New Caledonia lagoon is famous for its fish variety. It is one the richest in coral reef fish. Among 3000 species known in the tropical Pacific Ocean, 1200 are recorded in New Caledonia. This fish fauna lives in the coral reef, around them, along the barrier reef in its pass, on sandy lagoon bottom, near the shores and in estuaries.
The lagoon is a paradise for divers and spear-gun fishermen. However over-fishing is making several species scarcer. Today coral reef reserves have been enforced to enable regeneration of ecosystems. In them divers can find a fish abundance as it was in the past and no longer fearful fish can be easily approached.
With a total area of 1 740 000 km2 of ocean, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of New Caledonia has a wealth of large pelagic fish. There is some industrial fishing in it but game fishing, which could have a great future, is hardly developed.
New Caledonian fish are presented in four web pages
See also a more complete but not exhaustive list of the New-Caledonian fishs with their scientific and vernacular names (in French and English)