Traînes de surface en Polynésie française - Evolution des CPUE : 1974-1986

Abstract

From 1974 to 1986, the study of annual CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) for fishing operation realized with surface trolling lines, operated for most of them in isolated areas of Polynesia, shows a pronounced decrease for two pelagic species having coastal affinity: the Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) and the Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor). The annual CPUE has regularly decreased from 2.0 to 0.1 kg / line / hour for the Dogtooth tuna, and from 10.9 to 1.3 kg / line / hour for the Wahoo. This observation is not verified for pelagic Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) whose CPUE does not show significant diminution during the 13 years of the study. These results indicate too high fishing mortality on the fragile ecosystem of coastal species.