FISHERIES NEWSLETTER No. 27 October - December 1983

This issue .... . contains a new occasional feature, 'Abstracts', which is

introduced at the suggestion of one of our readers, and which specifically addresses the problems associated with the dissemination of marine resource information in the SPC region.

The function of the 'Abstracts' section is to announce the existence of fisheries-related documentation produced in SPC member countries but not widely circulated. A good deal of literature falls into this category, including, for instance, project documents or reports of ongoing work which are written informally, often in a hurry and distributed only to those immediately connected with the project in question. Material of this type may never receive a wider circulation despite its potential usefulness to technical staff working on similar projects elsewhere in the Pacific.

In the 'Abstracts' feature we will (with the permission of the authors) briefly describe 'limited-distribution' documents of this nature and give information on contacts for those who wish to obtain copies. By definition, the type of literature we hope to cover will be very limited in availability. We will not be including journal publications, major books or other material likely to appear in academic bibliographies or reference listings.

'Abstracts' appears for the first time on an experimental basis and its regular or occasional inclusion in future issues will depend upon response. Readers who are involved in or aware of the production of 'limited-distribution' documents of potential technical interest to fisheries specialists in the SPC region are invited to write in with information and, if possible, sample copies.

Contents Page

1) SPC Activities 2

2) News From In and Around the Region

3) Abstracts

4) Synopsis of the Third International Artificial Reef Conference by Dr Richard Brock

L P.O. Box D5, NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.Telepbone: 26.20.00m Cable: SOUTHPACOM NOUMEATelex: 139 NM SOPACO

SPC ACTIVITIES

Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project Notes

- Palau Master Fisherman Pale Taumaia completed his assignment in Palau in

late October, after a total of five months spent there. The last few weeks of the visit saw the finalisation of a training programme in which Pale and a government demonstration team worked for one-week periods with 10 local cooperative fishing organisations. One cooperative comprised a good number of lady members, and their participation in the training programme marked the first time that women have been involved to any significant degree in Project activities. The demonstration team gave instruction both in deep-bottom fishing techniques, and in proper handling of the catch, particularly the correct method of chilling fish using an icelbrine slush. All the catch was sold to the Palau Fish Marketing Authority and subsequently airfreighted to Guam, where a high-priced market similar to that in Hawaii exists £o whole chilled fish in perfect condition.

Two large sharks landed after an overnight fishing trip in Palau.

A notable feature of the Palau catch was the predominance of large sharks. Almost every trip yielded at least one 60-100 kg shark, and sometimes 3 or 4. These were generally unsaleable, although on one or two occasions they were consumed locally.

Tuvalu

Late December saw t h e comple t ion of Master Fisherman L indsay Chapman's v i s i t t o Tuvalu, which commenced i n September. During h i s s t a y Lindsay spen t a t o t a l of two months working w i t h F i s h e r i e s Department s t a f f around F u n a f u t i , deep-bottom d r o p l i n i n g b e i n g t h e main f i s h i n g method used . Catch r a t e s were good a t over 8 kg l ree l -hour b u t over h a l f t h e f i s h were o i l f i s h (Ruve t tus p r e t i o s u s ) , which were t aken dur ing n igh t - t ime f i s h i n g o p e r a t i o n s . T h i s s p e c i e s i s l o c a l l y a c c e p t a b l e i f s a l t e d and d r i e d , bu t t h e economics of p rocess ing t h e f i s h t o t h i s s t a g e a r e not a t t r a c t i v e a s t h e f i n a l recovery r a t e i s of t h e o r d e r of on ly 25%. F i s h i n g t r i p s were t h u s r e s t r i c t e d t o d a y l i g h t hours l a t e r i n t h e v i s i t , t o r educe t h e p r o p o r t i o n of o i l f i s h .

One-week t r a i n i n g v i s i t s were a l s o made t o t h e i s l a n d s of V a i t u p u , Nukulaelae and Nukufetau, w i t h 15-20 t r a i n e e s be ing taken o u t on f i s h i n g t r i p s a t each p l a c e . Good bottom c a t c h e s were o b t a i n e d a t Nukulaelae , w i t h l a r g e f i s h i n d i c a t i n g an a lmost untouched r e s o u r c e . S e v e r a l s h o r t - t a i l e d r e d snapper ( E t e l i s c a r b u n c u l u s ) beyond t h e range of L indsay ' s 25 kg s c a l e s were c a u g h t , and t h r e e saddle-backed grouper (Ep inephe lus s e p t e m f a s c i a t u s ) caugh t t o g e t h e r on t h e same day weighed i n a t a n e s t i m a t e d t o t a l of 200 kg. Nukufetau and Vaitupu gave poore r bottom c a t c h e s , mainly because of s t r o n g c u r r e n t s and l a c k of b a i t which s e v e r e l y hampered e f f e c t i v e f i s h i n g .

A s no i c e was a v a i l a b l e on t h e t h r e e o u t e r i s l a n d s , t h o s e f i s h which cou ld no t be s o l d f r e s h were f i l l e t e d , s a l t e d and sun-dried. T h i s r e s u l t e d i n a product which c o u l d be s t o r e d f o r a r e a s o n a b l e p e r i o d of t i m e , and which was l o c a l l y ve ry a c c e p t a b l e .

- Wallis and Futuna

The Project visit to Wallis and Futuna commenced in November with the arrival of Master Fisherman Pale Taumaia. Pale's first two weeks were spent in company with Assistant Fisheries Officer Carry Preston examining the level of local fishing activities both on Uvea (Wallis) and Futuna and participating in some exploratory fishing trips with local fishermen. A small number of boats are currently deep-bottom fishing outside the barrier reef at Wallis with considerable success, but most fishermen are not familiar with the techniques or equipment required for this type of fishing. This is also true at Futuna, where a rocky and very exposed coastline makes the handling of fishing boats difficult.

The results of a day's exploratory deep-bottom fishing at Wallis Island.

Pale started his training programme in Futuna, demonstrating bottom fishing techniques to members of two local fishing groups. After 4 weeks, he returned to Uvea to continue his programme there.

Computer entry of DSFD Project Data underway

Work is progressing well with the computer entry of catch, effort and related data from the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project's thirty (to date) country visits. This work, commenced at the direction of the last SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries, will form a basis for the production of biological and management information relating to deep-bottom fish stocks. Following the compilation of an exhaustive list of deep-bottom fish species caught during the Projects activities over the past 7 years, about half of the daily catch-and-effort forms have now been coded and punched onto computer files. Many minor problems have been encountered in coding, particularly due to minor inconsistencies or ommissions, which take a long time to correct by checking past files, logsheets and correspondence. However, most of the data has been converted to a computer-usable form, and entry should be completed shortly.

Tuna and Billfish Assessment Programme

As well as the ongoing work of logging and processing tuna catch statistics from SPC member countries, work has been continuing on the publication of concluding reports of the Skipjack Programmes work in the waters of all SPC member countries and territories. Final reports have so far been published for Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Tuvalu, French Polynesia, Vanuatu, Tokelau and Tonga.

Tuna Resource Assessment and Conservation Meeting Planned

In response to a decision taken by the Twenty-third South Pacific Conference (1983) , a meeting between Coastal States and Distant Water Fishing Nations to discuss future approaches to tuna resource assessment and conservation has been announced. Invited participants include all SPC member countries, the Governments of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia and Mexico, the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation (SPEC), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). An earlier recommendation from the Fifteenth SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries (1983) , quoted below, explains the rationale behind the meeting, which will be held at SPC headquarters in Noumea from 18-22 June 1984:

"The meeting recognised that there are substantial gaps in the catch and effort data available to the Programme, but was unable to identify methods of obtaining the information required. Accordingly, the meeting recommended that the Twenty-third South Pacific Conference explore ways and means of obtaining input from the distant-water fishing nations in pursuing the objectives of the revised work programme. The meeting suggested that this include the convening of a meeting of coastal states, distant-water fishing nations, and international organisations with an interest and experience in this field, such as the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), FAO, IATTC and ICCAT, to identify methods of collection, integration, and analysis of statistical and other scientific data on highly migratory species in the. region. The meeting understood that the information generated from the Programme would be used to identify issues relating to the conservation of highly migratory species in the region. The suggested meeting would therefore need to explore

possible structural arrangements which might be required for the conservation of tuna stocks of the region".

Fisheries Statistics Training Course to be held

Following a recommendation from the Fourteenth Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries (1982), the Commission has obtained funding to enable a training course in fisheries statistics to be held. The course, planned for 3-14 September 1984, will be open to participants selected by SPC member countries as being most likely to contribute to the improvement of their national fisheries statistics capabilities.

Instructors for the course will comprise both SPC staff and outside specialists. Emphasis will be given both to coastal and offshore fishery statistics, although the tuna statistics already supplied to SPC by member countries will comprise most of the study material used. The course will be structured to improve the trainees understanding of the use of fisheries statistics, and the role that computers can play in this use, and the Tuna and Billfish Programmes computer facilities will be available for this purpose.

NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION

Joint Fisheries Survey Planned for Tuvalu and Fiji waters

The Tuvalu News Sheet of 10th November 1983 announces the finalisation of an agreement between Japanese, Fijian and Tuvaluan concerns which will result in the chartering of Tuvalu's only pole-and-line boat, the Te Tautai, to conduct a fishery resource survey in both Tuvaluan and ~ i j i z waters. The agreement, between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Government of Fiji, the Government of Tuvalu, Fiji's national fishing company Ika Corporation, and Tuvalu's national fishing company NAFICOT, will be managed by a committee of representatives from each of the bodies concerned, who will meet twice a year to supervise and plan operations. The survey period will run from May 1984 to March 1986, and all three countries will receive full reports of the results of the survey on its completion.

Fishing base feasibility study carried out in Marshal1 Islands

A Japanese team of engineers and other specialists arrived in Majuro in mid September to carry out final studies into the feasibility of establishing a fishing base there, according to the Marshal1 Islands Journal of September 27th. The survey team looked at available sites, power and water supplies, current ice-making and warehousing facilities and other factors which would bear on the feasibility of establishing a fishing base.

The project has been under discussion between the Governments of the Marshal1 Islands and Japan for three years, but looks set to go ahead since the fruitful discussions held during President Kabua's trip to Japan in July. Since there have already been a number of study visits to gather basic information, this final survey is seen as an indication of likely favourable support for the project by Japan. If approved, the base will include an initial freezer storage capability of 700 tonnes of fish, and bunkering, supply and maintenance facilities for foreign and local fishing vessels. The base would be built by the Japanese government, who would subsequently oversee its operation.

American Samoa fishermens association reactivated

The American Samoa Commercial Fishermen Association has been reactivated to work cooperatively with the Office of Marine Resources in the development of the local fishing industry, according to the December 1st issue of the American Samoa News Bulletin. The Association, which was originally incorporated in 1973, met for the first time in five years on November 30th to elect officers and identify its objectives.

Newly elected Vice-President Tony Langkilde says that the Association plans to work closely with the Office o Marine Resources in identifying and solving the problems faced by local fishermen, which are identified as inadequate marketing and fueling facilities, lack of spare parts and reliable engine service, and expensive ice. The Association has 15 potential new members and eight charter members.

Asian Development Bank approves assistance to Solomon Islands

The Asian Development Bank has approved technical assistance to the Solomon Islands for the preparation of a second ADB Fisheries Development Project in the country. According to the Bank's News Release NO. 114183, the technical assistance will help the Government to evaluate the current status of the country's fishing industry and identify opportunites for and constraints to development in this sector. This will serve as a basis for formulating a development strategy to exploit more fully the nation's fisheries resources.

A detailed study will be undertaken to establish basic parameters within which the fisheries sector can and should be developed. The study will recommend a strategy that will lead to a balanced development of artisanal and industrial fisheries, taking into account the fisheries sector's economic potential, resource management, fisheries technology, infrastructure facilities, marketing facilities, social implications and institutional and organisational capabilities.

The Bank's technical assistance will provide consulting services in the areas of economics and institutions, resource management, infrastructure, marketing and fisheries technology.

New Japanese aid vessel for Kiribati

The Kiribati Government formalised an agreement late in November with the Yokohama Yacht Co. Ltd and the Overseas Shipbuilding Cooperative Centre (OSCC) of Japan for the construction of an A$2-million pole-and-line boat which will be financed via Japanese aid.

The boat, to be called Nei Mataburo, will be a sister ship to the currently operating Nei Momi, and is expected to be delivered to Tarawa in July or August of 1984. The OSCC will act as the Kiribati Government's consultant agent in Japan, and will oversee the boats construction on the Government's behalf. The Yokohama Yacht Co. was selected from eight companies who submitted tenders to build the vessel, and has guaranteed that work will be completed within eight months.

Encouraging results from UNDP boatbuilding project in Kiribati

Following a design study carried out by FAO consultant naval architect Oyvind Gulbrandsen in June 1982, the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) has established a boatshed on Tarawa for the construction of fishing canoes designed specifically for I-Kiribati fishermen.

The new boatbuilding scheme is run by UN Volunteer Mr Michael Savins, who arrived in Kiribati in April 1983. After ordering boatbuilding materials and building a boatshed, work began on the construction of two prototype motor sailing canoes, KIR-I and KIR-2, designed by Mr Gulbrandsen. The prototypes were completed in August 1983, and given technical trials the following month. Some of the performance figures obtained at this time are shown below.

Specifications and features of the KIR-1 and KIR-2 (condensed from plans, reports and comments by 0. Gulbrandsen and M. Savins).

Mode l

Description

L.O.A. Unladen weight Principal power source Sail area Recommended motor Speed under outboard power (knots ) 2 persons (150 kg) 3 persons (225 kg) 4 persons (300 kg) 5 persons (375 kg)

Estimated cost ($A)*

Outrigger motor-sailing canoe designed principally for commercial trolling and other fishing activi- ties where speed is re- quired.

7.2 metres 242 kg Ou board motor 9m 5

10 h.p.

KIR-2 (But i-n-ang)

Outrigger motor-sailing canoe designed principally for subsistence or commer- cial fishing activities (e.g. gill-netting, line fishing) where high speed is not essential.

7.2 metres 235 kg Sail 12m 5 h.p.

* Includes sail, motor and some fishing gear.

Since October the two models have been going through their paces in fishing trials designed to assess both the vessels' performance during fishing operations and the degree to which they are acceptable to local fishermen. A good deal of useful information has already been gained in this way, such as the fact that under normal use the Buti-n-ang (KIR-2) suffers very little loss of speed but consumes far less fuel if fitted with a 2 h.p. engine rather than a 5 h.p. as originally planned. Demonstrations to local fishermen have met with very favourable responses and a number of orders have been placed for both types.

Above: Sheer profile and sail plan of KIR-1. Below: KIR-2 moored in Betio harbour.

1 - K i r i b a t i f i s h e r m a n ' s 36-day o r d e a l a t s e a

On September 4 t h I - K i r i b a t i f i she rman T e t u a i Bina l o s t s i g h t of land w h i l e f i s h i n g from h i s canoe, and d r i f t e d f o r 36 days w i t h o u t food o r water b e f o r e b e i n g rescued by a p a s s i n g J a p a n e s e l o n g l i n e r 400 miles from h i s home v i l l a g e . The November 1 8 t h i s s u e of t h e I - K i r i b a t i weekly newspaper 'Te Uekara' c o n t a i n s M r B i n a ' s account of h i s o r d e a l , and warns of t h e dangers f a c i n g unwary s m a l l boa t f i shermen.

"It was dawn when one of my d a u g h t e r s and I dragged my canoe t o s e a . I t was a one-man s a i l i n g canoe. A s soon a s my canoe cou ld f l o a t I boarded i t and s a i l e d t o a p l a c e where I thought I c o u l d ge t a good c a t c h . I knew t h e c u r r e n t was s t r o n g and t h a t i t would d r a g me away from t h e l a n d b u t I thought I c o u l d manage t o g e t back e a s i l y . I f i r s t l o s t s i g h t of l a n d a f t e r c h a s i n g a schoo l of f i s h , which l e d me away from t h e land. The c u r r e n t was a l s o i n t h e same d i r e c t i o n and when I t r i e d t o t u r n back , I c o u l d n ' t . I knew then t h a t I was l o s t .

"The f i r s t few days I a t e my c a t c h and drank t h e i r b lood. Then I was l e f t w i t h no food and d r i n k . I dec ided t o f l o a t b e s i d e my canoe t o c o o l my body which was dry . I d i d n o t s t a y t h e r e long i n f e a r of t h e s h a r k s which o f t e n c i r c l e d my canoe. It was g e t t i n g d a r k , s o I propped up my s a i l t o s h i e l d myself from t h e c o l d n i g h t b r e e z e . B e f o r e s l e e p i n g I prayed and r e c i t e d a v e r s e from t h e B i b l e I knew w e l l , sang a few hymns and t h e n l a y down. I have a wi fe and c h i l d r e n and a t t h a t moment I began t o t h i n k of them, u n t i l a t l a s t I f e l l a s l e e p .

' I woke up t h e nex t morning a t dawn and s a i d my u s u a l p r a y e r s . No r a i n had f a l l e n and I had no food s o I s a t down depressed and e v e r s o l o n e l y . My on ly hope was i n God Almighty s o I prayed a g a i n . T h i s was my f o u r t h day a t sea, and on t h i s day I l a y down on my c h e s t , d a n g l i n g my f e e t i n water a s hour by hour I prayed t i r e l e s s l y .

' I d i d no t know how l o n g I s t a y e d l i k e t h a t . I suddenly f e l t something banging i n t o my f e e t . I t u r n e d and saw a t u r t l e d i v i n g away. Quickly I d ived a f t e r i t opening my e y e s s o t h a t I cou ld no t l o s e i t . I caught i t , k i l l e d i t and d rank i t s blood. I a t e some of i t s f l e s h and kep t t h e r e s t which k e p t me going f o r one week. A t t h e end of t h e week I had n o t h i n g l e f t . For a few days I had no food hu t I n e v e r g o t t i r e d of p r a y i n g f o r h e l p .

"One day a b i r d ( r e d f o o t e d booby) came and s a t on my head. I caugh t i t and drank i t s b lood and a t e e v e r y p a r t of i t s f l e s h , b r a i n and even t h e i n t e s t i n e s which I c l e a n e d w i t h seawate r . A t dusk I prayed : " J e s u s , you a r e t h e way t o l i f e , p l e a s e guide me t o l and i f i t i s your w i l l " . A f t e r p r a y i n g I p r e p a r e d myself t o s l e e p and j u s t when I was abou t t o l i e down a n o t h e r b i r d came and s a t on my head. I caugh t t h i s one, drank i t s b lood and k e p t t h e f l e s h f o r t h e nex t day.

' I woke up t h e nex t morning, s a i d my p r a y e r s w i t h n o t h i n g on my mind b u t t o r each land. A f t e r s a y i n g my p r a y e r s t h i s t i m e , a l o t of b i r d s came and some s e t t l e d on my head , and some on my canoe. I c a u g h t a s many a s I c o u l d ; some of them I a t e and t h e r e s t , I t i e d t o my canoe a l i v e , t o be e a t e n l a t e r . It took me two weeks t o e a t a l l t h e b i r d s .

"After those two weeks w i t h food and d r i n k from t h e b i r d s , I began t o r e a l i s e t h e f a c t t h a t i t had no t r a i n e d . A t t h i s t ime r a i n c louds g a t h e r e d overhead and then f l o a t e d away, l e a v i n g me p r a y i n g h a r d e r . I f i t r a i n e d , it d i d n o t r a i n where I was bu t f u r t h e r away.

"One n i g h t i t stormed. I thought t h e howling winds would c a p s i z e my canoe o r t h e huge waves would s i n k i t . I d i d no t know what t o do t o keep me warm s o I s t o o d up, s a t down a g a i n , s h i v e r e d and even c r i e d . Crying d i d no t h e l p s o I s t a r t e d s i n g i n g hymns, p u t t i n g i n t o p i c t u r e s t h e words of t h e songs and I thank God f o r g i v i n g me hope and courage , dur ing t h e s e d r e a d f u l moments.

'On t h e day I was found, I had had no food f o r d a y s and I had g iven up hope of r e a c h i n g l and . I had p repared myself b e f o r e d e a t h came. I made a s o r t of hammock w i t h some ropes on which I was go ing t o l i e , t i e d and covered w i t h t h e s a i l . A l l was completed and I was l y i n g down on my deathbed covered w i t h my s a i l . It was n o t ve ry l o n g a f t e r I l a y down when I h e a r d a horn blown twice . I peeped from under t h e s a i l and saw a s h i p t o t h e wes t of me. I got up a s q u i c k l y a s I could and waved hard t o a t t r a c t t h e crews a t t e n t i o n . It was no use . The s h i p j u s t went on i t s way and soon i t was o u t of s i g h t . A s soon a s i t d i sappeared I c o l l a p s e d o n t o my canoe and s t a r t e d c r y i n g . It was about t h r e e o ' c l o c k i n t h e a f t e r n o o n .

' I d i d n o t g ive up hope. I prayed and p rayed , h a r d e r t h a n I had ever prayed t h a t t h e s h i p be r e t u r n e d t o p i c k me up. A t abou t f i v e o ' c l o c k i n t h e a f t e r n o o n I s i g h t e d t h e s h i p head ing towards me. A f t e r a w h i l e it reached me b u t i t h i t t h e back of my canoe b r e a k i n g i t . Aboard t h e s h i p wi th my canoe t h e crew asked my name and where I came from. I t o l d them t h a t I came from Makin. On h e a r i n g t h i s they t o l d me t h a t they would d rop me a t Makin a f t e r t h r e e days. On t h e t h i r d day which was a F r i d a y w e f i n a l l y r eached Makin a t abou t 7 i n t h e m o r n i n g .

Second I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference on Warm Water Aquacu l tu re Announced

The ~ a w a i i Campus of t h e Brigham Young U n i v e r s i t y h a s announced t h a t i t s second I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference on Warm Water Aquacul ture i s t o be h e l d a t L a i e , Hawaii from February 5-8 1985.

Whereas t h e f i r s t c o n f e r e n c e , h e l d i n 1983, f o c u s s e d s p e c i f i c a l l y on c r u s t a c e a n s , t h e second c o n f e r e n c e w i l l be devoted t o t o p i c s d e a l i n g w i t h t h e c u l t u r e of commercially i m p o r t a n t f i n f i s h . S e s s i o n s a r e e n v i s a g e d on; Hatchery Technology and Larva l Biology; M a t u r a t i o n , Spawning and Breed ing ; N u t r i t i o n , Feeds and Feeding P r a c t i c e s ; D i s e a s e s and P r e d a t o r s ; Growout Management Techniques and Water Q u a l i t y ; P r o d u c t i o n Economics and Marke t ing ; Government Support and A t t i t u d e s ; and Legal Aspects of F i s h Farming.

P a r t i c i p a n t s a r e encouraged t o p r e s e n t papers a t t h e mee t ing , e i t h e r o r a l l y o r by p r e p a r i n g a p o s t e r p r e s e n t a t i o n . The d e a d l i n e f o r t h e submiss ion of a b s t r a c t s of such papers i s June 1st 1984.

More d e t a i l s can be o b t a i n e d from P r o f e s s o r T. Aaron Lim, D i v i s i o n of Cont inuing Educa t ion , Brigham Young U n i v e r s i t y , Hawaii Campus, L a i e , Hawaii 96762, USA.

Fish identification poster published

The Fisheries Division of Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has recently produced a wall poster, entitled 'Food Fishes of Fiji', which features photographs of 60 of the more commonly sold or eaten local fish species. The poster, funded under the New Zealand Bilateral Aid Programme, is intended for use both for identification purposes by fishermen and fisheries workers, and as an educational tool in schools. The photographs are broadly grouped according to the habitat of the fish (e.g. estuaries, coral reefs, etc.) and are labelled with scientific, English and Fijian names.

E;

0

2 v5 0 0

2 'Food Fishes of Fiji".

The posters are on sale for F$2 + postage. Copies can be ordered from the Librarian, Fisheries Division, M.A.F., Box 358, Suva, Fiji.

Dr Tony Lewis, who compiled the poster from photographs taken by himself and a number of other fisheries workers, is currently working on a companion poster, which will feature non-fish marine products (e.g. crustaceans, molluscs, turtles, seaweeds, etc).

F i s h i n g b o a t d i s a s t e r k i l l s one , i n j u r e s s i x

An e x p l o s i o n i n t h e eng ine room of t h e U.S. purse s e i n e r Ocean P e a r l on November 21s t r e s u l t e d i n s e r i o u s i n j u r i e s t o s i x of h e r crew and t h e dea th of he r c a p t a i n , 28-year o l d American John Medina.

The e x p l o s i o n , whose cause i s s t i l l n o t known, o c c u r r e d w h i l e t h e s e i n e r was o p e r a t i n g nea r Tuvalu. Cap ta in Medina and t h e o t h e r i n j u r e d crew members were badly burned d u r i n g t h e e x p l o s i o n , and i n t h e e n s u i n g f i g h t t o c o n t r o l t h e f i r e . John Medina's younger b r o t h e r Wade, who a l s o works on t h e b o a t , l e d t h e i n j u r e d i n t o t h e s h i p ' s walk-in f r e e z e r s t o c o o l down t h e i r burns , and , whi le o t h e r crew members d r e s s e d t h e i r i n j u r i e s , had t h e main s k i f f launched i n c a s e t h e boat began t o s i n k . Another s e i n e r , t h e I s l a n d P r i n c e s s working i n t h e v i c i n i t y came t o t h e Ocean P e a r l ' s a s s i s t a n c e , a n d , u s i n g t h e i r two h e l i c o p t e r s , t h e burn v i c t i m s were f lown t o F u n a f u t i f o r med ica l a t t e n t i o n .

I n s t a t e m e n t s t o t h e San Diego Times, Wade Medina s a i d of t h e a t t e n t i o n they r e c e i v e d i n Tuvalu "I c a n ' t say enough good abou t t h o s e peop le t h e r e ... t h e r e were never l e s s than t h r e e n u r s e s t a k i n g c a r e of each one of t h e guys who was burned. There were abou t 40 peop le o u t s i d e of t h e h o s p i t a l a l l t h e t ime, j u s t w a i t i n g t o do something t o h e l p . They k e p t go ing f o r i c e wherever they c o u l d g e t i t - t h e r e a r e n ' t many f r e e z e r s t h e r e . They kep t b r i n g i n g us food and i f they thought we looked t h i r s t y they b rough t us t h i n g s t o d r ink . They were j u s t f a n t a s t i c - i t ' s a s p i r i t they have , and i t ' s a shame we d o n ' t have i t h e r e . I t ' s l i k e a brotherhood".

Over a hundred i s l a n d r e s i d e n t s o f f e r e d t o g i v e blood i f i t was needed, and some of t h e h o s p i t a l ' s med ica l s u p p l i e s were exhaus ted i n c a r i n g f o r t h e i n j u r e d whi le w a i t i n g f o r a U.S. Coastguard p l a n e t o a r r i v e and f l y them t o i n t e n s i v e c a r e f a c i l i t i e s i n Hawaii. Wade Medina s a i d " t h e Coastguard plane was coming bu t we d i d n ' t know e x a c t l y when and t h e r e were 100 , maybe 150, of t h e peop le who s t ayed up a l l n i g h t a t t h e a i r s t r i p . There were a few c a r s , but t h e peop le were o u t t h e r e a l l n i g h t w i t h f l a s h l i g h t s and matches and c i g a r e t t e l i g h t e r s t o t r y and l i g h t t h e f i e l d if t h e p l a n e came."

The p l a n e i n f a c t a r r i v e d t h e f o l l o w i n g morning, and by t h a t t ime John Medina had d i e d a t t h e h o s p i t a l . The o t h e r burn v i c t i m s s u r v i v e d and were flown t o h o s p i t a l i n Hawaii. The Ocean P e a r l was towed t o American Samoa by t h e I s l a n d P r i n c e s s .

The Medina fami ly i s one of t h e p i o n e e r tuna f i s h i n g f a m i l i e s of sou the rn C a l i f o r n i a and i s h i g h l y r e s p e c t e d i n t h e tuna i n d u s t r y . Wade Medina s a i d t h e fami ly i s planning t o show i t s g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e h e l p g iven by t h e Tuvaluan peop le by e s t a b l i s h i n g , through t h e American Tunaboat A s s o c i a t i o n , "something l i k e a 10-bed i n t e n s i v e c a r e wing w i t h a n o p e r a t i n g room a t t h e h o s p i t a l a t Funafu t i " , a s a memorial t o John Medina.

Black b a s s i n t r o d u c e d t o F i j i

I n 1963 New C a l e d o n i a ' s man-made Yate l a k e , which i s used f o r t h e g e n e r a t i o n of h y d r o e l e c t r i c i t y , was s tocked w i t h b l a c k b a s s (Macropterus sa lmoides ) , a popular American f r e s h wa te r game f i s h . The brood s t o c k t h r i v e d and m u l t i p l i e d , and now, 20 y e a r s l a t e r , forms t h e b a s i s f o r a very popu la r s p o r t f i s h e r y . Black bass i s a l s o g r e a t l y sought a f t e r a s a n e a t i n g f i s h i n and around t h e c a p i t a l , Noumea, a l though i t s s a l e i s p r o h i b i t e d s i n c e a smal l and

r e l a t i v e l y s u s c e p t i b l e l a k e p o p u l a t i o n cannot be expec ted t o suppor t a commercial f i s h e r y .

On October 25th 1983 a consignment of b l a c k bass f i n g e r l i n g s was made t o F i j i i n o r d e r t o e s t a b l i s h a s i m i l a r p o p u l a t i o n i n Vaturu l a k e , a r e c e n t l y dammed d r i n k i n g w a t e r r e s e r v o i r on t h e w e s t e r n s i d e of F i j i ' s main i s l a n d of V i t i Levu. The sh ipment , made under a government t o government agreement , was h a n d l e d by New C a l e d o n i a ' s Water and F o r e s t S e r v i c e , and F i j i ' s F i s h e r i e s D i v i s i o n . 141 f i n g e r l i n g s were a i r f r e i g h t e d t o Nadi, i n d i v i d u a l l y packaged i n s e a l e d p l a s t i c bags h a l f f u l l of wa te r and i n f l a t e d w i t h oxygen.

One of the black bass figerlings which died on the way to the packing station.

The f i s h were caught t h e p r e c e d i n g morning by u s i n g f i n e meshed n e t s , f o l d e d o v e r s e v e r a l t imes t o e n s u r e t h e f i n g e r l i n g s would not become g i l l e d o r meshed. Black b a s s make spawning p i t s , s i m i l a r t o T i l a p i a n e s t s , i n t h e sha l low w a t e r of t h e l a k e edge , and t h e young s t a y i n t h e v i c i n i t y of the n e s t s a f t e r h a t c h i n g . The n e t s were o p e r a t e d around t h e spawning p i t s by a team of c o l l e c t o r s from t h e Water and F o r e s t s S e r v i c e ' s t r a i n i n g schoo l , and t h e morn ing ' s f i s h i n g y i e l d e d 143 baby b a s s , 2 of which d i e d d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t t o t h e pack ing s t a t i o n . A f u r t h e r 15% m o r t a l i t y occur red d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t , l e a v i n g a p p r o x i m a t e l y 120 f o r t h e F i j i F i s h e r i e s D i v i s i o n ' s broodstock. Of t h e s e , abou t 70 were r e l e a s e d i n t o Va tu ru , and t h e remainder have been p laced i n a pond a t t h e ~ i v i s i o n ' s Naduruloulou f i s h farm complex, from where f u r t h e r r e l e a s e s can be made i n f u t u r e i f necessa ry .

70 f i n g e r l i n g s may no t sound l i k e much o f a s t a r t t o ensure f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s of b l a c k b a s s i n Vaturu l a k e , b u t t h e D i v i s i o n i s o p t i m i s t i c abou t i t s s u c c e s s : t h e t h r i v i n g Yate l a k e p o p u l a t i o n i t s e l f i s d e r i v e d from an i n i t i a l r e l e a s e of on ly 19 f i s h ,

Buyers want Beche-de-mer

Two Hong Kong companies have recently been in touch with SPC seeking potential producers of beche-de-mer and other marine products from the Pacific region. Tai Hing International (Trading) Ltd (address: GPO Box 5690, 308-309 International Building, 141 Des Voeux Rd, Central, Hong Kong) are looking for supplies of beche-de-mer and dried sharks fins. Sea Sources (Hong Kong) Company (address: 2nd Floor, General Building, 6-14 Centre Street, Saiyingpun, Hong Kong) is also interested in these two products, plus dried shellfish meat (e.g. trochus, some bivalves, etc.). Interested potential suppliers should write to the two companies* respective managers: Mr K.S. Tao (Tai Hing) and Mr F. Yui Man (Sea Sources).

Australian institution seeks collaborative research projects

As a way of furthering agricultural research objectives and fostering relationships between Australian and Pacific Island marine scientists, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is interested in funding collaborative research work involving Australian and overseas institutions in the fields of marine science, aquaculture and post harvest use of marine products.

The Centre, based in Canberra, already funds a large number of agricultural research projects which involve participation between Universities, Government departments, international aid and research bodies, etc. The criteria for a research project to be considered for ACIAR funding are that;

a) it is a research priority of the country involved b) there is a scientific base in Australia to support the project c) it is a collaborative project in design and intent.

Two examples of the type of work ACIAR is currently funding are projects entitled "prediction and Control of Spoilage of Fresh, Cured and Dried Tropical Fish in Indonesia" and "Fish Drying in East Java". Involvement in a giant clam

, mariculture project is also under consideration, as is a study of the population dynamics of the coconut crab, both in Pacific Island countries.

Further information is available from: Dr J.W. Copland, Research Programme Coordinator, ACIAR, GPO Box 1571, Canberra City 2601, Australia.

Hefty catches in American Samoa

The American Samoa Game Fishing Association's Thanksgiving Fishing Tournament held at the end of November produced some good fish, with prizes being awarded for a 106 lb marlin and a 90-pound yellowfin caught on rod and reel. (A "smallest fish" prize was also awarded to the angler who caught a one-ounce fish). However none came close to the record-breaking 584 lb blue marlin caught the following day by local fisherman Abe Samana. Mr Samana erased the previous record of 425 lbs when he hooked the fish while handlining from his canoe near Tafuna airport. The marlin was landed after a three hour fight.

Fiji's Ika Corporation launches efficient new pole-and-line boats ..... The national fishing company of Fiji, Ika Corporation, is going full

steam ahead with plans to upgrade its fishing fleet to improve the company's

operating economics.

A major step forward has been the development of smaller, fuel-efficient ~ole-and-line boats to replace the ageing fleet of Japanese boats designed in the days before fuel prices became a major constraint in industrial fishing operations.

Two similar boats have so far been built to designs by Australian naval architect Chris Williams. The boats are Ika Corporation's K, and Independence, which is privately owned but chartered to Ika Corporation, who plan to build more vessels to the same basic design. Both Ika 7 and Independence have made profits during their brief fishing careers because of the fuel savings they generate, estimated to be F$4000-6000 per monthly trip. Despite their fuel economy and relatively small 250 h.p. engines, these boats cruise at 9 knots, due to their hydrodynamically efficient shape and carefully selected propellers.

Independence, one of Fiji's new generation of pole-and-line vessels.

These new generation boats differ from their Japanese predecessors in other ways too. The original design requirements were laid down by Graeme Southwick and Robert Stone, both managers of private fishing companies who have served as managers of Ika Corporation, and both of whom have been closely involved in the development of Fiji's tuna fishery. The new boats had to retain a large carrying capacity despite the reduced hull size and horsepower, and they had to have simplified equipment and machinery which would cost less and be easier to maintain and repair locally.

Mr Williams has likened combining these features to running a

3-minute 50 second mile. He feels that one of the main problem in improving vessel designs is in getting new ideas accepted in the face of local conservatism. Nevertheless initial fishing results seem to be proving the success of the venture, and Ika Corporation have already started work on the Ika 8, which, like the other two boats, is being built at the Suva Government shipyard.

..... and scuttles inefficient old ones In the same bid to improve fleet efficiency, the Ika Corporation has

systematically scuttled three of the Hatsutori Maru series of pole-and-line vessels belonging to the Hokuku Marine Products Company of Japan and chartered to the Corporation. The three vessels, Hatsutori Maru # 2, 5 and - 6, were all sunk during October by motoring them outside the reef and then opening seacocks in the engine room to let the vessels flood.

Many fisheries personnel in the region will remember the Hatsutori Maru # 5 as the tagging vessel used by the SPC Skipjack Survey and Assessment Programme from November 1979 to August 1980. The boats were sunk because maintenance and repair costs were prohibitively high due to their old age. They could not be converted to passenger or cargo vessels without expensive modifications, and although they had been on sale no buyers had been found. The ships were stripped of everything usable before being sunk. Three other Hatsutori Maru vessels are still on charter to Ika Corporation.

New Zealand provides new fisheries jetty for Tuvaln

Construction of a new fisheries jetty, worth about NZ$90,000, commenced at Funafuti early in December. The project is funded by the New Zealand Government and is being supervised by a four-man team of consultant engineers.

The work is expected to take about three months and, will provide better access and safer bad-weather moorings for Government and private fishing boats.

PIDP Aquaculture Team completes case studies

The Aquaculture Team of the Pacific Islands Development Programme (ADP) of the East-West Center has recently completed draft reports for the governments of Tonga and Kiribati on various aquaculture activities in the two countries. The team, which comprises Dr Roger Uwate and Mr Peniasi Kunatuba, have submitted a draft report on the feasibility of a proposed mullet farm in Vava'u to the Tongan Government, with supporting reports on world and regional mullet culture activities, the animal protein market in Tonga, and tidal area usage in Vavau'u. In Kiribati, the team carried out an economic evaluation of the Temaiku Baitfish Farm, with supplementary reports on the possibility of milkfish fry export from Kiribati to Guam, and the fish and animal protein market in Tarawa. The reports are currently being reviewed by the Fisheries Divisions of the two governments.

In addition to these reports and the preparation of aquaculture activities reviews, the team is also preparing a report on the Awareness and Perceptions of Aquaculture of Fisheries Officers in the region. This is based on information collected this year at the 15th SPC Regional Technical Meeting on Fisheries, and from participants in the Forum Fisheries Agency's EEZ

management training course held in Suva, Fiji.

NZ firm plans seaweed farm in Tonga

A brief article on the November 4th issue of the 'South Seas Digest' notes that Coast Biologicals Ltd of New Zealand is planning to establish a seaweed farming operation off Vava'u, in Tonga. About 100 acres of shallow water will be seeded as a pilot project and subsequently harvested by about 250 local people, each of whom will operate small allotments producing about 3 tonnes of dry seaweed a year. Coast Biologicals produces seaweed extracts for use in the manufacture of foodstuffs, the waste being made into fertiliser.

New Caledonia invites investment in the fishing industry

The Territorial Assembly of New Caledonia is currently offering incentives to new investors in development activities, including the fishing industry, in order to promote local production and export. Investors, including those from overseas stand to gain: a 15% grant on investment; exemptions from tax on company profits, license fees and land tax for 8 years; and a 50% exemption on company tax. For further information contact: SDAE, B.P. C5, Noumea Cedex, Nouvelle-Caledonie.

'Fishermen's Day' promotes fishemens image

Several Pacific countries are taking steps to promote both the image of the fishing industry in society, and the interest of fishermen themselves in developing the industry, by organising contests and festive occasions which draw attention to local fishing activities. An example is the recent 'Fisherman of the Year' competition organised by Fiji's Fisheries Division, in which local companies donated outboard motors, punts and fishing gear as prizes for the winners.

The Government of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean have taken this concept a step further by organising an annual 'Fishermens Day' according to a report in the 'Bay of Bengal News'. The third Fishermens Day was celebrated on December 10th 1983 with a variety of activities which aim to improve the status of fishermen in society, push efforts to improve their earnings and living standards, and encourage more young people to take to fishing-objectives shared by the administrations of most Pacific Island countries. The day is a media event, with plenty of radio and television coverage, and special events organised to generate public appeal.

To fisheries development workers, the highlight of the first Fishermens Day in 1981 was the introduction of fisheries science into the Maldivian school curriculum. This was meant to impart systematic knowledge of fisheries at an early age, with environmental ecology, fishing technology and fisheries management being incorporated into a curriculum which UNESCO helped develop. Since that time, the government has engaged a specialist specifically to develop fisheries education in schools.

Other events which helped launch the first Fishermens Day were the launching of a tree-planting scheme to help overcome timber scarcity for boat-building: a commemorative stamp issue: a childrens art competition on the theme of fisheries: and the release of a local fisheries magazine, distributed free among schools, and sold in bookshops.

Fisheries development activities have also been timed to coincide with Tishermens Day, thus adding impact to the annual event and publicity to the activity. In 1982, for example, December 10th saw the opening of two fish marketing warehouses for salted and dried fish.

The big event of the 1983 Fishermens Day was a 120 km sailing contest, open only to non-motorised craft, and meant to promote sail power as well as providing an exciting visual event for the day.

Complaints of dumping undersized tuna in Solomon Islands

The practice of dumping large quantities of undersized skipjack by Solomon Taiyo and National Fisheries catcher boats came under sharp attack during a visit by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mr Mamaloni to the Western Province in August this year, according to a report in the 'Solomon Star' o f September 2nd. The Reverend Qebi Runikera told the Prime Minister at a meeting of the United Church Synod that Solomon Islanders were 'selling our birthright' by allowing tonnes of fish to be dumped into the Diamond Narrows at Noro.

Further discussions noted the fact that Gizo Hospital had an agreement in principle to use the fish, but that logistical problems often prevented this. Some delegates to the Synod noted that Solomon Taiyo had tried its best to give away the fish it could not use for canning. The Synod ultimately unanimously moved that Solomon Taiyo and National Fisheries be asked to make use of the fish rather than wasting them.

Polynesian countries sign fishing agreement with American Tunaboat Association

The Governments of Tuvalu, Western Samoa, Niue, and New Zealand on behalf of Tokelau have signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Tunaboat Association, under the terms of which members vessels will pay a license fee for the right of access to the 200-mile EEZs of the countries concerned.

After considerable discussions the ATA agreed that the memorandum, signed on 30th August, would be retroactive to January 1st 1983. The license fee has been set at US$15 per net registered ton of vessel for 1983, and US$.10 for 1984.

Baitfish ponds for Fiji

The Government of Australia has recently approved a grant of A$250,000 to the Fiji Government-owned Ika Corporation to establish baitfish culture ponds, according to a report in the November issue of the Australian magazine 'Professional Fisherman'. The aid money will be channelled through the Australian Development Assistance Bureau (ADAB) which will use it to buy equipment for the project in Australia. Fifteen fish ponds are to be built on a six hectare site at Togalevu, near Suva, by the Drainage and Irrigation Section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Once completed, these will be stocked with a broodstock of mexican mollie (Poecilia mexicana) which were transported from the Vaitoloa baitfish farm in Apia, Western Samoa, prior to its closure in 1983, and which have since been kept in holding ponds at the Fiji Fisheries Division's headquarters near Suva.

The bait farm is not intended to supply the entire Ika Corporation fleet with bait year round. Rather, the aim is to provide enough supplementary

l i v e b a i t t o e n a b l e t h e b o a t s t o c a r r y on f i s h i n g when w i l d b a i t i s s e a s o n a l l y s c a r c e o r d u r i n g p e r i o d s of s h o r t term s h o r t a g e (e.g. t h e days around f u l l moon). The farm s h o u l d a l s o reduce t h e need t o h a r v e s t w i l d b a i t from c o a s t a l a r e a s where f i s h i n g r i g h t s a r e a s e n s i t i v e i s s u e .

R e s e a r c h e r s t r a c k y e l l o w f i n tuna

Research workers D r R ichard B r i l l , D r K i m Hol land, Lt J. Scot t Fe rgusson and o t h e r s aboard t h e U.S. N a t i o n a l Marine F i s h e r i e s Se rv ice r e s e a r c h v e s s e l K a a h e l e ' a l e , based i n Hawaii , have r e c e n t l y s u c c e s s f u l l y t r a c k e d the s h o r t term h o r i z o n t a l and v e r t i c a l movements of y e l l o w f i n tuna (Thunnus a l b a c a r e s ) u s i n g u l t r a s o n i c d e p t h - s e n s i t i v e r a d i o t r a n s m i t t e r s a t t a c h e d t o t h e f i s h . T h i s work, d e s c r i b e d i n t h e Southwest F i s h e r i e s C e n t e r ' s Monthly Repor t s , c o n s t i t u t e s p a r t of a s t u d y of f i s h behav iour around f i s h a g g r e g a t i o n dev ices (FADS).

The f i r s t s u c c e s s f u l t r a c k i n g was of a yellovfir. caught a feà .ai.les o f f t h e c o a s t of Waianae, Oahu, a t 9.55 a.m. on October 7 t h , and r e l e a s e d a f t e r a t t a c h i n g t h e r a d i o t r a n s m i t t e r . The f i s h was t r a c k e d f o r t h e nex t 26 h o u r s , u n t i l i t was l o s t o f f Kaena P o i n t a t noon on October 8 t h . A f t e r r e f u e l l i n g t h e b o a t , t h e crew r e t u r n e d t o Kaena P o i n t a t noon on October 9 t h , and t h e f i s h was r e l o c a t e d and t r a c k e d u n t i l t h e f o l l o w i n g morning, when i t r e t u r n e d t o the v i c i n i t y where i t was o r i g i n a l l y c a u g h t . The v e s s e l t h e n l e f t t o exchange crews and p i c k up more f u e l , a f t e r which i t resumed the s e a r c h f o r t h e f i s h l a t e i n t h e a f t e r n o o n of October 1 2 t h . The y e l l o w f i n was a g a i n r e l o c a t e d nea r Kaena P o i n t and t r a c k e d u n t i l t h e f o l l o w i n g morning, when i t r e t u r n e d t o n e a r the o r i g i n a l p o i n t of c a p t u r e .

The t h r e a t of h u r r i c a n e Raymond f o r c e d t h e v e s s e l t o r e t u r n t o i t s home b a s e , and on resuming t h e s e a r c h f o r t h e f i s h , t h e t r a n s m i t t e r was found t o have been shed and was l y i n g on t h e s e a bed i n 110 m e t r e s of wa te r .

his very s u c c e s s f u l exper iment r e s u l t e d i n t h r e e prolonged t r a c k s spann ing 6 d a y s d u r i n g which unpreceden ted d a t a on a y e l l o w f i n t u n a ' s h o r i z o n t a l and v e r t i c a l movements were a c q u i r e d . The tuna showed a p r e d i c t a b l e behav iour p a t t e r n t h a t a l lowed it t o be r e p e a t e d l y r e l o c a t e d f o r days a  £ t e i t was o r i g i n a l l y caught . It appeared t o have a d e f i n i t e 'home r a n g e ' , and, though i t made s i g n i f i c a n t o f i s h o r e e x c u r s i o n s (we l l o f f s h o r e of t h e p r e s e n t FAD l o c a t i o n s ) i t a lways r e t u r n e d t o t h e 90 m e t r e i s o b a t h a t about the same time each day. Also r a p i d d i v e s t o more than 700 met res were recorded .

A second t r a c k i n g took p l a c e on November 17 th . A t r a n s m i t t e r was a t t a c h e d t o a 55-cm f i s h caught on FAD "S" which i s l o c a t e d o f f t h e Waianae c o a s t . A f t e r r e l e a s e t h e f i s h s t a y e d around FAD "S" f o r on ly a s h o r t p e r i o d and then proceeded v i a a r e l a t i v e l y d i r e c t c o u r s e t o FAD "V", which i s l o c a t e d abou t 10 m i l e s n o r t h of FAD "S". The f i s h remained i n t h e immediate v i c i n i t y of FAD "V" f o r abou t 7 hours and then moved r a p i d l y o f f s h o r e (wes t ) j u s t be fo re s u n s e t . The f i s h was fo l lowed u n t i l 7 a.m. t h e n e x t morning, when t h e t a g was shed.

Th i s t r a c k demons t ra tes t h a t y e l l o w f i n w i l l s u c c e s s i v e l y v i s i t FADS t h a t a r e up t o 10 m i l e s a p a r t and t h a t they have t h e a b i l i t y t o l e a r n FAD l o c a t i o n s and d i r e c t l y n a v i g a t e from one FAD t o a n o t h e r . Both t r a c k i n g s r e v e a l motor , p h y s i o l o g i c a l and n a v i g a t i o n a l a b i l i t i e s i n y e l l o w f i n t h a t have been deduced b u t never documented. The i n f o r m a t i o n o b t a i n e d has s i g n i f i c a n t i m p l i c a t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e p lacement and e f f e c t s of FADS, and f u r t h e r

tracks are planned for the coming months.

Fisherman poisoned by puffer fish

A 48-year old fisherman from the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia died in December after eating the raw liver and roe of a puffer fish (family Tetraodontidae) the previous afternoon. Six pigs and two cats also died after being fed the broth in which the rest of the fish, which fortunately was not consumed by the fisherman's family, was cooked. -

Deaths from eating puffer fish (also called balloon fish, porcupine fish and toad fish) have occurred in many Pacific countries and continue to occur because of a lack of awareness of their potential toxicity. Puffer fish poisoning is not related to ciguatera poisoning but is caused by a toxin produced by the fish itself and found in greatest concentrations in the skin, viscera and gonads. 'Fishes of Tasmania' by P.R. Last, E.O.G. Scott and F.H. Talbot, contains the following notes on the subject:

"These fishes (families Tetraodontidae, Diodontidae and possibly Molidae) are among the most poisonous animals known to man. The poison, tetraodotoxin, is the most lethal of any of the poisons found in the flesh of fishes. Although the onset and severity of symptoms vary depending on the quantity of poison ingested, the death rate in humans is about 60 per cent and may occur within 6-24 hours of eating the fish. It interferes with the transmission of nervous impulses in the victim. Some early symptoms include weakness, dizziness, increased salivation, sweating, chest pain, increased pulse rate, vomiting and haemorrhaging. These may be followed by breathing difficulties, muscular twitching and uncoordination, unconsciousness, paralysis and death.

"The poison is concentrated mainly in the gonads, liver and intestines of the fish but small quantities occur within the skin. The flesh is reported to be mostly poison-free. During the breeding season, however, high concentrations of poison are stored in the reproductive organs and may be transmitted into the adjacent muscle tissue. In Japan, where these fishes are specially prepared and eaten as a delicacy, an average of 50 cases of tetraodotoxic poisoning are reported each year".

Comments requested on fisheries wharf development in American Samoa

In a November 21st news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District Engineer Colonel Michael M. Jenks requests public review and comment on a proposed fishing wharf construction project in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

The intention of the request is to avoid serious environmental damage or threats to cultural resources or endangered species in developing the wharf and associated mooring facilities. In line with this aim, advice has also been sought from the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, the U.S. National Park Service, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, and all these comments will be taken into consideration before a final decision on whether to go ahead with the project.

Addressing the environmental impact of the proposed development, the

~ i s t r i c t Engineer made t h e f o l l o w i n g comments,

#Â¥Th f a c i l i t i e s t o be c o n s t r u c t e d would be l o c a t e d a d j a c e n t t o t h e O f f i c e of Marine Resources a t Fagatogo V i l l a g e and a r e in tended f o r domest ic f i s h i n g v e s s e l s mos t ly r a n g i n g i n l e n g t h from 16 t o 40 f e e t w i t h a maximum d r a f t of 6 f e e t . The dock would be of concre te p i l e s . An a s p h a l t - c o n c r e t e pavement 20 f e e t wide would a d j o i n t h e c o n c r e t e dock. Approximately 1,500 c u b i c y a r d s of dead c o r a l , sand, and r u b b l e would be dredged and excava ted a s p a r t of t h e p r o j e c t .

"If t h e p r o j e c t i s c o n s t r u c t e d , temporary i n c r e a s e s i n t u r b i d i t y a r e a n t i c i p a t e d d u r i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e wharf and mooring f a c i l i t i e s and t h e a s s o c i a t e d e x c a v a t i o n and dredging. Common f i s h e s i n t h i s a r e a i n c l u d e s a r d i n e s ( H e r k l o t s i c h t h y s s p . ) , s i l v e r s i d e s , j u v e n i l e m u l l e t (m spp . ) , a t u l e ( S e l a r crumenophthalmus) and j acks (Caranx spp.) . These f i s h e s a r e u s u a l l y found a t d e p t h s and a t t h e s u r f a c e . Only a few gob ies l i v e n e a r t h e r e l a t i v e l y f e a t u r e l e s bottom. L i t t l e s u b s i s t e n c e o r r e c r e a t i o n a l f i s h i n g o c c u r s i n t h e a r e a due t o t h e r e l a t i v e l a c k of f i s h e s and i n v e r t e b r a t e s . Of f shore of t h e e a s t e r n edge of t h e wharf s i t e r i se t h e mounds t o be planed o f f by d redg ing . The a r e a t o be dredged c o n s i s t s of l a r g e b l o c k s of dead c o r a l and sandy r u b b l e on which a r e found sponges , c o e l e n t e r a t e s , such a s j e l l y f i s h and c o r a l , and a l g a e . Nearby c o r a l o u t c r o p s a r e a l r e a d y dead due t o p r e v i o u s a l t e r a t i o n s of t h e environment.

"Upon comple t ion of t h e p r o j e c t , the long-term impacts w i l l i n c l u d e i n p u t s of b i l g e w a t e r , e n g i n e o i l , s p i l l e d f u e l , f i s h blood and d e b r i s a r i s i n g from t h e i n c r e a s e d boat t r a f f i c . These problems, however, a r e expec ted t o be of r e l a t i v e l y minor s i g n i f i c a n c e . The s t a b i l i s e d s h o r e l i n e and f l o a t i n g docks w i l l l i k e l y have b e n e f i c i a l e f f e c t on t h e mar ine community. Like a n a r t i f i c i a l r e e f , t h e c o n c r e t e bulkhead and p i l e s and t h e u n d e r s i d e of t h e f l o a t i n g dock w i l l i n c r e a s e s t r u c t u r a l d i v e r s i t y of t h e h a b i t a t and p rov ide new h a r d , s t a b l e s u b s t r a t e s f o r c o l o n i s a t i o n by a l g a e and s e s s i l e i n v e r t e b r a t e s which , i n t u r n , w i l l s h e l t e r and feed a v a r i e t y of f i s h e s , c r u s t a c e a n s and mol luscs . F i s h i n g w i l l l i k e l y be improved a s t h e r e s u l t of i n c r e a s e d biomass and because t h e a r e a w i l l be more a c c e s s i b l e t o f i shermen."

Unexpla ined f i s h k i l l i n F i j i

An u n i d e n t i f i e d chemical was blamed f o r t h e d e a t h of thousands of f i s h which f l o a t e d o n t o t h e shore around Suva on December Z ls t , accord ing t o t h e F i j i Times. The f i s h i n c l u d e d smal l m u l l e t s and s a r d i n e s , t r e v a l l i e s , and o t h e r s from a l l t r o p h i c l e v e l s , i n c l u d i n g r e e f f i s h , bottom f e e d e r s , midwater and s u r f a c e d w e l l e r s *

Local h e a l t h a u t h o r i t i e s i s s u e d a warning no t t o e a t any of t h e f i s h , b u t n e v e r t h e l e s s dozens of people scoured t h e beach f i l l i n g up sacks and b u c k e t s , and some were r e p o r t e d t o have been s o l d .

T e s t s c a r r i e d o u t a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of t h e South P a c i f i c i n d i c a t e d t h a t r e d t i d e s o r o t h e r n a t u r a l phenomena known t o cause f i s h k i l l s were not r e s p o n s i b l e i n t h i s c a s e . A number of o t h e r causes have been sugges ted , i n c l u d i n g washdown of a g r i c u l t u r a l o r o t h e r chemicals d u r i n g t h e heavy r a i n s of t h e p r e v i o u s d a y s , l e a k a g e of chemical was te dumped i n t h e sea i n s e a l e d

c o n t a i n e r s , and a c c i d e n t a l o r d e l i b e r a t e d i s c h a r g e of poisonous compounds i n t o Suva ha rbour .

ABSTRACTS

The fo l lowing ' l i m i t e d - d i s t r i b u t i o n ' documents a r e l i s t e d as b e i n g of p o t e n t i a l t e c h n i c a l i n t e r e s t t o r e a d e r s , who s h o u l d write t o t h e c o n t a c t a d d r e s s e s g iven f o r d e t a i l s of how t o o b t a i n c o p i e s .

1) Western Samoa's F i s h Market Guide, 1983, by James R. Ho l lye r . I l l u s t r a t e d by J a c k i e Schus te r . 24 pages . Pamphlet i l l u s t r a t i n g t h e lay-out of Apia f i s h market . Aimed p r i n c i p a l l y a t f i s h b u y e r s , t h e b o o k l e t c o n t a i n s t i p s on s e l e c t i n g f r e s h f i s h , p r e p a r i n g f i s h f o r cooking o r f r e e z i n g , and f i s h r e c i p e s , p l u s n o t e s on c o l l e c t i o n of r e e f i n v e r t e b r a t e s and s e a s i d e f i r s t a i d .

Con tac t a d d r e s s : Chief F i s h e r i e s O f f i c e r , F i s h e r i e s D i v i s i o n , P.O. Box 206, Apia , Western Samoa. (L imi ted number of c o p i e s a v a i l a b l e from SPC).

2 ) F resh I s B e s t , 1983, by t h e F i j i F i s h e r i e s D i v i s i o n . 16-page pamphlet on f i s h c a r e and proper h a n d l i n g , w i t h l i v e l y i l l u s t r a t i o n s by E l a i n e Simon. Aimed p r i n c i p a l l y a t t h e f i she rman , t h e book le t e x p l a i n s i n s imple t e r m s p roper c l e a n i n g and i c i n g t e c h n i q u e s f o r f i s h , and t h e means of i d e n t i f y i n g f r e s h n e s s i n f i s h and i n v e r t e b r a t e s . O r i g i n a l p r i n t r u n i s 1000 i n F i j i a n and 1000 i n Hind i , w i t h a l i m i t e d number on ly i n E n g l i s h .

The DOS and DOWTs of icing fish, illustrated by Elaine Simon in Fiji Fisheries Division's Fresh is best.

Contact a d d r e s s : L i b r a r i a n , F i s h e r i e s D i v i s i o n , M.A.F., Box 358, Suva, F i j i .

3 ) Techniques , Opera t ion and P r o d u c t i o n of t h e Prawn (Macrobrachium rosen- b e r g i i ) Hatchery of Western Samoa, by Lui A . J . B e l l , E. J a n e A l b e r t and J a c k i e Schus te r . 38 pp. Desc r ibes t e c h n i q u e s used i n a v e r y smal l h a t c h e r y supp ly ing p o s t - l a r v a l M. r o s e n b e r g i i t o l o c a l prawn fa rmer .

Contact a d d r e s s : Lui A . J . B e l l , Marine B i o l o g i s t , L a b o r a t o r y , F i s h e r i e s Div- i s i o n , P.O. Box 206, Apia , Western Samoa.

4 ) plywood Workboats f o r Small S c a l e F i s h e r i e s , by Timothy C. V i s e l and W i l l i a m H. Highsmith d e s c r i b e s t h e method of c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e Brockway s k i f f , a ve ry s i m p l e , e a s y t o b u i l d plywood h u l l s u i t a b l e f o r l o a d c a r r y i n g and i n s h o r e work. Limited numbers of t h i s manual a r e a v a i l a b l e and pe r sons w a n t i n g a copy a r e r e q u i r e d t o complete a two-page book review s h e e t f o r t h e a u t h o r s .

Con tac t a d d r e s s : The L i b r a r y , I n t e r n a t i o n a l Center f o r Marine Resource Dev- e lopment , U n i v e r s i t y of Rhode I s l a n d , Kings ton , Rhode I s l a n d 02881, USA.

SPC Fisheries Newsletter No. 27 October - December 1983

SYNOPSIS OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL ARTIFICIAL REEF CONFERENCE

Dr Richard Brock Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology

Honolulu, ~awaii, U. S.A.

The Third International Artificial Reef Conference was held in Southern California in November 1983. The conference was successful in attracting speakers from Australia, Japan, Philippines, Israel, Kuwait and the U.S. In total there were 45 papers delivered and 12 exhibits in the poster session.

The speakers covered numerous topics related to artificial reef S, FADS and midwater attractors. In this short summary, I would like to discuss a few of the papers that may be most pertinent to fishery problems and personnel in the SPC region.

The development of artificial reefs is frequently hampered by materials costs whether it be concrete pipes, used tyres or designed fiberglass modules (as used in Japan). These materials are not always readily available thus fisheries officers must use their ingenuity if they are to improve inshore fisheries through artificial reef development.

Dr F.J. Vande Vusse (Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines) presented a paper describing the use of a novel reef material - bamboo. Artificial reef modules were constructed of bamboo lashed together and weighted with stones. Modules were 2 to 3 m in dimensions and the bamboo was drilled to let the air escape for easier submergence. The short life expectancy of bamboo modules (about 5 years) is more than compensated by the resulting increased productivity in the area of deployment, the low material costs, and the fact that construction and deployment can be carried out by local fishermen without any high technological support. Bamboo modules could have wide application in low energy habitats (i.e., protected bays, etc.), particularly if yields are depressed and the individuals utilising these areas are motivated towards improving them.

Dr E. Spanier (University of Haifa, Israel) working on two tyre reefs in the Mediterranean found a significant increase in comnercially important fishes on one of the reefs because of a weekly addition of 15 kg of waste fish scraps. In some Pacific localities, however, such a food subsidy might cause a local increase in the shark population rather than in the target species.

Artificial reef researchers are not only attempting to enhance the populations of species residing in shallow water but are turning their attention to deep-dwelling bottomfish. Dr J. Polovina (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Honolulu, Hawaii) presented a paper outlining a

proposed program t o s t u d y t h e use of a r t i f i c i a l r e e f s t r u c t u r e s f o r enhancing snapper s t o c k s i n t h e Hawaiian deep h a n d l i n e f i s h e r y . I n t h i s s t u d y , a r t i f i c i a l r e e f modules would be placed i n w a t e r s 100 m o r more i n d e p t h and would be moni to red by use of a submers ib le .

A number of papers were g i v e n concern ing t h e development and use of FADS. D r I . K . Workman (NMFS, Pascagou la , M i s s i s s i p p i ) r e p o r t e d on s t u d i e s he h a s conducted around midwater f i s h a g g r e g a t o r s . Midwater a g g r e g a t o r s a r e t a u t l i n e moored s u b s u r f a c e FADs t h a t a r e u s u a l l y deployed i n r e l a t i v e l y shal low (10-150 m) w a t e r à Depending on where they a r e p l a c e d , t h e s e d e v i c e s can a t t r a c t b o t h sha l low r e e f s p e c i e s a s w e l l as p e l a g i c forms i n t h e Caribbean. D r Workman found t h a t t h e r e c r u i t m e n t of f i s h t o midwater s t r u c t u r e s f o l l o w s a d a i l y r o u t i n e where f i s h e s beg in c o n c e n t r a t i n g around t h e d e v i c e s i n t h e morning, t h e p o p u l a t i o n s peaking n e a r midday and then d e c r e a s i n g i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . He noted t h a t r e e f - a s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s were more abundant around d e v i c e s l o c a t e d nea r n a t u r a l r e e f s w h i l e p e l a g i c forms were common around s t r u c t u r e s p laced o u t over open sand bottom away from r e e f s .

M r D. Myatt (Mclntosh Marine Inc . , F o r t Lauderda le , F l o r i d a ) d e s c r i b e d t h e use of a s t r i n g of midwater a g g r e g a t o r s set up a s " t r o l l i n g a l l e y s . " T r o l l i n g a l l e y s a r e a series of midwater a g g r e g a t o r s spaced 200-500 m a p a r t i n two p a r a l l e l l i n e s r a n g i n g from 1 t o 2 km i n l eng th . A s u r f a c e marker buoy i s s e t u s u a l l y a t each end , s o t h e t r o l l i n g a l l e y can be found by f i she rmen . Users t r o l l down t h e l e n g t h of t h e a l l e y . Mr Myatt p r e s e n t e d ev idence d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of t r o l l i n g a l l e y s deployed i n shal low (30 m) w a t e r s and no ted t h a t smal l midwater a g g r e g a t o r s were more e f f e c t i v e t h a n l a r g e r u n i t s . Small a g g r e g a t o r s were each made u s i n g a s i n g l e f l o a t d i s p l a c i n g abou t 20 l i t r e s t h a t was t a u t l i n e moored t o a c o n c r e t e b lock anchor . The a g g r e g a t o r s were o u t f i t t e d w i t h webbing and o l d s t r a p p i n g f o r added cover .

The paper p r e s e n t e d by Mr G. Mclntosh ( a l s o of Mclntosh Marine I n c . ) , focused on t h e u s e of smal l midwater a g g r e g a t o r s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h b e n t h i c a r t i f i c i a l r e e f s . M r Mclntosh showed t h a t t h e f i s h e r y y i e l d from a n a r t i f i c i a l r e e f c o u l d be i n c r e a s e d by t h e s i m p l e a d d i t i o n of smal l midwater a g g r e g a t o r s . He o u t f i t t e d one of two i d e n t i c a l a r t i f i c i a l r e e f s wi th midwater a g g r e g a t o r s and found a s u b t a n t i a l i n c r e a s e i n t h e f i s h s t a n d i n g crop on t h e r e e f w i t h a g g r e g a t o r s . He concluded t h a t midwater a g g r e g a t o r s a r e a c o s t - e f f e c t i v e method of enhanc ing r e e f f i s h e r i e s .

The r e s u l t s p r e s e n t e d by t h e s e Car ibbean r e s e a r c h e r s sugges t t h a t midwater a g g r e g a t o r s a r e e f f e c t i v e ; t h e t r a n s f e r of t h i s technology t o P a c i f i c i s l a n d ecosystems s h o u l d pose no problems and cou ld r e s u l t i n i n c r e a s e d h a r v e s t of a l a r g e number of s p e c i e s . These "mini-FADS" a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y a t t r a c t i v e because m a t e r i a l c o s t s a r e minimal and deployment of smal l u n i t s i n sha l low w a t e r s means t h a t mooring l i n e c o s t s w i l l l i k e w i s e be low. An a d d i t i o n a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n i s t h a t t h e s e d e v i c e s be ing p laced i n shal low wate r means t h a t they would be more a c c e s s i b l e t o f i she rmen who might not o t h e r w i s e v e n t u r e 15 km o r more t o s e a t o v i s i t a deep-moored FAD. Midwater a g g r e g a t o r s dese rve t e s t i n g and s c r u t i n y i n P a c i f i c n e a r s h o r e h a b i t a t s .

A t t h e confe rence I r e p o r t e d on t h e food and f e e d i n g h a b i t s of y e l l o w f i n tuna from around Hawaiian FADS. I have found t h a t smal l FAD a s s o c i a t e d y e l l o w f i n show a s i g n i f i c a n t d i e t a r y change r e l a t i v e t o non-?4D a s s o c i a t e d y e l l o w f i n . These f i s h may s t a y around a FAD f o r up t o s e v e r a l weeks and a t t a i n ve ry h i g h s t a n d i n g c r o p l e v e l s . I n t h i s s i t u a t i o n around Hawaiian FADs, most y e l l o w f i n feed a lmost e x c l u s i v e l y on deep-dwell ing op lophor id

shrimps - a prey essentially absent in any other fish species either from the FAD fish community or elsewhere. This dietary shift may be causal to the maintenance of the high standing crop of yellowfin in the FAD fish community. I concluded that these FADs may contribute to the enhancement process by causing resident fishes to change their feeding habits to take advantage of otherwise untapped resources.

1n the poster session Mr De Young (Cornell University Laboratory, Riverhead, New York) displayed an interesting and promising material for the mooring of FADs - rubber conveyor belting. Research has been carried out using this belting material as a replacement for 112" chain. It is about 75 per cent cheaper than chain, is inert in seawater and often exceeds the strength characteristics of chain. These researchers have found that an industrial glue is an appropriate way to fasten the belting thus eliminating materials that otherwise would corrode. The relatively low value of the material may ease vandalism and pilferage of structures moored with it. The research is continuing and the implications of the results to the problems of FAD loss due to mooring line failures are obvious.

There were many other interesting papers presented at the conference. Papers and abstracts are due to appear in a separate issue of the Bulletin of Marine Science, which will probably be published in late 1984 or early 1985.