Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
that the time between catch in Abariringa (Canton) and consumption in Hawaii was usually
less than 24 hours.
Walker (1955) noted that the Gilbertese caught and shipped about 1.8 tonnes (two tons) of
mullet per month from Abariringa (Canton) to Hawaii.
Degener and Gillaspy (1955) reported that there were three fishing companies operating on
Abariringa (Canton). In July 1950, one of the companies exported 8.1 tonnes (17,984
pounds) of fish to Hawaii.
In 1955, the two commercial fishing companies on Abariringa (Canton) closed (Teiwaki
1988).
Witherspoon (1957) noted that in 5 months, one commercial fishing operation had exported
27.7 tonnes (61,000 pounds) of fish to Hawaii from Abariringa (Canton).
Two commercial fishing companies were exporting fish to Hawaii by air from Abariringa
(Canton) (McIntire 1960). These included the Phoenix Islands Fisheries (a British company),
and Marine Products Inc. (an American company). Both companies operated in the Phoenix
and Line Islands. About 9.1 tonnes (20,000 pounds) of fish were exported monthly to
Honolulu (Walker 1955; see also McIntire 1960). Since the advent of jet travel across the
Pacific, and loss of air flights to Abariringa (Canton), both were now closed (Robson 1959;
see also McIntire 1960).
In 1988, a household survey was conducted by the Division of Fisheries (Yeeting 1988). All
5 households on Abariringa (Canton) were surveyed (representing 18 people). Survey results
indicated that people on Abariringa (Canton) fish only for their subsistence needs. No
commercial fishing activities were undertaken. Also, if catch was good, surplus was shared
amongst the community. The fishing effort targeted the lagoon (2.6 trips/week) and reef (1.4
trips/week) near the settlement. There was no ocean fishing as there were no boat engines.
An average of 2.2 persons went on each fishing trip.
Trip costs averaged AUD 3.00 per week for hook and line fishing (for replacement hooks),
and AUD 2.88 per for net fishing (Yeeting 1988). There was one traditional canoe and one
dinghy on the island. Both lacked engines and had to be paddled. The one insulated fish box
was not commonly used for fish as there was no ice.
Gillnets and hook and line were the most common fishing gear, although scoop nets were
also used (Yeeting 1988). During the week of the survey, total landings were 364.4 kg, 61
percent from the lagoon and 49% from the reef. Per caput consumption was estimated at 2.89
kg per day. Common catches included Albulidae (bonefish) 32.1 percent, and Lethrinidae
(emperors) 16.0 percent. Other fish caught included: Mugillidae (mullets), Carangidae
(trevallies), Holocentridae (soldierfish), Serranidae (groupers), Lutjanidae (snappers),
Crustaceans (crayfish), Kyphosidae (drummers), and Acanthuridae (surgeonfish). Most of
the bonefish were caught using gillnets (77.9 percent).
In 2001, a foreign fishing vessel was licensed to harvest sharkfins by longline around
Abariringa (Kanton), Orona, Manra (Sydney), and Rawaki (Phoenix) (Planetary Coral Reef
Foundation 2004).
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