Events including civil disorder and social unrest in Solomon Islands made work difficult for staff in some areas. The national fiscal crisis meant that PFOs were left without salaries or resources to perform some important tasks. A moratorium was imposed on the issue of new LRFFT export licences and existing licences expired, leaving project researchers with no ongoing legal fishery as a case study. Nevertheless a substantial number of the project objectives were met.

Researchers were able to assess the current socioeconomic status of the fishery. Project staff also developed a system of identifying potential SPAG sites from hydrographic charts then confirming them by diving on them. Several new sites were identified and mapped in this way.

Some PFOs were still able to attend 'train the trainer' courses in identification of target grouper species, their size and sex. They also received identification kits that will enable them to train fishers in reef-owner villages when the national fiscal crisis eases. A group of PFOs also received hands-on training in UVC identification and monitoring of SPAGS. They are now equipped to monitor impact of LRFFT on SPAGS and to advise reef owners when fishing should be suspended to protect remaining fish-however if the fiscal crisis is not addressed this group may be dispersed.

The national situation made it difficult to formulate and implement a management plan-only a draft interim management plan was devised. However, much information was gathered about the marketing and handling of live fish from fisher through to the Hong Kong consumer. Transport from Solomon Islands to Hong Kong entailed an 11-day voyage and fish mortality was high.

At the end there were still some significant tasks to be completed. However the review team recommended that these be curtailed until the situation in Solomon Islands improved through restoration of peace and order, the awarding of at least one LRFFT licence and the national fiscal crisis is solved. Alternatively the Management Plan could be revised and a system established, whereby the operator as a condition of licence trains PFOs and reef owners in best practices in fish handling, equips and trains PFOs in monitoring SPAGS by UVC, and trains and pays villagers to record catch, effort and prices.