Abstract

A questionnaire-based study conducted in the first quarter of 2009 showed that greater numbers of spearfishers presently exist than were previously estimated. Some 2% of fishers are spearfishers whereas previously the estimate was 1%. However, on the third largest landing site spearfishers comprised nearly 50% of all fishers. Some fishers use boats, but many north coast fishers do not, instead simply swimmimg to the nearby reefs. Fishing effort is very high, with 4 hour trips done 5 days per week. Mean catches using mostly home-made and commercial spearguns, are estimated at a surprisingly high 3,500 kg/spearfisher/yr. Dominant species landed were parrotfishes, jacks, groupers, snappers, barracuda, spiny lobsters and octopus. Spearfishers report increasing numbers of the Pacific-invasive species the Lionfish, Pterois volitans which was first reported in 2008. Best fishing season was the summer months. Most fishers reported they would have no alternative income if spearfishing was to be banned. The spearfishing sector thus annually harvests a far greater quantity of fishable resources than was previously imagined.

PDF Preview