Fisheries development of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea: proposed fish introductions
1986
Coates, D. (Department of Primary Industry, Konedobu (Papua New Guinea). Fisheries Research and Surveys Branch)
The Sepik is Papua New Guinea's largest river system and supports an important subsistence fishery. Estimates have shown that the yield of the fishery is less than 10% of that expected by comparison with rivers in other continental regions. People inhabiting the Sepik catchment suffer serious problems of protein malnourishment. Over half of the present catch is introduced tilapia. The main reason for the low yield is the inadequacy of the native ichthyofauna from the fisheries point of view: for zoogeographic reasons, families of freshwater fish composing catches from other regions do not naturally occur in Australasia. Serious problems are envisaged if attempts are made to improve the yield based on native species. The improvement of the fish stocks by species introductions has been proposed. The procedure being adopted to ensure adequate safeguards is outlined. Each species considered will be appraised for its potential benefits and risks before final decisions on introduction are made. Assistance, advice and comments from scientists with relevant experience within the region are sought.
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