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 Key Economic Sectors > Agriculture Pitcairn, The bounty islands |
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When Carteret sighted the island in 1767 he reported that it was almost exclusively covered with trees, but settlement and the consequent clearing and burning have left but a remnant of the
original forest, mostly at higher altitudes and on steeper slopes. Most of the island is now under secondary bush and grass, 
interspersed with gardens and fruit trees. Rata (Metrosideros collina) and tapau (Homalium taypau) are the
main native tree species that have been exploited for their useful timber. Many other tree species were introduced by the former Polynesian inhabitants, including miro (Thespesia populnea) which is still valued for wood carving, breadfruit
(Artocarpus altilis) and paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) used in the making of tapa cloth. Over the past century, several other trees have been evaluated for timber or fruit production, including various conifers, macadamia (Macadamia
integrifolia) and others.Generations of haphazard husbandry and forest clearance, which has encouraged erosion in some areas, are not quickly rectified, but quiet steps have been taken since 1960 towards the regeneration of forests. The predatory goats of Pitcairn, which for many years rendered all attempts at reforestation abortive, are being brought under control and replanting is now proceeding satisfactorily. Whilst large amounts of food supplies are ordered from New Zealand and shipped to the island, the island’s fruit and garden produce are vital in the islanders’ diet. This produce includes beans, yam, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peas, corn, pineapples, watermelon, rock melon, paw paws, oranges, mandarins, avocado, breadfruit, mangoes and more. Arrowroot and sugarcane are also grown and harvested once a year to produce arrowroot flour and molasses. Along with handicrafts, fruit, vegetables and fish are also traded on passing ships. The Pitcairn Island Producers’ Co-operative (PIPCO) was established in 1999 to promote and co-ordinate the distribution of products produced by its members. Although honey and dried fruit provided the basis for the operation, the product range will extend as the co-operative evolves. In May 1998, the UK Government aid agency,  the Department for International
Development, funded an apiculture programme for Pitcairn which included training for Pitcairn's bee keepers and a detailed analysis
of the disease status of Pitcairn bees and honey. As a result, Pitcairn is now able to export honey products to New Zealand and beyond.Pitcairn has one of the most disease free bee populations of anywhere in the world and the honey produced is of an exceptionally high quality. The apicultural scientist conducting the project, also found that Pitcairn bees were a particularly placid variety and within a short time, was able to work with them wearing minimal protection. It would therefore seem that the export of live Queen bees is another potential earner for the Pitcairn Islanders. The numbers of hives on the island is now around 80, and there are plans to increase output of honey to a more commercial level. The rich and intense fruitiness of Pitcairn's honey is attributed to the nectar from the Mango, Lata, Passion Flower, Guava and Roseapple flowers found in abundance on Pitcairn. Fish are plentiful in the seas around Pitcairn, and Pitcairners love their fishing. Crayfish and a large variety of fish are caught for meals and for trading aboard passing ships. Almost everyday someone will go fishing, whether it is from the rocks, from privately owned canoes, from a longboat or diving with a spear gun. There are numerous types of fish around the island.  Fish such as Nanwee, White fish, Mol and Opapa are caught in shallow waters
while Snapper, Big Eye and Cod are caught in deep water and Yellow Tail and Wahoo are caught by trolling. Any sharks that are caught
are brought ashore so that their jaws can be removed and the teeth later taken out to use in shark carvings.A 200-mile Fisheries Zone was declared in 1980 and foreign fishing vessels are required by law to obtain licences before fishing in the Zone. |
