SHELLFISH GATHERING IN KIRIBATI, MICRONESIA: NUTRITIONAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL, AND TOXICOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Shellfish gathering has received comparatively little attention in the anthropological literature. Yet, the contribution of shellfish to the diet of indigenous societies can be significant. Reef and lagoon gleaning activities in Kiribati, Micronesia illustrate the importance of this class of invertebrates, particularly on urban South Tarawa. Proximate composition of 24 bivalves and gastropods add to our knowledge of the nutritional value of tropical shellfish. Microbiological contamination remains a problem, however, notably among inshore shellfish collected from Tarawa Lagoon. Assays on one species of cowrie (Cypraea tigris) confirm its toxicological properties, as suggested by some informants. The future of shellfish resources in Kiribati will need to address the issue of open access associated with an erosion of customary marine tenure.