Glaus, Kerstin and Adrian-Kalchhauser, Irene and Burkhardt-Holm, Patricia and White, William T. and Brunnschweiler, Juerg M. (2015) Characteristics of the shark fisheries of Fiji. Scientific Reports, 5 . p. 17556. ISSN 2045-2322
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Abstract
Limited information is available on artisanal and subsistence shark fisheries across the Pacific.
The aim of this study was to investigate Fiji’s inshore fisheries which catch sharks. In January and
February 2013, 253 semi-directive interviews were conducted in 117 villages and at local harbours
on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau and a number of islands of the Mamanuca and Yasawa
archipelagos. Of the 253 interviewees, 81.4% reported to presently catch sharks, and 17.4% declared
that they did not presently catch any sharks. Of the 206 fishers that reported to catch sharks, 18.4%
targeted sharks and 81.6% caught sharks as bycatch. When targeted, primary use of sharks was
for consumption or for sale. Sharks caught as bycatch were frequently released (69.6%), consumed
(64.9%) or shared amongst the community (26.8%). Fishers’ identification based on an identification
poster and DNA barcoding revealed that at least 12 species of elasmobranchs, 11 shark and one ray
species (Rhynchobatus australiae) were caught. This study, which is the first focused exploration of
the shark catch in Fiji’s inshore fisheries, suggests that the country’s artisanal shark fisheries are
small but have the potential to develop into larger and possibly more targeted fisheries.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences S Agriculture > SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Marine Studies |
| Depositing User: | Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2017 23:52 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2017 23:52 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10034 |
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