Nauruan fish hook

Nauru is a coral limestone island surrounded by a coral reef and fishing is essential to daily life. Nauruans practiced the farming of ibiya (milkfish) long before European contact. The practice involves capturing young ibiya that are relocated to brackish ponds and lagoons on the island where they are farmed.

When it is time to harvest the ibiya, a man walks through the pond, creating as many waves as possible to startle and agitate the fish, facilitating easier netting. These ponds are owned by families and are traditionally passed down through the female line. They have complex ownership structure, with shares held by relatives and can be gifted on special occasions.

See fish hook from Nauru below. Click on the image to view full screen and use the zoom functionality for more detail.