Country profile
Coastal fisheries snapshot
demersal fish (including emperors, snappers and bonefish), invertebrates for export (e.g. trochus and sea cucumbers) and gleaned from intertidal habitats, and nearshore pelagic fish (including trevally, tuna and mahi mahi) using a range of fishing methods.
Top 5 training topics
Gender participation
Male participations: 115 (48%) · Female participations: 127 (52%)
Yearly participations (2016–2025)
Projected changes in atmospheric & ocean climate (by 2050)
Relative to 1995-2014 baseline. Regional CMIP6 projections applied to New Caledonia's climate zone (Southwest Pacific Convergence).
Coastal fisheries (current vs 2050)
demersal fish (including emperors, snappers and bonefish), invertebrates for export (e.g. trochus and sea cucumbers) and gleaned from intertidal habitats, and nearshore pelagic fish (including trevally, tuna and mahi mahi) using a range of fishing methods.
Oceanic fisheries (current vs 2050)
Tuna fisheries — skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore. Habitat areas projected to shift with ocean temperature, stratification and oxygen content changes.
Freshwater & estuarine fisheries (current vs 2050)
Inland fisheries are expected to be affected by changes in rainfall patterns, river flow, and habitat accessibility by 2050.
Aquaculture (current vs 2050)
Mariculture impacted by sea surface temperature, ocean acidification and intense storms. Freshwater aquaculture may benefit from increased freshwater habitat but face disease and temperature pressure.
marine shrimp, rock oysters, sea cucumbers, rabbitfish, red emperors and tilapia
Livelihoods & economies (current vs 2050)
Fisheries and aquaculture provide household income, jobs and government revenue. Climate-driven changes will affect employment and economic contribution.
Aquatic food security (current vs 2050)
Aquatic (blue) foods provide an important source of nutrition. Population growth combined with climate impacts may create deficits in fish supply.
Drivers of impact on fish availability by 2050: 39% climate change · 61% population change
Blue food production systems (current vs 2050)
Blue foods contribute to nutrition security, economies, livelihoods and jobs. Climate impacts on coastal, oceanic, freshwater fisheries and aquaculture together determine the system's resilience.
make relatively few contributions to nutrition security and health, economies, livelihoods and jobs. Compared to other Pacific islands, projected climate impacts to blue food production by 2050 are medium to high.
Recommended adaptation: Food & nutrition security
- Implement sustainable ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management Food and Nutrition 2
- Manage freshwater and estuarine fisheries to harness opportunities Food and Nutrition 4
- Promote the use of oceanic catches to fill the gap in aquatic resources needed for food and nutrition security
- Promote education and awareness on the importance of protecting aquatic habitats, species and the foods they supply
Recommended adaptation: Sustainable livelihoods
- Diversify aquaculture commodities and develop new farmed climate-resilient species, strains and varieties
- Apply innovative technologies and climate-smart tools for pond aquaculture and mariculture Livelihoods 3
- Improve technical and business viability of fisheries
Recommended adaptation: Economies & government revenue
- Implement climate-informed fisheries management Economic Revenue 3
- Promote improved safety at sea Economic Revenue 5
- Climate-proof infrastructure
Community-based Fisheries Management — New Caledonia
Source: Govan & Lalavanua 2022 (SPC), updated from FAO & SPC Outlook 2026. See the regional CBFM Report for full analysis.
Coastal fisheries in New Caledonia
demersal fish (including emperors, snappers and bonefish), invertebrates for export (e.g. trochus and sea cucumbers) and gleaned from intertidal habitats, and nearshore pelagic fish (including trevally, tuna and mahi mahi) using a range of fishing methods.
Tuna fisheries in New Caledonia
The Pacific is home to the world's largest tuna fishery, with member countries' EEZs producing over half of the global tuna catch. New Caledonia's EEZ covers 1,422,540 km², providing significant access to tuna and other oceanic resources.
Fisheries Contributions to New Caledonia's Economy
Harvest by sector (1999 → 2021)
Volume and economic value of fisheries production by sector, from successive Benefish studies. Use the toggle to switch between volume (tonnes) and value (CFP).
Key findings from Benefish Study 4
23.2 Contribution of fishing to GDP
Current official contribution 2017 is the latest year for which GDP information with details for the fishing sector is available. According to unpublished data from Institut de la statistique et des études économiques (ISEE), for that year: • The value of the production of the fishing sector was XPF 6,317,000,000. • The intermediate consumption for the sector was XPF 4,197,000,000. • The value added (i.e. contribution of the sector to GDP) was therefore 2,120,000,000.
Full chapter section in Benefish Study 4 →
23.3 Exports of fishery production
ISEE tracks New Caledonian exports, including fishery exports. The data are illustrated by volume in Table 23-7 and by value in Table 23-8. Fishery and aquaculture products 1,326 1,262 1,343 1,446 1,342 1,150 Tuna 418 407 391 477 407 525 Shrimp 807 770 797 887 878 566 Sea cucumber nd 66 46 37 21 13 Trochus shells 88 10 85 18 18 18 Other fisheries/aquaculture 14 9 24 27 18 28 Total exports of New Caledonia 5,821,433 6,663,944 7,080,537 7,581,333 8,774,455 8,272,208 Fishery and aquaculture products as a % of all exports 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.01%
Full chapter section in Benefish Study 4 →
23.4 Government revenue from fisheries
Access fees for offshore fishing No licences to fish have been issued to foreign vessels since early 2001 (Anon. 2022b) and consequently, no fees have been paid for fishery access by foreign vessels. There are no access fees for domestic vessels. Other government revenue from fisheries In general, in New Caledonia the fisheries sector does not generate revenue for the government, but rather absorbs various types of government subsidies. One popular subsidy is that for fuel for fishing vessels.
Full chapter section in Benefish Study 4 →
23.5 Fisheries-related employment
New Caledonia's annual statistical summary for coastal professional fishers (Fabry and Laplante 2022) gives information on the numbers, types and location of fishers (Table 23-10). The document also indicates: New Caledonia 363 • 75% of the fishers on the table are men and 25% are women • The median age is 52 years for both men and women
Full chapter section in Benefish Study 4 →
23.6 Fish consumption
Some older reports on fish consumption in New Caledonia are: • Dupont et al. (2004) indicate that in 2003, 4,632 t of fish and crustaceans, from both domestic fisheries and imports, were consumed by households in New Caledonia. The annual per capita consumption of fish and crustaceans was considered to be 21.6 kg. • Bell et al.
Full chapter section in Benefish Study 4 →
New Caledonia — country resources
Direct access to country-specific chapters, regional report cards and economic studies.