Fishing Methods.

Fishing Methods in the Pacific islands are based on centuries of tradition and an intimate knowledge of the unique marine environment around coral reefs.

Collecting
A great variety of shellfish, seaweeds, shrimps, crabs and the like are collected, mainly by women and children, at low tide, kina and clams are collected by diving, further out.

Spearing
This is done either in the shallows, from canoes, or underwater, At night, lights are used to attract reef fish, Spearguns are also popular.

Traps
Woven fish traps or fish fences are commonly used to catch fish coming in on the tide and prevent them escaping as the tide runs back out. When schools of mullet are running, large numbers can be caught, Fish traps are also an important way of preserving fish until they are needed,

Nets
Netting is the most productive form of fishing and often involves a big community effort. Throw nets, surrounding nets, gill nets, beach seine nets, dip nets and drag nets are all used.
The throw net is an ancient form of fishing, demanding great skill and patience. A circular net, weighted around the edges, is thrown over a school of fish in the shallows. The fisherman catches the trapped fish by reaching under the edge of the net.

Community fishing
This is used to take advantage of large schools of fish such as mullet. The community effort is controlled by strict rules, For example, all women and children may be required to stay quietly in their houses before fishing starts to prevent the fish from being frightened away, The operation is controlled by a fishing chief and usually involves the fish being driven into a large net or trap.

Line fishing
This is one of the commonest methods, and is done from the reef, shore or boat. Bonito and kingfish are trolled for in the open sea.

Poisoning and dynamiting
Poisoning was once used widely to catch fish, but is now prohibited inmost areas for conservation reasons. The poisons were obtained from plats such as the derris ( an extract from this is a common garden insecticide). The poisons didn't affect the flesh of the fish, so didn't harm people eating them.

Dynamiting is very destructive. It ruins the whole balance of plant and animal life and kills indiscriminately. It is prohibited in most countries. but is still sometimes used in remote areas.

Modern day Problems

Although known form their abundant sea life. the Pacific islands have been affected by local overfishing and pollution like many other parts of the world. Destructive forms of fishing,such as drift netting by Asian nations have also taken their toll of marine mammals, birds, turtles and of course the species they are targeting -usually tuna.

Pacific nations have felt their traditional sea resources are under threat from countries such as the United States and Japan,whose long ranging fleets chase migratory fish, such as tuna and marlin, as well as sharks, Some have entered joint venture agreements with larger nations so that they can develop their marine resources more effectively and take part in the industries, that are growing up around them. There are some canneries and freezers in American Samoa, Fiji and the New Hebrides.

Pollution has become a problem around large population centres in the islands. Pressure from population growth and increasing tourism has depleted fisheries resources, especially in the more accessible waters.

Shells, corals and sponges are also harvested, and this can upset the delicate balance of life in the coral reefs. One of the best known examples of this is the thorns starfish, It is destroying some reefs, and it's thought that this was caused partly by overfishing of their main food source, the trochus shell. The starfish then turned to the coral as an alternative food source. The natural enemy of the starfish, the triton shellfish ( a beautiful conch shell), has also been overfished.

Fish farming and conservation
Aquaculture is one way pressure can be taken off natural marine resources. Some island nations are experimenting with farming fresh or brackish water species.
In traditional Pacific islands society marine resources were well looked after, If an area showed signs of overfishing, it was declared tapu until the stocks rebuilt. Modern pressures from human population growth have overwhelmed such traditional conservation methods.
Pacific administrators are becoming aware that the land cannot supply enough to feed their populations; marine resources must be used as fully as possible but not beyond sustainable levels.

New Zealand in the Pacific
More than 110 000 Pacific Islanders are now living in New Zealand, By far the majority live in the Auckland area. A further 21 000 live in Wellington.

In New Zealand, as in the islands, Pacific Islanders still eat far more fish than people from other cultures, Many buy fish from retailers or large fish markets such as the Otara market, but those living in New Zealand also catch much of their own fish, As in the islands, fishing here centres around community or church groups.

Set netting is one of the most popular methods for catching fish by Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. This type of fishing is covered by amateur fishing regulations - for example, the net must not be longer than 60 metres and must not be so so that fish are stranded at low tide. Unfortunately, some of these rules are not always well understood among Pacific Island and other communities in New Zealand.

It is important, especially around big population centres, that people form all cultures work together to conserve resources like fish and shellfish, In that way we can all continue to enjoy our fisheries resources for generations to come.