Glaus, Kerstin and Savou, Rusila and Brunnschweiler, Juerg M. (2024) Characteristics of Fiji’s small-scale ray fishery and its relevance to food security. Marine Policy, 163 (2024). pp. 1-10. ISSN 0308-597X
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Abstract
Sharks and rays are a relevant component of Fiji’s small-scale fishery. However, existing data are skewed towards
sharks, leaving fishery activities for rays less understood. To document species-specific catch numbers, sex, and
age-classes of captured rays, the Suva fish market on Fiji’s main island Viti Levu was surveyed for one year from
January 2022 to January 2023. Among the 192 individual rays recorded in Suva, five species were visually
identified: maskray (Neotrygon sp.), spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus), pink whipray (Pateobatis fai), Oceania
fantail ray (Taeniura lessoni), and porcupine ray (Urogymnus asperrimus). DNA barcoding did not provide un�equivocal species confirmation. The maskray and spotted eagle ray were the most captured and traded species.
To further characterize the fishery and to capture the relevance of rays to food security, 84 fishers and market
vendors were interviewed in coastal communities and at local fish markets. The interviews revealed that 70.4%
of the interviewees caught rays, of which 60% reported to spear them. Rays were considered a moderately
important resource but were particularly relevant to food security as substitute for bony fish. Given the life
histories and global declines of many ray species, explicitly considering rays in management arrangements for
coastal fisheries and enhancing compliance and enforcement of existing regulations, is vital to safeguard Fiji’s
coastal ray populations. Overall, these findings provide baseline information for monitoring Fiji’s small-scale ray
fishery.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Elasmobranchs Batoids Market Survey Interviews TEK DNA barcoding South Pacific Oceania |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
| Divisions: | School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS) |
| Depositing User: | Nirma Narayan |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Mar 2024 23:47 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Apr 2024 23:38 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14534 |
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