DESTRUCTIVE FISHING IN FIJI

EV201: POSTER Rolland John (s11166003), Daron Singh (s11187562),Shaniya Prasad (s11196788), Panapasa
ASSIGNMENT Yelu (s11198307), Mele’ Ofa (s11137658),
University Of The South Pacific

INTRODUCTION Reef destruction

This poster will be highlighting on the current environment issue
based on the situation in the pacific region which is common to the
people and the surrounding. The term destructive in regards to
fishing practices is subjective because the resulting list could
include nearly all the fishing methods now used in Fiji Government
and fisheries agencies in Fiji need both reliable information
concerning the environmental effects of destructive coastal fishing.
In Fiji, islanders and modern ideas has erupted in destructive fishing
where many traditional methods are also harmful with the use of
poisonous plants to kill fish. The main concern about this act is the
exponential growth of the population in the last decade which is
more. Destructive fishing leaves on nearby extinction of many
resources which may be hard to maintain like fish during mating
season. Usage of modern ideas like explosives, cyanide, bleach and
pesticide which enables the people to over harvest. This leaves one
question mark on fish and its resources on how long will they last if
this continuous. However, measures are being taken to control
these illegal activities where government legislative have taken up
fines and agreement to control, sustain and conserve the resources.
This poster will be highlighting an effects and measures to control
destructive fishing in Fiji.
OBJECTIVE
• The main aim of this poster assignment is to portrayed the
• The use of destructive fishing practices like dynamites and cyanide
Government approach
• The government to ban explosive fishing in Fiji. People who are caught in
poisons are used to catch fish on a large scale, however the dynamites
the act of still using this method of fishing should be charged with a fine
can damage the reefs badly which will take years of recovery for the
or even spend jail time.
reef to retrieve on its own.
• Government or communities should come up with an awareness
• Fishermen throw the dynamite in the sea hoping to catch fish however,
program that can educate people on the importance of the marine
if the dynamite is thrown near the reef, it can destroy the coral reef.
• Methods such as blast fishing, sea trawling are used in the tropical ecosystem and show them the proper method of fishing. It can also
educate people on the consequences of overfishing not only to marine
regions where dynamites stun nearby fish, this method does not only
life but also us humans.
destroy the coral reef but also captures fish that are not in target .
Create more marine protected area (MPAs)
• A marine protected area (MPA) is a section of the ocean where a
government has placed limits on human activity. Many MPAs allow
Sea pollution
• There are certain types of species in the sea such as clams, corals that people to use the area in ways that do not damage the environment.
are normally the cleaners of the sea, this means that they eat species Some ban fishing. A few do not allow people to enter the area at all
that causes water pollution. However, if these species are targeted
during destructive practices, then there will be an increase in sea
pollution as there would be an increase in the water pollutants such as
plaque and micrograms. This also affects human health after

•
effects of destructive fishing in Fiji.
This paper will also state three ways to address the effects
of destructive fishing in Fiji.
EFFECTS OF DESTRUCTIVE
FISHING
Overfishing
• overfishing is a result of using many destructive fishing
methods that includes use of dynamites and sodium
cyanides that are used during times where fish are less
in abundance and more in market demand.
• The population of fish will decline due to the use of
destructive methods which can have a negative
influence on the marine ecosystem.
• If the fishermen keep catching fish before the
spawning period, then there are less chances for the
species to recover their population that may even lead
to an extinction of the fish species
consuming the fish that was affected by the poison (food chain).
• The increase in sea pollution not only affects the environment but can
also cause harm to the human healthy as well. When fish are caught
from a polluted sea due to the constant pollution fish tend to develop
poison which can caught fish poisoning or allergies
SOLUTION TO DESTRUCTIVE FISHING
SOLUTION TO DESTRUCTIVE FISHING
Diver mechanism
• Diver practice is less harmful to reefs than dredging. While the diver is
selective and only gathers resources that are commercially useful, the
dredging technique collects all marine species, even dead ones.
CONCLUSION
A holistic approach is needed to manage the coastal fisheries and reef
systems ensuring that fish remain healthy for the future generations.
There is an urgent need to reform Fijis reef fish stock to save fish from
being caught before spawning so that they can replace and maintain the
fish population. To do so, the ministers for fisheries (Government)
should update legislation on size limits of fish and implement strict
penalties of anyone found guilty. Police officers to monitor and restrict
any use of dynamites and use of large fishing nets that will catch fish
that is not targeted. By doing this, it will able to reduce destructive
fishing in Fiji.
Reference
Austin B. (1998). The effects of pollution on fish health. Journal of applied
microbiology, 85 Suppl 1, 234S–242S.
Chanel, S., & Singh, S. (2021, February 3). Fishing in Fiji under strain .
Retrieved from Earth Journalism Network:
Fishing in Fiji under strain | Earth Journalism Network
A.M. Friedlander, J.D. Parrish Habitat characteristics affecting fish
assemblages on a Hawaiian coral reef J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 224 (1)
(1998), pp. 1-30