Fishing strategies, fishery development and socioeconomics in traditionally managed Fijian fishing grounds

Increasing urban drift of the Fijian population coupled with an increasing proportion of Fijians in full time employment has led to escalating demands for fish and an associated rise in fish prices. Traditionally‐managed reef fisheries are now exploited to meet existing subsistence needs and to supply large urban markets. The fishing strategies employed by three fishing communities were compared at different stages of their development from primitive to market economies. It was suggested that the fishing‐rights owners have expanded their fisheries for economic gain, but that such expansion has, to date, had minimal impact on favoured fishing tactics and management regimes. However, the socioeconomic impact of the transition to a market economy is profound, with increasing reliance upon income from the fishery.