In the Pacific Island region, it is estimated that: 1) coastal fisheries resources provide the primary or secondary source of income for up to 50 per cent of households and 50–90 per cent of the animal-sourced protein consumed; 2) most coastal fish and invertebrate resources – at least all those accessible to coastal communities – are over-exploited or exploited to their limits; and 3) the population of many Pacific Island countries is growing rapidly and consequently the need for proteins is also growing.

There are a few alternative sources of protein: a bigger share of the offshore catch (primarily tuna) by industrial fleets could be reserved for local populations, and production from agriculture and livestock could probably be further developed, at least in high islands. But if coastal fisheries keep declining, these sources will not fill the gap, and they will not make up for the loss of income that coastal fisheries provide to communities.

Read more...