Characterization and management of the commercial sector of the Pohnpei coral reef fishery, Micronesia

• Published in: Coral reefs 2008-06, Vol.27 (2), p.443-454
• Main Authors: Rhodes, K. L., Tupper, M. H., Wichilmel, C. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Coral reefs; Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.); Fisheries management; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Herbivores; Lagoons; Life Sciences; Marine; Naso lituratus; Naso unicornis; Oceanography; Overfishing; Sea water ecosystems; Sexual maturity; Sustainable fisheries; Synecology
• ISSN: 0722-4028; 1432-0975
• DOI: 10.1007/s00338-007-0331-x

Commercial coral reef fisheries in Pohnpei (Micronesia) extract approximately 1,521 kg of reef fish daily (∼500 MT year −1 ) from 152 km 2 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.