1. Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vanuatu
Christopher K. Arthur

2. Outline Vision Objectives Main fisheries and aquaculture activities
Fisheries programs and management
Future plans to maintain benefits

3. Key Features of Vanuatu
EEZ – 668,220 km2
Reef area – 1,244 km2
Land area – 11,880 km2
Population – 252,000
Population growth rate – 2.6%

4. Vision
The people of Vanuatu will enjoy the highest levels of social and economic benefits through sustainable development and management of Vanuatu’s fisheries resources.

5. Objectives of fisheries sector
Ensure that exploitation of fisheries resources within Vanuatu waters is sustainable
Harvest resources in a way that maximizes the long term economic and social benefits
Contribute to the food security of ni Vanuatu
Meet sub-regional, regional and international responsibilities and requirements

6. Main fisheries and aquaculture activities

7. Oceanic Fisheries Purse seiner Longliner transhipment
Locally based foreign longliner

8. Oceanic fisheries - recent catch & value
Total tuna catch from EEZ in 2012 = 8,279 t
Number of Vanuatu flagged vessels in 2012 = 135
Catch of flagged vessels outside EEZ > 40,000 t
Revenue for Vanuatu > VT100 million
Target tuna species: A
Albacore
Yellowfin
Bigeye
Skipjack

9. Coastal Fisheries Bottom-dwelling fish Near-shore pelagic fish
Invertebrates

10. Coastal fisheries catch
540 tonnes/yr
Commercial
Subsistence
Source: Gillett 2009

11. Examples of commercial catch & value
Coastal Fisheries Production Category in 2012
Deep Bottom
Marine Aquarium
Trochus
Total
Snapper
Trade Fishery
Fishery
Value (USD m)
Catch
8.2 (T)
5 (T) approx
27.9 (T)
41.7 (T)
Value
48,016.30
187,996.75
333,927.27
569,940.32
Coastal Fisheries Production Category in 2012
Deep Bottom
Marine Aquarium
Trochus
Total
Snapper
Trade Fishery
Fishery
Value (USD m)
Catch
8.2 (T)
5 (T) approx
27.9 (T)
41.7 (T)
Value
48,016.30
187,996.75
333,927.27
569,940.32
Examples of commercial catch & value
Type of fishery
Deep-bottom
Snapper
Aquarium
trade
Trochus
Catch (t) 8
3 + pieces 28
Value (USD)
50,000
190,000
335,000

12. Freshwater and estuarine fisheries
No reliable catch information available
Estimate is 80 tonnes per year
Contributes to food security
Source: Gillett 2009

13. Freshwater aquaculture
Cage culture of tilapia tonnes p.a.
Catfish and barramundi > 40 tonnes p.a.
Household tilapia ponds
Freshwater prawns ~500 kg
Source; Vate Oceans Garden

14. Coastal aquaculture Marine shrimp
Giant clams and other ornamental products
Green Snail and Trochus
Sea cucumber?
Teouma Prawns

15. Fisheries programs and management
Development and Capture Division
Research and Aquaculture Division
Seafood Verification Division
Compliance Division
Management and Policy Division
Administration Division

16. Future plans to maintain benefits
We must address many ‘drivers’ of the sector, especially population growth
Increased fishing pressure
Increased habitat degradation
Increased global demand for fish
Vanuatu National Fisheries Policy (draft)
National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (draft)

17. Thank you