CNMI CORAL REEF FISHERIES 04' Interim CD/Day 1...are used, spear gun (mostly day time) or the...

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CORAL REEF FISHERIES IN THE CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife Saipan, CNMI, USA

Transcript of CNMI CORAL REEF FISHERIES 04' Interim CD/Day 1...are used, spear gun (mostly day time) or the...

Page 1: CNMI CORAL REEF FISHERIES 04' Interim CD/Day 1...are used, spear gun (mostly day time) or the Hawaiian sling (mostly night time). • Hook and Line All types of hook and line except

CORAL REEF FISHERIESIN THE CNMI

Department of Lands and Natural ResourcesDivision of Fish and Wildlife

Saipan, CNMI, USA

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HABITAT INFORMATION

CNMI identifies two portions of coral reef habitats, 0-3 miles from shore and 3-200 miles from shore (off shore banks)

Activity in the coral reef fishery is expanding to the Northern Islands.

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FISHING METHODS

• Cast net (Talaya)Cast net (Talaya)Usually used along sandy shores, on reefs and shallow areas in the lagoon.

• Rod and ReelRod and ReelMost fishing occurs off piers, boats, shore line, reef line and cliffs

• GleaningGleaningFish would be harvested by sifting through sand, rubble, sea grass or picked by hand off the reef

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FISHING METHODS CONT.• SpearSpear

Most harvests occur within the lagoon or near the fore reef between 5 and 25 feet of depth. Two types of spears are used, spear gun (mostly day time) or the Hawaiian sling (mostly night time).

• Hook and LineHook and LineAll types of hook and line except rod and reel.Examples are: Traba (traditional method), hand lines, baited hooks and Pisao (bamboo pole).

• Net (drag, surround, gill)Net (drag, surround, gill)No longer allowed in the CNMI

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SPECIES CAUGHT• Cast net (Talaya)Cast net (Talaya)

Shore line fishing: mainly targeting juvenile Goat fish, Mullets, Rabbit fish and Jacks.Reef line fishing: targeted species are; adult Surgeons, Unicorn fish, Rudder fish and Goat fish.

• Rod and ReelRod and ReelShore line casting: targeted species are juvenile Jacks, adult Emperors, Wrasse, Scad, Rudder and Goat fishCliff Fishing: mainly Snappers, Groupers, Jacks, Job fish, and Emperors. Off shore: Emperors, Snappers, Groupers, Job fish, Wrasse and Scads.

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SPECIES CAUGHT CONT.• GleaningGleaning

Shore line: targeted species are Clams, Snails, Crabs, Urchins and Sea cucumbersReef line: main targets are Octopus, Clams, Snails, Sea cucumber and Urchins.

• SpearSpearSling/Spear: main target species are adult Soldier fish, Wrasse, Surgeons, Parrots, Goats, Rabbit fish, and Unicorn.

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SPECIES CAUGHT CONT.• Hook and LineHook and Line

Trap (traba): target species are larger emperors and snappers.Hand line: Similar species caught with rod and reel.

• Net (drag, surround, gill..)Net (drag, surround, gill..)All harvests with nets consists of Emperors, Goats, Rabbits, Mullets, Jacks, Surgeons, Groupers, Soldiers, Wrasse, Rudder fish, Unicorn fish and Snappers.

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DATA COLLECTION PROGRAMS

• BoatBoat--based creel survey (minimal reef fish data based creel survey (minimal reef fish data captured)captured)

• Sampling of large vessels returning from Sampling of large vessels returning from northern islands (generally deep bottomfish)northern islands (generally deep bottomfish)

• Reef fish visual surveys (mostly in MPA’s)Reef fish visual surveys (mostly in MPA’s)

• Commercial purchase “ticket” system (not Commercial purchase “ticket” system (not species or method specific)species or method specific)

• Seafood air import dataSeafood air import data

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CHALLENGES• Many methods of reef fishing• Fishing occurs throughout all

inhabited islands at no specific time or location

• Lack of man power• No current reef fish or inshore creel

program• Insufficient funding

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RECOMENDATIONS

• requires a significant increase in both technical and professional staff, as well as a significant increase in funding

• implement legislation requiring reporting: to provide fisheries data staff the mandate to legally obtain fishery data

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RECOMMENDATIONS CONT…

• Implement other methods of data collection (inshore creel survey).

• Development of data collection protocols for the coral reef fisheries

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