Enhancing the contribution of industrial tuna fisheries to food security: a case study from Solomon Islands

Abstract Rapid population growth in urban centres in Melanesia has raised concerns over the capacity of coastal fisheries to make their traditional contributions to domestic food security. Our study examines the extent to which coastal fisheries, and other locally available sources of fish, supported the recommended levels of dietary protein intake to be derived from fisheries resources for the urban population of Honiara in Solomon Islands in 2013 and 2021. We also assess the future capacity of existing sources of fish to provide the recommended protein intake for Honiara’s population in 2030 and identify a likely shortfall in fish supply of >3,000 (range: ~2,000 – 5,000) tonnes per year. A supply chain analysis indicated that this gap can be filled most easily by improving the delivery of bycatch, and tuna when needed, from purse-seine fishing operations in Solomon Islands. To achieve this, we suggest that adaptations and supporting policies are implemented to: i) minimise discarding of bycatch; ii) mandate the unloading of bycatch during transshipping operations; iii) supplement offloaded bycatch with higher-quality tuna when required; iv) reduce waste and extend the shelf-life of bycatch by implementing minimum onboard sorting procedures during transshipment; v) improving marketing facilities and establishing post-harvest processing for bycatch; and vi) raising awareness of the nutritional benefits of bycatch. We conclude by emphasising the need to recognise tuna not only as an important contribution to government revenue but also as a vital source of dietary protein, and to align national tuna fisheries policies with national strategies for food security, economic growth and poverty reduction.