We present the results of an analysis of fish bones recovered from five sites in the Ha’apai group of islands in central Tonga. The sites, first occupied in the initial Lapita phase (ca. 2770-2700 cal BP), with continuous settlement into the present, occur in similar geographic contexts. Recovery and analysis was also consistent for all assemblages. Observed variability between sites and over time therefore emphasizes the complexity of Pacific Island fisheries. We argue there is no basis for accepting any single interpretation of results based on fishing strategies, technologies, human-induced environmental impacts or social considerations. Instead, we favour explanations based on minor differences in human population sizes and subtle variations in the environmental productivity of marine resources between locations and over time. We conclude that Lapita fishing in Ha’apai is consistent with opportunistic foraging, and agree with Leach and Davidson (2000) and others that the role and relative importance of Pacific Island fishing needs to be considered within the wider context of a much broader range of subsistence options. Methodologically, our results emphasize the importance of fine-meshed screening combined with controlled wet-screening, and the value of basing inter-site and cross-temporal comparisons on the density of fish bones per volume of excavated matrix.
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