SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION

UNPUBLISHED REPORT No. 6

REPORT ON FOURTH VISIT TO THE COOK ISLANDS

Part I

17 November 1985 – 29 July 1986

and

Part II

14 November – 23 December 1986

by

L.B. Chapman Masterfisherman

and

P. Cusack

Fisheries Development Officer

South Pacific Commission Noumea, New Caledonia

1997

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The South Pacific Commission authorises the reproduction of this material, whole or in part, in any form provided

appropriate acknowledgement is given

This unpublished report forms part of a series compiled by the Capture Section of the South Pacific Commission's Coastal Fisheries Programme. These reports have been produced as a record of individual project activities and country assignments, from materials held within the Section, with the aim of making this valuable information readily accessible. Each report in this series has been compiled within the Capture Section to a technical standard acceptable for release into the public arena. However, they have not been through the full South Pacific Commission editorial process. South Pacific Commission BP D5 98848 Noumea Cedex New Caledonia Tel.: (687) 26 20 00 Fax: (687) 26 38 18 e-mail: spc@spc.org.nc http://www.spc.org.nc/

Prepared at South Pacific Commission headquarters,

Noumea, New Caledonia, 1997

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SUMMARY

The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project (DSFDP) operated at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for the third time between 17 November 1985 and 29 July 1986, under the supervision of SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman. The visit was the fourth made to the Cook Islands by an SPC fisheries development project. The objective of the visit was to conduct fishing trials off Rarotonga with various types of gear and techniques recently under development by the DSFDP which target deep-swimming tunas associated with fish aggregation devices (FADs) and, concurrently, to investigate efficient techniques for the capture of locally occurring baitfishes, the supply of which has proven elsewhere in previous DSFDP trials to be important to the success of such FAD-based fisheries. Ninety-four fishing trips were completed under the supervision of the Masterfisherman, in the company of a counterpart officer from the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources and with crews which included other Ministry staff and private fishermen. Records were kept for four other trips conducted by the counterpart officer. During 895 hours at sea, including inshore work aboard small dinghies, a total of 16,534 fish was taken, with a combined weight of 6,920.3 kg of which 6,745.7 kg (97%) comprised locally saleable species. The saleable catch included 4,435 kg of tunas and 1,581.5 kg of the target baitfish species, with the tuna catch dominated by yellowfin, Thunnus albacares (4,257.0 kg or 95.9% of this catch), and baitfish captures by bigeye scad, Selar crumenophthalmus (1,264 kg or 79.9% of this catch). More than 92 per cent of the saleable catch was taken during trials of the three fishing techniques under development; vertical longlining, mid-water handlining and gill-netting. Inshore gill-netting trials employing a variety of net arrangements and setting procedures were quite productive and the plentiful supply of baitfish taken contributed significantly to the good catches recorded during FAD-associated tuna fishing. Each of the FAD fishing techniques under development proved effective in particular circumstances and it was found that the various techniques could often be used to good effect in combination as they proved to be generally complementary. The good catches of tuna taken with relatively simple and inexpensive gear generated keen interest among local fishermen and ten of them participated in fishing trials and underwent training in the use of the gear and fishing procedures. In addition, eleven Marine Resources staff participated in the trials and four staff were also trained in the hanging, setting and mending of the gill-nets. At the request of the Cook Islands Ministry of Outer Island Affairs, the Masterfisherman also spent one week working with Ministry staff at the government retail fish market, demonstrating proper fish processing and handling procedures. A consideration of the economics of the Project's operations, taking account of the catch, the ready market for it, the costs of gear and operational expenses, indicates that a limited number of small-scale local operators could pursue similar fishing activities profitably, at least in seasons when both tunas and baitfish are locally abundant. Factors which have the potential to retard the viability of the fishery would include the non-replacement of lost FADs, overfishing of bait species (especially as a food source rather than a bait source), the poor tuna seasons which are reported to occur in the area periodically, and possibly an oversupply of fresh fish on the local market. The account of this visit (Part I of this report) includes some recommendations whose implementation would foster the successful development of a viable FAD-based tuna fishery.

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Shortly after the completion of this assignment a request was forwarded to the SPC by the Government of the Cook Islands, on behalf of its Ministry of Outer Island Affairs, for assistance in conducting a review of the activities of the Ministry's Fish Trading Authority (FTA). Assistance in further training for FTA staff in fish handling, processing and marketing was also requested. In response, SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman was re-assigned to the Cook Islands to undertake this work. An account of this six-week visit is given in Part II of this report.

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RÉSUMÉ

Sous la direction de son maître de pêche, Lindsay Chapman, la Commission du Pacifique Sud a, pour la troisième fois, conduit des activités à Rarotonga (Îles Cook) dans le cadre du projet de développement de la pêche au demi-large, du 17 novembre 1985 au 29 juillet 1986. Cette mission accomplie par les responsables d'un projet de développement de la pêche de la CPS, était la quatrième du genre aux Îles Cook. Cette mission avait pour objet de réaliser des essais de pêche au large de Rarotonga, avec divers types d'engins et des techniques récemment mis au point dans le cadre de ce projet qui cible les thons évoluant dans les grands fonds, à proximité de dispositifs de concentration du poisson (DCP). Elle avait également pour but d'étudier des techniques efficaces de pêche de poissons-appâts locaux, car des essais préalablement réalisés ailleurs, dans le cadre du projet de développement de la pêche au demi-large, ont montré que le succès d'opérations de pêche thonière autour de DCP dépendait en grande partie de cet approvisionnement local en poissons-appâts. Le maître de pêche, accompagné d'un homologue du ministère des ressources marines des Îles Cook et d'un équipage composé d'autres agents de ce même ministère et de pêcheurs privés, a dirigé 94 sorties en mer. Les données accumulées lors de quatre autres campagnes conduites par cet homologue ont été conservées. Au cours des 895 heures passées en mer − dont certaines ont été consacrées à travailler près de la côte à bord de petits canots −, 16 534 poissons en tout ont été capturés pour un poids combiné de 6 920,3 kg, dont 6 745,7 kg (97%) étaient composés d'espèces commercialisables sur le marché local. Parmi ces dernières, on peut citer les thons (4 435 kg), essentiellement des thons jaunes (Thonnus albacares) (4 257 kg soit 95,9% des prises de thons) et des espèces de poissons-appâts ciblées (1 581,5 kg), surtout des maquereaux à gros yeux (Selar crumenophthalmus) (1 264 kg soit 79,9% des prises de poissons-appâts). Plus de 92 pour cent des prises commercialisables ont été réalisées lors des essais des trois techniques de pêche en cours de perfectionnement, à savoir la pêche à la palangre verticale, la pêche entre deux eaux et la pêche au filet maillant. Les essais de pêche au filet maillant réalisés à proximité de la côte en variant les configurations du filet et les procédures de mouillage ont été très productifs, et l'abondance de poissons-appâts capturés a largement contribué aux excellentes prises enregistrées lors des opérations de pêche thonière menées autour des DCP. Chacune des techniques d'exploitation des DCP, en cours de perfectionnement, s'est révélée efficace dans certaines conditions, et l'on a constaté que les différentes techniques pouvaient souvent être avantageusement utilisées en association puisqu'elles se sont révélées généralement complémentaires. Les bonnes prises de thons réalisées avec un matériel relativement simple et peu coûteux ont suscité un vif intérêt auprès des pêcheurs locaux; d'ailleurs, dix d'entre eux ont participé à des essais de pêche et ont suivi une formation aux procédures d'utilisation des engins et aux techniques de pêche. En outre, 11 agents du ministère des ressources marines ont participé à ces essais, et quatre agents ont aussi été formés au montage, au mouillage et au raccommodage de filets maillants. À la demande du ministère des Îles Cook chargé des questions relatives aux îles périphériques, le maître de pêche a également travaillé pendant une semaine avec des agents du ministère sur le marché aux poissons public où il a montré aux détaillants comment transformer et manipuler correctement le poisson. Si l'on examine les opérations menées dans le cadre du projet sous l'angle économique, en tenant compte du volume des prises, du marché sur lequel elles peuvent être vendues, du coût des engins et des frais engendrés par des opérations, il apparaît qu'un nombre limité de pêcheurs artisanaux locaux pourraient tirer profit d'opérations de pêche semblables, au moins lors des saisons pendant lesquelles les thons et les poissons-appâts abondent localement. Au nombre des facteurs qui peuvent faire obstacle à la viabilité de la pêcherie, on peut citer le non remplacement des DCP perdus, la surexploitation des espèces d'appâts (conçus en particulier comme source d'aliments plutôt que comme

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source d'appâts), les mauvaises saisons de pêche du thon qui, à en croire les rapports, surviennent dans ces zones de manière périodique et, éventuellement, une offre excessive de poisson frais sur le marché local. Le compte rendu de cette mission (la partie I de ce rapport) comporte certaines recommandations dont la mise en œuvre pourrait favoriser le développement réussi d'une pêche thonière viable autour des DCP. Peu après la fin de cette mission, le gouvernement des Îles Cook, au nom du ministère chargé des questions relatives aux îles périphériques, a adressé à la CPS une demande d'aide pour que soit réalisée une évaluation des activités conduites par la Direction pour la commercialisation du poisson (FTA − Fish Trading Authority) du ministère. Il a également demandé à la Commission d'assurer un complément de formation aux agents de la FTA dans les domaines de la manipulation, de la transformation et de la commercialisation du poisson. Suite à cette demande, le maître de pêche de la CPS, Lindsay Chapman, a été à nouveau affecté aux Îles Cook afin d'entreprendre cette mission de six semaines dont le compte rendu figure dans la partie II de ce rapport.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The South Pacific Commission acknowledges with gratitude the friendly support afforded the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project during its stay in the Cook Islands. Particular thanks are due to the Hon. Pupuke Robati, Minister for Marine Resources, and to his departmental secretary, Mr Julian Dashwood, for their personal interest in and support of Project activities. The Staff of Fisheries Division are also to be thanked for their assistance, in particular Mr Sema Robati who worked long and tirelessly in support of the Project and whose efforts played a large part in the Project's success. This report is dedicated to the memory of Sema Robati who died tragically in a diving accident while fishing soon after the completion of this visit.

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CONTENTS

PART I: 17 NOVEMBER 1985 — 29 JULY 1986 Page 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. BACKGROUND 1 2.1 General 1 2.2 Existing fisheries 2 3. PROJECT OPERATIONS 5 3.1 General 5 3.2 Boats and equipment 6 3.2.1 Offshore 6 3.2.2 Baitfishing 7 3.3 Training activities 12 3.4 Post harvest handling and disposal of the catch 12

3.5 Data collection 13 4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 13 4.1 General 13 4.2 Vertical longlining 13 4.3 Mid-water handlining by the 'palu ahi' and 16 'dropping stones' methods 4.4 Gill-netting for baitfish 17 4.5 Trolling 19 4.6 Other fishing techniques 19 5. ECONOMIC POTENTIAL 20 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 22 7. REFERENCES 22 PART II: 14 NOVEMBER — 23 DECEMBER 1986 1. INTRODUCTION 25 2. BACKGROUND 25 3. ACTIVITIES 26 4. DISCUSSION, REMEDIAL ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 26 4.1 Fish buying 26 4.2 Shipping 26 4.3 Landing 27 4.4 Processing 27 4.5 Marketing 28 4.6 Staffing 28 4.7 Management and budgeting 29

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5. CONCLUSION 29 APPENDICES 1. Standard form for data collection 31 2. Operational aspects of fishing trips and catch by each method 33 3 Species composition of the catches 43 A. Vertical longline 43 B. ‘Palu ahi’ and ‘driooubg stibes’ 44 C. Gill-net 45 D. Reef, open water and FAD trolling 50 E. Miscellaneous fishing methods 51 4. Outer island fish purchase prices 53 5. Recovery rates 55 A. Fillet recovery rates for chilled parrot fish 55 B. Steaking and chunking recovery rates for frozen fish 55

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PART 1 : 17 NOVEMBER 1985 TO 29 JULY 1986 1. INTRODUCTION The South Pacific Commission's Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project is a mobile, village-level rural development project which operates in Pacific Island nations at specific Government request, and which has the following broad objectives: — To promote the development or expansion of artisanal fisheries throughout the region, based

on fishery resources which are at present under-utilised, in particular the deep-bottom resources of the outer reef slope;

— To develop and evaluate new simple technology, fishing gear and techniques suitable for use

by village fishermen, which will enable fishermen to substantially increase catches while reducing dependence on costly imported fuels; and

— To provide practical training in appropriate fishing techniques to local fishermen and

government fisheries extension workers. The Project has operated at Rarotonga on two previous occasions. A 1981/82 visit was devoted to a survey of deep-bottom fishing grounds and fish stocks, and to training local fishermen in the use of deep-bottom fishing gear and techniques developed by the Project during visits to 12 other countries or territories in the SPC region. A second visit, in 1983, was scheduled to conduct trials in vertical longlining and other techniques targeting deep-swimming tunas associated with FADs, but an unseasonal scarcity of tunas and difficulties in securing supplies of suitable bait led to a change in the work programme in favour of a further survey of deep-bottom fish stocks and experiments with deep-bottom drift fishing under parachute sea-anchor. The reports of these two visits (Taumaia and Preston, 1985; and Mead, in press) agreed in their conclusion that deep-bottom fish resources around Rarotonga were relatively impoverished, thinly distributed, and unlikely to support even a small-scale dedicated fishery. Both reports recommended that the Cook Island Ministry of Marine Resources seek to diversify local artisanal fisheries, and maximise catches by customary techniques, through a vigorous FAD deployment programme, as well as by encouraging the development of techniques to exploit FADs more thoroughly. Subsequent to the adoption of this policy a request was made by the Government of the Cook Islands to the SPC for assistance in developing effective FAD fishing techniques, and to explore techniques to capture local baitfish in support of such a fishery. In response, one of the SPC's three Masterfishermen, Lindsay Chapman, was assigned to work at Rarotonga for approximately six months from 17 November, 1985 until 30 May, 1986. However, in light of the encouraging results obtained during this period, and a growing interest in the programme among local fishermen, the visit was extended by two months until 29 July, 1986. This was the DSFD Project's forty-ninth country visit and its fourth to the Cook Islands, the Cook Islands is the thirteenth country or territory of the SPC region in which the Project has operated. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 General The 15 islands of the Cook Islands (Figure 1), which fall naturally into the northern and southern groups, total about 240 sq km of land area, but because the islands are widely scattered the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, the sixth largest in the SPC region, encompasses some 1,969,448 sq km of ocean (SPC estimate).

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The islands of the northern group are typical coral atolls. The southern group islands, apart from the tiny atolls of Manuae and Takutea, are volcanic in origin. Most of the southern islands have elevated, encircling reef platforms adjacent to the coast, and all are surrounded by recent coral reefs. The soils in these six islands range from heavily weathered and infertile in the older islands to the highly productive younger soils of Rarotonga. Most of the southern islands, and particularly Rarotonga, support rich and varied vegetation. Subsistence and small-scale commercial agriculture is widely practised, with coconut, breadfruit, taro, arrowroot, citrus fruits, banana, papaya and pineapple grown. In recent years an export-based agricultural industry has developed in market-garden produce such as tomatoes, beans, sweet peppers and courgettes.

Figure 1: The Cook Islands

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The islands lie within the hurricane belt and are influenced by the prevailing trade winds. In the north these winds are mainly from the east and in the southern group from east-south-east. During the hurricane season (November to March) humidity is high, but during the remainder of the year the southern group is generally cooler than the north. The mean annual temperature at Rarotonga is 24°C and the average annual rainfall 2,000 mm (Anon, 1986). A census conducted in 1981 (Navunisaravi and Naroba, 1985) estimated the country's population at 17,754, with 9,530 on Rarotonga, and this figure demonstrates a steady decline in population over recent years, abetted by Cook Islanders' status as New Zealand citizens and the immigration access this status gives to Australia and New Zealand. More than 20,000 Cook Islanders now live, more or less permanently, in New Zealand. The local economy is heavily dependent on imports of foods, raw materials and manufactured goods. Imports to the end of December 1983 were valued at NZ$35,087,000, of which NZ$7,488,000 comprised food stuffs (Navunisaravi and Tuatai, 1985). Exports in the same year were valued at NZ$4,890,000, of which clothing, citrus juice and bananas were important components. Tourism also plays an ever-increasingly important role in generating foreign revenue. Exports of unprocessed fisheries products were restricted to NZ$140,000 in 1983, almost wholly comprising raw mother-of-pearl and trochus shell (Navunisaravi and Tuatai, 1985). 2.2 Existing fisheries Fisheries activities throughout the group are widespread and diverse, though generally at subsistence level. The main artisanal methods employed include gill-netting, bottom and mid-water handlining, trolling, the scooping of flying fish and spearfishing (Brown, 1981). The annual artisanal catch in the southern group has been estimated at 800 to 1,000 tonnes, comprising about 70 per cent 'reef fish', 10 per cent pelagic species and the balance 'miscellaneous' fish including sharks (Anon, 1980). At many of the outer islands catches by these various methods often exceed demand and simple preservation techniques such as salting and drying are regularly employed to hold surplus catches. At Rarotonga, where population has steadily increased with the flow of population from the outer islands, and where a cash economy prevails, the supply of local fish falls far short of demand (Anon, undated) and a number of attempts have been made to develop catch collection systems that would give outer island fishermen access to the Rarotongan market. Such schemes, both private and government, have met with only limited success, constrained by unsuitable shipping facilities and lack of catch handling infrastructure at the fishing sites, though at the time of this visit irregular consignments of reef and pelagic fish were delivered to Rarotonga from Palmerston atoll. The Cook Islands Government Fisheries Division is headquartered at Rarotonga and, at the time of this visit, was equipped with a 10 tonne capacity blast freezer and a 3 tonne capacity holding freezer, as well as a Northstar 0.5 tonne/24 hour ice-making machine. The Fisheries Division has involved itself in a number of attempts to develop various fisheries as commercial activities in the outer islands, most notably the introduction of trochus or topshell (Trochus niloticus) to Aitutaki in 1956 (and subsequently to other islands) and the support of pearl shell (Pinctada margaritifera) farming in the northern atolls of Manihiki and Penrhyn. The Fisheries Division has also sought to boost offshore catches at Rarotonga and a number of the outer islands by undertaking a programme of fish aggregation device (FAD) deployments. This programme has met with considerable success, although plagued by gear losses. The catch of fresh fish at Rarotonga commands high prices for almost all species, and the better part of the catch by the few commercial operators is diverted to the tourist hotel and restaurant trade.

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Figure 2: Rarotonga

3. PROJECT OPERATIONS 3.1 General The Project was based at Fisheries Division headquarters adjacent to Avatiu harbour at Rarotonga (see Figure 2) for the duration of this visit and most fishing trips originated from there. Baitfishing trials were, in fact, centred on the harbour entrance and its approaches. The programme of fishing trips was conducted in two phases, with a one month recess over the Christmas and New Year period corresponding to local government holidays. During the first month, from 17 November to 18 December, vertical longlining trials were conducted around an offshore FAD, testing a variety of gear arrangements and setting procedures. Baitfish to support these trials were captured during sets of a locally obtained gill-net which proved to be ineffective in taking good catches. During the second phase of the programme, greater effort was devoted to developing effective bait-capturing techniques. New nets were ordered which, when hung and set, quickly resulted in substantial baitfish captures. Many sets of the bait gill-nets were made at night working from a small dinghy. Once an effective bait capture system was developed and adequate bait stockpiled, effort was then devoted to developing offshore tuna fishing techniques, particularly vertical longlining. Thereafter it was necessary to conduct only one gill-netting trip each week in order to obtain enough bait to support the average three offshore trips completed weekly. During this second phase the Masterfisherman was called on by the Ministry of Outer Island Affairs, as the government department responsible for the handling and sale of fish produce shipped to Rarotonga from the outer islands, to assist in the development of appropriate processing, freezing and packing procedures. Ten Ministry staff were trained in proper filleting techniques and other staff advised on correct freezing, presentation and storage practices. Table 1 summarises the Project's main activities over the course of the visit.

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Table 1: Summary of Project operations at Rarotonga

Date Activity

17 November 1985 Masterfisherman arrives. 18 November - 18 December 1985 Preliminary vertical longlining trials using bait taken with local gill-net. 19 December 1985 - 14 January 1986 Project in recess. Masterfisherman on home leave. 15 January - 17 February 1986 FAD-based fishing trials, gill-netting for bait with new, more suitable, nets. 18 February - 23 February 1986 Training Ministry of Outer Island Affairs staff in fish processing and handling. 24 February - 20 March 1986 FAD-based fishing trials continue, emphasis still on capturing bait supplies. 21 March - 10 July 1986 FAD-based fishing trials, bait capture now only on a sampling basis. 11 July - 28 July 1986 Packing, preparation of report 29 July 1986 Masterfisherman departs Rarotonga

3.2 Boats and equipment 3.2.1 Offshore The vessel employed for offshore fishing trials was an 8.9 m aluminium catamaran made available by Fisheries Division. This craft was built in Western Samoa to the standard FAO 'alia' design, as illustrated in Figure 3, and powered by a 25 hp Yamaha outboard motor. The boat was fitted with three FAO, Western Samoan-design, wooden handreels, one of which (belonging to the Project) had been modified for vertical longline setting. Safety equipment carried included an 8 hp Suzuki outboard as a standby motor, flares, an emergency radio beacon, and life-jackets. One offshore trip was also made aboard a private alia.

Figure 3: The FAO design alia catamaran used in offshore fishing trials

The wooden handreel used for vertical longline setting was modified with the addition of a 150 mm diameter pulley-wheel mounted in place of the usual ceramic line guide. The pulley reduced friction when hauling and was wide enough to accommodate the swivels set in place on the mainline for snood attachment. In addition, stainless steel bands were fixed at the extremities of the reel arms to retard splitting and a wing-nut/pressure plate arrangement fitted to the reel axle. By tightening this wing-nut the reel could be locked to prevent rotation when attaching snoods or landing fish. The modification proved to be an important safety feature when handling the longline with a two-man crew. The modified reel is depicted in Figure 4.

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Figure 4: Modified FAO, Western Samoan design wooden handreel

Two different vertical longlines were used during FAD-based fishing trials. Initial sets were made using a longline made up from 6 mm Kuralon (standard Japanese longline cord) with heavy-duty swivels fitted to the top and lower ends as attachment points for floats, flag and sinker. The line was stowed in a plastic fish box and carefully coiled for easy deployment. Snoods were fitted with longline clips which were snapped through swivels spliced into the Kuralon line at 15 m intervals.

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The second longline was made up from 200 kg test monofilament nylon and designed to be set directly from the modified handreel. It was rigged as follows; the top end of the line (the end which was first wound onto the reel) was fitted with a longline clip for attachment to a rope loop fixed to the reel drum. Once clipped in place a 40 fathom (73 m) length of mainline was wound onto the reel and a loop formed at the end. A 4 fathom (7 m) length of monofilament fitted with a longline clip at one end and a heavy-duty McMahon swivel at the other was then clipped to this loop and wound onto the drum. A 20 fathom (36.5 m) length of monofilament was then connected to the terminal eye of the McMahon swivel already mounted, and a second swivel fitted at the other end. A second 20 fathom length of monofilament was attached to that swivel and a Sampo ball-bearing swivel fitted at the other end. Fifteen 8-fathom (14.5 m) lengths of monofilament were then attached in turn, each beginning with a McMahon swivel and terminating with a Sampo swivel or vice versa so that the swivel type alternated successively down the line. The final 8-fathom length terminated with a longline clip. All connections and attachments were formed with Flemisheyes and secured with two figure eight sleeves crimped in place. The rigging of this longline is illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Monofilament nylon vertical longline, gear arrangement

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Two types of mid-water handlines were also used regularly during FAD fishing operations. The first was rigged after the design of the traditional Hawaiian 'palu ahi' line and had as its main component a 240 fathom (440 m) length of 135 kg test braided dacron. This line was passed through the eye of a heavy-duty swivel and a second, similar, swivel then fitted to the end to serve as the attachment point for a 3 m nylon monofilament leader bearing a tuna circle hook. A flat lead sinker, up to 1 kg in weight, was attached to the free-running swivel by a 15 cm length of line, and a 30 cm square of durable cloth also tied to this swivel by one corner. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 6. This line was coiled into a plastic bucket for storage. A loop was formed in the end of the line and secured outside the bucket so that extra line or a float could be quickly attached if required to play a large fish.

Figure 6: ‘Palu ahi’ gear arrangement The second type of mid-water line was similar to the lines used by Cook Islands fishermen in the traditional tuna fishing technique known as 'dropping stones'. This rig comprised a 200 fathom (365 m) length of 120 kg test nylon monofilament terminating with a heavy duty swivel to which a 50 kg test nylon monofilament leader bearing a tuna circle hook was fitted. This technique also required the carrying to sea of a supply of oblong volcanic stones and broad leaves. This line was wound into a large plastic handcaster for storage and ease of use. A line designed to take sharks was also used on occasion. The rig comprised a longline float and a 50 fathom (90 m) length of Kuralon longline cord rigged with a Turimoto wire trace and a No. 3 tuna circle hook or other large hook, as illustrated in figure 7.

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Figure 7: Mid-water shark line Other offshore fishing gear included fixed-length trolling lines rigged with rubber shock-cord, which were trailed from the stern of the alia, and generally longer lines trailed directly from the two sternmost handreels. All trolling lines were fitted with clip-swivels so that various types of traces, leaders and lures could be attached and changed as required. 3.2.2 Baitfishing Four different craft were used at one time or another during gill-netting operations conducted at the harbour mouth or just offshore of it, ranging in size from a 2.4 m aluminium rowing dinghy to a 7 m fibreglass skiff powered by a 40 hp outboard motor. There was some variation in the gill-nets used as bait-fishing trials progressed and net requirements became evident, and different net lengths were set in different locations. The first trials were made with a net borrowed on the island which, although it captured some bait, proved to be less than ideal for the purpose in this particular application. This net was of 50 mm stretched mesh nylon monofilament and was 33 meshes deep.

Figure 8: Hanging the new gill-net

New monofilament nylon net lengths were ordered and hung under the supervision of the Masterfisherman with the assistance of Fisheries Division staff. The first net prepared measured 50 m (hung length) by 45 mm stretched mesh by 100 meshes deep. Two others were completed measuring 90 m (hung length) by 50 mm stretched mesh by 100 meshes deep. The photograph at Figure 8 shows the hanging of a net in progress and Figure 9 illustrates the arrangement of a net.

Figure 9: Gill-net arrangement

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3.3 Training activities A Cook Islands Fisheries Division staff member, Mr Sema Robati, who had participated in earlier DSFDP visits to Rarotonga, was assigned as the Masterfisherman's counterpart officer for the duration of this stay. Mr Robati played a very active role in all fishing activities, particularly the gill-netting trials. Eleven other Fisheries Division staff participated in offshore fishing trips and were trained in one or more of the fishing techniques under development, with most effort devoted to rigging and deployment of the vertical longlines. Four of these fishermen, including Mr Robati,also received instruction in the hanging, mending and setting of the gill-nets. As the gear and techniques in use were refined, and good catches of baitfish and tunas were made, local fishermen developed a keen interest in the Project. Contact with these fishermen was made informally, very often through Mr Robati, and ten private fishermen participated in fishing trips to observe the techniques in use. A number of other local fishermen rigged and used vertical longlines independently and approached the Masterfisherman or Mr Robati later for technical advice and assistance. In addition to the demonstration of the various techniques under development, all trainees received informal training in aspects of small-boat seamanship and safety, boat and engine maintenance and repair, preparation and care of fishing gear and handling and killing of large fish, especially sharks. At the request of the Cook Islands Ministry of Outer Island Affairs (OIA), the Masterfisherman also spent one week working with Ministry staff responsible for the processing and sale of fish shipped to Rarotonga from outer islands. Formal instruction was given in proper filleting, packaging and freezing of fillets, and proper freezer storage practices. 3.4 Post harvest handling and disposal of the catch Although ice was readily available through the Fisheries Division, the alia assigned for Project use was not equipped with an integral, insulated fish-hold, nor a portable ice-box. To assist in preserving catches a 2 m long insulated fish bag containing 20–30 kg of ice was carried on all offshore fishing trips. This zippered bag, manufactured in Hawaii under the 'Ice'n'Brine' trademark, had sufficient capacity to hold an average early morning catch (which was most often of small tunas taken by trolling around the FADs). Catches taken later in the day were stored out of the sun in the hulls of the alia, kept wet, and landed as soon as possible. None of these fish were gilled or gutted, as local consumers demonstrated a strong preference for fish landed in the round. The disposal of the catch was the responsibility of the Fisheries Division and sales were made (after 20 per cent of the catch was shared among the crew as an incentive bonus) at rates varying between NZ$2.20/kg and NZ$3.95/kg, depending on the buyer. Catches taken by gill-netting were usually carried ashore in the net and there taken out and sorted into bait and non-bait species. Most baitfish catches were packed in plastic bags and stored in a 0.6 cubic metre domestic chest freezer purchased for this purpose. If the baitfish catch was too large to freeze efficiently in this freezer, the fish were laid out overnight in the OIA-managed blast freezer and packed and stored the next day. In the event that the chest freezer was full, both baitfish and other species in the catch were given to the counterpart officer for consumption or sale. This arrangement was agreed to by the Ministry of Marine Resources as compensation for the long hours of unpaid overtime worked by the counterpart officer during night gill-netting operations. Only 1.3 kg of the catch by all methods was of species considered poisonous, comprising porcupine fish and stonefish taken by gill-netting. The 13 sharks taken by all fishing methods, which totalled 177 kg, were not saleable but were readily consumed when given away.

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3.5 Data collection SPC Masterfishermen use a standard logsheet (shown at Appendix 1) to record catch, effort and other data, and make detailed notes of their daily activities and of any supplementary information required. During this Project visit, data collected for each trip comprised: time spent travelling, and on each type of fishing; fishing depth or depth range; number of crew/trainees; quantity and type of fishing gear, fuel and bait used; the specific identity of each fish caught by each method, where this could be determined; and the total number and weight of each species taken by each fishing method. 4. FISHING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS 4.1 General Ninety-four fishing trips were completed under the direct supervision of the Masterfisherman and records kept for four other trips supervised by the counterpart officer, during 895 hours at sea. Most offshore trips combined a variety of generally complementary FAD fishing techniques which targeted deep-swimming tunas. Combining these techniques maximised fishing effort for time spent at sea and ensured the most efficient use of fuel and bait, while allowing development trials to be conducted with the various techniques under similar conditions in order to best judge their relative effectiveness. Appendix 2 summorises the fishing activities for all fishing trips. Most offshore trips also included some trolling effort; lines were routinely trolled in transit between Avatiu harbour and the FAD sites, and trolling around the FADs conducted at first light, or when surface-feeding schools were observed. Thirty-six of the fishing trips were devoted exclusively to gill-netting for bait in support of the offshore fishing trials. A variety of gill-net arrangements was set across the harbour mouth or around its approaches. Many of these sets were made overnight. At the commencement of the visit four FADs were in place around the island and their positioning (see Figure 2) was such that one or the other of them generally lay in relatively sheltered water in all but the worst weather. Toward the end of the Project's stay three of these FADs had been lost and offshore fishing trials were thereafter restricted to the area of the surviving one. 4.2 Vertical longlining Early vertical longlining trials were made using the relatively simple Kuralon longline described in Section 3.2. To set this line the alia was positioned up-current of the FAD at a distance calculated to allow for the line to be set and fully deployed before it drifted within range of the FAD and any deep-swimming tunas congregated there. The line was set in two different ways, either sinker first or floats first. When setting by the sinker-first method it was necessary to lower very slowly to avoid tangling the snoods around the mainline. In strong currents or winds, such slow setting sometimes meant that the boat had drifted past the FAD before the line was fully set. Moving further away from the FAD increased the error in judging the line of drift. The floats-first method was therefore preferred. Before setting, the line was tipped out of its storage bin onto the deck so that the top end of the line (lying at the bottom of the bin from a previous haul) was at the top of the coils. The line was set by attaching the two floats and flag, placing them in the water and then paying out the mainline as the boat was motored slowly ahead. Baited snoods were attached to the line with the longline clips snapped through the swivels at the proper intervals as the line ran out. Once the end of the line was reached the sinker was clipped on the last snood attached to it and the line cast free of the boat. Although this setting method was quick and efficient, some difficulty was experienced with gauging the direction and speed of the current. The line regularly drifted past the FAD at too great a distance, or threatened to pass too close and perhaps foul the FAD mooring. Even when positioned correctly, strong currents sometimes carried the line through the target area too quickly and the line had to be hauled and reset.

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To retrieve the line for resetting, or at the conclusion of fishing, the floats were picked up and hauling commenced by hand, with the mainline coiled into a plastic bucket or fish-box as it came inboard. Snoods were unclipped as they appeared and either the bait removed and the snood wound onto a plastic handcaster for storage or, if another set was to be made, the snoods set aside in order for rebaiting, where necessary, and re-attachment. When a snood with a hooked fish appeared the fish was gaffed and boated before unclipping. Later vertical longlining trials were made using the nylon monofilament mainline described in Section 3.2 and illustrated in Figure 5. Setting and hauling this line using the modified FAO handreel proved to be a good deal more efficient than the handling required for the Kuralon line. The sinker and bottom snood attached to the lower end of the line (and the end last wound onto the reel) were placed in the water and the reel unwound slowly to lower the mainline. When the first swivel appeared, a baited snood was clipped to it through the lower eye, taking care to place the baited hook in the water first, and lowering continued slowly. All seventeen snoods in turn were attached to the mainline in this manner. (The lower swivel eye was used to attach the snoods because when tangles occurred they most often resulted from the snood wrapping in a downward spiral around the mainline. If the top swivel eye had been used the swivel's action would have been retarded and a worse tangle result.) A polyform buoy was then clipped to the mainline at one of three points: at the lower end of the first 20-fathom section of mainline to appear, at the top end of this section, or at the top of the second 20-fathom section of mainline. The effect of setting a float at one of these points was to present the top hook on the mainline, at the surface, at 20 fathoms, or at 40 fathoms. The 4-fathom section of line above the final float attachment point could be used to rig a second float, necessary if the longline was to be set drifting. The final 40-fathom section of line served as a tether to the boat and could be shortened or lengthened as desired with the handreel. If two longlines were set from the boat they were tethered at different distances to avoid them fouling one another. Once set, polyform buoys were left to soak for between two and five hours, unless a drifting line moved away from the target area or a line could be observed to be holding hooked fish. When a first strike was noticed by the action of the longline floats (either being pulled beneath the surface or riding higher in the water), it proved effective to delay hauling for 20 minutes or so because additional strikes sometimes occurred quickly thereafter. To retrieve the longline the tether line was first wound in, the float detached, and reeling continued slowly until the first snood appeared. Snoods were unclipped and stowed as previously described. Snoods carrying hooked fish were not unclipped until the fish was gaffed and boated or, in the case of sharks, tailroped and tied off to the boat while still in the water. The following setting and hauling practices proved to be important: when setting the longline from the handreel, lowering speed was maintained at about the natural sinking rate of the baits. Faster lowering typically resulted in snoods tangling around the mainline. If sufficient current was running to stream the snoods away from the mainline, the lowering rate could be increased. This principle also applied when hauling. Because there was always a possibility that strikes might be made during setting or hauling, or that a hooked fish might make a sudden run, care was taken to ensure that hooks, whether baited or not, were in the water and clear of the boat when clipped to the mainline. During setting, the baited hooks were placed in the water before the snoods were clipped on, and during hauling snoods were unclipped as they appeared, unless carrying a hooked fish. Hooks were baited with whole, fresh-frozen big-eye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) or mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus), known locally as ature and koperu respectively. Baits not taken during vertical longline sets were not re-used but chopped to provide chum for later 'palu ahi' and 'drop-stone' fishing. Vertical longlining was the most productive of the offshore fishing techniques in terms of both overall catch and catch in relation to fishing effort. One hundred and sixty-seven fish were taken with a total weight of 2,750.3 kg, accounting for 57 per cent of the total offshore catch by all methods. Only a

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small component of unsaleable species occurred in the catch (2.5% of the total weight) comprising three sharks weighing 67.0 kg in all. To compare the productivity of particular fishing techniques from day to day or place to place the DSFD Project uses standard units of fishing effort and calculates catch (in kilograms) per unit of fishing effort (cpue). The standard unit of fishing effort defined for vertical longlining is designated 10 hooks/hour and represents 10 hooks fished for one hour, so that vertical longlining cpue = catch in kilograms taken by 10 hooks during one hour of fishing (soak) time. Although cpue figures are not directly comparable from one fishing technique to another, the cpue calculated for vertical longlining during the visit (7.0 kg of saleable species/10 hooks/hour) may be considered to represent a very satisfactory return for a small-scale artisanal fishing operation. Better than 95 per cent by weight of the vertical longline catch was of the tuna species targeted by this technique, including 149 yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) with a total weight of 2,449 kg, and 8 albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) with a combined weight of 183.0 kg. Other species taken included wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and rainbow runner (Elegatis bipinnulata). Appendix 3A details the species composition of the vertica longline catch. Fish were taken at all depths along the line, with some concentration of captures along the mid-section, that is between 50 and 100 fathoms, where 84 of the 164 were hooked (51.2% of the total). The top third of the line, down to 50 fathoms, produced the least fish and many of the 30 fish taken along this section of line (18.3% of the total) were small. The lower third of the line accounted for 50 fish (30.5% of the total). Although no definitive relationship between depth and catch rates could be discerned, it is likely that the tunas targeted congregated below a shifting thermocline. It is also possible that chum trails drifting from other fishing operations conducted concurrently may have played a part in promoting strikes at particular depths. The graph at Figure 10 represents catch number in relation to depth of capture. The small catch of sharks was almost certainly attributable to the use of the nylon monofilament snoods, as some hooks were lost and a number of sharks seen to bite through the snood leaders while being hauled. So long as sharks are unmarketable, this gear arrangement is considered the most productive. Hooks are quickly and cheaply replaced, whereas playing and subduing large sharks may occupy considerable fishing time and result in major gear damage.

0 5 10 15 20 25

8

30

50

60

70

85

95

110

125

135

150

Dept h di st r i but i on of v er t i cal l ongl i ne capt ur es

Dept h( f at homs)

Number of f ish

Figure 10: Catch numbers in relation to depth of capture

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4.3 Mid-water handlining by the 'palu ahi' and 'dropping stones' methods Trials were conducted around the FADs of two mid-water handlining methods derived from traditional Polynesian fishing techniques which target deep-swimming tunas. These techniques were most often engaged in between setting and hauling of the vertical longlines. The technique known as 'dropping stones' utilises a slab-shaped basaltic stone around 2 kg in weight as a sinker to carry a baited hook and chum to a predetermined depth, where the stone is discarded and the unencumbered bait presented in a chum trail. Whole ature or koperu were rigged on a tuna circle hook and laid on a flat plane on the stone. A handful of chum consisting of green-coconut flesh, bread, and chopped baitfish, was placed over the baited hook and covered with one or two broad leaves. The mainline was then wrapped around the stone for several turns, a loop of line held over one finger, the wrapping reversed for several turns, and another loop of line held. The two bights of line were then intertwined and the tag ends pulled tight to form a snug parcel which would hold together while the weight of the stone carried it to the required depth. Before dropping the bait parcel some slack line was paid out into the water and the coiled mainline checked to ensure that it would run freely. The parcel was then dropped and the line measured as it ran out (coloured whipping may be used as line markers). Once the target depth was reached the line was held and then jigged vigorously to release the slip-knot; the bait parcel could be felt to unroll as the stone fell free. The bait was then presented at the depth required and the chum dispersed around it. The technique was used with the alia both drifting and tied up to the FAD. If drifting, the bait could be kept around the chum trail reasonably well by gradually paying out more line, but if the boat was tied up the bait would tend to rise as the current acted on it. If currents were strong a sinker was added to the line above the trace to assist in keeping it at the desired depth. Once a fish was hooked it was hauled by hand. The 'palu ahi' technique is similar to 'dropping stones' but the gear arrangement incorporates an integral sinker and chum wrapping (refer Figure 6). The nylon leader was rolled into a coil about 100 mm in diameter and laid on the cloth underneath the flat lead sinker. The baited hook was then laid on the lead's upper face so as to avoid tangling with the leader on deployment. Chum was placed over the bait and the cloth then folded over to form a square parcel, the corner attached to the mainline being folded last. The line was then wrapped five or six times around the parcel, the parcel turned 90° and a further few wraps made. The line was then pushed under a few wraps to form a long loop. This loop was then twisted with the mainline to form a slip knot which would release when placed under tension. Knots tied at intervals in the Dacron mainline served as markers to measure the length of line paid out. The completed parcel was dropped as before and the line jigged to unroll it at the desired depth. Once the parcel was felt to unroll, 2 or 3 fathoms of line were quickly hauled in. This had the effect of pulling the lead and cloth away from the bait and straightening the coiled leader to lessen the chance of it tangling on the bait. Hooked fish were hauled by hand, with care taken, once the lead and cloth were raised, that the lead was kept free of any obstructions on the boat in case the fish made another run. Any inhibiting of the free run of the mainline through the swivel eye could result in breakage when playing a large fish. Both techniques proved to be most productive when the alia was tied up to a FAD and vertical longlines already set. The dispersal of chum through the water appeared to promote strikes on the vertical longlines as they drifted in range of mid-water fishing operations. Baits used were fresh-frozen, whole or strip, ature and koperu, and chum was derived from baits left over from the previous day's fishing. One or both of these techniques were used during 51 offshore fishing trips, with a total fishing effort of 444 line hours (line hours are the standard units of efforts used for these techniques, calculated as one line in use for one hour) for a catch of 110 fish with a total weight of 1506.3 kg. Better than 98 per cent of the catch was of the tunas specifically targeted and all of the catch was saleable. Yellowfin dominated the tuna catch (99% of the tunas by weight). Only one bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and

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one skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) were taken. Other species included rainbow runner and dolphinfish. Appendix 3B details the species composition of the catch by these methods. 4.4 Gill-netting for baitfish A variety of gill-net arrangements was set at one time or another during this visit. Most effort was devoted to the setting of a net 90 m long by 50 mm stretched mesh by 100 meshes deep, inside the mouth of Avatiu harbour, and the setting of a 230 m long combination net outside the harbour, in a line parallel to the harbour approaches. The 90 m net was prepared by stowing it carefully in the aluminium dinghy with floats to one side and leads on the other. Four extra weights and a larger float fitted with longline clips were also carried. A two man-crew was required to set the net efficiently, one rowing the dinghy and the other handling the net. The dinghy was first positioned by the side of the harbour, one of the large weights clipped to the end of the lead line and the net lowered to the bottom with the strain taken on the end rope spliced in place for the purpose. The end of the float line was then tied off to any solid anchor point above the surface for easy retrieval, and setting commenced. The dinghy was rowed across the harbour as the net was set over the stern. A second weight was clipped to the lead line at the 30 m length interval and another at the 60 m mark. When the complete length of net was deployed the fourth weight was clipped in place and lowered to the bottom and the end rope either tied off to the harbour wall, if it was within reach, or fitted with the large float. Setting was usually completed one or two hours before daybreak and the net left to soak until one or two hours after daybreak. The harbour depth was sufficient that normal boat traffic could pass over the net without fouling it. To haul the net the large float was first picked up, or the end rope untied, and the first weight retrieved and stowed. One crewman then proceeded to hand haul the net over the stern of the dinghy and the other worked the oars to keep the dinghy aligned with the net and not overrun it. The lead and float lines were laid together and the net turned so that the belly of the net formed a bag to hold any fish not thoroughly gilled. Fish were left in the net until it was landed and then they were removed and sorted into bait and other species. The harbour's mud bottom made for relatively easy hauling, with no snags. The net set outside the harbour was made up from two 90 m lengths of 50 mm stretched mesh and 50 m of 45 mm stretched mesh, joined together to form a combination net 230 m by 100 meshes deep. This net was set from the 7 m fibreglass skiff. The net was stowed aboard with the float line toward the bow and the lead line in the stern. Seven extra weights fitted with longline clips and two large floats fitted with rope lengths were also carried. Setting was commenced with the skiff positioned at the harbour mouth, bow shoreward. One of the weights was clipped to the lead line and lowered to the bottom by the end rope and one of the large floats then attached to the float line as a marker. The skiff was then reversed seaward, following the harbour leadlights to hold course, and the net deployed over the bow. The weights were clipped in place every 50 m to ensure that the net would not drag. At the end of the net the final weight was lowered and the second large float attached by its rope as the end marker. The depth at which the net was set varied depending on the starting point, but the outer end usually lay between 25 m and 50 m. The net was most often set one or two hours before sunset, left to soak until one or two hours after sunset, then hauled, cleaned, and reset until a little after daybreak. Hauling this net required considerably more effort than the harbour-set net. The greater setting depth and the mixed sand and coral bottom required one of the crew to dive with scuba gear to clear the net from coral snags as it was hauled. Hauling was commenced by picking up the seaward float and holding on there until the diver was in position on the bottom. The crew then worked in unison, the diver clearing the lead line and the boatman hauling the net into the skiff and unclipping and stowing the weights. If the net was to be reset bait were removed aboard the skiff, but if it was the final set for the day the net was carried ashore and cleaned there. Gill-netting in these circumstances is not an effectively selective fishing technique and the catch of 2,083.9 kg included 82 different species but, because the nets were set in areas where baitfish species were known to be abundant and at times when the fish were known to move through the setting area, more than 75 per cent of the catch by weight (1,581.5 kg) was of the three target baitfish species

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Caesio tile, Decapterus macarellus and Selar crumenophthalmus. Selar crumenophthalmus (ature) was by far the most common species taken overall, with 12 375 individuals captured and a total weight of 1,264.0 kg (61% of the total catch). The photograph at Figure 11 depicts a bait catch.

Figure 11: Counterpart officer Sema Robati displays a bait haul

Most of the non-bait species taken were readily saleable and only 1.3 per cent of the catch by weight (27.3 kg) was of unsaleable species, including scorpionfish,porcupine fish and sharks. Appendix 3c details the species composition of the catch. To evaluate the productivity of the gill-netting trials in relation to fishing effort, a standard unit of gill-netting effort was established as 10 m of net length per set, regardless of mesh size and subsequent net depth, so that a 50 m length of net set once equated to 5 units of effort and a 230 m length of net set once equated to 23 units of effort and so on. Using this formula, the 66 sets made at Rarotonga involved 949 units of effort (a total length of 9490 m of net were set) and produced a catch of 16122 saleable fish with a total weight of 2056.6 kg, or a catch rate of 2.2 kg of fish per 10 m of net length per set. If only the three target baitfish species are considered the above effort produced 1.6 kg/10 m net length/set. However, the purpose of the gill-netting trials was to determine the viability of such a technique supplying adequate numbers of bait to support a single- boat FAD-fishing operation. Considered in these terms the 949 units of gill-netting effort and the catch of 14302 baitfish resulted in a catch rate of 15 fish/10 m net length/set, so that one set of a 50 m length net could be said to have produced an average catch of 75 baitfish, and one set of a 230 m length net 345 baitfish. As the average bait requirement offshore was 50 bait per day, sufficient bait could be captured by setting the 230 m long net twice nightly for 26 nights during the season when baitfish were abundant, to supply 18250 baits, enough to support offshore fishing trips conducted daily for one year or to provide a surplus of bait which could be sold to other offshore fishermen. 4.5 Trolling Trolling was the most important of the secondary fishing activities conducted, most often in transit to FAD sites and around the FADs at first light, although the final three trips were devoted to trolling along the outer reef edge. Trolling conducted in conjunction with experimental FAD fishing was mostly conducted to maximise fishing effort for time spent at sea. A combined trolling effort of 296.3 line hours (calculated as one trolling line in use for one hour) produced a catch of 127 fish with a total weight of 452.0 kg, for a catch rate of 2.5 kg/line hour. All of the troll catch was saleable and was dominated by yellowfin tuna (298.1 kg) and skipjack tuna (96.3

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kg), which together accounted for 87.3 per cent of the catch by weight. Appendix 3D details the species composition of the troll catch by all methods. 4.6 Other fishing techniques Various minor fishing activities were conducted irregularly during the course of offshore fishing operations. The mid-water shark line described in Section 3.2, and illustrated in Figure 7, was used occasionally in an attempt to capture sharks which interfered with other fishing by taking hooked fish before they could be landed. The float and baited line were usually set when sharks were seen near the boat. Hooked sharks were left to fight the resistance of the float until they had quietened. Sharks were then hauled, killed and tailroped during a lull in other fishing activity. Three sharks with a combined weight of 84.0 kg were taken on this gear. Handlining at relatively shallow depths with light monofilament lines was sometimes conducted in conjunction with mid-water handlining operations, most often while vertical longlines were soaking. This method eliminated a number of triggerfish which sometimes took bait from the vertical longline during deployment, but the catch also included a number of tunas, rainbow runners, and dolphinfish. Ika shibi fishing at night with baited lines deployed at mid-water and an underwater light and chum used to attract tunas, or baitfish which in turn attract tunas, was conducted experimentally during the one trip made aboard a private alia. Two yellowfin tuna and a shark were taken. Appendix 3E details the species composition of the combined catch by these minor fishing activities. The frequency with which each fishing technique was conducted, operational aspects of each trip and the catches taken by each method are detailed in Appendix 2. Table 2 summarises catches and catch rates of saleable species by each method. Table 2: Fishing methods

Fishing Units of Catch Catch per unit Fishing method hours effort No. Weight (kg) of effort (kg)

Vertical longlining 225.0 407.0 164 2,683.3 6.6 Mid-water handlining (Palu ahi/ dropping stones) 159.0 444.0 110 1,506.3 3.4 Troll FAD 47.3 93.5 118 367.2 4.0 Troll open water 68.5 137.0 6 40.3 0.3 Troll reef/ open water 15.5 31.0 3 44.5 1.4 Handline FAD * 25.0 37.5 9 38.5 1.0 Mid-water shark lining 9.5 9.5 0 0.0 0.0 Ika shibi 13.0 52.0 2 9.0 0.2 Gill-netting 66 sets 949.0 16,122 2,056.6 2.2

Total 16,534 6,745.7

* Includes gaffed fish (1 x 19 kg). 5. ECONOMIC POTENTIAL A consideration of the economics of the Project's fishing activities at Rarotonga as they might apply to a local commercial fishing operation, given in Table 3, suggests that FAD-based tuna fishing, supported by inshore bait netting, could be economically viable and have good potential for development.

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Table 3: Income and expenditure over the 8 months of Project fishing operations at Rarotonga Expenditure (NZ$) Income(NZ$) 6,745.8 kg of saleable fish at NZ$3.30/kg * 22,261.14 Fuel - 1,483 l. @ NZ$1.10/l. 1,631.30 Bait and chum - 364 kg @ NZ$3.30 kg ** 1,201.20 Ice - 60 trips x average 30 kg trip @ NZ$0.30/kg 540.00 Incidental operational expenses (oil and grease, etc.) 500.00 Wages - Skipper, NZ$150 p/week x 32 weeks *** 4,800.00 - Crewman, NZ$100 p/week x 32 weeks 3,200.00 Total expenses 11,872.50 Nett 10,388.64 * NZ$3.30 was the mid-rate for commercial fish sales ** An estimated 50% of chum used was derived from scrap bait and has not been costed; the remainder is

costed at market value *** Such wages were not paid but are included here in an attempt to include all major expenditure for a

commercial operation. Note: No account has been taken of possible boat purchase loan repayments and interest nor of the cost of

fishing gear. Although the offshore gear was relatively inexpensive the bait nets used cost some NZ$1500 at the time of purchase.

There are a number of variables which would affect the figures given for income and expenditure in any sustained fishing operation. The most important of these would be the periodic variation in the local abundance of the target species. It is widely recognised that at latitudes as southerly as Rarotonga, tuna and baitfish are most prolific during the summer months and that the local abundance of these species during such peak periods may vary considerably from year to year. It is possible that tuna and baitfish catches would diminish during some of the months not fished during this visit and that productivity might decline in succeeding years; alternatively it might increase. Other important factors likely to affect the economic viability of the fishery would include the maintenance of a FAD system (including the replacement of lost units) and continued market demand for the catch. As the market grows in sophistication and heavier landings occur, it may be expected that fishermen will come under economic pressure to land catches in better condition than has been customary and the use of ice and ice-boxes will become important if catches are to command the best market prices. Baitfish at Rarotonga appear to occur in only limited areas and may be sensitive to sustained and increased fishing pressure. It is possible that, although scope exists for numerous operators to enter the offshore fishery profitably, only a limited number of bait-netting operations could be sustained without detriment to bait stocks. The availability of suitable boats and appropriate fishing gear at affordable prices or under schemes of assisted purchase or loans is also likely to be an important factor affecting the viability of the fishery. Able fishermen wishing to enter the fishery may have difficulty in accumulating the requisite capital to outfit their operations properly or, if they have to raise capital at commercial rates, may have difficulty in sustaining economically viable operations. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are seen as important considerations for the successful development and management of a FAD-based tuna fishery at Rarotonga.

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Because tuna and baitfish catches during this visit were recorded over a relatively brief period, the Fisheries Division should initiate an experimental fishing programme using similar techniques to establish a longer-term view of the fishery, especially in regard to the seasonality of the target species. The setting of shallow-water FADs might prove effective in gathering baitfish if positioned at sites where baitfish are known to school. The offshore FAD programme should also be continued and regular inspection and maintenance schedules initiated. As baitfish appear to occur in only limited areas and are likely to be sensitive to increased fishing pressure the Fisheries Division should monitor gill-netting and perhaps restrict the number and size of gill-nets in use in conjunction with establishing co-operative bait-sharing arrangements. As baitfish are apparently more prolific at some of the outer islands, a bait fishery could be encouraged at these locations and arrangements made to transport supplies to Rarotonga for sale to offshore fishermen. Arrangements should also be made to import supplies of longline bait, such as saury, to support the fishery when local baitfish may be unavailable. Because fishing trips employing the techniques demonstrated during this visit are generally of longer duration than has been customary at Rarotonga, and because the local fresh fish market is likely to become more particular about the quality of fish offered for sale, the use of ice and ice-boxes or ice-bags should be encouraged. Making ice available at reasonable cost and the provision of technical support with the construction of portable ice-boxes should be priority aims for the Fisheries Division. Adequate stocks of suitable fishing gear should be held and made available to fishermen at reasonable prices. Some consideration should also be given to the establishment of assisted purchase or loan schemes for fishermen to procure suitable boats and motors or, alternatively, to lowering or abolishing import duties on boats, motors and fishing gear for bona fide fishermen. If fish sales by the Ministry of Outer Island Affairs are to be continued, improved fish processing, freezing and marketing techniques should be encouraged (see Part II). The results of the Project's fishing trials indicate that a significant FAD-based tuna resource exists at Rarotonga which can be effectively exploited by small-scale operators utilising relatively simple gear and that the fishery has good economic potential. Successful development will depend largely on the proper monitoring and management of the fishery, especially in regard to the taking of baitfish, to the maintenance of an ongoing FAD deployment and replacement programme, and to the provision of appropriate support services. 7. REFERENCES Anon (undated). Fisheries Statistical Surveys, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Agricultural Planning Unit,

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Anon (1980). Statistics of artisanal fishing in the southern group, 1979. Working Paper No. 15.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Agricultural Planning Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Anon (1986). Atlas of the South Pacific. Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Government

Printing Office. Brown, I.W. (1981). Evaluation of the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project. South Pacific

Commission Planning and Evaluation Committee. Working Paper No. 3. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission.

Hume, H. (1976) Report on the South Pacific Commission Outer Reef Artisanal Fisheries

Development Project in the Cook Islands. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission.

20

Mead, P. (in press). South Pacific Commission Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project Report on

third visit to Niue. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Mead, P. (in press). South Pacific Commission Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project Report on

second visit to Fiji. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Mead, P. (in press). South Pacific Commission Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project Report on

third visit to the Cook Islands. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Moana, A. (in press). South Pacific Commission Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project Report on

visit to American Samoa. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Navunisaravi, N.B. and V. Naroba (1985). Population 1983. Statistical Bulletin of the South Pacific

No. 26. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Navunisaravi, N.B. and T. Tuatai (1985). Overseas Trade 1983. Statistical Bulletin of the South

Pacific No. 27. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission. Taumaia, P. and G.L. Preston (1985). South Pacific Commission Deep Sea Fisheries Development

Project Report on visit to the Cook Islands. Noumea, New Caledonia. South Pacific Commission.

Van Pel, H. (1955). The fisheries industry of the Cook Islands. Noumea, New Caledonia. South

Pacific Commission.

21

PART II: 14 NOVEMBER TO 23 DECEMBER 1986 1. INTRODUCTION Following the completion of the Deep Sea Fisheries Development Project work programme at Rarotonga in July 1986, and consequent to the success of the preliminary training in fish handling and processing conducted by the Masterfisherman for staff of the Ministry of Outer Island Affairs' Fish Trading Authority, a request was made of the South Pacific Commission by the Government of the Cook Islands for assistance in conducting a full-scale review of the landing, handling and marketing of outer islands fish in Rarotonga, and for further staff training in fish handling, processing, freezing, packaging and marketing. SPC Masterfisherman Lindsay Chapman, who had supervised the DSFD Project visit to Rarotonga ( see Part I of this report ), was subsequently re-assigned to Rarotonga for six weeks from 14 November to 23 December, 1986. 2. BACKGROUND The Cook Islands Ministry of Outer Island Affairs (OIA), as the government department charged with overseeing administration and some aspects of economic development in the eleven inhabited outer Cook Islands (see Figure 1), has for some years attempted to promote the collection, shipping and marketing of outer islands fish products. It has been widely recognised that some of the outer Cook Islands, in particular the northern atolls, have abundant fish resources but only small populations and extremely limited opportunities to derive cash income through fishing. In addition, the islands offer few opportunities for alternative sources of income apart from copra making, handicrafts and, at some islands, the collection of trochus and mother-of-pearl shell. At Rarotonga the demand for fish is strong and constant and goes largely unsatisfied. A variety of governmental and private catch collection and shipping schemes have met with only limited success in landing outer islands fish of acceptable quality on the Rarotongan market. Such schemes have been hampered by a lack of handling facilities at the fishing sites (especially the availability of freezers and ice) and unsuitable shipping methods. Freezer plants established on Rakahanga and Penrhyn atolls through aid funding failed to resolve this situation because suitable freezer-cargo shipping remained generally unavailable. At the time of this visit the Penrhyn freezer plant had been out of operation since early in the year. The sole enterprise which managed to land outer island fish at Rarotonga on any regular basis involved the purchase by an OIA body, the Fish Trading Authority (FTA), of fish at Palmerston atoll and the shipping of this catch to Rarotonga aboard the Ravakai, a Ministry of Marine Resources vessel fitted with ice holds but without freezer capacity. The quality of the landings by the Ravakai varied from excellent to unsaleable and appears to have depended on the quality at loading rather than inadequacies of the ice-hold system. It was usual that only a small part of the consignments landed by the Ravakai were sold directly from the ice-holds once the vessel berthed. Radio messages announced the arrival, as well as the species available and prices. The portion of the catch not sold immediately was carried by open truck to the FTA-managed freezer where it was unloaded in bulk with little regard to proper placement to ensure that it froze effectively. Some of the catch was later processed either by filleting and packing in styrofoam trays, or by steaking and chunking with a band-saw. 3. PROJECT ACTIVITIES During the first week of this assignment the Masterfisherman conducted a stock-take of fish held at the freezer and familiarized himself with FTA staff's landing, handling and processing procedures. By arrangement with OIA and MMR the Ravakai was dispatched on a seven-day round trip to Palmerston atoll to collect fish. On the vessel return during the second week, part of this consignment was iced down for processing, part was sold immediately, and part was frozen. During processing a careful check was made on filleting techniques and recovery rates.

22

The next three weeks were spent in studying the management and accounting procedures of the FTA, and staffing levels. During the final week the Masterfisherman conducted another stock-take of fish held at all FTA facilities and prepared a draft budget for the Authority for the succeeding financial year. A set of recommendations, designed to rationalise the Authority's activities in regard to fish purchases, shipping, processing, staffing and marketing, was drawn up and passed to OIA. 4. DISCUSSION, REMEDIAL ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS During the course of this review of FTA's activities, a number of procedural and managerial shortcomings were identified which tended to render much of the operation inefficient and which resulted in significant budget overruns, threatening the withdrawal of continued government support for the project. 4. 1 Fish buying During the Masterfisherman's visit, fish purchases by FTA were made only at Rakahanga and Palmerston atolls. At Rakahanga fish were bought by a resident FTA employee, held at the freezer plant and shipped to Rarotonga in a lift on/lift off freezer unit carried aboard a local inter-island cargo vessel. At Palmerston fish were bought by a OIA buyer who travelled aboard the Ravakai and fish were loaded directly into the vessel's ice-holds. Consignments landed from Rakahanga regularly included skipjack tuna and snake mackerel which were virtually unsaleable in Rarotonga, because both species had usually deteriorated beyond marketable condition by the time they were landed. Consignments also occasionally included juvenile reef fish and species regarded as being locally ciguatoxic. Palmerston consignments sometimes included fish which appeared to have been loaded in deteriorating condition, and fish that were not thoroughly cleaned as stipulated (gilled and gutted). Landings from both islands were regularly found to weigh less than reported purchase weights, occasionally by very significant amounts (up to 520 kg noted during this review). Bills of lading or other documents detailing consigned weights were not routinely prepared. Recommendations were made that fish buyers purchase only certain species, adjusted in relation to changing market demand in Rarotonga, and that all fish be inspected before purchase for quality and proper cleaning. A set purchase price list by species (related to market demand) was drawn up; this price list is detailed in Appendix 4. A list of duties was drawn up for the fish buyer stipulating that purchase and landing weights were his responsibility. 4.2 Shipping The Ravakai customarily departed Rarotonga late on Fridays on its seven-day round trips to Palmerston to buy fish. Consignments were therefore landed at Rarotonga the following Friday evening or Saturday and overtime payments had to be made to FTA staff to unload the fish before it spoiled. The regular discrepancies between landed weights and purchase weights resulted in FTA paying an average NZ$1.25/kg to purchase and NZ$1.10/kg to freight, fish which were never received. It was recommended that future sailings by the Ravakai be made on Mondays, so that under normal circumstances the vessel would return to Rarotonga the following Monday. Unloading and processing could then proceed during normal working hours. The crew were notified that FTA fish purchases remained the property of the Government of the Cook Islands and that all care should be taken to ensure that consignments arrived intact and in best possible order.

23

4.3 Landing Consignments landed by the Ravakai, less any sales made directly from the vessel's ice-holds at dockside, were transported by open truck to the OIA freezer. Up to 4 tonnes of fish were loaded into the freezer without regard to the proper distribution required to ensure maximum air circulation and effective freezing or to this unit's ability to cope with such a load. This practice regularly resulted in large proportions of such consignments spoiling and being discarded. It was recommended that the sale of chilled fish be vigorously promoted in order to lessen the freezer load and to gain wider acceptance in the market by presentation of a better quality product. Fish buyers were instructed to radio advance notice of arrival, and of species for sale, so that this information could be broadcast locally. Up to one tonne of the landing should be set aside, kept on ice, for filleting over the next few days and the remainder of the fish laid out properly in the plant to ensure that they would freeze thoroughly. The Masterfisherman instructed FTA staff in correct freezer practices and supervised the construction of rails to hang large fish, and racks to lay out smaller fish. 4.4 Processing Filleting of fish was rarely carried out while fish were still in a chilled condition. Once consignments were deemed to have been sufficiently frozen, 200 kg lots were thawed daily, or as required by the retail outlet, and filleted in that state. Filleting practices were poor, the usual procedure being to cut down to the spine behind the head and run the knife back level with the outer edge of the spine. The fillet recovery rate from whole weight by this method was calculated by precise before and after weighing to be in the order of 20 to 25 per cent. All waste (75% of total weight) was given away as pig food. Although efforts were made to package fillets attractively on styrofoam trays covered with plastic wrap, the fact that fillets were taken from thawed fish limited the appeal of this product. The freezer lacked proper storage space to freeze fillets properly once they were packaged. Although the practice of steaking and chunking larger frozen fish with a bandsaw enabled the presentation of affordable portions, the freezing and storing procedures for this product were inadequate. Under the Masterfisherman's supervision filleting trials were conducted utilising fish set aside on ice and precise recovery measurements made (see Appendix 5). Proper filleting techniques were demonstrated whereby incisions were made both from the dorsal and belly sides of the fish, down to the spine, and the flesh adhering to the spine then separated. The fillet recovery rate by this method was 38 per cent. It was found that with an efficient processing line in operation five people could fillet 650 to 700 kg of fish over two days. It was recommended that the two filleting hands already employed by FTA be retained but that other processing staff be recruited as casual workers when consignments were landed. Belly-flap pieces were collected and bagged for sale and although the market response to this product was poor, this practice may offer some scope for reducing wastage, perhaps with sales promotion. The proper techniques for freezing filleted, steaked and chunked fish were demonstrated, utilising the racks installed earlier. 4.5 Marketing Poor handling practices in the past had resulted in some consumer resistance to FTA fish products. The perception that the FTA sold spoiled fish, and fish of poor quality, was a great impediment to promoting wider sales. Pricing structure had not been adequately deliberated. Fish purchased at Palmerston for NZ$1.00/kg, on which NZ$1.10/kg freight was paid, and then filleted at a recovery rate of 25 per cent, represented a direct cost, without wages and overheads, of NZ$8.40/kg. At the time this review commenced fillets were retailed for NZ$7.00/kg and wholesaled for NZ$5.00/kg and a net loss on sales of NZ$1.40/kg and NZ$3.40/kg respectively incurred. Even when prices were later raised to NZ$8.00/kg retail and NZ$6.50/kg wholesale, a significant loss continued to accrue. Although the FTA bore the cost of producing ice, no charges were made for ice supplied to staff for private use or supplied to other government departments.

24

After an analysis of the operational costs of landing fish at Rarotonga and the study of processing recovery rates had been completed, it was possible to draw up a valid price structure for fish sales. Both wholesale and retail price lists were drawn up and distributed in an attempt to encourage wider sales. In addition the improved quality of FTA products was advertised. Negotiations were undertaken with a local businessman who had expressed interest in sharing space at the FTA retail store. It was hoped that the addition of other stock lines (in this case delicatessen goods) would draw more custom to the store. A charge of NZ$1.50/block (10–12 kg) was introduced both for ice sales to the Ravakai and for other sales. 4.6 Staffing Staff levels appeared to be inflated beyond requirements. Eight full-time staff were employed by FTA at Rarotonga, including a night watchman, a freezing engineer, and two shop assistants. At Rarotonga five people had been on the FTA payroll at the beginning of the year, though at the time of this review only two were still employed. One of these employees had been brought to Rarotonga for a training course in May and, although the course was long completed, remained in Rarotonga on full salary and living-away-from-home allowance. Shipments of fish from the Rakahanga operation averaged between 200 kg and 500 kg monthly. Although no fish purchases were being made at Manihiki atoll, several residents there were on full FTA salary. One of these employees was normally resident at Rakahanga and was therefore on a living-away-from-home allowance in addition. One person not employed by FTA was found to be in receipt of an FTA meal allowance. At Penrhyn three FTA staff were employed, although the local freezer plant had been inoperable since early in the year. One Penrhyn employee remained in Rarotonga on salary and living-away-from-home allowance after attending a training course in July. No fish were being shipped from Penrhyn. It was apparent that a rationalisation of staff levels was long overdue and that strict employment guidelines for FTA should be established. Specific recommendations concerning staffing were drawn up in consultation with OIA and the Public Service Commission. 4.7 Management and budgeting FTA management at Rarotonga was found to have kept inadequate records of fish purchases, landed weights, stocks, sales and staffing. The FTA budget was overspent during the first seven months of the current financial year and funds were apparently arbitrarily transferred between budget votes, particularly in the outer islands. No budget allowance had been made for living-away-from-home allowances for staff transferred between duty stations, and no budget funds remained available to pay for return travel for such employees. In consultation with senior OIA staff, record keeping and accounting guidelines were established for all aspects of FTP's operations. Budgetary adjustments were recommended to ensure the continuation of the project for the remainder of the current financial year. A draft budget for the 1987/88 financial year, designed to rationalise FTA activities, improve plant and equipment, and encourage a degree of financial self-sufficiency, was prepared. A complete audit of FTA accounts and stocks should be undertaken as soon as possible.

25

5. CONCLUSION It is considered that the adoption of the recommendations outlined in this report, and of the proper fish handling and processing procedures demonstrated during the visit, will promote the efficiency and ultimately the continuation of FTA activities. Productivity and turnover should increase, with a corresponding decline in operational costs and overheads. Although it is unlikely that the FTA will become financially self-sufficient in the near future it would appear that the continuing support of the enterprise by the Government of the Cook Islands, through subsidy, is sound. The FTA has the potential to promote economic development in the outer islands, to provide the population in Rarotonga with quality fish products at affordable prices, and to contribute to government efforts to reduce the national bill for imported foodstuffs. The continued viability of the FTA will be assisted by regular monitoring of its activities, by the provision of expert managerial and technical advice as required, and by the encouragement and support of commercial fishing activities in the outer islands.

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APPENDIX 1

STANDARD FORM FOR DATA COLLECTIO

N

29

APPENDIX 2

OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF FISHING TRIPS AND CATCH BY EACH METHOD CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l) 1 Troll open-water 7.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Troll FAD 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Vertical longline 2.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 1.5 Total 4.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 1.7 20 2 Gill-net 12.0 16.0 17 2.4 0 0.0 0.0 0 3 Troll open-water 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 13.0 5 25.5 0 0.0 4.5 Handline FAD 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 10.0 5 25.5 0 0.0 5.0 30 4 Gill-net 13.5 18.0 15 2.4 0 0.0 0 5 Troll open-water 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 7 15.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 13.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.5 Handline FAD 2.0 3 10.8 0 0.0 0.5 Total 10.0 10 25.8 0 0.0 5.0 30 6 Troll open-water 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 6.0 26 57.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 10.4 2 13.0 0 0.0 4.5 Handline FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 9.0 28 70.0 0 0.0 5.0 45 7 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 5.0 10 17.7 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 9.1 1 5.5 0 0.0 5.0 Handline FAD 4.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Mid-water shark line 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 8.0 11 23.2 0 0.0 6.0 40 8 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 3.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.0 Palu ahi 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1.0 Total 6.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 25 9 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Vertical longline 2.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 Total 4.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 25 10 Gill-net 12.0 20.0 20 2.8 0 0.0 0.0 0 11 Gill-net 12.0 20.0 35 5.5 0 0.0 0.0 0

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APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l) 12 Troll open-water 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 3.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 1.8 Handline FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.2 Total 6.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.0 35 13 Gill-net 12.0 20.0 106 22.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 14 Gill-net 4.0 15.0 74 14.9 0 0.0 0.0 0 15 Gill-net 4.0 10.0 41 7.8 0 0.0 0.0 0 16 Gill-net 3.5 10.0 48 7.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 17 Gill-net 13.0 20.0 46 7.1 0 0.0 0.0 0 18 Troll open-water 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 5 13.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.0 Handline FAD 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 8.5 5 13.0 0 0.0 2.5 35 19 Gill-net 13.0 20.0 94 15.3 0 0.0 0.0 0 20 Gill-net 13.5 25.0 478 75.8 0 0.0 0.0 0 21 Gill-net 13.5 30.0 483 78.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 22 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 3.0 3 5.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 5.0 1 22.5 0 0.0 1.5 Handline FAD 2.5 1 2.2 0 0.0 0.2 Total 9.0 5 30.2 0 0.0 2.7 35 23 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 4.0 7 14.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 1 33.0 0 0.0 2.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.4 Handline FAD 2.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Total 9.0 8 47.0 0 0.0 2.5 35 24 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 4.0 4 9.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 10.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.8 Palu ahi 6.0 1 23.0 0 0.0 2.5 Handline FAD 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Mid-water shark line 0.5 0 0.0 1 15.0 0.1 Total 9.5 5 32.0 1 15.0 5.5 35

31

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l) 25 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 3 5.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 11.0 1 27.5 0 0.0 2.4 Palu ahi 8.0 2 61.5 0 0.0 3.5 Handline FAD 2.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Total 9.5 6 94.5 0 0.0 6.0 35 26 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 14 24.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.1 1 4.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 5 138.5 0 0.0 5.0 Total 9.5 20 167.0 0 0.0 7.5 30 27 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 7.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 3.5 Handline FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Mid-water shark line 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.1 Total 7.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.7 30 28 Gill-net 13.5 30.0 445 76.1 0 0.0 0.0 0 29 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 2 4.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.8 1 13.5 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi 8.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Total 8.5 3 18.0 0 0.0 7.0 35 30 Troll open-water 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 4.4 1 28.5 0 0.0 2.3 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Handline FAD 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.2 Total 8.0 1 28.5 0 0.0 7.5 20 31 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 7.7 2 76.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 4.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 3.0 Handline FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 7.5 2 76.0 0 0.0 6.5 20 32 Gill-net 13.5 30.0 2167 185.1 0 0.0 0.0 0 33 Gill-net 13.0 30.0 352 41.7 0 0.0 0.0 0 34 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 12.8 11 153.0 0 0.0 5.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 9 137.5 0 0.0 6.5 Total 8.0 20 290.5 0 0.0 11.5 20

32

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l)

35 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 3 65.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 4 81.0 0 0.0 8.0 Total 7.5 7 146.0 0 0.0 12.0 15 36 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 7 88.5 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi 6.0 2 24.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 9.0 9 112.5 0 0.0 9.0 20 37 Troll open-water 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 3 42.5 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi 7.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 7.5 3 42.5 0 0.0 8.0 20 38 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.3 1 20.5 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 6.5 1 20.5 0 0.0 9.0 15 39 Gill-net 13.0 28.0 1699 184.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 40 Troll open-water 18.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 13.5 5 65.5 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3.0 Total 7.5 5 65.5 0 0.0 7.0 20 41 Troll open-water 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 7.5 1 2.5 0 0.0 3.8 Handline FAD 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.2 Total 6.0 1 2.5 0 0.0 8.0 20 42 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 7.5 3 38.5 1 25.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 6.0 3 38.5 1 25.0 9.0 20 43 Gill-net 14.5 28.0 209 36.7 0 0.0 0.0 0

33

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l)

44 Troll open-water 1.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 10.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 7.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 9.0 15 45 Troll open-water 1.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 10.5 0 0.0 1 12.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 7.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 6.5 0 0.0 1 12.0 9.0 15 46 Troll open-water 4.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 12.0 2 32.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 4 30.3 0 0.0 5.0 Total 9.0 6 62.3 0 0.0 9.0 15 47 Gill-net 14.0 38.0 226 64.3 0 0.0 0.0 0 48 Gill-net 4.0 14.0 405 45.3 0 0.0 0.0 0 49 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.3 3 53.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 7.0 4 82.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 8.0 7 135.0 0 0.0 10.0 25 50 Troll FAD 2.0 1 3.2 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.3 1 23.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 7.5 4 62.5 0 0.0 5.0 Total 7.0 6 88.7 0 0.0 9.0 15 51 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 11.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 8.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 9.0 20 52 Gill-net 14.0 38.0 529 97.7 3 12.0 0.0 0 53 Gill-net 7.0 9.0 293 36.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 54 Gill-net 4.0 9.0 1479 162.4 0 0.0 0.0 0 55 Gill-net 4.0 9.0 1280 149.7 1 0.1 0.0 0 56 Gill-net 4.0 9.0 848 99.3 1 0.5 0.0 0 57 Gill-net 14.5 9.0 317 58.2 3 12.0 0.0 3

34

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l) 58 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 4.0 Total 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 8.0 15 59 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 4 72.0 0 0.0 3.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 8.0 5 76.5 0 0.0 7.5 Total 8.5 9 148.4 0 0.0 11.0 20 60 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 8.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.2 Palu ahi/Drop stones 16.5 2 27.0 0 0.0 6.2 Handline FAD 1.0 3 4.0 0 0.0 0.1 Total 9.5 5 31.0 0 0.0 8.5 20 61 Gill-net 15.5 46.0 344 52.3 1 2.0 0.0 3 62 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 4 16.3 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 3 58.5 0 0.0 3.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 2 10.6 0 0.0 5.5 Handline FAD * 0.5 1 19.0 0 0.0 0.0 Total 7.5 6 104.4 0 0.0 9.0 15 63 Troll open-water 2.0 1 5.8 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 1 3.6 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 2 10.3 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5.5 Total 7.5 4 19.7 0 0.0 9.5 15 64 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 5 28.8 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.8 9 137.5 1 30.0 5.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 13.5 4 42.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 9.5 18 208.3 1 30.0 11.0 20 65 Gill-net 15.0 18.0 221 30.2 0 0.0 0.0 3 66 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 1 3.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 Total 5.5 1 3.5 0 0.0 3.0 30 67 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 6 35.8 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 5 34.7 0 0.0 6.0 Total 8.0 11 70.5 0 0.0 8.5 20 * Fish was gaffed

35

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.)

CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l) 68 Gill-net * 16.0 27.0 2022 204.0 1 0.3 0.0 0 69 Gill-net 15.0 46.0 302 52.6 0 0.0 0.0 3 70 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 2 27.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.8 4 69.5 0 0.0 3.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 13.5 3 38.0 0 0.0 6.5 Total 9.5 9 134.5 0 0.0 10.0 20 71 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 9.0 1 13.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 18.0 2 25.5 0 0.0 6.5 Total 9.0 3 38.5 0 0.0 9.0 20 72 Troll open-water 3.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 5 17.8 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 2.1 3 25.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 5 27.2 0 0.0 7.0 Total 9.0 13 70.0 0 0.0 9.5 30 73 Gill-net * 8.0 36.0 524 65.7 2 0.6 0.0 0 74 Gill-net 15.0 46.0 232 46.3 1 0.1 0.0 3 75 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 4.2 3 29.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 1 3.5 0 0.0 5.0 Total 7.0 4 32.5 0 0.0 7.5 20 76 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 2 7.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 17 304.5 0 0.0 4.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 8 111.5 0 0.0 6.5 Total 9.0 27 423.0 0 0.0 11.0 20 77 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 2 8.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 6 78.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 3 24.0 0 0.0 5.5 Total 8.0 11 110.0 0 0.0 8.5 20 78 Gill-net 10.0 27.0 260 33.8 0 0.0 0.0 3 79 Gill-net 14.5 46.0 99 19.7 0 0.0 0.0 3 80 Troll open-water 6.0 2 19.5 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Ika shibi 52.0 2 9.0 1 40.0 17.0 Total 15.5 4 28.5 1 40.0 17.0 20 * Trip conducted by counterpart fisheries officer

36

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.)

CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l)

81 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.8 1 165.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 13.5 1 16.5 0 0.0 6.0 Total 8.0 2 33.0 0 0.0 9.0 20 82 Troll open-water 1.0 2 9.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 1 14.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 3 25.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 7.5 6 48.0 0 0.0 9.0 20 83 Gill-net* 14.5 46.0 227 33.3 0 0.0 0.0 3 84 Gill-net 5.5 23.0 76 12.8 0 0.0 0.0 1 85 Troll open-water 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 5 37.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 3.8 12 222.0 0 0.0 4.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 6.0 3 41.0 0 0.0 4.5 Mid-water shark line 0.5 0 0.0 1 25.0 0.5 Total 8.0 20 300.0 1 25.0 9.5 25 86 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 3.8 8 131.0 0 0.0 3.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 3.0 5 54.0 0 0.0 4.0 Total 8.5 13 185.0 0 0.0 7.5 25 87 Troll open-water 4.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 3.8 8 148.5 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 6.0 5 91.0 0 0.0 5.0 Total 7.0 13 239.0 0 0.0 9.0 25 88 Troll open-water 2.0 1 6.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 1 4.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 7.5 1 17.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 15.0 1 4.5 0 0.0 7.0 Total 9.0 4 31.5 0 0.0 10.0 20 89 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 2 9.5 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 6 132.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 1 15.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 8.5 9 156.5 0 0.0 9.0 20 90 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.0 1 21.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 1 3.5 0 0.0 7.0 Total 7.5 2 24.5 0 0.0 9.5 20 * Trip conducted by counterpart fisheries officer

37

APPENDIX 2 (Cont’d.) CATCH Trip Fishing Trip Fishing Saleable Unsaleable Bait Fuel no. method hours effort No. Weight No. Weight (kg) (l)

91 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 7.5 8 151.0 0 0.0 4.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 8.0 2 22.5 0 0.0 5.5 Total 9.5 10 173.5 0 0.0 9.5 20 92 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 5.3 7 155.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 10.5 5 58.5 0 0.0 6.0 Total 8.5 12 213.5 0 0.0 9.0 20 93 Troll open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 4.5 5 70.0 0 0.0 3.0 Palu ahi/Drop stones 9.0 5 82.0 0 0.0 6.0 Total 7.5 10 152.0 0 0.0 9.0 20 94 Gill-net 15.5 46.0 113 33.5 0 0.0 0.0 3 95 Troll reef/open-water 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Troll FAD 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 Vertical longline 6.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 2.5 Palu ahi/Drop stones 12.0 1 2.5 0 0.0 6.9 Handline FAD 0.5 1 2.5 0 0.0 0.1 Total 8.0 2 5.0 0 0.0 9.5 20 96 Troll reef/open-water 2.5 5.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 20 97 Troll reef/open-water 5.0 9.0 2 40.0 0 0.0 0.5 30 98 Troll reef/open-water 8.0 7.0 1 4.5 0 0.0 0.5 30

TOTAL 894.5 1,6534 6,745.7 18 174.6 463.0 1,483

39

APPENDIX 3

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE CATCH A. VERTICAL LONGLINE

B. GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species MACKERELS AND TUNAS SCOMBRIDAE Acanthocybium solandri 2 22.0 Wahoo Paara Thunnus alalunga 8 183.0 Albacore tuna Tuava Thunnus albacares 149 2,449.0 Yellowfin tuna A’ai DOLPHINFISH CORYPHAENIDAE Coryphaena hippurus 3 23.0 Dolphinfish Ma'ima'i JACKS CARANGIDAE Elegatis bipinnulata 2 6.3 Rainbow runner Roroa SUB-TOTAL 164 2,683.3 Unsaleable species SHARKS CARCHARHINIDAE Carcharhinus longimanus 1 12.0 Prionace glauca 2 55.0 Blue shark SUB-TOTAL 3 67.0 TOTAL 167 2,750.3

40

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.)

B. ‘PALU AHI’ AND ‘DROPPING STONES’ GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) TUNAS SCOMBRIDAE Katsuwonus pelamis 1 2.8 Skipjack tuna Au'opu Thunnus albacares 102 1,473.7 Yellowfin tuna A'ai Thunnus obesus 1 5 Bigeye tuna A'ai JACKS CARANGIDAE. Elegatis bipinnulata 3 9.8 Rainbow runner Roroa DOLPHINFISH. CORYPHAENIDAE Coryphaena hippurus 3 15 Dolphinfish Ma'ima'i TOTAL 110 1,506.3

41

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.) C. GILL-NET

GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species SNAPPERS LUTJANIDAE Aphareus furcatus 7 3.8 Blue jobfish Caesio tile * 592 95.5 Lutjanus bohar 1 2.0 Red bass Angamea Lutjanus fulvus 9 1.5 Red tail snapper Lutjanus kasmira 103 14.4 Blue-line snapper Lutjanus monostigma 10 3.2 One-spot snapper EMPERORS LETHRINIDAE Lethrinus xanthocheilus 1 2.5 Slender emperor Gnathodentex aurolineatus 143 12.9 Yellow-lined sea bream Monotaxis grandoculis 2 0.2 Large-eye bream GROUPERS AND CODS SERRANIDAE Cephalopholis argus 1 0.2 Peacock rock cod Cephalopholis spilaparea 3 0.5 Rock cod Cephalopholis urodelus 2 0.2 Flagtail rock cod Epinephelus fasciatus 20 3.5 Black-tipped grouper Epinephelus hexagonatus 37 5.4 Hexagon grouper Epinephelus merra 1 0.2 Wire-netting cod * Denotes bait species

42

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.) GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species (contd.) TREVALLIES AND JACKS CARANGIDAE Caranx ferdau 4 0.9 Trevally Caranx ignobilis 10 1.4 Great trevally Caranx lugubris 3 3.5 Black trevally Rui Caranx melampygus 29 11.1 Bluefin trevally Titiara Caranx papuensis 1 0.6 Brassy trevally Decapterus macarellus * 1,335 222.0 Scad mackerel Koperu Selar crumenophthalmus * 12,375 1,264.0 Bigeye scad Ature TUNAS SCOMBRIDAE Gymnosarda unicolor 11 38.9 Dogtooth tuna Varu BARRACUDAS AND SEAPIKES SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena barracuda 1 0.8 Barracuda Ono Sphyraena novaehollandiae 212 180.7 SNAKE MACKERELS GEMPYLIDAE Promethichthys prometheus 10 2.9 Snake mackerel THREADFINS POLYNEMIDAE Polydactylus plebejus 38 7.2 * Denotes bait species

43

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.) GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species (contd.) TRIGGERFISH BALLISTIDAE Cantherhines domerilii 1 0.2 Pseudobalistes sp. 1 3.5 Rhinecanthus varrucosus 1 0.1 SOLDIERFISH AND SQUIRRELFISH HOLOCENTRIDAE Flammeo sammara 63 10.7 Squirrelfish Myripristis berndti 55 6.2 Big-scaled soldierfish Myripristis murdjan 45 5.4 Soldierfish Myripristis randalli 4 0.4 Soldierfish Plectropops lima 1 0.1 Sargocentron diadema 9 1.2 Sargocentron ittodai 1 0.2 Sargocentron spiniferum 1 0.1 Sargocentron tiere 19 2.8 PARROTFISH SCARIDAE Scarus dimidiatus 1 0.7 Scarus harid 3 1.0 Scarus niger 2 6.0 Scarus ribroviolaceus 1 0.2 Scarus tricolor 1 0.2 Scarus sp. 4 0.7 RABBITFISH SIGANIDAE Sigarus argentus 59 6.4 Sigarus spinus 10 1.0 SURGEONFISH ACANTHURIDAE Acanthurus bleekeri 1 1.5 Acanthurus nigrofuscus 45 2.9 Acanthurus thompsoni 1 0.1 Acanthurus triostegus 30 1.5 Naso literatus 1 0.3 Naso unicornis 1 2.0

44

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.) GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species (contd.) WRASSES LABRIDAE Cheilinus trilobatus 1 0.1 Gomphosis varius 1 0.2 Thalassoma lutescens 1 0.2 GOATFISH MULLIDAE Mulloidichthys flavolineatus 200 30.1 Mulloidichthys vanicolensis 56 8.9 Parupeneus bifasciatus 4 0.7 Parupeneus chrysopleuron 1 1.0 Parupeneus cyclostomus 7 2.7 Parupeneus trifasciatus 68 10.9 FLYING FISH EXOCETIDAE Cypselerus poecilopterus 5 1.1 BIGEYES PRIACANTHIDAE Priacanthus cruentatus 356 47.0 KUHLIDAE Kuhlia mugil 1 0.1 CARDINALFISH APOGONIDAE Cheilodipterus macrodon 7 1.4 SWEEPERS PEMPHERIDAE Pempheris ovalensis 30 2.8 MULLETS MUGILIDAE Crenimugil crenilabis 2 1.2 Liza macrolepis 34 5.7 Liza subviridis 2 0.3 LIZARDFISH SYNODONTIDAE Saurida gracilis 8 2.1

45

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.)

GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species (contd.) CORNETFISH FISTULARIIDAE Fistularia commersoni 6 2.1 MOORISH IDOLS ZANCLIDAE Zanclus cornutus 1 0.1 HAWKFISH CIRRHITIDAE Paracirrhites forsteri 1 0.1 FLATHEADS PLATYCEPHALIDAE Thysanophrys arenicola 6 0.9 SEACHUBS KYPHOSIDAE Kyphosus bigibbus 1 0.5 Kyphosus cinerascens 1 1.0 SUB-TOTAL 16,122 2,056.6 Unsaleable species SCORPIONFISH SCORPAENIDAE Pterois antennata 1 0.1 Ptewrois radiata 1 0.1 Scorpaenopsis diabolus 1 0.1 PORCUPINEFISH DIODONTIDAE Diodon hystrix 2 1.0 SHARKS CARCHARHINIDAE Triaenodon obesus 7 26.0 SUB-TOTAL 12 27.3 TOTAL 16,134 2,083.9

46

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.)

D. REEF, OPEN WATER AND FAD TROLLING GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species MACKERELS AND TUNAS SCOMBRIDAE Acanthocybium solandri 2 22.0 Wahoo Paara Gymnosarda unicolor 1 11.0 Dogtooth tuna Varu Katsuwonus pelamis 57 96.3 Skipjack tuna Au'opu Thunnus albacares 63 298.1 Yellowfin tuna A’ai Thunnus obesus 1 2.0 Bigeye tuna A'ai BARRACUDAS SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena barracuda 1 5.8 Great barracuda Ono DOLPHINFISH CORYPHAENIDAE Coryphaena hippurus 2 16.8 Dolphin fish Ma'ima'i TOTAL 127 452.0

47

APPENDIX 3 (Cont’d.)

E. MISCELLANEOUS FISHING METHODS GROUP No. Weight FAMILY (kg) Species English name, Rarotongan name (where known) Saleable species TUNAS SCOMBRIDAE Thunnus albacares 5 36.2 Yellowfin tuna A'ai JACKS CARANGIDAE Elegatis bipinnulata 2 4.8 Rainbow runner Roroa DOLPHINFISH CORYPHAENIDAE Coryphaena hippurus 1 2.5 Dolphinfish Ma'ima'i TRIGGERFISH BALLISTIDAE Canthidermis maculatus 3 4.0 SUB-TOTAL 11 47.5 Unsaleable species SHARKS CARCHARHINIDAE Carcharhinus longimanus 2 40.0 Galeocerda cuiveri 1 44.0 Tiger shark SUB-TOTAL 3 84.0 TOTAL 14 131.5

49

APPENDIX 4

OUTER ISLAND FISH PURCHASE PRICES

All fish to be gilled and gutted.

Fish to be purchased at NZ$1.00/kg Parrot fish Mullet Trevallies Groupers and cods Oilfish Rainbow runner Other reef fish, over 20 cm in length Fish to be purchased at NZ$1.50/kg Wahoo Tuna (all species excepting skipjack) Barracuda Black trevally Flying fish Scad mackerel and bigeye scad Deep-water snappers Dolphin fish Moray eels Purchases to be made at NZ$2.00/kg Octopus Clam meat

51

APPENDIX 5

RECOVERY RATES A. FILLETING RECOVERY RATES FOR CHILLED PARROT FISH All weights are given in kg. Whole chilled Belly Heads and % of fillets Day weight Fillets pieces Wings Skins backbones Total recovered

1 180.0 71.0 10.5 17.5 18.0 63.0 180.0 39.4 2 385.5 147.5 21.5 38.5 48.5 129.5 385.5 38.3 3 343.0 133.5 18.0 31.0 42.0 118.5 343.0 38.9 4 123.5 47.5 6.0 11.0 15.0 44.0 123.5 38.5

TOTAL 1,032.0 399.5 56.0 98.0 123.5 355.0 1,032.0 38.7 B. STEAKING AND CHUNKING RECOVERY RATES FOR FROZEN FISH Whole Steaks or Tail % of steaks or Species weights chunks pieces Heads Waste chunks recovered

Tuna 21.5 18.5 1.0 3.0 2.0 72.1 " 16.0 11.0 1.0 3.0 1.0 68.8 " 14.5 11.5 0.5 *0.0 2.5 79.3 Wahoo 22.5 16.5 1.0 3.0 2.0 73.3 " 8.5 5.5 0.5 1.0 1.5 64.7 " 18.0 14.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 77.8 Oilfish 6.5 5.5 0.0 1.0 0.0 84.6 " 21.5 17.5 0.0 3.5 0.0 81.4

Note: Oilfish were chunked not steaked. All cutting done by bandsaw. * Fish was purchased with head removed.