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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
Habitat Preferences—Adult flagtails are usually found in shallow-waters and form schools on the
outer edge of surge-swept reefs where they aggregate under ledges, in holes, or in caves during the
day (WPRFMC 2001; Froese and Pauly 2004). At night the schools break up and the fish forage in
the water column above the reef (Froese and Pauly 2004). Juveniles are found individually or in small
aggregations in tidal pools or along shallow shoreline areas (Froese and Pauly 2004). Flagtails can
tolerate a wide range of salinities and can be found in freshwater, brackish water, or salt water
(WPRFMC 2001). The barred flagtail is found in tropical waters from 32°N to 32°S at depths from 3 to
18 m (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Life History—Information is lacking on the life history of this family (WPRFMC 2001).
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-12, D-16, and D-20; Table 4-5)
Eggs and Larvae―The water column from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ to a
depth of 100 m.
Adult and Juveniles―All bottom habitat and the adjacent water column from 0 to 46 m.
♦ Kyphosidae (Rudderfishes)
Status—Three species of the family Kyphosidae are managed in Micronesia as part of the CHCRT
by the WPRFMC (2001) and are reported as occurring in the CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers
2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003) and Micronesia (2005). All three species have EFH designated
within the boundaries of the study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the one
remaining rudderfish species found in the study area has designated EFH under the PHCRT
(WPRFMC 2001). Currently, no data are available to determine if rudderfishes of the CHCRT are
approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). These species are highly valued food-fish and
are taken by handline, gill net, and spear fishing (Sakai 2001). None of the species found in the study
area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Rudderfish are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans (Froese and Pauly
2004). In the Indo-Pacific, this family is found throughout tropical and subtropical waters from Easter
Island westward to the Red Sea (WPRFMC 2001).
Habitat Preferences—Rudderfish are found near shore over rocky bottoms or associated with coral
reefs along exposed coasts (Froese and Pauly 2004; WPRFMC 2001). Adults are usually found
swimming several meters above the bottom. The blue sea chub (Kyphosus. cenerascens) occurs at
depths of at least 24 m (WPRFMC 2001). Eggs, larvae, and juveniles are found in the upper layer of
pelagic waters. Juveniles are often found far out at sea associated with floating debris (Myers 1999;
WPRFMC 2001).
The grey rudderfish, K. bigibbus, is found in tropical waters from 35°N to 28°S typically associated
with reefs (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The highfin rudderfish, K. cinerascens, is found in tropical waters from 35°N to 30°S at depths from 1
to 24 m (Froeses and Pauly 2004).
The lowfin rudderfish, K. vaigiensis, is found in tropical waters from 30°N to 28°S at depths from 1 to
24 m (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Life History—Very little information is available on the spawning and migration of rudderfish. Eggs
and larvae are both subject to advection by ocean currents (WPRFMC 2001). Adults spawn in large
numbers in pelagic waters (Froese and Pauly 2004).
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