A social-ecological approach to understanding the footprint of fisheries on tropical coral reef biodiversity.

Coral reef ecosystems are facing unprecedented natural and human-induced pressures. However, the primary driver of the decline in coral reef fish abundance and diversity is overfishing of fish stocks. Despite this, fish is the primary protein source for many humans living in Fiji and surrounding Pacific Islands. Therefore, striking a balance between managing reef fisheries sustainably whilst feeding a growing population is critical. As such, understanding the impact of fisheries on coral reef biodiversity will be important for informing best practice management. In Fiji, fisheries have complex socio-economic and ecological dynamics. Thus, research requires a multi-pronged and holistic approach to quantify ecological impacts, whilst understanding associated community and governance perspectives. This project will align with the Biome Health Project to create a robust fishing pressure gradient. It will achieve this by employing video photogrammetry to quantify reef fish diversity, abundance, size structure, biomass and behavioural traits. This will be interwoven with local community knowledge of by applying social science techniques and together will contribute to the marine spatial planning process being undertaken in Fiji. By using an interdisciplinary methodology this project aims to advise on the management of local fisheries, therefore, having both ecological and applied components.