Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 5. Fisheries Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
In 1951, field studies were completed to examine fish poisoning in the Phoenix Islands
(Halstead and Bunker 1954). Fish collections were made on Abariringa (Canton), Enderbury,
Orona (Hull), Rawaki (Phoenix), and Manra (Sydney). A total of 93 species were tested.
Toxicity was indicated for 27 species, or 29 percent. There was evidence that species may be
poisonous at one site, but not in another.
A list of fish found to be toxic from Abariringa (Canton), Enderbury, Orona (Hull), and
Manra (Sydney) (Halstead and Bunker 1954) is provided in Table III-5.19 above.
Knudsen (1965) reported that a Manra (Sydney) informant identified 32 species of fish eaten
in the Gilbert Islands. Of these 32 species, 31 were present on Manra (Sydney).
Hydrographer of the Navy (1969) reported that some of the reef fish were poisonous.
In 1995, test troll fishing resulted in a CPUE of 6.5 kg/hour per person (Government of
Kiribati 1995). Catch included Lutjanus bohar, barracuda, wahoo, and sharks. Test longline
fishing resulted in an average CPUE of 13.5 kg/hour per person. Catch was mainly sharks
and Lutjanus bohar. Test rod fishing was also completed and resulted in a CPUE of 9.3
kg/hour per person.
In 1995, chumming was done to attract fish on the reef (Government of Kiribati 1995). It
was estimated that Lutjanus bohar density was 65 per m 3 from the chumming.
MCKEAN
Hydrographic Office (1940) noted that the best fishing in the Phoenix Islands was off of
McKean (see also Bryan 1941 and 1942). During the U.S.S. Bushnell visit, yellowfin tuna,
barracuda, wahoo, rainbow runner, red snapper and ulua (jacks) were caught. Sharks were
found in large numbers.
Dana (1979) reported a remarkable abundance of grey reef sharks, Carcharhinus
amblyrhynchos, around McKean.
Timeon (2001) noted that fish were abundant around McKean. Sharks, red snappers, dog
toothed tuna, trevally, mullet were observed or easily caught. It was speculated that the
island could support a commercial fishery.
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
Maude (1937) reported that fish were abundance in the lagoon and on the reef. Most fish
species were known to the Gilbertese. Maude (1937) noted that as the island was settled, fish
would naturally become scarce. In a natural lake on the southwest corner of the lagoon,
baneawa, a species of pond mullet that was much esteemed, was abundant.
Fish are plentiful in the lagoon and off the reef (Hydrographic Office 1940). Most varieties
are edible.
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