Why was fishing more important on low islands than on high islands?

In Micronesian culture, subsistence was based on a combination of fishing and horticulture. The relative importance of these activities was dictated by the geography of the islands.1

Fishing was more important on low islands (atolls) because they lacked the fertile soil and elevation found on high islands, which are better suited for extensive horticulture. High islands possess more fertile land, allowing for the cultivation of a wider variety of crops such as taro, breadfruit, bananas, and yams. In contrast, the soil on low-lying atolls is limited in both depth and quality, making agriculture more challenging and necessitating a greater reliance on marine resources.123

Consequently, low islanders developed advanced skills in deep-sea fishing and navigation, often traveling to uninhabited reefs to supplement their food supply. This reliance on the sea also fostered trade, as low islanders would visit high islands to obtain food and resources that were unavailable on their own atolls.124