Commercial coral reef fisheries in Pohnpei
(Micronesia) extract approximately 1,521 kg of reef fish
daily (*500 MT year-1
) from 152 km2 of surrounding
reef. More than 153 species were represented during surveys,
with 25 species very common or common within
combined-gear catch. Acanthurids contributed the greatest
to catch volume, with bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis,
and orangespine unicornfish, Naso lituratus, among
the most frequently observed herbivores. Nighttime
spearfishing was the dominant fishing method and inner
lagoon areas were primarily targeted. A seasonal sales ban
(March–April), intended to reduce pressure on reproductively
active serranids, significantly increased the capture
volume of other families. Catch was significantly greater
during periods of low lunar illumination, suggesting higher
fishing success or greater effort, or both. The marketed
catch was dominated by juveniles and small adults, based
on fishes of known size at sexual maturity. Artificially
depressed market prices appear to be catalyzing (potential
or realized) overfishing by increasing the volume of fish
needed to offset rising fuel prices. These results support the
need for comprehensive fisheries management that produces
sustainable fishing and marketing practices and
promotes shared management and enforced responsibilities
between communities and the state. To be effective,
management should prohibit nighttime spearfishing.