Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
Figure III-1.18. Vertical sections of the central Pacific, including the Phoenix Islands,
Showing mean temperature, and current profiles for
DECEMBER between the surface and 400 m
(source: Tuna and Billfish Assessment Programme 1993)
Lehodey et al (1997) examined the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in relationship to
the western equatorial Pacific warm pool. During ENSO events this warm water pool shifts
to the east and skipjack catches also shift to the east extending to the Phoenix Islands.
Water temperatures measured in 2002 averaged 29.4 0 C, with a maximum over 30 0 C recorded
in shallows and when snorkleing (Obura and Stone 2003).
Kerr and Wragg (2006) reported that water temperature at 2 m below the surface all survey
sites (around all Phoenix Islands, except Abariringa (Canton)) was 28 o C. The surface
temperature varied from 28 to 30 o C. There was no significant thermocline down to 50 m
depth.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
Current – The ocean current near Abariringa (Canton) was about 255 0 at about 1.5 km per
hour (0.8 knots) (Hydrographic Office 1940; see also McIntire 1960). However, the current
can be stronger at the northwest and southeast points of the island. The Hydrographer of the
Navy (1969) noted that the west current can be at least 2.8 km per hour (1.5 knots) (see also
Hydrographic Office 1916).
Kamachi and O’Brien (1995) examined drift buoy trajectory models for the equatorial Pacific
Ocean. One site tested in their models was Abariringa (Canton). Simulated upper layer
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