Islanders Conserve Reef Fish
Ahus Island, Papua New Guinea

The community on Ahus, an island of Papua New Guinea, has restricted fishing in certain lagoons for generations. These reefs, called tambus, are fished with spears or nets only a few times a year to acquire larger fish for ceremonial occasions. Scientists were curious whether this tradition helps conserve reef resources.

The scientists compared fish in restricted vs. nonrestricted reefs around Ahus Island. Fish biomass—the mass of all the fish in the lagoon—was indeed up to 60 percent greater in the restricted reefs.

Such fishing traditions likely help replenish local food resources. The data can also inform modern fisheries management.

Researchers
Joshua Cinner, Wildlife Conservation Society Marine Programs, Bronx, NY (lead)

Paper
“Conservation and Community Benefits from Traditional Coral Reef Management at Ahus Island, Papua New Guinea”
Conservation Biology, Vol. 19, 1714-1723, December 2005.

Image Credits 
Papua New Guinea, January 2004 (satellite: NASA Terra, sensor: MODIS)
Ahus Island (satellite: NASA Landsat 7, sensor: ETM+)
Reef, fishermen, and fish (Josh Cinner)

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