Marine Resources Stock Assessment Survey TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................................- 4 - Geography, Geology and Marine Environment....................................................................- 5 - Population ........................................................................................................................- 7 - Economy ..........................................................................................................................- 7 - The Stock Assessment Survey...........................................................................................- 7 - The Marine Resources stock assessment survey, 1998- 2000. .............................................- 7 - References........................................................................................................................- 9 - Beche-de-mer Survey, 1998- 2000..................................................................................... - 10 - Abstract...................................................................................................................... - 10 - Introduction .................................................................................................................. - 10 - Method ........................................................................................................................ - 10 - Line- Transect ......................................................................................................... - 10 - Fishery/ Production ..................................................................................................... - 11 - Status of beche-de-mer stocks..................................................................................... - 11 - Results/Discussion...................................................................................................... - 12 - Occurrence and distribution of species .................................................................... - 12 - Abundance of beche-de-mer .................................................................................... - 12 - Management of beche-de-mer ...................................................................................... - 12 - Recommendations....................................................................................................... - 13 - Conclusion.................................................................................................................. - 13 - References.................................................................................................................. - 13 - Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) survey, 1998- 2000................................................................. - 27 - Abstract...................................................................................................................... - 27 - Introduction ................................................................................................................ - 27 - Method of survey......................................................................................................... - 27 - Fishery........................................................................................................................ - 28 - Production .............................................................................................................. - 28 - Commercial............................................................................................................. - 28 - Subsistence ............................................................................................................ - 28 - Status of coconut crab stock........................................................................................ - 29 - Results/ Discussions ................................................................................................... - 29 - Calculations ............................................................................................................ - 29 - Emae....................................................................................................................... - 29 - Torres Islands ......................................................................................................... - 29 - Abundance.............................................................................................................. - 30 - Management Regulations/ Recommendations............................................................... - 30 - Conclusion.................................................................................................................. - 31 - References.................................................................................................................. - 31 - Rock Lobster survey, 1998- 2000...................................................................................... - 35 - Abstract...................................................................................................................... - 35 - Introduction ................................................................................................................ - 35 - Method........................................................................................................................ - 35 - Fishery/ Production ..................................................................................................... - 35 - Status of stock ............................................................................................................ - 35 - Results ....................................................................................................................... - 36 - Abundance.............................................................................................................. - 36 - Diversity.................................................................................................................. - 36 - Fisheries Technical Report. July 2003. - 2 - Marine Resources Stock Assessment Survey Distribution ............................................................................................................. - 36 - Discussion.................................................................................................................. - 36 - Recommended actions ............................................................................................ - 37 - Management Regulations............................................................................................. - 37 - References.................................................................................................................. - 38 - Giant Clam Survey, 1998- 2000......................................................................................... - 42 - Abstract...................................................................................................................... - 42 - Introduction ................................................................................................................ - 42 - Method........................................................................................................................ - 42 - Fishery/ Production ..................................................................................................... - 42 - Status of stock ............................................................................................................ - 43 - Results ....................................................................................................................... - 43 - Abundance.............................................................................................................. - 43 - Diversity.................................................................................................................. - 43 - Distribution ............................................................................................................. - 43 - Abundance comparisons over time .......................................................................... - 43 - Discussion.................................................................................................................. - 44 - Management Regulation/ Recommendation .................................................................. - 44 - Recommendation ........................................................................................................ - 45 - Future research ....................................................................................................... - 45 - References.................................................................................................................. - 45 - Fisheries Technical Report. July 2003. - 3 - Marine Resources Stock Assessment Survey Introduction This report presents the result of the marine stock assessment survey conducted in Vanuatu from the period between 1998- 2000 on the status, abundance, distribution and diversity of beche-de-mer, giant clam, rock lobster and Coconut crab (Birgus latro) resources in the Vanuatu archipelago. These marine resources are socially and economically vital not