The Subsistence Fishery Productivity and Marine Resource Knowledge of Resettled Polynesians from Tikopia Island, Solomon Islands

Abstract—This study documents the fishing practices and local knowl-edge of marine resources of a group of Polynesian Tikopians who were resettled to Nukufero Village in the Russell Islands in the 1950s. Both the exploitation of the marine resources and cultural attitudes associated with the resource utilization in their new location are described. Technological advances like the use of monofilament lines, metal fish-hooks, and iron spears have been incorporated into the fishing practices. Marine organisms have provided food, materials for tools and utensils, weapons, ornaments, and medicine for many generations for this society. With the introduction of commercial fishing there has been a gradual change in the perception of the utilization of marine resources. The peo-ple of Nukufero are presently reevaluating the values they place on their marine resources and considering ways that traditional approaches to the resource exploitation can be respected and yet development can proceed without damage to either cultural values or fish stocks