Title : The paradox of an ocean nation: Why Fiji imports seafood despite its abundant marine resources
Abstract:
The Republic of Fiji is an island nation endowed with rich marine resources, where a significant portion of the population engages in artisanal coastal fishing. Rather than utilizing modern fishing tackle or commercial nets, traditional free-diving with handcrafted spears remains the predominant fishing technique. Consequently, target catches are largely restricted to specific high-value reef species, such as grouper (kawakawa), barracuda (sirasira), coral trout (donu), and trevally (sanga). Despite the high prevalence of fishing in coastal communities, local ecological awareness regarding non-target or non-commercial marine species remains remarkably limited. This study explores a striking socio-economic paradox: while high-value wild catches from artisanal spearfishing are almost entirely sold to local markets, coastal residents rely heavily on imported processed seafood—such as canned tuna and mackerel—for daily domestic consumption. Furthermore, the lack of broad ecological documentation among local fishers has led to notable gaps in marine biodiversity records. For example, recent field observation and sampling by the author resulted in the confirmed catch of Dorab wolf-herring in Fijian waters, extending the documented distribution range of this species in the Southern Hemisphere by approximately 3,000 kilometers—a biological presence previously overlooked locally due to the absence of local nomenclature and commercial value. This presentation examines the structural causes of this resource paradox, focusing on traditional fishing practices, local taxonomy awareness, and market incentives. Bridging this disconnect through community-based fisheries education and socio-economic support is essential for advancing sustainable marine conservation and food security in Pacific Island nations.
