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The Pacific foodfish list: A standardised list of over 1000 species of marine fishes consumed by Pacific people

Neil Andrew , Latu Aisea, Nuwan Arachchi , Nicolas Bailly, Ian Bertram, Pauline Bosserelle, Léa Carron, Kendall Clements , Michael Duenas, Viliami Fatongiatau, Sean Felise, Saul Gonzalez Murcia, Baptiste Jaugeon, Lucy Joy, Lotokufaki Kaitu, Uschi Kaly, Julie-Anne Kerandel, Zachary Koehn, Jeffrey Kinch, Shivam Jalam, Angela Kwapena, Owen Li, Steven Lindfield, Franck Magron, Bradley Moore, Robert Myers, Bruno Ned, Beia Nikiari, Domingo Ochavillo, Jan van der Ploeg , Koroa Raumea, Matthew Roscher, Marlowe Sabater, Abel Sami, George Shedrawi, Neville Smith, Dirk Steenbergen , Meshach Sukulu, Feleti Tulafono, Sapeti Tiitii, Tarisi Toroca, Paul Tua, Lavinia Vaipuna, Colette C. C. Wabnitz, Jean Wencelius, Melba White, Being Yeeting

Abstract

Context. The sustainable supply of fish in the face of climate change and other drivers of change is a policy priority for Pacific nations. Creel and market surveys are increasingly used to document catches, but this information has not been aggregated at a regional scale. Aims. In this paper we provide a comprehensive and standardized list of Pacific marine foodfish in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories to enable comparative analyses and improved national surveys. Methods. National lists of marine teleost fish caught for food were cleaned of errors and standardised to current valid names using authoritative global databases. National lists were then aggregated to sub-region and regional scales. Key results. Pacific people consume more than 1000 species of marine fishes (presently 1031 species), with the highest diversity observed in Melanesia and the lowest in Polynesia. 14% of species names have changed since surveys were completed. An estimated 3847 species of marine fishes are recorded from the region, most of which are small reef species. This list of Pacific foodfish is available through the Pacific Data Hub curated by the Pacific Community. Conclusions. The study quantifies for the first time the great diversity of fishes consumed by Pacific people and highlights the need for more baselines of catch, acquisition, and consumption. Implications. These findings provide a foundation across the region for analysing species' relative importance in local economies and diets, supporting fisheries management and food security policies critical to the wellbeing of Pacific people in a changing world.

PC24082  Accepted 02 March 2025

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