Understanding the health of important coral reef finfish on the Outer Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands, a nation of atolls and islands spanning over 750,000 square miles of ocean in Micronesia, relies heavily on coral reef finfish species for biodiversity, food security, and coastal livelihoods. Recognizing their ecological and cultural importance, the government introduced management measures in 2020 for key harvested species, including minimum legal size limits. However, it remains unclear whether these regulations are effectively protecting fish populations and supporting sustainable fisheries.
To address this, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to gather species length data and evaluate patterns of landed catches relative to size regulations for the Outer Islands. Focusing on the MIMRA Outer Islands Fish Market in Majuro, the team has collected length data on over 10,000 coral reef finfish harvested across the Outer Islands between 2023 and 2024. This data is now being analyzed using FishKit’s Stock Health Tracker to produce the first-ever assessment of fisheries health and compliance since the size limits were established.
A core goal of the initiative is to build local capacity for fisheries assessment and management. In June 2024, TNC conducted a week-long training on coastal fisheries science and FishKit tools for MIMRA staff, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society (MICS), and MIMRA summer interns. Together, they are now working on a comprehensive report that will analyze the collected data and provide deeper insights into the status of these vital species—laying the groundwork for stronger, community-informed management in the future.
