脆弱天堂 05

The problem has a lot to do with fishing.

In Fiji, the villagers of Moturiki Island are fishing for dinner.

Using a traditional fishing technique known as a fish drive

They work together to scare the fish off the reef

And into an ever-smaller corral.

Each year, in coastal waters around the Pacific's islands

Subsistence fishermen catch around 80,000 tonnes of fish.

In the past, there was always plenty more fish in the sea

But recently, catches have been declining.

Why should this be?

It could be that more efficient fishing gear

Such as modern nylon nets coupled with growing island populations

Has led to overfishing.

But catching too many fish may not be the main reason

why there are now too few.

Pacific coastal fish live and breed in the most fragile of habitats ---

Coral reefs.

But many reefs have been trampled on, smashed by boats

And even dynamited in the quest for fish.

And damaged reefs support fewer fish.

This could be why the fishermen are catching less.