Description
This dataset contains fish occurrence data collected in Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu dataset includes 86 fish species representing 22 families. Sampling locations for this dataset include sites on the islands of Efate, Maskelyne, Espiritu Santo.
This research initiative was made possible through the invaluable support of Vanuatu Department of Fisheries, the Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, the Vanuatu National Biodiversity Advisory Council, The University of the South Pacific Emalus Campus, and the communities on Efate, Maskelyne, Espiritu Santo.
Data was collected by Joycinette Botleng, Ada Sokach, Hudson Feremaito with contributions from Jayven Ham, John Laket, Thelili Akurkur, Robson, Kasi Ngagov, Judy Perei and Gray Masanga.
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 354 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:
Botleng J V, Sokach A H M, Feremaito H (2024). Vanuatu reef-associated food fishes observed under the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research project. Version 1.2. The University of the South Pacific. Occurrence dataset. https://ipt.sprep.org/resource?r=usp_apnford_vu&v=1.2
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 (CC-BY 4.0) License.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: a1a10af9-b358-4e8a-b204-cea17e9bccd0. 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; Vanuatu; APN
Contacts
- Metadata Provider ●
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Curator
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7233-0795
Geographic Coverage
Vanuatu, particularly the coastal regions of the islands of Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Maskelyne.
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [-20.462, 166.335], North East [-12.871, 170.449] |
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Taxonomic Coverage
The following fish taxonomic families were observed during the project:
| Family | Acanthuridae, Balistidae, Belonidae, Carangidae, Dorosomatidae, Ephippidae, Gerreidae, Haemulidae, Hemiramphidae, Holocentridae, Kyphosidae, Labridae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, Malacanthidae, Mugilidae, Mullidae, Scaridae, Terapontidae, Epinephelidae |
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Temporal Coverage
| Start Date / End Date | 2024-05-23 / 2024-07-19 |
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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 | Coastal communities in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. |
| Design Description | Fish were identified at the species taxonomic level. Total length and, when possible, weight were measured. The gastrointestinal tract of each fish was removed for microplastic analysis. |
The personnel involved in the project:
Additional Metadata
| Alternative Identifiers | a1a10af9-b358-4e8a-b204-cea17e9bccd0 |
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| https://ipt.sprep.org/resource?r=usp_apnford_vu |