ABSTRACT
Fishery activities have an integral role to play in the economies of the Pacific island countries. They serve as a major source of livelihood for millions of people on the islands. However, the 'race to fish' behaviour coupled with the nature of property rights relating to this resource could lead to unsustainable resource extraction practices. In this paper, primary data on Fiji's artisanal fishermen and their fishing operation is used to examine their technical efficiency. Results from this study suggest that the efficiency level in Fiji's artisanal fisheries is low. An interesting finding, reported in this study, is the efficiency implication of the mode of operation. This aspect of resource extraction can have important ramifications on the sustainability of resource extraction.
