The Contribution of Nearshore Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to Food Security and Livelihoods in Solomon Islands

<div><p>Fish aggregating devices, or FADs, are used widely in developing countries to concentrate pelagic fish, making them easier to catch. Nearshore FADs anchored close to the coast allow access for rural communities, but despite their popularity among policy makers, there is a dearth of empirical analysis of their contributions to the supply of fish and to fisheries management. In this paper we demonstrate that nearshore FADs increased the supply of fish to four communities in Solomon Islands. Estimated total annual fish catch ranged from 4300 to 12 000 kg across the study villages, with nearshore FADs contributing up to 45% of the catch. While it is clear that FADs increased the supply of fish, FAD catch rates were not consistently higher than other fishing grounds. Villages with limited access to diverse or productive fishing grounds seemingly utilized FADs to better effect. Villagers believed FADs increased household income and nutrition, as well as providing a source of fish for community events. FADs were also perceived to increase intra-household conflict and reduce fishers' participation in community activities. FADs need to be placed within a broader rural development context and treated as another component in the diversified livelihoods of rural people; as with other livelihood options they bring trade-offs and risks.</p></div

Map of Solomon Islands showing the location of the four study sites.

<p>Map of Solomon Islands showing the location of the four study sites.</p

Number of fishing trips per week recorded during monitoring for FAD and non-FAD fishing at the four study villages.

<p>The vertical dashed lines represent the duration of the FADs in the water and the data used for analysis.</p

Mean FAD and non-FAD catch rates (± SE) by weight (top panel) and number of fish (bottom panel) for A) all fishing methods, B) troll line and C) drop stone fishing.

<p>Mean FAD and non-FAD catch rates (± SE) by weight (top panel) and number of fish (bottom panel) for A) all fishing methods, B) troll line and C) drop stone fishing.</p

Perceived household and community benefits (graph A) and negative (graph B) aspects of the nearshore FADs mentioned by respondents during key informant interviews at three of the study villages (Villages A, C and D).

<p>Perceived household and community benefits (graph A) and negative (graph B) aspects of the nearshore FADs mentioned by respondents during key informant interviews at three of the study villages (Villages A, C and D).</p

Distribution of livelihood activities across family members.

<p>Multinomial logistic regression plot of the probability of involvement in the six most common livelihood activities, and all other livelihood activities combined, as a function of household members and proximity to Auki.</p

Map of Langalanga Lagoon, Solomon Islands.

<p>(A) Solomon Islands are located in the Western Pacific. (B) Langalanga lagoon is situated on the west coast of Malaita Province. (C) Many communities in the lagoon live on the high-water mark on artificial islands. (D) The lagoon extends south of the provincial capital Auki; twelve communities were included in the study.</p

Income levels for the six most common livelihood activities.

<p>^aSome households engage in fishing and gardening for food only, not to generate income, hence minimum income of $0.00 per week.</p><p>Income levels for the six most common livelihood activities.</p

Frequency distribution of mean weekly income.

<p>Reported household mean weekly income, in USD.</p

Food groups consumed by households in Langalanga lagoon.

<p>Main food groups consumed by study households in the 24 hours prior to the dietary survey.</p