Title
Spawning potential surveys reveal an urgent need for effective management
Author(s)
Prince, Jeremy; Lalawanua, Watisoni; Tamanitoakula, Jone; Loganimoce, Epeli; Vodivodi, Tevita; Marama, Kalisiana; Waqainabete, Pitila; Jeremiah, Frank; Nalasi, Diana; Tamata, Laitia; Naleba, Mosese; Naisilisili, Waisea; Kaloudrau, Uraia; Lagi, Lepani; Logatabua, Kalisiana; Dautei, Rosemary; Tikaram, Rahul; Mangubhai, Sangeeta
Published
2019
Publisher
SPC Fisheries Newsletter
Abstract
Since 2014, a Fijian programme of sampling reef fish catches has measured 16,404 fish from 180 species. A new stock assessment technique called length-based spawning potential ratio assessment has been applied to these data to develop stock assessments for 29 of the most common species in catches. More than half of the species (17) are assessed as having less than a 20% spawning potential ratio (SPR), an international limit reference point above which fish stocks should be maintained to minimise the risk of long-term stock decline. Fourteen of these species are estimated as having <10% SPR, the international reference point for SPRCRASH below which fish populations are expected to collapse. Closer examination of species with a low SPR suggests that speargun fishing and gillnetting are currently posing the biggest threat to reef fish sustainability in Fiji. Our results suggest an urgent need to reform the management of Fiji’s reef fish stocks so that fish are not caught before reproducing they have had a chance to replace themselves and keep populations stable. To this end, the existing regulation of minimum size limits and mesh sizes needs to be revised, and the implementation of additional restrictions on fishing methods should be considered.
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PUB27120