An Ecosystem-based Fisheries Assessment and Management Implications for Tuvalu Coastal Fisheries

Abstract

This study aimed to assess coastal fisheries of Tuvalu using the ecosystem-based fisheries assessment (EBF), and to provide management implications. In this study, the Tier 2 approach of EBFA, which uses a total of 221 questionnaire data for the assessment of 15 indicators, was employed to investigate the fisheries ecosystem status of the capital island Funafuti. Species risk index (SRI) and fishery risk index (FRI) were calculated based on the 4 attributes of EBFA objective risk indices (ORI), which are sustainability, biodiversity, habitat quality, and the socio-economic benefits. This study found out that all the five dominant species of the fisheries, which were red humpback snapper (Lutjanus gibbus), bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), orange striped emperor (Lethrinus obsoletus), striped surgeonfish (Acanturus lineatu), and the orange-spine unicornfish (Naso lituratus), had its risks detected at the yellow zone with a respective value of 1.16, 1.15, 1.21, 1.06, and 1.06. Two indicators detected under the sustainability objective attributes for 4 targeted species flagged in the red zone with a risk score of 2.06, 2.16, 2.19, and 2.15. In this study, management measures to reduce the total allowable catch and reduced entry of fishing vessels by 21.1% were suggested to minimize the species risks index at the current yellow zone to the desired greener zone, which interlinked to lower the FRI, and the ERI.