Local reaction: Regional approach needed
By RACHNA LAL
Tuna is an important commercial fish but increased competition for tuna is causing tension between local fishers and industrial vessels in some Pacific Islands.
Therefore, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), has been tasked by the Heads of Pacific Islands Fisheries Departments to examine this issue.
SPC in a statement says the problem occurs when industrial vessels compete with small-scale local fisheries (‘artisanal fisheries’) for the same fish, in the same area and the same season.
It is worse in areas where the industrial catch is large.
Head of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme’s Stock Assessment and Modelling group at SPC, Dr Shelton Harley, says three recent changes have the potential to cause the current concerns, including an increase in fishing activity.
“There are now fewer fish in the water to catch,” he said.
“More fish are being taken than ever before by the industrial fleet and more of the industrial catch is being taken closer to artisanal fishing grounds.
“Taken together, these three factors can bring industrial fishing operations directly into competition with artisanal operations.”
Variety of tuna targets
The statement stressed that in tropical waters, competition is for skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
“Increasing use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) means industrial vessels are accidentally catching more of the other species important to the artisanal fisheries, such as mahi mahi, wahoo and rainbow runner,” it said.
“In sub-tropical areas, industrial longline vessels target albacore tuna, but take as bycatch fish such as yellowfin and wahoo that are also important to local fishers.”
Finding a balance
Dr Harley said a balance has to be found between the interests of industrial and artisanal fisheries, and suggests a number of solutions.
“These include the establishment of industrial fishing exclusion zones, the installation of near-shore FADs to make fish more accessible to artisanal fishers, and improving our understanding of the activities of small-scale fisheries,” he said.
SPC will work individually with Pacific nations to identify the extent of the problem and the changes they can make to resolve these issues.
Dr Harley said SPC will also work with regional organisations on possible management actions.
He however said that despite the shortages artisanal fishers may be feeling, scientists’ estimates show that fish stocks are still at ‘biologically healthy’ levels.
Local reaction
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association, Russell Dunham, said the problem lies with the fact that there are more hooks in the water for the same number of fish.
Mr Dunham, who is also the chief executive of Fiji’s biggest fishing company Fiji Fish Marketing, said there are too many vessels.
He feels the efforts by SPC, which is a research-based organisation, would not be enough.
“We there to be more of a regional approach to this,” he said.
“We need members of the Pacific island countries, including the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries, to sit and look into resolving this.”
Mr Dunham said the Fijian Government has currently issued 65 vessels with fishing licence for this year, which he feels is quite a lot.
However, he acknowledged the decision indicated by Government to reduce this number to somewhere around 50 to 55 next year.
“This is a step in the right direction and the domestic industry is hopeful for a solution to this issue,” Mr Dunham said.
Fishing vessels at the Suva Port yesterday. Increased competition for tuna is causing tension between local fishers and industrial vessels in some Pacific island countries. Photo: RONALD KUMAR