Description
This dataset contains fish occurrence data collected in Fiji during a collaborative research project funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research. The project, lead by The University of the South Pacific, focused on the essential role of coral reef fisheries in supporting subsistence and artisanal fishers across four Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), namely Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Given the increasing threats posed by land-based pollution, changing fishing practices, and habitat degradation, this research aims to gather regionally representative data that enhances fisheries management and informs conservation efforts.
This Fiji dataset includes 21 fish species representing 14 families. Sampling locations for this dataset include sites in the Provinces of Nadroga-Navosa, Serua and Tailevu, on the island of Viti Levu.
This research initiative has been made possible through the invaluable support of the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, the Nadroga-Navosa Provincial Council, the Serua Provincial Council, the Tailevu Provincial Council, and the communities of Yadua, Galoa and Silana.
Data was collected by Eseta Drova, Amelia Bai, Epineri Tunaka, Rufino Varea and Talei Gadekilakeba, with contributions from USP Marine Science Postgraduate Diploma students Krishal Prasad and Atelaite Rosi.
Data Records
The data in this occurrence resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 184 records.
1 extension data tables also exist. An extension record supplies extra information about a core record. The number of records in each extension data table is illustrated below.
This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.
Versions
The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.
How to cite
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
Drova E, Bai A (2024). Fiji reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project. Version 1.1. The University of the South Pacific. Occurrence dataset. https://ipt.sprep.org/resource?r=usp_apnford_fj&v=1.1
Rights
Researchers should respect the following rights statement:
The publisher and rights holder of this work is The University of the South Pacific. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC 4.0) License.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 35f9308e-d667-4646-802d-e643143190e7. The University of the South Pacific publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by Participant Node Managers Committee.
Keywords
Occurrence; Observation; Fiji; APN
Contacts
- Metadata Provider ●
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Metadata Provider ●
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Curator
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7233-0795
Geographic Coverage
The Fiji Islands, specifically the island of Viti Levu.
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [-21.943, 172], North East [-12.261, 178.5] |
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Taxonomic Coverage
The following fish taxonomic families were observed during the project:
| Family | Carangidae, Ephippidae, Hemiramphidae, Holocentridae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, Mullidae, Scaridae, Scombridae, Siganidae, Sphyraenidae, Terapontidae, Epinephelidae, Kyphosidae |
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Temporal Coverage
| Start Date / End Date | 2023-06-19 / 2024-05-21 |
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Project Data
Coral reef fisheries are vital for supporting subsistence and artisanal fishers across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). However, they are increasingly threatened by land-based pollution, changing fishing practices, and habitat degradation. To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for research that provides regionally representative data on fisheries changes and pollution exposure, integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into management strategies, and enhances local capacity to support conservation efforts. This project will be conducted in four geographically diverse PICTs: Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, with four distinct objectives: (i) enhance capacity in PICTs; (ii) establish a regional baseline for microplastics (MP) in reef-associated food fishes; (iii) document TEK concerning reef-associated food fishes and pollution using social science methodologies; and (iv) inform national and regional conservation initiatives. The project concentrates on important reef-associated food fish species, identified by local stakeholders and spanning various trophic and functional groups. By fostering the co-production of research and knowledge with local partners, this project aims to establish a critically needed regional baseline of MP contamination in common food fishes (highlighting risks to human health and nutrition). Additionally, TEK will reveal preferences and catch trends, providing essential biological data to inform management tools that enhance food security.
| Title | Establishing baselines for marine plastics and bridging indigenous knowledge with ocean policy to improve livelihood security in the Pacific |
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| Identifier | CRRP2022-05MY-Ford |
| Funding | Funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research |
| Study Area Description | The island of Viti Levu in the Fiji islands. The provinces of Nadroga-Navosa (Yadua village), Serua (Galoa village), and Tailevu (Silana village). Fish were caught from within the village iqoliqoli (fishing grounds). |
| Design Description | Fish were identified to the species taxonomic level. Total length was measured and where possible, weight was measured. The gastrointestinal tract of each fish was removed for microplastic analyses. |
The personnel involved in the project:
Additional Metadata
| Alternative Identifiers | 35f9308e-d667-4646-802d-e643143190e7 |
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| https://ipt.sprep.org/resource?r=usp_apnford_fj |