Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems

 

 

Five participants attended the training: three from the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) and two from the Marshall Islands Conservation Society. They were briefed on the type of data that has to be recorded on the two finfish assessment forms (habitat and finfish abundance) as well as the method of recording the data. There were also field exercises to practise recording data for the habitat form and estimating fish size under water. Maria showed the participants how to use the photo quadrats method. They had all done some underwater visual census work before, especially in surveys of corals and habitats, so they were very familiar with coral types and algae. However, fish identification was difficult for uncommon or non-edible fish species. Most of the participants got into the habit of making notes and small sketches to help them identify these fish species.

 

The actual baseline finfish assessment was conducted the following week. The local staff, Being and Maria formed the two survey teams required. The MIMRA boat they used was big and had an engine that was powerful enough to withstand the slightly rough weather conditions, which helped a lot.

 

After the assessment, Being showed the trainees how to enter the survey data using the Reef Fisheries Integrated Database (RFID) software. He then left them to sort through the survey data to make sure that none were missing and that all were readable and understandable before they started entering them. This work will be later checked by Being, then analysed by Maria and added to the data from other Pacific countries in order to estimate the impact of climate change on fisheries in the region.

 

For more information, please contact Being Yeeting, SPC Fisheries Scientist.

 

Last Updated on Friday, 30 November 2012 09:38
 

 


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