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Journal article
Increasingly diverse coral reef fishes are threatened by unsustainable fishing in Palau
Reviews in fish biology and fisheries, Vol.36(1), 54
2026
Abstract
Reef fisheries underpin the economy, culture, and food security of Indo-Pacific island nations, yet many target species are depleted due to inadequate management. Despite its reputation as a regional leader in fisheries management, Palau has experienced declines among key reef fish species, necessitating a comprehensive stock status assessment amid ongoing discussions to lift the national export ban. Conventional stock assessments are not feasible for most species due to limited data. To address this, we compiled life history information and applied data-limited, length-based stock assessment methods across 32 parameter scenarios. Analyses were based on a decade of fishery-dependent landing data (2014–2024) for 45 key species, with comparisons to historical landings (1976–1991) to evaluate changes in catch composition. Using Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio as the primary assessment method, we found most species are in poor condition: 24.4% classified as “Depleted”, 51.1% “Vulnerable”, and 17.8% “Depleting”. Only 6.7% met criteria for “Sustainable” status (spawning potential ratio > 40% of unfished levels and a fishing mortality below natural mortality). Landings data indicate a clear shift from historically dominant large-bodied species to smaller taxa, reflecting target species depletions and regulatory changes. Despite life history parameters uncertainty, results were robust across alternative length-based approaches and consistently indicated widespread stock depletion. These findings highlight an urgent need for stronger management, including effective size limits, the protection of spawning aggregations, and retention of the export ban. Lifting the ban would likely increase fishing pressure and further accelerate declines of Palau’s already depleted reef fish populations.
Details
- Title
- Increasingly diverse coral reef fishes are threatened by unsustainable fishing in Palau
- Authors/Creators
- Christina Muller Karanassos - Palau International Coral Reef Center, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaAlyssa Marshell - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaBarrett Wolfe - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaSteve Lindfield - Coral Reef Research FoundationJeremy Prince - Murdoch UniversityNils C. Krueck - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
- Publication Details
- Reviews in fish biology and fisheries, Vol.36(1), 54
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Number of pages
- 27
- Grant note
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (https://doi.org/10.13039/100015344) University of Tasmania
- Identifiers
- 991005882554707891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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