Pour une gestion intégrée et inclusive du milieu ripicole en Nouvelle-Calédonie : une étude des représentations, des valeurs et des usages associés au mulet noir sur la côte Est de la Grande Terre

Abstract

In New Caledonia, rivers are undergoing considerable environmental changes, particularly due to mining. These changes are disrupting the riparian environment and the fauna that inhabit it. Black mullets are one such species that are much talked about by clans in the valleys of New Caledonia because they are frequently caught and eaten. Scientists identify three species of black mullet in New Caledonia: Cestraeus oxyrhyncus, Cestraeus plicatilis and Cestraeus goldiei. In the local authorities where we worked, 2 to 5 different fish called "black mullets" in French were named. In Ponerihouen, black mullets are mainly called jèmêê and denâ but 5 entities were nevertheless distinguished which correspond to stages of two different species, or to different species, or report the links between entities. In Hienghène, black mullets are called diook/bii and kapum. In Thio, only one type of black mullet is identified by the inhabitants we met, it is called dàxù. Biological and ecological data are insufficient, while the local populations have a lot of knowledge about these fish. In the north-east of New Caledonia in particular, requests for the protection of the denâ have been made, while the jèmêê has apparently disappeared from the rivers. These fish have a strong cultural and food value in the Kanak world and are also victims of the environmental degradation of rivers. The study financed by the CNRT Nickel and its Environment describes the knowledge and expertise of both scientists and local populations and discusses the interest of using these species as bio-cultural indicators of river health. This report also attempts to report on the opportunities and constraints that this ambition raises