Abstract
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The significant benefits derived by Pacific Island countries
and territories (PICTs) from oceanic fisheries are already
recognised in well-developed laws and policies designed
to assist PICTs in harnessing the value of commercial tuna
fisheries (Gillett 2016). However, to date, coastal fisheries
have received far less attention from governments. This is
despite the fact that nearshore fisheries play a critical role
in many local communities, make a substantial contribution
to household income and food security and are declining in
many PICTs under the dual pressures of growing populations
and unsustainable fishing activities (Charlton et al.
2016; Gillett and Cartwright 2010).