Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-11, D-15, and D-19; Table 4-5)
Eggs and Larvae―N/A
Adult and Juveniles―All bottom habitat and the adjacent water column from 0 to 100 m to the
outer extent of the EEZ.
♦ Holocentridae (Soldierfishes/Squirrelfishes)
Status—Seventeen of the 19 holocentrid species (nine soldierfish and eight squirrelsfish) that are
managed in Micronesia as part of the CHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001) and are reported as occurring
in CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers 2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003), and have EFH
designated within the boundaries of the study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the
remaining 16 holocentrid species found in the study area have designated EFH under the PHCRT
(WPRFMC 2001). Currently, no data are available to determine if soldierfishes/squirrelfishes of the
CHCRT are approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). These fish are commonly sold in fish
markets and are popular aquarium fish (Allen and Steene 1987). None of the species found in the
study area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Squirrelfish and soldierfish are found throughout the tropical Atlantic, Indian, and
Pacific Oceans, with most species occurring in the Indo-Pacific region (Allen and Steene 1987).
Habitat Preferences—Soldierfish and squirrelfish occupy relatively shallow-water over coral reefs or
rocky bottoms (Randall and Greenfield 1999). Most holocentrid fishes are nocturnally active and
occupy the water column above the reef at night (Myers 1999). During the day, they can be found
along dropoffs, in or near caves and crevices, under rocks or coral overhangs, or among branching
corals. Holocentrid fishes are found from shallow-water down to approximately 40 m, with some
species occurring as deep as 235 m (WPRFMC 2001). Adults are usually demersal and larvae are
planktonic for several weeks (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Life History—Little is known about the embryonic development and larval cycles of Holocentrids. In
one species of Holocentridae, the brick soldierfish (Myripristis amaena), spawning occurs in open
water and peaks in early April to early May, with a secondary peak in September. Spawning for this
species is correlated with the lunar cycle (WPRFMC 2001).
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-10, D-14, and D-18; Table 4-5)
Eggs and Larvae―The water column from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the EEZ to
a depth of 100 m.
Adult and Juveniles―All rocky and coral areas and the adjacent water column from 0 to 100
m.
♦ Kuhliidae (Flagtails)
Status—One flagtail species, the barred flagtail, Kuhlia mugil, is managed in Micronesia as part of
the CHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001). This species has been reported as occurring in CNMI and
Guam (Amesbury and Myers 2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003) and has EFH designated within the
boundaries of the study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the remaining two flagtail
species found in the study area have designated EFH under the PHCRT (WPRFMC 2001). Currently,
no data are available to determine if the barred flagtail of the CHCRT are approaching an overfished
situation (NMFS 2004a). None of the species found in the study area are listed on the IUCN Red List
of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Flagtails are distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region (WPRFMC 2001). In the
Indo-Pacific, the barred flagtail ranges in the west from the Red Sea and East Africa to the eastern
Pacific, and from southern Japan in the north, south to New South Wales and Lord Howe Island
(Carpenter 2001a).
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