The Skipjack Survey and Assessment Programme, which commenced in August
1977 and concluded in September 1981, was an externally funded part of the
work programme of the South Pacific Commission. Governments which provided
funding for the Programme were Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, United
Kingdom and the United States of America.
The Skipjack Programme has been succeeded by the Tuna and Billfish
Programme which is receiving external funding from Australia, France, New
Zealand and the United States of America. The Tuna Programme is designed to
improve understanding of the status of the stocks of commercially important
tuna and billfish species in the region. Publication of final results from
the Skipjack Programme is continuing under the Tuna Programme. Papers
referred to as manuscripts in this final country report will be released over
the duration of the Tuna Programme.
The staff of the Programme at the time of preparation of this report
comprised the Programme Co-ordinator, R.E. Kearney; Research Scientists,
A.W. Argue, C.P. Ellway, R. Farman, R.D. Gillett, P.M. Kleiber, W.A. Smith
and M.J. Williams; Research Assistants, Susan Van Lopik and Veronica van
Kouwen; and Programme Secretary, Carol Moulin.
The Programme's survey in the waters of Pitcairn Islands was both
enjoyable and productive, and benefitted substantially from assistance that
the scientists and crew received from Pitcairn Island residents, in
particular from Ivan and Steve Christian. Mr Garth Harraway, Commissioner
for Pitcairn Islands, accompanied us on our return through the waters of
French Polynesia during which time he patiently answered many questions on
the history of Pitcairn Islands.
The Skipjack Programme is grateful to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Commission for contributing staff and funds to the survey of Pitcairn
Islands.
Tuna Programme
South Pacific Commiss