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Pacific
Island fishing traditions
Preview
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sea has always been a major source of food for Pacific
Islanders. Before food was imported into the Pacific,
virtually the only form of protein available came from
seafood. This lack of other food resources has meant no
seafood is wasted. Jellyfish, sea slugs, sea cucumbers,
seaweeds, octopus and the tiny coral worm, palolo, are
among the seafood delicacies eaten in the islands, alongside
the seafoods commonly eaten in New Zealand. Seafood such
as sea cucumbers have also been used as medicine.
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Delivering
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Seafood
such as sea cucumbers have also been used as medicine.
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.
Traps
Woven fish traps or fish fences are commonly used to catch fish
coming in on the tide, preventing 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.
Night
fishing for flying fish is common throughout the Pacific
Community
fishing
Community fishing is used to take advantage of large schools
of fish, such as mullet. The community effort is controlled
by strict traditional 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.
Fish
caught from a community effort, are distributed first to the
maitai in charge, then to the village pastor, and finally
to the various families involved, in strict order of preference.
Line
fishing
This is one of the most common 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
in most areas for conservation reasons. The poisons were obtained
from plants 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.
Catching
fish by 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
The Pacific Islands have the same pollution and overfishing
problems as most countries. Destructive forms of fishing, such
as driftnetting by Asian nations, have also taken their toll
on marine mammals, birds, turtles and, of course the species
they are targeting - usually tuna.
Many
Pacific nations 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 larger 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 "crown of 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 societies 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.
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Pacific
administrators are becoming aware that the land cannot
supply enough to feed their populations and that marine
resources must be used as fully as possible, but not
beyond sustainable levels.
For
more information click on any link below.
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