UNPUBLISHED REPORT No. 17 REPORT ON FOURTH VISIT TO THE TERRITORY NEW CALEDONIA, AT THE BELEP ISLANDS

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1 SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION UNPUBLISHED REPORT No. 17 REPORT ON FOURTH VISIT TO THE TERRITORY OF NEW CALEDONIA, AT THE BELEP ISLANDS 18 August to 15 September 1986 by Lindsay Chapman Masterfisherman and Peter Cusack Fisheries Development Officer South Pacific Commission Noumea, New Caledonia 1998

2 ii The South Pacific Commission authorises the reproduction of this material, whole or in part, in any form, provided appropriate acknowledgement is given. This unpublished report forms part of a series compiled by the Capture Section of the South Pacific Commission s Coastal Fisheries Programme. These reports have been produced as a record of individual project activities and country assignments, from materials held within the Section, with the aim of making this valuable information readily accessible. Each report in this series has been compiled within the Capture Section to a technical standard acceptable for release into the public arena. However, they have not been through the full South Pacific Commission editorial process. This report has been produced in both French and English, with the numbering of the report being French unpublished report No.3 and English unpublished report No. 17. On 6 February 1998 the South Pacific Commission (SPC) became the Pacific Community. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (retaining the acronym SPC) is now the name for the body which administers the work program of the Pacific Community. The names have changed, the organisation and the functions continue. This report was prepared when the organisation was called the South Pacific Commission, and that is the name used in it. Please note that any reference to the South Pacific Commission, could refer to what is now the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, or, less likely, to the Pacific Community itself. South Pacific Commission BP D Noumea Cedex New Caledonia Tel.: (687) Fax: (687) capture@spc.org.nc Prepared at South Pacific Commission headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia, 1998

3 iii SUMMARY The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project operated in the Territory of New Caledonia for the fourth time between 18 August and 15 September 1986, under the supervision of SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman. The visit was made to assist the Service de la marine marchande et des pêches maritimes with a fisheries development programme to be conducted in the Belep Islands in support of a locally important Spanish mackerel (Scombermorus commerson) fishery. The work programme included the location and surveying of previously unexploited but potentially productive fishing grounds and the demonstration of gear and techniques useful in the Spanish mackerel fishery. The demonstration of other fishing methods which might have local application was also conducted, both for Belep fishermen and for fisheries service staff. A total of hours was spent engaged in fishing by a variety of methods, either in the Noumea area, en route to Belep, or at Belep. The catch by all methods totalled 3,854.4 kg, better than 80 per cent by weight of which was of locally saleable species. Spanish mackerel, the primary target species during this visit, accounted for 74 per cent by weight of the overall saleable catch. While at Belep, under arrangements organised by the Territorial fisheries service, the Project worked closely with the local Belemaf fishing co-operative. Twenty-seven of the co-operative's member fishermen participated in fishing training and demonstration trips. Apart from the identification of new fishing grounds the Project introduced new trolling techniques, including the trolling of dressed garfish (Hemiramphus spp.) baits. Other activities included trials using a ring net to capture garfish for bait use, the demonstration of deep-bottom handreel fishing and vertical longline setting, and the demonstration of proper fish handling and storage practices, both for fishermen at sea and for the operator of the co-operative's freezer plant. During the course of these activities a number of features of the fishery which might serve to restrain its further development were noted. The more important of these restraints concerned the limitations imposed by the short range capability of the fishing craft currently in use, the seasonality of the primary species targeted, the need to establish fish quality standards and regularised buying prices, and the difficulty in maintaining an economically viable freezer operation given the irregularity and comparatively low volume of catches. This report includes recommendations which may help overcome these problems and foster the further successful development of the Spanish mackerel fishery, and other fisheries, at Belep.

4 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The South Pacific Commission acknowledges with gratitude the friendly support and co-operation afforded the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project during its stay in New Caledonia. Deserving of special thanks are Mr Aymeric Desurmont, skipper of the `DAR MAD', Masterfisherman Eric Rossi, and the co-ordinator of activities at Belep Mr Bernard Fao. Each of these fisheries service staff worked long and irregular hours in support of the Project's visit and it is to them, and the fishermen of Belep, that a good part of the credit for the success of the visit must go.

5 vii CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. BACKGROUND General Existing fisheries 2 3. PROJECT OPERATIONS General Boats and equipment Training and demonstration activities Disposal of the catch Data collection 6 4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS General Trolling Deep-bottom droplining Ring netting for garfish and handlining for Spanish mackerel Vertical longline demonstration ECONOMICS OF THE `DAR MAD's' FISHING ACTIVITIES DISCUSSION The resource Development potential and restraints RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES 19 APPENDICES 1. Standard form for data collection Species composition of the troll catch Species composition of the deep-bottom dropline catch Species composition of the ring net and handline catch 31 5a. Operational aspects of fishing trips in the Noumea area 33 5b. Operational aspects of fishing trips in the Belep area 35 Page

6 1 1. INTRODUCTION The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development (DSFD) Project is a mobile, village-level rural development project which operates in Pacific Island nations at specific Government request, and which has the following broad objectives: to promote the development or expansion of artisanal fisheries throughout the region, based on fishery resources which are at present underutilised, in particular the deep-bottom resources of the outer reef slope; to develop and evaluate new simple technology, fishing gear and techniques suitable for use by village fishermen, which will enable fishermen to substantially increase catches while reducing dependence on costly imported fuels; and to provide practical training in appropriate fishing techniques to local fishermen and government fisheries extension workers. Some 12 months after the completion of the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project's third visit to the Territory of New Caledonia (Chapman & Cusack, 1998) a request was made of the South Pacific Commission by the Territorial Government for the services of one of the Project's Masterfishermen to assist the Service de la marine marchande et des p ches maritimes with a fisheries development programme to be conducted in the Belep Islands in the far north of the Territory. The specific aims of the programme in Belep were: to conduct practical training with Belep fishermen in effective trolling techniques to capture Spanish mackerel (Scombermorus commerson); this species being reported as seasonally very abundant in the Belep area; to survey fishing grounds around Belep and attempt to identify potentially productive grounds not currently exploited; to promote proper catch handling practices among local fishermen; to demonstrate deep-bottom fishing techniques and gear to fishermen in Belep who expressed interest in this fishery; and to demonstrate improvements to the vertical longlining gear and techniques demonstrated to fisheries service staff during the previous visit. In response to this request SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman who had supervised the earlier DSFD Project visit to the Territory, and who had had extensive experience fishing for the Spanish mackerel to be the main target species of the programme, was assigned to work with fisheries service staff during a visit of approximately one month to the Belep Islands between 18 August and 15 September, BACKGROUND 2.1 General The Belep Islands (Figure 1) lie some 50 km north-west of the northern trip of La Grande Terre but within the great barrier reef system which extends north from the mainland. The group comprises the islands of Art (5,560 ha), Pott (1,184 ha), Nienane (245 ha), and the northern and southern Daos (55 ha). The main settlement in the group, all of which is a Melanesian reserve, is at Wala on Art Island (Anon, 1986a). (The major physical, social and economic features of the Territory as a whole

7 2 have been described in the report on the DSFD Project's third visit to New Caledonia [Chapman, in press].) Figure 1. The Belep Islands, showing the most productive fishing sites located during this visit 2.2 Existing fisheries The Belep area is well-regarded as a major domestic fishing ground for Spanish mackerel and a seasonal, small-scale commercial fishery has developed based on this resource. Local fishermen employ a variety of skiff designs in the 4 5 m range powered by outboard motors to fish around reefs and reef patches by trolling, and drift fishing with handlines baited with sardines. The baitfish are caught by cast-netting along the beaches. Catches are transported by boat to Poum on the mainland where local buyers purchase fish for transport to Noumea for re-sale. The bulk of the Spanish mackerel catch, the most important component of this fishery, is eventually purchased by the Noumea company Calfish which produces smoked and canned fish products. This company is able to process and market up to 15 tonnes of Spanish mackerel annually. Production has been generally limited to less than this amount, however, because of irregularity of supply (M.S. Depierre, personal communication). Between August 1986 and July 1987 the Belemaf co-operative purchased 11,888 kg of Spanish mackerel and an approximately equal amount of other species supplied by local fishermen (Service de la marine marchande et des pêches maritimes, unpublished data).

8 3 Fishermen land their catches at Poum individually with their own boats or, if they are members of the fishing co-operative, by the local mairie's vessel 'Albatros'. Standard handling procedure had been to stockpile fish in domestic freezers before transport to Poum but shortly before this visit the Belemaf fishing co-operative had acquired a 45 cu m holding freezer financed by the local administration (mairie), Office de développement de l'intérieur et des iles, and the co-operative (Report on the 'DAR MAD's' fishing activities in the Belep Islands [28 August to 9 September 1986] Service de la marine marchande et de p che marine maritime, unpublished). 3. PROJECT OPERATIONS 3.1 General The visit to Belep was scheduled for August to coincide with the beginning of the seasonal 'run' of Spanish mackerel in the area. Operations began at the fisheries service base at Noumea with the fitting out of the vessel 'DAR MAD'. One trip was made off Noumea before departing for Belep in order to demonstrate improvements to the vertical longlining gear previously demonstrated by the Project to local fisheries staff, some deepbottom droplining was also conducted. The 'DAR MAD' was then steamed to Belep over three days. Fishing and training trips were conducted from a base established at Wala on Art Island over the next 12 days. The final part of the trip involved three days travelling back to Noumea. All operational arrangements and the recruitment of trainees was handled by the fisheries service in co-operation with the Belemaf co-operative. Mr Aymeric Desurmont acted as boat skipper and the Masterfisherman's counterpart officer through the visit. 3.2 Boats and equipment All fishing was conducted from the 'DAR MAD' (Figure 2). This fisheries service aluminium-hulled vessel, 11.5 m in length and 6.2 m by the beam, was powered by two 55 hp Renault diesel engines, one mounted in each hull. The vessel was equipped with a full complement of sails, roller-reefing gear, hydraulic steering, an hydraulic line hauler, a Furuno FE 600B echo-sounder with a depth range to 640 m, and a VHF radio-telephone. In order that the maximum possible number of trolling lines could be used 4 m bamboo outrigger poles were mounted, port and starboard, at the stern. The 'DAR MAD' had recently been fitted with a refrigerated fish hold in one of the hulls. Special anchoring gear was carried for deep-bottom fishing. The anchor was a simple grapnel constructed from steel rod with a length of galvanized steel pipe forming a sleeve over the shank. This sleeve was filled with lead to add weight to the anchor. A 10 m length of 6 mm diameter galvanized steel chain was shackled to the anchor eye, followed by 600 m of 10 mm diameter polypropylene floating anchor rope. An inflatable polyform buoy, fitted with a snap-shackle designed to clip over the anchor rope to aid in hauling was included. This gear is illustrated in Figure 3.

9 4 Figure 2. Deck layout of the 'DAR MAD'

10 5 3.3 Training and demonstration activities Figure 3. 'Self-hauling' anchor gear Preliminary meetings between the Belemaf co-operative and fisheries service staff established a list of trainee recruits to participate in the training programme. Of the 37 recruits listed 27 actually participated over the 12 days of fishing. Although the rigging and use of trolling gear for the capture of Spanish mackerel was demonstrated with each group, local fishermen tended to favour their customary drift-fishing technique as being both efficient and less costly of fuel than trolling. Most training effort was therefore devoted to proper onboard catch handling practices. The procedure demonstrated involved the removal of head and fins, the removal of the blood line, and scrubbing and washing of the gut cavity. Icing procedure was also demonstrated, fish and ice being layered alternately in the ice-boxes. Because a number of fishermen expressed interest in deep-bottom fishing two trips were made to the outer reef slope to demonstrate this technique. Adverse weather and sea conditions prevented anchoring in suitably deep-waters, however, and training was largely restricted to the use of the FAO, Western Samoa design wooden handreels. After observing the poor fish handling procedures at the co-operative's freezer plant the Masterfishermen demonstrated the proper laying out of fresh fish on racks for freezing and later stacking for storage. This aspect of the training activities was very effective, the freezer operator quickly adopting the improved procedures. 3.4 Disposal of the catch All marketable species taken at Belep were landed at the co-operative which in return provided the fuel for fishing. Other edible species which were not readily marketable were shared among participating fishermen. Species known or suspected to be ciguatoxic were discarded at sea after weighing and measuring, including red bass (Lutjanus bohar) and barracudas (Sphyraena spp.). The great trevally (Caranx ignobilis) which is regarded as ciguatoxic taken in the Noumea area was readily eaten at Belep. Sharks are not eaten at Belep and those caught were discarded after their fins were removed. Catches were frozen in the co-operative's freezer and then carried to Poum aboard the 'Albatros' for sale to buying agents.

11 6 At the time of this visit the Belemaf co-operative was paying 200 CFP/kg for fish delivered to the freezer by local fishermen. The buying agents at Poum paid around 250 CFP/kg for catches landed there, though prices fluctuated significantly. The end user, the Calfish company, paid 450 CFP/kg for the same fish transported to Noumea (M. S. Depierre, personal communication). 3.5 Data collection SPC Masterfishermen use a standard logsheet, shown at Appendix 1, to record catch, effort, and other data, and make detailed notes of their daily activities and of any other information required. Data collected during this visit included: time spent steaming, anchoring and fishing, by fishing method, fishing area, fishing depth or depth range, number of crew, quantity and type of gear, fuel and bait for each fishing method, the specific identity of each fish caught by each method where this could be determined, and the total number and weight of each species taken by each fishing method. 4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 4.1 General Two hundred and twenty-seven hours were logged at sea during the course of all fishing operations including passage between Noumea and Belep and return, as well as some droplining operations at both Noumea and Belep, and the demonstration of vertical longline setting off Noumea. Actual fishing time recorded was 158 hours. The catch by all methods comprised 1,765 fish with a combined weight of 3,854.4 kg. Better than 80 per cent by weight of the catch was of saleable species. Most fishing effort (86.5 hours) was spent in trolling inside the lagoon at Belep. Trolling the outer reef edge occupied 54.6 hours, but as this trolling was largely opportunistic in nature the hours accumulated reflect more the distance travelled between Noumea and Belep than the degree of effort devoted to this fishing method. The other fishing activities conducted involved only minor effort, including 7.5 hours engaged in deep-bottom droplining, 2 hours of drift fishing with handlines, one set each of a ring-net to capture bait fish and a vertical longline demonstrated to fisheries service personnel. Each of the fishing methods employed, as well as the catches produced by each method, are described in the following sections of this report, appearing in order of their relative importance to the satisfaction of the Project's work programme. 4.2 Trolling Trolling, particularly trolling for Spanish mackerel in the lagoon around Belep, was the most important of the fishing activities conducted; the aim being to trial trolling gear and techniques which might prove useful to Belep fishermen, as well as to attempt to identify productive fishing grounds not currently exploited. The 'DAR MAD' was fitted out to troll up to five lines simultaneously; four fixed-length lines trailed directly from cleats at the stern or from short outrigger poles mounted port and starboard, and one line fished directly from an Alvey handreel clamped to the stern. A variety of line components and lures were rigged depending on the fishing area and, more importantly, on the species targeted. Table 1 details the materials used in the various line components and their use in the different types of trolling conducted.

12 Table 1. Rigging materials used in fixed-length trolling lines Line component Rigging material Where used Backing line 5 m of 5 mm diameter braided 3- Lagoon and outer reef edge strand cord. Shock absorber Strips cut from inner tube or patent Lagoon and outer reef edge moulded rubber shock cord. Mainline m of either; 3-strand Lagoon and outer reef edge braided cord kg test monofilament Lagoon and outer reef edge nylon. 150 kg test Supertoto line or Lagoon and outer reef edge 1.5 mm diameter galvanized wire Lagoon only cable (Bowden cable). Trace 3 4 m of either; kg, Lagoon and outer reef edge 7 X 7 strand stainless steel wire. 1.2 mm diameter galvanized wire Lagoon and outer reef edge cable (Bowden cable) or 75 kg test No. 12 monofilament Lagoon only steel wire. Lures and baits Synthetic pearlheads dressed with Lagoon and outer reef edge vinyl octopus or firetail skirts. Bonita lures. Lagoon and outer reef edge Lead heads dressed with vinyl Lagoon and outer reef edge skirts. 100 mm jigs and spoons. Lagoon only Dressed garfish baits. Lagoon only 7 The arrangement of a typical fixed-length trolling line is illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows the method used for rigging garfish baits for trolling. Figure 4. Typical fixed-length trolling line arrangement

13 8 Figure 5. Rigging a garfish bait for trolling Trolling inside the lagoon around Belep was essential to the satisfaction of the Project's aims. The fishing effort recorded was line hours (one line hour = the use of one trolling line over one hour of fishing) over 12 fishing trips for a catch of 341 fish with a combined weight of 2,618.6 kg. This catch represented 68 per cent by weight of the catch taken by all fishing methods. Spanish mackerel, the primary target species, accounted for 82 per cent by weight of the lagoon trolling catch. Table 2. Summary of catches and effort by each trolling method at each area Location and fishing method No. of trips Fishing hours Effort (line hours) Saleable catch No. Weight (kg) Unsaleable catch No. Weight (kg) Total catch (kg) CPUE Noumea area Trolling Trolling Belep area Trolling Trolling Total * Trolling 1 = Trolling outer reef-edge and open water Trolling 2 = Trolling inside the lagoon * All trips combined more than one fishing method All lagoon trolling trips at Belep were conducted as training exercises, with special emphasis also given to the location of new, productive fishing grounds. The catch rate recorded, at 6.3 kg/line hour for all species (see Table 2), was satisfactory and represented a good return for effort expended. It is considered that without the restrictions to efficient fishing imposed by the training programme and the surveying of new grounds, rather than targeting grounds already known to be productive, productivity would likely have been significantly higher. During the early part of these operations only artificial lures were trolled, the most successful of which were the Bonita type (which limitate the swimming motion of an injured fish). Some garfish (Hemiramphus spp.) were later captured by ring-netting and dressed as trolling baits. Although the Bonita lures and the garfish baits appeared to produce more strikes it cannot be said conclusively that these were superior lures in this fishery due to the limited fishing conducted. It was noted however that all lure types proved more effective when 'worked', that is jigged occasionally by hand. (kg)

14 9 Trolling inside the lagoon off Noumea was conducted for only 3.5 fishing hours during transit to Belep and return. No catch was recorded. Apart from Spanish mackerel the only other species taken in significant numbers were great trevally and mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis). As earlier noted great trevally, though considered ciguatoxic in the Noumea area, were readily consumed at Belep. Trolling along the outer reef edge was conducted during passage between Noumea and Belep and return. The catch and effort figures given in Table 2 (with reef edge trolling designated Trolling 1) have been presented in two sections; figures for catches taken south of Yande (see Figure 1) being given under the Noumea area and catches north of Yande given under the Belep area (Yande being the southernmost fishing range of Belep fishermen). This activity produced a poor catch rate in the Noumea area (2.7 kg/line hour) and quite a high catch rate in the Belep area (7.3 kg/line hour). However, 30 per cent of the Noumea area catch and 72 per cent of the Belep area catch was of unsaleable species, largely comprising 193 kg of great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). In consideration of the hours spent trolling the outer reef edge (54.6) and the fuel use involved it is considered that this fishing method would not be commercially viable, except to maximise catches opportunistically for fishing effort and fuel expended during transit to fishing sites. The species composition of the troll catch by both techniques is detailed in Appendix Deep-bottom droplining Fishing at depths around 100 m along the outer reef slope was conducted once off Noumea using 2 handreels over 3.5 hours for a fishing effort of 7 reel hours and off Belep using 3 handreels over 4 hours for a fishing effort of 12 reel hours. Although not a major part of the projected work programme this fishing was conducted with specific purposes; at Noumea to briefly sample catch rates and the species composition of the catch comparative to results recorded in the area by the DSFD Project previously, and at Belep at the request of fishermen interested in learning the technique. The gear and techniques employed were those standard for the Project and tested extensively during Project operations at a number of Pacific island locations. The FAO, Western Samoa design handreels (Figure 6) wound with m of 100 kg test monofilament nylon line were used to lower and haul a wire terminal rig (Figure 7) bearing a sinker and three baited tuna circle hooks. The technique involved the location of suitable deep-bottom fishing sites by echo-sounding and then anchoring in shallower water in a position selected so that prevailing wind or current would carry the boat back over the fishing site as the anchor warp was paid out. At Belep, however, a strong surface current setting in the opposite direction to the wind made anchoring by this technique difficult and operations were limited as a result. Once the boat was resting at anchor the baited lines were lowered from the handreels until the sinker touched bottom. Thereafter the lines were kept taut by hand to allow the fishermen to feel bites. Once bites were made, four or five turns were quickly taken on the handreel in order to hook the fish and lift them clear of bottom snags, as well as to avoid fouling other lines. Because of the elasticity of the long lengths of line in use, much reliance is placed on the 'self-hooking' qualities of the tuna circle hooks.

15 10 Figure 6. FAO, Western Samoa design wooden handreel used for deep-bottom fishing Figure 7. Typical terminal rig for deep-bottom fishing

16 11 At the conclusion of fishing, or preparatory to moving to a new fishing site, a simple technique was demonstrated to haul the anchor. This technique greatly reduced the effort which would be required in hauling by hand from small boats not equipped with a line hauler as the 'DAR MAD' was. By motoring rapidly forward the anchor was broken out and towed until it streamed behind the boat. While still under way an inflatable buoy (refer Figure 3) was clipped over the anchor warp with a snap shackle and released. Water resistance forced the buoy back along the warp until it became trapped by the 'no return' barb whipped in place. The boat was then motored slowly back along the floating warp, which was fed inboard by hand, and the anchor, suspended at the surface by the buoy, was easily recovered. This hauling technique is illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 8. Anchor retrieval method

17 12 The preferred bait for deep-bottom fishing is fresh skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) which was unavailable during this visit. Frozen longline bait (Scomber japonicus) and barracuda (Sphyraena spp.) were substituted. The primary target species for droplining at depths around 100 m are jobfishes (Aphareus, Pristipomoides spp.), sea breams (Gnathodentex, Gymnocranius spp.), and groupers and cods (Cephalopholis, Epinephelus spp.). A wide range of other species are also taken including less desirable sharks and eels. Species characteristic of more shallow depths also commonly occur in the catch because the swing of the vessel at anchor usually results in a range of depths being fished. Table 3 summarises catches and effort recorded by deep-bottom droplining at both Noumea and Belep. The small amount of fishing effort precludes the drawing of any valid assessment of deep-bottom stocks or the potential of this fishery at either area (for a more thorough account of deep-bottom droplining off Noumea refer to the report on the third DSFD Project visit to New Caledonia [Chapman & Cusack, 1998]). Table 3. Summary of catches and effort by deep-bottom droplining at Noumea and Belep Location No. of trips Fishing hours Effort (line hours) Saleable catch No. Weight (kg) Unsaleable catch No. Weight (kg) Total catch (kg) CPUE Noumea area Belep area Total * Note: Noumea area If sharks are excluded from the catch, CPUE = 12.2 If sharks and other locally unsaleable species are excluded, CPUE = 5.9 Belep area If sharks are excluded from the catch, CPUE = 7.7 If sharks and other locally unsaleable species are excluded, CPUE = 5.5 All areas If sharks are excluded from the catch, CPUE = 9.4 If sharks and other locally unsaleable species are excluded, CPUE = 5.6 * All trips combined more than one fishing method The notable features which emerged during these fishing activities were the capture of only three valued deep-water specimens (all Aphareus rutilans) at Noumea and only two (Etelis carbunculus and Pristipomoides filamentosus) at Belep. The greater part of the Noumea catch was of locally unsaleable species (65% by weight of the total) notably Lutjanus argentimaculatus and Sphyraena jello. More than half of the Belep catch (52% by weight) was also unsaleable, the significant component species being Lutjanus bohar and sharks. The species composition of the catches from both areas is detailed in Appendix Ring netting for garfish and handlining for Spanish mackerel In order to demonstrate the trolling of dressed garfish baits to capture Spanish mackerel a 17 mm mesh ring net was set several times within the lagoon at Belep during one fishing trip. The mesh size of this net was smaller than the 21 mm allowed under local fisheries' regulations in order to capture garfish in the cm length range; this size being ideal to rig as trolling baits. Some 1,200 fish (Table 4) were taken during the several sets made. The most productive set, which netted nearly 1,000 fish, was made at dusk. At the completion of the Project's fishing operations the bulk of this catch was given to the Belemaf co-operative for storage and later use by local fishermen. (kg)

18 13 Table 4. Summary of catches and effort by ring netting for garfish and handlining for Spanish mackerel. Fishing method No. of trips Fishing hours Effort (line hours) Saleable catch No. Weight (kg) Unsaleable catch No. Weight (kg) Total catch (kg) CPUE Handline Ring netting Total * *All trips combined more than one fishing method Belep fishermen commonly fish for Spanish mackerel by trolling until a school or concentration of fish is found then, in order to reduce fuel use, cutting the engine and drifting with baited handlines. The baitfish used are sardines (Sardinella scrim) which are captured by cast netting within the lagoon. During fishing operations at Belep this fishing method was tried from the 'DAR MAD' during two trips with a total fishing effort of 7.5 line hours. More trials of this technique were planned but precluded by rough seas which made drifting and fishing difficult, and difficulty in obtaining fresh sardines for bait. Two Spanish mackerel were taken and some others hooked but lost; although the fishing effort was insufficient to assess this technique properly it was apparent that the technique works well for local fishermen. The species composition of the catches by these two methods is detailed is Appendix Vertical longline demonstration Vertical longlining is a mid-water fishing technique which targets deep-swimming tunas. The technique has been trialled extensively by the DSFD Project during visits to a number of Pacific island locations, especially as a means of exploiting tunas gathered at depth around fish aggregation devices (FADs). During the previous Project visit to New Caledonia vertical longlining was demonstrated successfully to fisheries service staff around a FAD deployed off Uitoe Passage north of Noumea. The one vertical longline set completed during this visit was made in order to demonstrate improvements to gear and setting technique developed by the Project in the interim. The improved setting technique utilises a modified version of the FAO, Western Samoa design wooden handreel and a nylon monofilament mainline rather than the heavy Kuralon line (Japanese longline cord) previously used. The modified handreel illustrated in Figure 9 had an 18 cm diameter nylon pulley-wheel mounted in place of the usual ceramic line guide. The purpose of the pulley was to reduce friction on hauling and it was wide enough to allow the free passage of the heavy-duty swivels crimped into the line to serve as snood attachment points. Other modifications included the addition of stainless steel bands pressed onto the extremities of the reel aims to retard splitting and a large wing-nut and pressure plate fitted to the end of the reel axle to act as a drag and locking system; having the ability to prevent the freeturning of the reel during snood attachment or fish landing provided greater efficiency and safety. (kg)

19 14 Figure 9. Modified FAO, Western Samoa design handreel used for vertical longline setting The longline was made up from 200 kg test monofilament nylon rigged as follows (see Figure 10); the top end of the line (the end which was first wound onto the reel) was fitted with a longline clip for securing the line to a rope loop fixed to the reel drum. Once the end of the line was clipped in place a 35 m length of mainline was wound onto the reel and a loop formed in the end. A 7 m length of monofilament fitted with a longline clip at one end and a heavy-duty McMahon swivel at the other was then clipped to this loop and wound onto the drum. A 35 m length of monofilament was then connected to the terminal eye of the McMahon swivel already mounted and a second swivel fitted to the other end. A second 35 m length of monofilament was attached in turn to the last swivel and a Sampo ball-bearing type swivel fitted to the other end. Fifteen 15 m lengths of monofilament were then attached in succession, each beginning with a McMahon swivel and terminating with a Sampo swivel, so that the swivel types alternated down the line. The final 15 m length was terminated with a longline clip. All connections and attachments were formed with Flemish eyes and secured with figure - eight sleeves crimped in place. Individual snoods were made up from 5.5 m lengths of 100 kg test monofilament nylon fitted with a tuna circle hook at one end and a longline clip at the other.

20 15 Figure 10. Vertical longline rigging arrangement This type of vertical longline is normally set tethered to the fishing boat. The boat may be drifting free, drifting under sea-anchor or tied up to a FAD. The following description of setting and hauling procedure does not necessarily refer to the one hour demonstration set made during this visit but covers the important regular handling methods. The sinker and bottom snood attached to the lower end of the line (and the end last wound onto the reel) are placed in the water and the reel unwound slowly to lower the mainline. When the first swivel appears a baited snood is clipped to it through the lower eye, taking care to place the baited hook in the water first, and lowering continued slowly. All seventeen snoods in turn are attached to the mainline in this manner. The lower swivel eye is used to attach the snoods because when tangles occur they usually result in the snood wrapping in a downward spiral around the mainline. If the top swivel eye is used the swivel's action may be arrested and a worse tangle result. A polyform buoy is then clipped to the mainline at one of three points, at the lower end of the first 35 m section of mainline, at the top of this section, or at the top of the second 35 m section of mainline.

21 16 The effect of setting a float at one of these points is to present the top hook, at the surface, at 35 m, or at 70 m. The 7 m section of line above the final float attachment point could be used to rig a second float, necessary if the line is to be set drifting. The final 35 m section of line serves as a tether to the boat and can be shortened or lengthened as desired with the handreel. If two longlines are set from the boat they are tethered at different distances to avoid them fouling one another. Once set the longline is left to 'soak' for between two and five hours, unless a drifting line moves away from the target area or a line is observed to be holding hooked fish. When a first strike is noticed by the action of the floats either being pulled beneath the surface or riding higher in the water, it usually proves effective to delay hauling for a while because additional strikes sometimes quickly occur thereafter. To retrieve the line the tether line is first wound in, the float detached and reeling then continued slowly until the first snood appears. Snoods are unclipped and laid aside in order for rebaiting or if fishing is completed wound hook to eye on a handcaster. Snoods holding hooked fish are not unclipped until the fish is gaffed and boated or, in the case of sharks, tailroped and tied off to the boat while still in the water. The following setting and hauling practices are important: When setting the line lowering speed should be maintained at about the natural sinking rate of the baits. Faster lowering typically results in snoods tangling round the mainline. If sufficient current is running to stream the snoods away from the mainline the lowering rate may be increased. This principle also applies when hauling. Because there is always a possibility that strikes might be made during setting or hauling, or that a hooked fish might make a sudden run, care should be taken to ensure that hooks, whether baited or not, are in the water and clear of the boat when clipped to the mainline. During setting the baited hooks should be placed in the water before the snoods are attached to the mainline and during hauling snoods should be unclipped as they appear unless carrying a hooked fish. Hooks should be baited with the freshest natural bait available. Big-eye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) and mackerel scad (Decapterus spp.) are generally favoured as effective tuna baits. No catch was taken during the demonstration set. 5. ECONOMICS OF THE 'DAR MAD's' FISHING ACTIVITIES Table 5 details the projected income from fish sales and the recurrent operational expenses incurred during the 'DAR MADs' fishing operations at Belep. Table 5. Projected income and recurrent operational expenses for the 'DAR MAD' at Belep Income (projected if fish had been sold to Belemaf co-operative) 2,616 kg at 200 CFP/kg CFP Expenditure Fuel L at 100 CFP/L Ice kg/trip x 14 trips x 20 CFP/kg Fishing gear lost - 3,000 CFP/trip (estimated) x 14 trips Lubricating oil, etc. (estimated) Totals Surplus

22 17 This table takes no account of other significant operational expenses which would have to be borne in any commercial fishing operation, most importantly; wages for skipper and crew, possible boat and gear purchase loan repayments and interest, or insurance and depreciation on fishing craft. Although no conclusions can be drawn concerning the likely economic viability of similar fishing operations in Belep the figures given do indicate that small-scale operators, free of the restraints imposed by the requirements of the Project's training and survey programme, would have at least the potential to derive significant cash incomes through the local Spanish mackerel fishery under present conditions. The operational aspects of all fishing trips completed at both fishing areas are detailed in Appendices 5a and 5b. 6. DISCUSSION 6.1 The resource Although Spanish mackerel have been fished at Belep for many years, and fishing pressure has apparently increased markedly recently, the results' of the Project's fishing activities in the area indicate that stocks are at least seasonally widespread and abundant. Productive grounds were noted as far south as the Daos Islands some 20 km from Art Island, and at reefs some 35 km to the north. There are, however, areas of broad sandy bottoms within the lagoon which appear to produce few fish. The seasonal 'run' of Spanish mackerel is reported to begin around August each year with catches increasing steadily until February-March after which productivity declines sharply. It is also reported that the abundance of the species during the peak season may vary considerably from year to year. 6.2 Development potential and restraints There are a number of features of the Spanish mackerel fishery at Belep that suggest that this endeavour has very good potential for development. Stocks are seasonally quite abundant; local fishermen have developed effective fishing techniques and are likely to adopt new techniques which prove and cost efficient; handling and storage is facilitated by the Belemafs co-operative's freezer plant; fishermen are paid for catches on landing them; the mairie boat 'Albatros' provides the essential transport link to Poum; and, perhaps most importantly, a steady and growing market exists for the catch. There are, however, other features of the fishery noted during this visit which may serve to restrain further successful development: The outboard-powered skiffs presently favoured by Belep fishermen are essentially day-trip vessels. Many of the more productive fishing grounds lie at some distance from the settlements and considerable travel over areas of low productivity is required each day during the fishing season; this unproductive travel is costly of both time and fuel. The Spanish mackerel catch presently comprises about half of the total catch landed annually at the Belemaf co-operative. This heavy reliance on a single species which is abundant for only half of each year may make it difficult for fishermen to regularise their annual incomes and manage their business affairs; in addition it leaves fishermen very vulnerable to the negative economic effects of a poor Spanish mackerel season. Concern was expressed by fishermen regarding what they perceived as inconsistent buying standards by the purchasing agents at Poum. Prices offered were reported to vary with supply even though the demand by Calfish is usually unsatisfied. There was concern expressed to about reportedly arbitrary down-grading of assessed catch quality and the subsequent offering of lower prices. Under the present pricing structure the co-operative operates on a mark-up of 50 CFP/kg and the buying agents a mark-up of 200 CFP/kg.

23 18 It is doubtful if the co-operative's activities will be economically viable without larger turnover or the lowering of prices paid to fishermen. If purchase prices were lowered it seems likely that turnover would decrease as fishermen would have less incentive to fish. In addition any tendency by the co-operative to stockpile fish at the expense of vigorous marketing efforts may cause cash flow problems and leave the co-operative vulnerable to heavy losses in the event of a freezer breakdown. Adequate supplies of suitable fishing gear at reasonable prices are not available at Belep. Present fisheries regulations ban the use of gillnets with a mesh size of less than 21 mm. Garfish of a size suitable as trolling baits can only be captured effectively with nets having a mesh size around 17 mm. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are made with the aim of alleviating the more significant of the restraints noted as likely to hinder the successful further development of small-scale commercial fisheries at Belep: Attempts should be made to identify an appropriate diesel launch design, at least 6 m in length, which could be introduced to the area. Such a vessel type would be suited to rough sea conditions, be fuel efficient, and be adequately fitted-out and equipped (ice hold, crew accommodation, etc.) to remain on the fishing grounds for two or three days at a time. Further fishing surveys should be conducted at Belep in the hope of identifying fish stocks other than Spanish mackerel which might be amenable to commercial exploitation, especially during the 'off' season for Spanish mackerel. The diversification of fisheries in order to spread fishermens' income throughout the year would likely encourage more locals to view fisheries as a viable primary source of income and employment. Such diversification would, of course, require the development of new or wider markets. The fisheries service may be able to assist in regularising buying standards at Poum by establishing quality guidelines that both fishermen and buying agents are made aware of. The collation of landing, purchase and price records and their dissemination would likely eliminate any tendency by buyers to capitalize on fishermen's ignorance of market conditions and forces. It may be feasible for the Belemaf co-operative to establish its own delivery system to Noumea. The activities of the co-operative should be monitored and management advice provided when appropriate to encourage sound business practice; especially in regard to quality control and any tendency which might arise to stockpile catches. The supply of suitable fishing gear at reasonable prices should be promoted, perhaps with the establishment of a co-operative store. Net mesh regulations applying in Belep should be reviewed with the aim of encouraging fishermen to capture bait effectively. In conclusion it may be said that the outlook for the ongoing successful development of small-scale commercial fisheries at Belep, which will allow the local population to derive regular cash incomes through the carefully managed exploitation of local marine resources, will depend largely on the level of material and technical support provided for some time to come. While encouraging an everincreasing level of self-reliance and self-regulation the Territorial fisheries service should be seen to be available with such support when requested.

24 19 8. REFERENCES Anon. (1984) Pacific Islands Yearbook. Fifteenth edition. Sydney, Australia. Pacific Publications Ltd. Anon. (1986a) Atlas of the South Pacific. Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Government Printing Office. Chapman L.B. & P. Cusack. (1998) Report on the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project's third visit to New Caledonia. (6 June to 15 November 1985). Capture Section, Unpublished Report No. 16 (French No. 2). South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 55 p.

25 21 STANDARD FORM FOR DATA COLLECTION APPENDIX 1

26 SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE TROLL CATCH APPENDIX 2 GROUP Trolling reef-edge and open water Trolling the lagoon FAMILY Noumea area Belep area Belep area Total Species No. kg No. kg No. kg No. kg LUTJANIDAE Aprion virescens Green jobfish Lutjanus bohar * Red bass SERRANIDAE Epinephelus hoedti Blue grouper Epinephelus malabaricus Small spotted grouper Plectropoma spp. * Large spot coral trout CARANGIDAE Carangoides orthogrammus Yellow spotted trevally Caranx ignobilis *(unsaleable Noumea) Great trevally Caranx papuensis Dusky trevally Elegatis bipinnulata Rainbow runner Scomberoides Iysan Queenfish 23

27 GROUP Trolling reef-edge and open water Trolling the lagoon FAMILY Noumea area Belep area Belep area Total Species No. kg No. kg No. kg No. kg CORYPHAENIDAE Coryphaena hippurus Dolphinfish SCOMBRIDAE Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo Euthynnus affinis Mackerel tuna Scomberomorus commerson Spanish mackerel Thunnus albacares Yellowfin tuna SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena barracuda * Great barracuda Sphyraena putnamiae * Seapike Sphyraena qenie * Seapike BELONIDAE Ablennes hianus * Longtom 24

28 GROUP Trolling reef-edge and open water Trolling tile lagoon FAMILY Noumea area Belep area Belep area Total Species No. kg No. kg No. kg No. kg ISTIOPHORIDAE Istiophorus platypterus Sailfish CARCHARHINIDAE Carcharhinus albimarginatus * Silver-tip reef shark TOTAL * Indicates locally unsaleable species 25

29 APPENDIX 3 SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE DEEP-BOTTOM DROPLINE CATCH GROUP Noumea area Belep area Total FAMILY No. kg No. kg No. kg DEEP-WATER SNAPPERS LUTJANIDAE (sub-families ETELINAE, APSILINAE) Aphareus rutilans Small-tooth jobfish/silvermouth Etelis carbunculus Short-tailed red snapper Pristipomoides filamentosus Rosy jobfish Sub-total SHALLOW-WATER SNAPPERS LUTJANIDAE (sub-family LUTJANINAE) Lutjanus argentimaculatus * Mangrove jack Lutjanus amabilis Yellow-stripe snapper Lutjanus bohar * Red bass Lutjanus kasmira * Blue-lined snapper Lutjanus sebae Red emperor Sub-total

30 GROUP Noumea area Belep area Total FAMILY No. kg No. kg No. kg EMPERORS LETHRINIDAE Lethrinus chrysostomus Red throat sweetlip Sub-total GROUPERS, CODS AND CORAL TROUTS SERRANIDAE Cephalopholis spiloparaea Epinephelus chlorostigma Brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus malabaricus Small spotted grouper Variola louti Luna-tail trout Sub-total JACKS AND TREVALLIES CARANGIDAE Carangoides spp Unidentified trevally Caranx lugubris Black trevally Sub-total