Sport fishing is getting increasingly popular worldwide and the ethic of sport fishing fans, based on the “catch-and-release” principle, is in line with the fisheries management standards that the SPC Coastal Fisheries Programme is promoting in the region. A recent integrated pilot project in the Cook Islands has shown that coastal sport fishing development can provide community livelihoods while improving the management of the targeted resource. SPC believes that what is working in Aitutaki could be successfully done in other Pacific Islands provided the basic pre-requisites are in place (suitable tourist accommodation,  international airline connections, transportation to the fishing destination, dedicated local guides…and, obviously, enough fish – possibly an icon fish – to lure overseas visitors!).

The Nearshore Fisheries Development has just developed some guidelines on the proper handling of sport fish species. The guidelines, available in French and English, have been produced on water-proof plastic cards. They can be obtained from SPC for distribution to sport fishing enthusiasts as well as established or prospective sport fishing operators. The bonefish and the giant trevally are the first species covered and SPC intends to develop handling guidelines for more species groups next year.

You can download the first two guidelines, in PDF format, from here:

For more information, please contact Michel Blanc, Nearshore Fisheries Developement Adviser