COMPARATIVE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF YIELD FROM 6 FIJIAN REEF FISHERIES

The size and composition of finfish yield from six Fijian reef fisheri es was determined using catch records from a voluntary logbook scheme. A total of 172 Logbooks were issued for 30-day periods in October 199 2 and February and June 1993 and they provided information on 1369 fis hing trips. Catch records were weighted, using the results of contempo raneous fishing activity and fleet size surveys, to provide yield esti mates for each fishing ground (qoliqoli). Yield from all qoliqoli was dominated by Serranidae and Lethrinidae which were favoured for consum ption and sale. Yields were expressed on the basis of reef area for fi sh from different trophic groups. Macroinvertebrate-feeders and pisciv ores accounted for more than half the yield in all qoliqoli and there were significant differences in area specific yield between qoliqoli. There was no evidence of fishers adopting more powerful fishing techni ques or catching fish from lower trophic levels in order to maintain y ield from any qoliqoli. This suggested that the fisheries examined wer e all capable of sustaining the reported yields of up to 3.4 tonne km( -2) qoliqoli year (-1) or 10.2 tonne km(-2) coral reef year(-1) and th at in sites where yields were less they might be increased sustainably .