Marine aquarium fishery management plan : Tonga

Abstract

The Government of Tonga began promoting reef resources for generating foreign revenue in the mid 1980s. These particular reef resources include small inedible1 fish, corals (soft and hard), invertebrates and live rocks (rubbles, dead rocks, aquarium rocks). The purpose of this fishery is aimed at ornamental or pets in aquaria and is not for human consumption. All fisheries fundamentally have substantial economic contribution. It follows that it also has social importance. The UNEP reported that between 1.5 to 2 million world wide keeps marine aquaria in their homes, schools, Research Institutions and in public aquaria. By global standards it is a multi million dollar trade with an estimated worth of US$200-300 million generated annually.