Proposing to break up ISIC 0500. The activities currently lumped together in 0500 are extremely heterogeneous, and are really quite important in some of the Pacific Community members' economies.
Pearl farming is a dominant feature of economic activity in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
Several countries, most notably New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands, have very significant aquaculture projects for prawn farming.
And quite a few others have tried/are trying clam farming on
a significant scale.
In every member country and territory "fishing" is an absolutely
integral part of life, but with huge differences in the nature of the
activities involved. At the absolute minimum we need to distinguish between coastal fishing (and I mean that literally) and deep-sea fishing. The main distinction here is probably the side of the reef being fished. Ideally, further detail would be needed, such as:
0511 Coastal/reef fishing - using a line
0512 Coastal/reef fishing - using a net
0513 Fishing outside the reef - bottom fishing
0514 Fishing outside the reef - long line
0515 Fishing outside the reef - trolling
0520 Gathering shellfish
0531 Pearl farming
0532 Prawn farming
0533 Other aquaculture
0540 Other marine activities
On the proposal for distinction by type of gear (0511-0515), it is understood that ISIC does not usually distinguish between modes of production (eg, "whether the work is performed by power-driven machinery or by hand", quote from the definition of manufacturing) but the differences in gear here are seen as denoting different
activities. However, do not insist on this part of the proposal.
Proposal to be forwarded to the Technical Subgroup for comment.
One of six proposals received from SPC; see also registry ID# 473, 589, 590, 591 and 592.