Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
RAWAKI (PHOENIX)
In 2002, fish dive surveys were conducted in the Phoenix Islands (Obura and Stone 2003). In
addition, and ROV and Dropcam were used to record species of fish. Abariringa, Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki were surveyed.
Between 2000 and 2003, shark density had dropped significantly and were absent in many
sites in Rawaki (Phoenix), Manra, Abariringa (Kanton), and Orona (Obura and Stone 2003).
Randall et al (2003) described a new soldierfish, Myripristis earlei, from the Marquesas and
Phoenix Islands. Specimens examined include fish from Abariringa (Canton), Enderbury,
and Rawaki (Phoenix). It was speculated that the Phoenix Islands population was probably
the result of downcurrent dispersal of larvae from the Marquesas.
In 2006, Kerr and Wragg (2006) conducted large indicator fish abundance; abundance of key
fish families, and coral health rapid assessment surveys on Manra, Rawaki, Enderbury,
Birnie, McKean, Orona, and Nikumaroro.
I. TURTLES
Turtle were found in fair numbers in the Phoenix Islands (Foreign Office 1920).
Dahl (1980) presented a matrix of marine biomes. The Phoenix Islands were lumped with the
Line and Northern Cook Islands. Sea turtle nesting was identified as one marine biome in
this group of islands.
Integrated Marine Management Ltd. (1993) reported that the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys
imbricate, and green turtle, Chelonia mydas, had been reported from most of the Phoenix
Islands. They did not elaborate on which Phoenix Islands these turtles were found.
In 2002, turtle surveys were conducted on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie, Enderbury, Manra,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (Obura and Stone 2003). Turtle mating was observed on
three occasions. Results of these turtle surveys are presented in Table III-4.14 below.
Table III-4.14. Number of turtles observed on dives and number of nests
observed in 2002. (source: Obura and Stone 2003).
island Turtles observed Nests observed
green hawksbill old new
Birnie 5 2 3
Enderbury 7 160
Abariringa (Kanton) 28 30 5
Manra 10 1 2
Nikumaroro 7 2 41 18
Orona 6 1 8
Rawaki (Phoenix) 3 1 6
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