Evaluation socio-économique de la pêche en milieu corallien dans l'île de Moorea

Abstract

Abstract Moorea, 134 km2 of land surface, 70 km of coastline, sister island of Tahiti, is encircled by a coral reef ecosystem 1 km wide and with a surface area of 49 km2. The objectives of the study were : — to establish the present socio-professional status of the « reef lagoon fisherman » — to determine stocks and catch of different fish species — to quantify auto-consumption and the commercialisation of fish ; — and to estimate the economic value of coral reef fisheries in the context of the present development of Moorea, an island of French Polynesia whose G.D.P. (Gross Domestic Product) is one of the most important in the South Pacific area. Coral reef fishing by selective, non destructive methods, as well as road side selling of fish by the fishermen themselves are carried out all year round. This traditional form of coral reef fishing is preserved and supported by local demand which is also traditional. However it remains outside of tourist hotel circuits and commercialisation by middlemen. If the number of fishermen can be estimated as around 50 compared to an active population of 2,763 (out of 8,800 inhabitants) of which 442 are employed in the primary sector, the number of fishermen living mainly by that activity is only 15. The product of coral reef fishery is to be about 50 ± 16 tons per year, which represents between 7 and 13 kg per hectare. However the exploitation of the ichtyological resource concerns only five species, accounting for 65 % of the total tonnage. Population dynamic studies related to these species will be necessary in order to know if they are under or over exploited. Coral reef fishing represents an income of between 25 ± 8 millions CFP.. The average income for a fisherman living mainly from that economical activity is close to the 1992 legal minimum wage level in French Polynesia.