Spatial variability and human eco-dynamics in central East Polynesian fisheries

Abstract

Marine resources were and continue to be dietary mainstays of many Pacific Island communities. This article explores the spatial diversity and temporal dynamics of East Polynesian marine fisheries through archaeofish remains and their associated contexts. Spread across a considerable expanse of the Pacific, the culture area of East Polynesia was settled relatively recently by closely related peoples. This feature, in combination with a rich marine fauna and ecologically diverse seascapes, makes this an ideal setting for investigating the dynamics of natural-social interactions. Coloniser strategies which targeted offshore fishes, anthropogenic impacts over time, and intensification of inshore fisheries in late prehistory are considered, along with methodological issues relevant to improving regional comparisons.