Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Obura and Stone (2003) reported that the American Samoa fishing vessel Maddee, obtained
permission to harvest sharkfin in the Phoenix Islands. The Maddee visited Abariringa,
Manra, Rawaki (Phoenix) and Orona. The ship caught between 30 and 100 sharks per day
(Stone 2004). The ship also visited other islands in the Phoenix group. The vessel broke and
returned to Samoa for repairs. 2002 shark populations in these islands were fished to nearzero
levels (Obura and Stone 2003).
MANRA (SYDNEY)
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).
Obura and Stone (2003) reported that the American Samoa fishing vessel Maddee, obtained
permission to harvest sharkfin in the Phoenix Islands. The Maddee visited Abariringa,
Manra, Rawaki (Phoenix) and Orona. The ship caught between 30 and 100 sharks per day
(Stone 2004). The ship also visited other islands in the Phoenix group. The vessel broke and
returned to Samoa for repairs. 2002 shark populations in these islands were fished to nearzero
levels (Obura and Stone 2003).
ORONA (HULL)
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).
Tioti et al (2001) reported that workers for the Kakai scheme on Orona were landing about 20
to 35 sharks every fishing trip. In the May-June 2001 period, 142 sharks were landed with
shark fin value of AUD 5,000. Sharks most often taken included: white tip, Carcharinus
melanopterus, black tip, Triaenodeon obseus, and grey shark, C. amblyrhyncus.
The Phoenix Islands Kakai Scheme (PIKS) included shark finning as a key activity (Timeon
2001; see also Mangubhai 2002). Shark were caught, fins dried for sale, and the meat was
distributed to residents for consumption or for making kabuibui (dried, salted shark meat).
Neilson (2002) reported that during the Kakai Scheme, shark landings were dramatically
reduced. Comparisons of shark observations during dives between 2000 and 2002 showed
dramatic decrease in shark abundance (see also Mangubhai 2002). Neilson (2002) noted that
the shark fishery may not be a sustainable resource.
Obura and Stone (2003) reported that the American Samoa fishing vessel Maddee, obtained
permission to harvest sharkfin in the Phoenix Islands. The Maddee visited Abariringa,
Manra, Rawaki (Phoenix) and Orona. The ship caught between 30 and 100 sharks per day
(Stone 2004). The ship also visited other islands in the Phoenix group. The vessel broke and
returned to Samoa for repairs. 2002 shark populations in these islands were fished to nearzero
levels (Obura and Stone 2003).
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