Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Tumoa (2006) reported that for 2002 to 2004, no fish were unloaded in the Phoenix Islands.
However, for 2005, 6,305 tonnes of fish were unloaded in the Phoenix Islands.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Teiwaki (1988) noted that there had been discussions between the Government of Kiribati
and the U.S. purse seine fleet regarding the use of Abariringa (Kanton) as a base in the
Central Pacific.
C. INSHORE FISHERIES RESOURCES
In 1937, trochus was introduced from Palau to the Phoenix Islands (Bour et al 1982; Gillett
1993 and 2002; Gillett 1986). Gillett (1986) and Gillett (1993 and 2002) noted that
Government of Kiribati official had no information regarding the status of this introduction
(Onorio, personal communication to Gillett, see Gillett 1986 and Gillett 1993 and 2002).
Eldredge (1994) noted that the map arrow illustrated in Bour et al (1982) regarding trochus
introductions pointed to the Phoenix Islands.
In the Fisheries Division Annual Report for 1984, the Phoenix Islands were not covered
because few people lived there (Onorio 1984).
ADB (1998) reported that maximum sustainable yields from deep slope bottomfish for
Kiribati was 70 to 200 tonnes per year. No separate estimates were available for the Phoenix
Islands.
In 2006, Kerr and Wragg (2006) conducted large indicator fish abundance; abundance of key
fish families, and coral health rapid assessment surveys on Manra, Rawaki, Enderbury,
Birnie, McKean, Orona, and Nikumaroro. All surveys were completed on the lee sides of
these islands.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Maude (1937) reported that fish were more abundant on Abariringa (Canton) than on
elsewhere in the Colony.
Fish were plentiful in the lagoon on Abariringa (Canton) (Hydrographic Office 1940).
However, some may be poisonous such as the red snapper and rock cod.
In 1951, a field survey was completed on the poisonous fishes of Abariringa (Canton)
(Bunker 1951). Thirty one stations were sampled around the island. Ninety species of fish
were collected with total weight of 159 kg (350 pounds). Information on fish poisoning was
also collected from inhabitants. The incidence of fish poisoning was low, but there were a
few species that were avoided by natives. The detailed trip organization was provided in
Halstead (1950).
Halstead and Bunker (1954) reported that fish collections were made on Abariringa (Canton),
Enderbury, Orona (Hull), Rawaki (Phoenix), and Manra (Sydney). A total of 93 species were
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