SPC/Fisheries 18/Information Paper 10 4 August 1986 ORIGINAL : ENGLISH SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION EIGHTEENTH REGIONAL TECHNICAL MEETING ON FISHERIES (Noumea, New Caledonia, 4-8 August 1986) RESEARCH ON BAITFISH BIOLOGY IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, MALDIVES AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA FOR THE TUNA INDUSTRY 698/89
SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION EIGHTEENTH REGIONAL TECHNICAL MEETING ON FISHERIES ACIAR PROJECT 8543 RESEARCH ON BAITFISH BIOLOGY IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, MALDIVES AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA FOR THE TUNA INDUSTRY EXPECTED COMMENCEMENT : LATE 1986
- 2-4282A/211A SECTION I : PROJECT SUMMARY 1. Project Title 2. Project Number 3. Program Area (Commodity) Research on Baitfish Biology in the Solomon Islands, Maldives and Papua New Guinea for the Tuna Industry 8543 Fisheries (L) Fish (100%) 4. Geographic area (a) (b) Region Country South Pacific (05) 5E Indian Ocean Southeast Asia (03) 3F Solomon Islands Maldives, Papua New Guinea 5. Related ACIAR projects 6. Commissioned Organisation Coastal Fisheries Resource Management - Project No. 8545 CSIJRO Division of Fisheries Research, PO Box 120, Cleveland, Qld. 4163 Telephone: 286022 Telex: 42240 7. Collaboration in Australia 8. Developing Country Collaboration Fisheries Division, Ministry of Natural Resources, Honiara, Solomon Islands Marine Research Section, Ministry of Fisheries, Male, Maldives Fisheries Division, Department of Primary Industry, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 9. Collaboration with ADAB/IDP Projects ADAB Solomon Islands Fisheries Project 10. Project Leaders (a) In Australia Dr S.J.M. Blaber, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Fisheries Research, PO Box 120, Cleveland, Qld. 4163 Tel: 286 2022 Telex: 42240
- 3 - (b) Overseas Solomon Islands: Mr P.V. Nichols, Senior Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Natural Resources, Honiara, Solomon Islands Tel: 23185 Telex: HQ66306 Maldives Mr Hassan Maniku Maizan, Senior Fisheries Development Officer, Marine Research Station, Ministry of Fisheries, Male, Republic of Maldives Tel: 2328 Telex: 77033 MAS MF Papua New Guinea Dr D. Coates, Fisheries Division, Department of Primary Industry, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Tel: 011-675-214698 Telex: 22143 NE 1}L. Responsible ACIAR Co-ordinator Dr J. Copland
- 4 - Abstract This project will conduct research on the biology of baitfish species which are important to the tuna industry of the Solomon Islands, Maldives and Papua New Guinea. In these countries, most of the.tuna catch is made using a pcle and line method which cannot operate without an adequate and regular supply of suitable baitfish which is expected to be the predominant method for the next 10 years. These small fish are thrown live into the sea to attract tuna schools within fishing range of the boat. Tuna fishing is a vital export industry in the Solomons and Maldives providing major sources of food and employment, and is one of the most important sources of foreign currency earnings. In Papua New Guinea, the tuna industry is becoming more important after a dormant period. The project will build on the research bases already established by the collaborating countries. The research objectives are to collect biological data on the population dynamics, growth, recruitment, ecology and taxonomy of baitfishes with the view to provide soundly based management practices. Current research efforts in the countries are constrained by lack of scientific expertise, and comprehensive biological data needs to be collected and analysed in order to rationally manage and protect the baitfish resources which are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction. Papua New Guinea has carried out considerable studies of baitfish biology in the past. Much of the planned sampling work will be conducted by the Fisheries staff of the countries in collaboration with CSIRO staff, while detailed analyses will be undertaken at the CSIRO laboratories in Australia in conjunction with overseas scientists. Staff from the developing countries will also visit the CSIRO laboratories for research training in procedures and analyses. The benefits flowing from the research will allow for planned development of the pole and line tuna and baitfish industries based upon a scientif icallymanaged baitfish industry. The Solomon Government will be better placed to establish more equitable licence fees for baitfish leases which will in turn directly benefit the traditional owners of the baitfish grounds. Also, the project will assist in establishing the impact of the extraction of baitfish on the highly valued reef fish consumed by the artisanal Solomon Island fisherman and suggest methods which will maintain the viability of the reef fisheries for both the traditional owners and the tuna industry.
In the Maldives the identification of the biological parameters which can be used to monitor and maintain the baitfish for the artisanal fisherman will be of national significance, particularly in view of the changing ecological environment due to coral mining and potential marine pollution. Papua New Guinea will benefit by the linkage to related biological research and the analysis of the data base already collected for future planning purposes. The collaborative research and training of personnel will enhance future research and lon^ term benefits for the fisheries development in both the Solomons and the Maldives and an expansion in Papua New Guinea.