Abstract
Commercial coral reef fisheries in Pohnpei (Micronesia) extract approximately 1,521 kg of reef fish daily (∼500 MT year−1) from 152 km2 of surrounding reef. More than 153 species were represented during surveys, with 25 species very common or common within combined-gear catch. Acanthurids contributed the greatest to catch volume, with bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis, and orangespine unicornfish, Naso lituratus, among the most frequently observed herbivores. Nighttime spearfishing was the dominant fishing method and inner lagoon areas were primarily targeted. A seasonal sales ban (March–April), intended to reduce pressure on reproductively active serranids, significantly increased the capture volume of other families. Catch was significantly greater during periods of low lunar illumination, suggesting higher fishing success or greater effort, or both. The marketed catch was dominated by juveniles and small adults, based on fishes of known size at sexual maturity. Artificially depressed market prices appear to be catalyzing (potential or realized) overfishing by increasing the volume of fish needed to offset rising fuel prices. These results support the need for comprehensive fisheries management that produces sustainable fishing and marketing practices and promotes shared management and enforced responsibilities between communities and the state. To be effective, management should prohibit nighttime spearfishing.
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Notes
State and federal statistics combine farmers and fishers into one statistic, such that the total number of subsistence fishers is unknown.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the generous logistic support of the Pohnpei Division of Marine Resource Development and Division of Resource Conservation, Marine Resources Committee, Pohnpei Department of Economic Development and Conservation Society of Pohnpei. Meileen Albert (CSP) provided invaluable assistance with record-keeping. Market assistance was provided by Scotty Malakai and Don Jack (DMRD), Richard Ben, and Kirino and Anson Olpet. Estimates of reef area were provided by Scott Sweet through The Nature Conservancy. Funding for the project was provided by the NOAA General Coral Reef Conservation Program (NA05NMF4631049) to the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. We also acknowledge the kind assistance of numerous fishers, market owners and staff that offered access to catch throughout the survey.
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Rhodes, K.L., Tupper, M.H. & Wichilmel, C.B. Characterization and management of the commercial sector of the Pohnpei coral reef fishery, Micronesia. Coral Reefs 27, 443–454 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-007-0331-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-007-0331-x