Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Sibert and Hampton (2002) analyzed tuna tag results and concluded that skipjack and
yellowfin were not really highly migratory, but rather were limited to ranges of about 740 to
926 km (400 to 500 nmi). Therefore regional management may not be as appropriate as subregional
arrangements. Results also suggested that each island country could also implement
domestic management policies that would complement sub-regional arrangements. The
perspective that all tuna within an EEZ should be captured as they are only passing through
may not be as valid as initially thought.
No specific studies were identified regarding the status of tuna stocks in the Phoenix Islands.
However, in 2003, SPC completed a review of the status of tuna stocks in the Pacific (see
Langley et al 2003). Langley et al (2003) reported that at the regional level, the skipjack tuna
stocks were not overfished due to the high level of recruitment and modest level of
exploitation relative to the stock’s biological potential. The current regional level of harvest
of 1.2 M tonne was sustainable. Langley et al (2003) reported that at the regional level,
yellowfin tuna stocks were not overfished and not in an overfished state. However, yellowfin
tuna were near full exploitation. Any future increase in landings may move yellowfin tuna to
the overfished state. Langley et al (2003) reported that at the regional level, bigeye tuna were
not overfished, but were approaching overfishing. The current level of landings might not be
sustainable over the long term unless high recruitment was maintained.
Langley et al (2003) reported that during El Niño events, there was a spatial shift in purse
seine skipjack tuna catches in the central western Pacific to the east.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
A baitfish survey was conducted in Abariringa (Canton) lagoon in 1949 (see June 1950). The
black-fin mullet and thick-lip mullet were the most abundant bait fishes in the lagoon. Small
round herring, mountain bass, and goatfish were also present along the fringe of the lagoon.
In 1950, there were four baitfish trials on Abariringa (Canton) (June and Reintjes 1953).
Results of these bait trials indicated the bait species present were only fair tuna bait. Also,
the abundance of bait varied during the year. Bait was sufficient to supplement tuna fishing
operations, but the area was not a large-scale baiting ground.
Only Abariringa (Canton) and Orona (Hull) were of any importance as potential bait grounds
(June and Reintjes 1953). June and Reintjes (1953) document common tuna-bait fishes from
Abariringa (Canton), Birnie, Enderbury, and Orona (Hull) (see Table III-5.1 above). Only
Abariringa (Canton) and Orona (Hull) had potential as a potential as a baiting ground as
Nikumaroro (Gardner) had an extremely dangerous passage into the lagoon. Due to the coral
reefs in the lagoon, it was difficult to navigate limiting the effectiveness of baitfishing
operations.
As part of the South Pacific Commission’s Skipjack Survey and Assessment Programme in
Kiribati waters, trial fishing was conducted west of McKean, Abariringa (Canton),
Enderbury, and east of Rawaki (Phoenix) (Hallier and Kearney 1980). A total of 183
skipjack and 12 yellowfin tuna were tagged off of Abariringa (Canton).
Kleiber and. Kearney (1983) reported that 182 skipjack and 16 yellowfin had been tagged off
of Abariringa (Kanton).
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