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Fisheries Annual Report - Kiritimati Island 2006 |
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ANNUAL REPORT
2006
220,000 mN
2º 00' N
210,000 mN
North West Point
School
Tabwakea
NASDA Jetty
Decca Field
Motu Manu
School
Tennessee
NASDA Down Range Station
Cape Manning
Four Wells Field
Cemetery
Motu Upua
Bonefish Park
Main Camp
JMBCaptain Cook Hotel
London
Dive Kiribati
Post Office & Bank
Boating Lagoon
Bathers' Lagoon
Motu Tabu
Banana
Casady Airfield
North East Point
Verdun
Cook Island
Wood Island
Benson Point
Normans Lagoon
Arthur Island
Little Plantation
Salt TWhoerkBsridges
Manulu Lagoon
Te Baura
Ava Lagoon
Old Seaplane Station
St Stanilas Bay
Ellis Lagoon
Port Mariel
Cat Island
Bay of Wrecks
Poland
South West Point
200,000 mN
Cecile Peninsula
Tahiti
Vaskess Bay
Tenei Rababa
Artemia Corner
Joe's Hill Collimes
1º 45' N
190,000 mN
TE
MAURI
TE
RAOI
TABO
TE
AO
KIRITIMATI
Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati
SCALE : 1 : 160,000
0
2
4
6
8 10 KM
Grid : Kiritimati Local Grid
Datum : Kiritimati Island 1967 Astro
Building
< Wreck
Satellite Tracking Station
Airfield
Taxiway
Main Road
Minor Road
Track
Dry Land Vegetation
Sand
Reef/Lagoon
Open Sea
Intertidal Flat
Produced by the Land Management Division Kiritimati, February 2002
2º 00' N
Aeon Airfield
Aeon Point
Teraaka Lagoon
Pelican Lagoon
<
Dakota Strip
South-East Point
Te Kaibuke n Akawa (Korean Wreck)
1º 45' N
FISHERIES BRANCH
KIRITIMATI ISLAND
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... 2
2. LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................. 3
3. LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................ 4
4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION................................................... 5
5. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVIES......................................................... 6
5.1 PET FISH FISHERY............................................................................ 7
5.2 LOBSTER FISHERY........................................................................... 8
5.3 CONSERVATION AREA ................................................................... 9
5.4 BONEFISH FISHERY......................................................................... 9
5.4.1 Pleasure fishing .................................................................... 10
5.5 FISH LANDINGS.............................................................................. 11
5.6 PERSONAL CONSIGNMENT ......................................................... 11
5.7 PEARL SPAT COLLECTORS.......................................................... 11
5.8 EXPORT ............................................................................................ 12
5.9 ASTISANAL SURVEY..................................................................... 13
5.10 INCOMING FOREIGN FISHING VESSEL..................................... 14
5.11 BECH-DE-MER FISHERY............................................................... 14
5.12 FISH FARM....................................................................................... 15
6. ATTACHMENTs.................................................................................. 15
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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2. LIST OF TABLES
5.2.1 Lobster Landed At Cppl From Jan To Dec 2006 ............................... 8
5.2.2 Lobster Landed At Eritaia Reiti’s Place............................................ 9
5.4.1 Annual Number Of Bonefish Anglers Visiting
Kiritmati........................................................................................... 10
5.6.1 Monthly Summary Of Personal Consignment ................................. 11
5.8.1 Monthly Summary of fish exported by CPPL 2006......................... 12
5.8.2 Weekly Shipment of Sea cucumber exported by CPPL 2006.......... 13
5.11.1 Monthly Weights Of Sea Cucumber Exported
by Eritaia Reiti................................................................................. 14
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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3. LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 5.1 Revenue generated through Pleasure
Fishing/Diving.................................................................. 10
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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4 General Background Information
Kiritimati atoll is one of the biggest atolls in the Pacific and also one of the atolls in the Line
Group of the Republic of Kiribati. It is located approximately 2°N and
157°W, the sandy soil limits opportunities to develop land resources. Apart from coconuts,
vegetables, fruits and root crops which are hard to grow, much of the staple food for the local
communities consist of imported rice and flour. All other supplementary fresh produce to
maintain a healthy diet are also imported, usually air-freighted from Honolulu in Hawaii (the
nearest major port) and which are often not cheap. The marine resources in Kiritimati are
therefore an important source of protein as well as the primary area for income-earning
opportunities for the general populace of Kiritimati and to Kiribati as a whole.
Most of the development of the fisheries on the island, though have been tried in the past, are
still at an infant stage. Looking at the capture sector of the fisheries, that is, the local
fishermen themselves, the normal fishing activities carried out would be mostly for
consumption and any surplus catch not consumed are either preserved, given to relatives or
sold locally on the island. This is because the majority of the people in Kiritimati are
fishermen and the abundance of fish resources is quite high. Increasing their production and
therefore increase their cash income from the fish they caught would be restricted in their
capacity to land and to sell their catch. The major problems and constraints that inhibit
growth in this area are associated with the following;
a) Fishing Gears: Availability of suitable fishing gears needed by the local fishermen.
This would also include fishing boats suitable to seek target species in remote fishing
grounds, ice and coolers.
b) Limited Market Centre on the Island: The current practice is that licensed fish seller
are allowed to sell their catch from their residence or beside the roads. CPP branch
provides the only center which they could sell their surplus catches for certain
species.
c) Geographical structure of the island: With four main villages in Kiritimati, only one
village has good access to fishing grounds in the lagoon and the ocean.
d) Market link (Transport). One of the ultimate aims for the fishermen to increase
income from their catch would be to export. At this stage very poor market link and
transportation to overseas markets.
Kiritimati, like the rest of the islands in the Line and Phoenix Group, is quite remote from the
main administrative center in Tarawa (Gilbert Group), a distance of approximately 1,850
nautical miles to the west. The only link between Tarawa and Kiritimati is by cargo boats
calling in to Kiritimati at least once a month. Connection by air to Hawaii is once a week and
which is often full both ways. It can be seen that transportation is also a problem when it
comes to exportation of fish products overseas and obtaining a consistence supply of fishing
gears both from the capital center in Tarawa and from overseas.
This report is based on the activities and programs implemented by the Branch of the
Fisheries Division based in Kiritimati. The Sub-Division is currently manned by a Fisheries
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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Officer, one Fisheries Assistant, two Fisheries Technicians(one who has just recruited last
June) , and two Andymen, a total of six (6) staff. We follow a regular pattern of activities and
programs implemented from previous years with new programs incorporated when the need
arise. Among the activities and programs implemented by the Sub-Division in Kiritimati
include:
1. Monitoring of the fish resources through the collection of relevant fisheries data and
surveys,
2. Monitoring of the export activities through the collection of fisheries data and
issuance of licenses,
3. Promote the utilisation of marine products in a sustainable manner,
4. Provide assistance to local fishermen in the development of the fisheries on the
island,
5. Monitoring of transshipment activities and
6. Monitoring and surveillance of Fisheries ponds and closed areas.
In order to implement activities and programs, the Sub-Division requested budget in the
amount of AUD92,218.91. However, the Sub Division has been running with insufficient
fund this year and hence most activities were not implemented.
5 Programs and Activities
Programs and activities implemented this year include the following:
ACTIVITIES
Monitoring of
Conservation /
MPAs
WEEKLY WORK PROGRAM FOR 2006
MONDAY
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Sat Sun
Morn Aft Morn Aft Morn Aft Morn Aft Morn Aft
1,2 1,2
Experimental
Fishing Survey
Data Collection &
Compilation of Data
F
Deployment &
Monitoring of Spat
Collectors &
Insertion of Half
pearl molds
Coordination for
Observer
Programme (FFA &
KNOP)
All All
F
F,1
F,1
F,2,3
F,2
,3
F,1
F,1
All All
F (E bon waakinako aei n taina ae kainnanoaki iai)
Radio Programme
1 (Aio are e na waakinna ngkana e a tauraoi ni waakinaki)
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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Fad Construction
and Deployment
All ( Aio ena tii karaoaki n tian te FAD teuana ma teuana)
Fish Quarantine &
Inspection at Airport
1
1
Fish Pond
Monitoring &
Maintenance
RV Nei Mamma
(Maintenance &
Engine Running)
Patrolling of
Fisheries Prohibited
Areas (Fish Ponds,
etc).
Meetings,
Enquiries, Report
writing
2,3 2,3
2,3 2,3
3
3
All ( Aio ena karaoaki n taai ake e nora iai riaina te OIC b'a ena
karaoaki)
** **
O
OOOO
O
O O OO
Note: E na boni kona n reke te bitaki n te Program ngkana iai
m'akuri aika a tangira karaoaia n te tai ae waekoa.
Keys:
Kaintoa Tairo
Orania Bataeru
Teunaia Neneuri
Tekamaeu K Bureieta
Erua Tekaraba (OIC)
All hands except OIC
Ngkana e kainnanoaki
-1
-2
-3
-F
-0
- All
- **
5.1 Pet fish Fishery
The number of Pet fish Operators has been increased to nine (9) compared to eight (8) last
year. It can be noted by referring to the attachment showing monthly productions by each
individual Operator. An additional Operator, Jacob Teem (Dojin Company Ltd) who is the
ninth operator has just entered the venture and started to export nearly end of this year, 2006
since he was granted and approved from Fisheries Head Quarter in the beginning of the year.
Below is list of active Pet Fish Operators this year:
1. Otee Marine Export
-
2. Kabua Pet Services
-
3. Marine Beauties
-
4. Moving Colors
-
5. Marine Pettish Resources -
6. Willie and the Divers
-
7. Borita Aquatika Export -
8. Rainbow Tropical Fish
-
9. Dojin
-
full license
full license
full license
full license
full license
full license
full license
full license
purchase only
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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Most of these operators paid a license fee of 1,800.00 per year to harvest and export. The
harvest of this lucrative resource is all done in Kiritimati and exported to Honolulu.
As shown in the tables and chart attached, the total number of pet fish exported increased
from 110,098 last year to 141,675pcs this year 2006. An increase in number of pet fish
exported shows on the fishery, improved fishing techniques and storage in reducing the
mortality of the pet fish harvested and consequently exported to overseas markets. The value
of pet fish exported this year totaled USD920,694.00, as compared to US$639,917.75 last
year, about 31% increase from last years figure.
The Flame Angel of the family Pomacanthidae is again the dominant species of pet fish
exported from Kiritimati this year which accounts for % of the total quantity and 75% in
terms of value. In looking at the total export by fish family in the chart attached, it is
important to note that there are 12 fish families being harvested and exported from Kiritimati.
The bulk of this year’s shipment is again of the family Pomacanthidae, which accounts for
88% of the total quantity exported and 83% in terms of value. The Flame Angel (Centropyge
loriculus) constitutes the major species exported under this family. Other species of the same
family exported include;
¾ Lemon Peel - Centropyge flavissimus
¾ Emperor Angel – Pomacanthus imperator
¾ Griffis Angel – Apolemicthys griffisi
¾ Gold Flake – Apolemicthys xanthopuctuatus
The report on the study for Petfish resources is still yet to be produced. The Sub division
noted that there are more operators requesting to enter the fishery and perhaps one of the
solutions to allow more entrants into this fishery is to introduce a Catch Quota System. The
report therefore would greatly assist in this area.
According to the work plan for this year, 2006, one of the activities which is to introduce a
Catch Quota System in collaboration with Fisheries Head Quarter should have done this year
but due to our tight program with shortage of staff, such has been ignored and planned to be
included again and introduced in the coming year, 2007.
5.2 . Lobster Fishery
Other than the CPP, there is one more licensed exporter namely Eritaia Reiti whom he is also
licensed to export fresh/frozen lobster to overseas markets as well. However, in this case, it is
observed that these two exporters are now being competing in trying to attract lobster
fishermen to bring in their catches.
The tables below show the total weights (lbs) of lobsters landed at CPP(Table 5.2.1) and
Eritaia (Table 5.2.2). In most cases, all lobsters landed are for export and rarely retained for
consumption purposes. The method of fishing is free diving outside the breakers and
normally carried out at night and trucks are used as transportation for divers. The current
landed price for lobsters at both CPP and Eritaia is maintained at $3.00 a pounds.
Table 5.2.1: Lobsters landed at CPP from January to December 2006
Months No of females No of males Total weight(lbs)
Jan
216
196
368.6
Feb
394
353
678
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March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
77
82
15
21
195
130
714
435
264
369
89
41
0
0
0
0
469
266
122
59
152.6
31.6
183.4
1,107.1
449.5
99.1
0
0
576.1
381.8
4,020.5
Lobster landed at CPP complex showed a dramatic decrease from last years figure of 41,311
lbs. This does not indicate the decline in the lobster resource in Kiritimati but rather the
demand of lobsters by CPP and the willingness of the divers to fish for lobsters. The existing
Fisheries regulations on lobsters are maintained at all times. Although lobsters inspected
carry no eggs and above the minimum size limit of 85 mm, the Sub-Division, again noted
with concern that in all inspections, the females have been cleaned of their eggs. This is a
draw back in the existing regulation in that fishermen can still get away catching egged
females for commercial purposes without being prosecuted. The size limit poised no
problems in that undersize lobsters are returned to the sea.
Table 5.2.2: Lobster landed at Eritaia from June to September 2006
Month
Number of
Fishermen
Female
Lobster
Male
Lobster
Total
no. of
Lobster
Total wt.
(lb)
June
July
August
September
139
541
1399 1940 3364.1
66
280
566
846 1752.4
7
12
49
61
125.3
29
101
246
347 928.07
TOTAL
241
934
2260 3194 6169.9
Av.
wt.
(lb)
1.73
2.07
2.05
2.67
1.931
7
5.3 Conservation Areas and Ponds
Monitoring and patrolling all Fisheries Conservation Areas and Ponds is maintained at least
twice or thrice a week depending on the suspicion of the daily movements of the trucks,
motorcycles and boats carrying gillnets observed moving around near these areas. This is
done more frequent when ships call in from Tarawa. Demarcations of all areas have been
completed to ensure that fishermen are not confused as to what ponds and areas to fish. This,
however, does not deter the poaching activity that still goes on in these areas as it is quite
impossible to monitor twenty-four hours on a daily basis remote areas such as the Fisheries
ponds.
5.4 Bonefish Fishery
At this stage there are proposals of laws for prohibiting the harvest of bonefish but is yet to
produce may be due to some certain circumstances. Hopefully, legislation of laws will be
soon done for the preservation of this particular species.
However, since no representative from the Fisheries Sub Division selected to be member of
the Business Licensing Committee of the Kiritimati Island Council as used to be in the past
during the time such committee persisted under the Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands
Annual Report 2006 – (by TKB) Fisheries Branch Kiritimati
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Development before the establishment of the Kiritimati Island Council, the said committee
has been strictly directed from the Fisheries Sub Division not to encourage the commercial
harvest of bonefish in Kiritimati. The Division noted with concern the increasing activity in
the gill net fishery catching fish indiscriminately for food and for local sales. Though the sale
of bonefish is not encouraged, quite a significant proportion of bonefish are being caught in
the lagoon and on reef flats for food.
5.4.1 Pleasure Fishing
Pleasure fishing for bonefish is one of the major tourist attractions in Kiritimati. Tourists
engaged in this activity are required to pay a license fee of 35.00 AUD which is valid for the
duration of their stay. The Catch and Release Program is maintained at all times in areas
designated for this purpose. Tourist however, still practiced the program in all areas visited
during their game fishing whether it be in the Fisheries areas or in unprotected areas.
Figure 5-1: Revenue generated through pleasure fishing from 1988 to 2006
One may note that although the overall number of tourists visiting Kiritimati has increased
since 1988 as shown in the chart and table below, and a slight increase from years visitors.
However, there are still complaints made by tourists and tour guides concerning the decline
in the average weekly catch as compared to previous visits. A study on the bonefish stock is
now almost completed by SPC and the Fisheries to help determine the management plans
needed to protect the bonefish stock in Kiritimati.
Table 5.4.1: Annual number of Bone Fish Anglers visiting Kiritimati
Year
Number of Bonefish Average Angler per Fishing Permit
Angler
month
(Value AU$)
1988
666
56
23,310.00
1989
657
55
22,995.00
1990
617
51
21,595.00
1991
389
32
13,615.00
1992
379
32
13,265.00
1993
684
57
23,940.00
1994
813
68
28,455.00
1995
828
69
28,980.00
1996
666
56
23,310.00
1997
539
45
18,865.00
1998
853
71
29,855.00
1999
1,019
85
35,665.00
2000
951
79
33,285.00
2001
837
70
29,295.00
2002
663
55
23,205.00
2003
723
60
25,305.00
2004
249
20
8,715.00
2005
345
28
12,075.00
2006
396
33
13,860.00
Tourist also visit Kiritimati for Pleasure Diving. In the previous year, 2005, there were in
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total 28 divers as compared to 38 divers visiting Kiritimati this year. It could be also noted
that number of tourists visiting Kiritimati in 1999 which is the peak year, has never been
reached.
5.5 Fish Landings
Provided in the two attachments are: 1). Monthly Summary of fish Landed at CPPL -2006
by CPP’s staff and fish purchased from the local fishermen on Kiritimati, and 2). Yearly
weights of fish landed at CPPL-2006. The total weight of 38,221.96 pounds of fish landed
at CPPL complex. This shows a slight increase compared to last year’s figure of 24,111.2
pounds.
5.6 Personal Consignment and Quarantine Services
One staff is currently on a full time basis monitoring marine products sent overseas for
personal consignment as well as for export. All marine products sent overseas are inspected
and issued with an export permit. For personal consignment, a maximum allowable weight of
20 kg for each passenger and required to pay $2.00 for each accompanied box. For export
purposes, $3.00. This year, a total of 13,598.5kgs comprising of reef fish, ocean fish,
milkfish, lobster and mixed species (ocean fish, reef fish, milkfish, and lobster) were sent to
Honolulu, Fiji, Tarawa and other Countries. Please see Monthly Summary provided in the
table below:
Table 5.6.1: Monthly Summary of Personal Consignment - 2006
Month
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL CONSIGNMENT 2006
ALL WEIGHTS ARE IN KILOGRAMS
Reef
Fish
Ocean
Fish
Mixed
Milkfish Lobster Species
January
0
February
83
March
29
April
312
May
66
June
80
July
215
August
156
September
272
October
239
November
269
December
33
0
5
0
7
409
0
20
549
0
72
309
27
16
211
21
0 1159
12
0 1103
24
100 1182
63
1
326
2
5
391
0
61.5
90
30
135
210
0
17
297
187
315
278
199
264
1410
538
479
861
459
TOTAL
1754
417.5 5944
179
5304
Total
22
796
785
1035
592
1450
1606
2911
1139
1114
1311.5
837
13598.5
From the table above, it can be noted that milkfish constitutes the major species which
accounts for 44% of the total weights of fish taken as personal consignment. For this
particular species, most were taken to Tarawa which accounts for 58.4% while 34.1% to Fiji
and as low as 7.5% to Honolulu and other countries.
5.7 Pearl Spat Collectors
There is only one 50m spat longline left between Tabakea and Saint Francis High School
which is still active while the other at passage between London and Cook islet has been
heaved and taken ashore after being broken apart by the big swells. This is one of the
ongoing activities which is regularly monitored and checked once a week on every Monday.
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The Sub Division in Kiritimati has been planning to deploy more spat long lines around
leeward side of the island but due to unavailability of materials needed, such has been
ignored and planned to be carried out again once the required materials arrived from Head
Quarter. A list of requirement has already been sent to Fisheries Head Quarter and seems to
be still pending there for over a year. Along with the requirement, the Sub Division also
requested for two or three sets of Scuba Diving gear and Compressor as well if possible as
these are extremely required for carrying out several underwater activities such as monitoring
of Pearl Spat long lines, Marine Park - Cook Islet plus other Fisheries related underwater
activities.
It is believed that the presence of the scuba diving gear here would also greatly assist in
minimizing spending on the related vote as usually, we hire three sets of scuba dive gear for
nearly sixty dollars per set per day from Dive Kiribati (Kim Anderson) which is quite
expensive.
5.8 Export
There is an increase in number of exporters this year compared to the previous year and hope
to be increased again next year as the Sub Division has already received quite a number of
applications requesting to invest in the fishery in Kiritimati. Beside CPPL Branch, there are
two other entrants operated with limited commodities to export such as lobster, sea cucumber
and shark fins. Eritaia Reiti was granted to export sea cucumber/shark fins(Class C) and
frozen lobster(Class B) while Ivin Rimon is licensed to export sea cucumber and shark fins
only. Also number of Pet fish operators has been increased too as previously discussed in Pet
fish Fishery(2.1)
Fishermen and the private sectors are quite keen in investing in the fishery in Kiritimati.
Interests are often discouraged for lack of suitable facilities and incentives but more
important for lack of capital to start off a business. Number of companies now involved with
export has been increased compared to last year. Commodities exported include pet fish,
Tuna, Lobsters, Sea cucumber by CPPL while only lobster and sea cucumber exported by
Eritaia Reiti.
The following tables show 1). Table 5.8.1: Monthly Summary of fish exported by CPPL 2006
and 2). Table 5.8.2: Weekly shipment of Sea cucumber exported by CPPL 2006:
Table 5.8.1 Monthly Summary of fish exported by CPPL 2006
Monthly Summary of Fish Exported from CPPL in Kiritimati
for year 2006
Month
Species
Type of Weight Price/Lb Total
Products (lbs) (USD) Amount
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
Tuna
nil
Wahoo
chilled
chilled
4413.32
1923.02
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Mahimahi
November Wahoo
December Wahoo
Mahimahi
Annual
Total
chilled
chilled
chilled
chilled
36.52
2631.75
1326.27
17.49
10,348.37
Table 5.8.2 Weekly Shipment of Sea cucumber exported by CPPL 2006
BECHE-DE-MER EXPORTED BY CPPL- 2006
Date of
Shipment
7/26/2006
8/8/2006
9/20/2006
10/4/2006
10/25/2006
10/22/2007
12/6/2006
12/15/2006
Species
surf redfish
green fish
Prickly redfish
surf redfish
green fish
surf redfish
Black teat
green fish
Prickly redfish
surf redfish
surf redfish
Brown sand
Tiger fish
Lolly
green fish
Prickly redfish
Tiger fish
surf redfish
surf redfish
Prickly redfish
Black teat
Tiger fish
Curry fish
surf redfish
Lolly
Brown sand
Black teat
Prickly redfish
Tiger fish
Weight
(KG)
301.45
30.10
172.80
254.20
24.25
73.15
5.50
6.90
306.35
567.09
594.15
30.85
21.80
1.70
0.70
20.60
64.90
563.10
383.00
43.25
24.25
58.85
3.40
78.55
27.20
87.30
0.50
11.90
58.35
Weight
(lbs)
663.19
66.22
380.16
559.24
53.35
160.93
12.10
15.18
673.97
1247.60
1307.13
67.87
47.96
3.74
1.54
45.32
142.78
1238.82
842.60
95.15
53.35
129.47
7.48
172.81
59.84
192.06
1.10
26.18
128.37
TOTAL
3816.14 5260.18
Some private companies have shown interest to explore the possibility of starting an export
business in these areas: Coral farming, clam farming, pearl farming and fish canning. The
sub-division is working closely with the fishermen/exporters, giving advice and
encouragement in improving the export activities.
5.9 Artisanal Survey
This is one of the tasks that Fisheries Sub Division aimed to conduct on the northern line
Islands (Kiritimati, Tabuaeran and Teeraina) this year. Unfortunately, this was conducted
only in Kiritimati due to insufficient fund which could not afford travel expenses for three
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officers assigned to carry out Artisanal Survey. Hence, to date Tabuaeran and Teeraina are
still left untouched.
The Survey on Kiritimati was conducted from September,2006 to October,2006 by four staff
of the Fisheries Sub Division. Artisanal Survey Data for Kiritimati is yet to be produced as
the Fisheries Sub Division is now still in the process of compilation. This will be soon
submitted once compilation is completed in a near future.
5.10 Incoming Foreign Fishing Vessels
As one of the Fisheries routine duties to check and inspect the incoming Foreign Fishing
vessels, this is usually done by one or two officers (when required) from the Sub Division.
Information regarding the arrival of each fishing vessel, it is the sole responsibility of the
Shipping Agent to inform all Boarding Party members a few days before the actual date of
the ships arrival and the provision of transportation, etc. for boarding when the incoming
vessel arrives.
See list of Incoming vessels provided in the attachment .
5.11 Bech-de mer Fishery
This year, there are two licensed exporters namely Eritaia Reiti and Ivin T Rimon approved
from Fisheries Head Quarter to export sea cucumbers to overseas markets. Each of them paid
the amount of $1,450.00 and were issued with both Establishment License and Species
License Class C for nine (9) species of sea cucumbers and shark fins. Along with the
License, they were also provided from the Fisheries Branch Office with Conditions and Size
limits for each species of sea cucumber.
The following table shows the weight of sea cucumber exported by Eritaia Reiti:
Table 5.11.1 Monthly weight of sea cucumber exported by Eritaia Reiti
Bech- de- mer Shipment by Eritaia - 2006
Date of
Shipment
28-Jun-07
5-Jul-06
2-Aug-06
9-Aug-06
23-Aug-06
30-Aug-06
Total
Species
Green fish
Black teat
Green fish
Black teat
Prickly redfish
Surf redfish
Prickly redfish
Green fish
Prickly redfish
Surf redfish
Green fish
Prickly redfish
Surf redfish
Surf redfish
Prickly redfish
Weights
(KG)
37.00
6.00
11.00
6.00
2.00
32.00
105.00
2.50
99.00
287.00
61.00
137.00
159.00
76.00
25.00
1045.50
Weights
(lbs)
81.40
13.20
70.40
231.00
5.50
217.80
631.40
134.20
301.40
349.80
167.20
55.00
2258.30
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5.12 Fish Farm
Maintenance/repair and monitoring of the Fish farm is maintained twice a week on every
Tuesday and Thursday. Traveling to the fish ponds is considered to be the highest
consumption of fuel of the truck as the area where ponds are situated is as far as 57 to 60km
from Fisheries Office in London. In addition, the truck should also be traveling around,
covering the whole huge area of Fish farm checking all ponds sluice gates, etc. which covers
another 10 to 20 km.
Harvest of milkfish is also done in the Fisheries ponds once or twice a week depending on
the demands from the local people. The Fisheries Branch is planned to improve harvesting
method in the future which will lessen time-consuming on fishing caused by using gill nets.
This means that scoop net is recommended to be used instead of gill nets as harvesting of
milkfish is done in the channels but not in the ponds. However, small mesh size of nettings (5
sq. mm) is needed. The usual length of time spent on harvesting of milkfish using gillnet is
around 3 to 4 hours to get a 200 lb. cooler box filled up full and that can be reduced to 1
hour by using scoop net.
Annual production of milkfish being harvested from the ponds and sold to the locals this year
totaled 9,786.77pounds and AU$9,786.77 in terms of value as sold at $1.00 per pound.
At present, most of main sluice gates (inlet and outlet) such as Huff Dam, Poland and
London channels which are the very important ones contributing in milkfish restocking by
milkfish fries coming through them from the lagoon. They are now in bad condition and
therefore extremely need to be either repaired or renovated in a near future before reaching
the latter stages that beyond repair. By referring to the Budget Estimates for 2006 and 2007,
it could be noted that estimate for the renovation of Huff dam was also included.
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