Impact of tourism-related fishing on Tridacna maxima (Mollusca, Bivalvia) stocks in Bora-Bora Lagoon (French Polynesia)

Abstract

The overall reef stock is still large, but a comparative analysis of the population structure of giant clam in four locations shows a significant decrease in the average shell size of the living populations and a reduction in the average size of shells consumed by tourists. On the fringing reef, environmental conditions have reduced recruitment and increased natural mortality. -from Authors