Socioeconomic fisheries surveys in Pacific Islands

Book excerpt: The major objective of this socioeconomic manual is to provide a tool that assists fisheries authorities and others in the Pacific region to obtain data that supports informed management decision-making aimed at sustainable, effective and equitable use of reef and lagoon resources. This manual provides a guide on how to collect socioeconomic data to characterise the role that reef and lagoon resources play in supporting the livelihood of coastal communities, i.e. by answering the following 10 important questions: 1. What are the major socioeconomic characteristics of the community? 2. How much does the community depend on marine resources for consumption, income, and livelihood? 3. How much is fished by whom? 4. What is harvested and where is the catch taken from? 5. What does the community do with the catch? 6. What is the total catch worth at local market prices? 7. What are the fishing strategies 1 used? 8. What gender issues apply? 9. How does the community keep the fish (preservation and stocks)? 10. What knowledge is there of fisheries management rules (traditional and governmental)?