CASE STUDY | CHUUK
Digital Innovation and Fisheries Monitoring
A Case Study in Community-Driven Fisheries Management in Chuuk
From August 2023 to June 2024, Blue Prosperity Micronesia partnered with the Chuuk State Division of Marine Resources (DMR) and communities in Weno and Oneisomw to pilot a fisheries monitoring initiative powered by Shellcatch, a smartphone app designed to address critical gaps in nearshore fisheries data.
The pilot focused on collecting real-time data, providing detailed insights into Chuuk’s coastal fisheries. While the formal pilot phase concluded in June 2024, data collection continues, especially through the continued use of the Daily Purchases module for ongoing market surveys.
91,000+ lbs
of nearshore fish surveyed
20,000+
individual fish identified and measured to asses the stock status of key species
475+
fishing trips recorded, capturing data on gear use, effort and fishing grounds
Data was collected through three app modules:
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Daily Purchases: Tracking fish sold at markets
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Fishing Trips: Documenting effort, gear types, and habitat use
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Catch Composition: Providing species-level identification and measurements
Preliminary Findings
Fishing Practices
Spearfishing accounted for 59% of recorded fishing effort, followed by trolling (30%) and bottom fishing (5%). The dominance of spearfishing raises questions about long-term sustainability, particularly on vulnerable reef species.
Fish Maturity Analysis
A comparison of 2023 catch data with a 2013 survey highlights changes in fish size and maturity:
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Humpback red snapper maturity declined from 98% to 77%.
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Mu (Bigeye bream) and Pacific longnose parrotfish continue to show low maturity levels (~44% and 30%, respectively).
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Six of the ten most commonly caught species had less than 70% mature individuals, a potential indicator of recruitment overfishing.
These findings suggest that many fish are being harvested before they have a chance to reproduce, which could compromise future fish stocks. While life-history data from nearby regions (e.g., Guam, Hawaii, etc.) were used to infer maturity, local biological studies are needed for more precise assessments.
Toward Sustainable Fisheries Management
The pilot deployed in Chuuk demonstrates how digital tools, community partnerships, and data-driven management can work together to foster sustainable coastal fisheries. The insights generated are already informing discussions around strengthening fisheries management in Chuuk. Potential next steps include:
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Developing targeted management strategies that prioritize on protecting mature fish to support both ecological and community resilience.
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Leveraging Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to boost biodiversity and food security.
Blue Prosperity Micronesia is now supporting all four states with fisheries e-reporting that allows fisheries surveyors to collect market, landing and socio-economic survey data offline.
The Chuuk case study demonstrates how technology, when paired with community engagement and scientific analysis, can inform our understanding of coastal fisheries and pave the way for strengthened marine resource management in the region.
