Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
In 1995, two trial gillnet sets were made in the lagoon at Moantewa on Orona (Government
of Kiribati 1995). Catch was 1.84 kg/m 2 gillnet/hour. Milkfish dominated the catch. Shark,
and mullet (te baiburoro) were also caught.
In 1995, a visual census was completed opposite Moantewa on Orona (Government of
Kiribati 1995). Parrot fish (inai), yellow snapper (baweina), flaming angel, and rouper were
observed.
1995 trial trolling was completed (Government of Kiribati (1995). CPUE was 26.4 kg/hour.
Catch included: trevally, Lutjanus bohar, Napoleon fish, wahoo, yellowfin, and small
skipjack.
In January 2000, a small pond filled with milkfish was observed on Orona (Kepler 2000).
The pond was close to the lagoon east of the village.
In 2001, marine surveys were completed on Orona to assess ciguatera prior to resettlement
under the Kakai Scheme Project (Tioti et al 2001). Four sites including a control site were
surveyed (see Figure III-5.38). Algae were collected, rinsed and rinse water was examined
for toxic dinoflagellates. The control site at the entrance to the lagoon had undetectable
levels of toxic dinoflagellates. All other sites had toxic dinoflagellates.
Figure III-5.38. Toxic dinoflagellate areas of Orona
(source Tioti et al 2001).
Tioti et al (2001) noted that toxic dinoflagellates can occur at wreck sites. In 1937, the
Makoa wrecked on Orona. The wreck is adjacent to where toxic dinoflagellates were
identified (see Figure III-5.38 above).
Reef fish reported to be toxic on Orona included the following (Tioti et al 2001):
Local name Common name
Ikamatoa Longnose emperor
Ingo Red bass
Rou Emperor
Koinawa Convict surgeon
Nimanang Peacock hind
52