Fiji Fishery Resource Profiles. Information for Management on 44 of the Most Important Species Groups

Lee, S.; Lewis, Anna; Gillett, Robert; Fox, Margaret; Sadovy, Yvonne; Batibasaga, A.; Lalavanua, Watisoni; Lovell, Edward R.

doi:10.19121/2018.report.33899

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Wild sandfish spawn year round, however a period of peak spawning has been observed in the southwest Pacific from October-December [9]. In Fiji, this peak occurs in November [6]. These biological attributes were used to set the following particle model parameters: simulation duration of 30 days (PLD of 25 days plus a "settlement and recruitment" window of 5 days) and simulations run in November to account for the peak spawning season in Fiji.…”

Section: Hydrodynamic Particle Dispersal Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fiji, which until recently had remained one of two Pacific Island countries maintaining an open and lightly-regulated sea cucumber fishery [4,5], implemented a complete ban on the harvest and export of all sea cucumbers in 2018 [6,7], following a sandfish-specific ban in 1988 [8]. Currently, Fijian sea cucumber stocks are in a depleted state, with densities of all 20 commercially-traded species among the lowest recorded in the Pacific, with reference to healthy stocks in the region [5,6,9]. Furthermore, surveys of H. scabra population densities suggest that stock recovery has not occurred since the 1988 ban on harvests, with primarily sexually immature juveniles constituting populations at eight locations assessed [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Saving the sea cucumbers: Using population genomic tools to inform fishery and conservation management of the Fijian sandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra

et al. 2022

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The sea cucumber Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra, known as sandfish, is a high-value tropical echinoderm central to the global bêche-de-mer (BDM) trade. This species has been heavily exploited across its natural range, with overharvesting and ineffective fishery management leaving stocks in the Pacific region heavily depleted. In Fiji, sandfish stocks have not recovered since a 1988 harvest ban, with surveys reporting declining populations and recruitment failure. Therefore, to inform fishery management policy for the wild sandfish resource and to guide hatchery-based restocking efforts, a high-resolution genomic audit of Fijian populations was carried out. A total of 6,896 selectively-neutral and 186 putatively-adaptive genome-wide SNPs (DArTseq) together with an independent oceanographic particle dispersal model were used to investigate genetic structure, diversity, signatures of selection, relatedness and connectivity in six wild populations. Three genetically distinct populations were identified with shallow but significant differentiation (average Fst = 0.034, p≤0.05), comprising (1) Lakeba island (Lau archipelago), (2) Macuata (Vanua Levu), and (3) individuals from Yasawa, Ra, Serua island and Kadavu comprising the final unit. Small reductions in allelic diversity were observed in marginal populations in eastern Fiji (overall mean A = 1.956 vs. Lau, A = 1.912 and Macuata, A = 1.939). Signatures of putative local adaptation were also discovered in individuals from Lakeba island, suggesting that they be managed as a discrete unit. An isolation-by-distance model of genetic structure for Fijian sandfish is apparent, with population fragmentation occurring towards the east. Hatchery-based production of juveniles is promising for stock replenishment, however great care is required during broodstock source population selection and juvenile releases into source areas only. The successful use of genomic data here has the potential to be applied to other sea cucumber species in Fiji, and other regions involved in the global BDM trade. While preliminary insights into the genetic structure and connectivity of sandfish in Fiji have been obtained, further local, regional and distribution-wide investigations are required to better inform conservation efforts, wild stock management and hatchery-based restocking interventions for this valuable invertebrate.

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Section: Hydrodynamic Particle Dispersal Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Saving the sea cucumbers: Using population genomic tools to inform fishery and conservation management of the Fijian sandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra

et al. 2022

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“…There are five species of lobsters in Fiji, four of which are spiny lobsters, including the golden rock lobster -Panulirus penicillatus, which is the most abundant [32]; the painted rock lobster -Panulirus versicolor, the ornate rock lobster -Panulirus ornatus; the slipper lobster -Parribacus caledonicus, and the whiskered lobster -Panulirus longipes femoristriga [31,33]. To date, there are no restrictions prescribed under the Fisheries Act and Regulations, although the harvesting of lobsters is discussed under the Cabinet Guidelines approved in 1984 [34]. These Cabinet Guidelines state among other things that the participation in lobster fishing activities is restricted to Fiji nationals and in the first instance to uninhabited islands and reefs and only permitted with the written approval of resource custodians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A baseline study of Fiji’s small-scale lobster fishery using value chain analysis and size at maturity thresholds

et al. 2023

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“…Mullet are common in coastal waters and enter lagoons, estuaries, harbours, rivers, including areas that are frequently polluted 26 . The mullet is commonly consumed by Fijians and is sold widely in sh markets across the country 27 . Generally, mullet are good bioindicators for heavy metal contamination and biliary PAH presence [28][29][30][31] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Baseline toxicological assessment of biliary PAHs and heavy metals contamination in a commercially consumed native fish (Mugil cephalus) within Fiji coastal waters

Varea¹,

Piovano²,

Mani³

2023

Preprint

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The indirect exposure and effects of marine pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, present significant health concerns for human coastal communities that rely on fish consumption as a regular nutritional source. This study confirms a sentinel marine fish species, Mugil cephalus (“mullet”), for biomonitoring environmental health and conducting risk assessments using biomarkers in Fiji. Sampling was performed at two Fijian study areas, i.e., Laucala Bay and the Ba River Delta. Findings suggest that mullets from Laucala Bay exhibit biochemical responses that reflect a better habitat condition than those from the Ba River Delta. The lower K factor supports this conclusion, and HSI was observed in mullets from Laucala Bay. Analyses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons revealed higher concentrations of four metabolites (naphthalene, phenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in samples from the Ba River Delta compared to Laucala Bay, with some metabolites showing statistically significant differences between the two sites. Four heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg) were quantified in edible fish tissues of mullet from both study areas. The concentrations of Cr and Pb were higher in mullets from the Ba River Delta than in Laucala Bay, but below the safety limits set by the World Health Organization for human consumption. Cd and Hg concentrations were below the detection limits. Biotransformation processes (phase I and II) were assessed using ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and glutathione S-transferase as biomarkers. The enzyme cascade of antioxidants, specifically glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, demonstrated effectiveness and potential as biomarkers for future studies. Measuring lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte nuclei abnormalities provided evidence of higher levels of biological damage in mullet from the Ba River Delta compared to Laucala Bay. These findings 1) support the use of mullet as a suitable reference species for future ecotoxicology studies in Fiji, 2) are essential to take informed health and safety considerations regarding mullet consumption, 3) provide a baseline to compare future monitoring results and, 4) underscore the importance of incorporating biomonitoring practices in future environmental risk assessments. Doing so can establish a robust and comprehensive ecotoxicological framework to inform future environmental policies and legislation in Fiji.

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Fiji Fishery Resource Profiles. Information for Management on 44 of the Most Important Species Groups

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Saving the sea cucumbers: Using population genomic tools to inform fishery and conservation management of the Fijian sandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra

Saving the sea cucumbers: Using population genomic tools to inform fishery and conservation management of the Fijian sandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra

A baseline study of Fiji’s small-scale lobster fishery using value chain analysis and size at maturity thresholds

Baseline toxicological assessment of biliary PAHs and heavy metals contamination in a commercially consumed native fish (Mugil cephalus) within Fiji coastal waters

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