Coral reef fisheries management lacks an accurate estimate of reef fishers regionally and globally. In a study to address this data gap, Teh et al. estimated that there are 6 million reef fishers in 99 countries and territories. About 25% of all small-scale fishing takes place on coral reefs (including seagrass areas). Interestingly, Southeast Asia was found to be home to half of all coral reef fishers (3.4 million). Western Pacific Islands had the highest percentage of reef fishers in proportion to the coastal population. This study provides greater information for fisheries management and shows the socioeconomic importance of coral reefs for small-scale fishers around the world.
Author: Teh, L.S.L., L.C.L. Teh, and U.R. Sumaila
Year: 2013
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PLoS ONE 8(6): e65397. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065397
