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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
night (Froese and Pauly 2004). Juveniles are associated with coral-rich areas of lagoon reefs, usually
among thickets of Acropora corals (Froese and Pauly 2004). The eggs and larvae of this species are
pelagic (Sadovy et al. 2003).
Life History—Wrasses are pelagic spawners and schooling behavior is usually associated with
reproduction. In tropical waters, spawning occurs year-round along the outer edge of the patch reef or
along the outer slope of more extensive reefs. Many labrids migrate to prominent coral or rock
outcrops to spawn. Wrasses may spawn in large aggregations or in pairs depending on the maturity
of the individuals (WPRFMC 2001).
The humphead wrasse may spawn in small or large groupings and spawning coincides with certain
phases of the tidal cycle. This species is a daily spawner that does not migrate far from its spawning
area (resident spawner) (Sadovy et al. 2003). Humpheads may spawn during several or all months of
the year associated with a range of different reef habitats (Sadovy et al. 2003).
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-10, D-14, and D-18; Table 4-5)
Eggs, Larvae, Juvenile, and Adult―The water column and all bottom habitats extending from
the shoreline to the outer boundary of the EEZ to a depth of 100 m.
♦ Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Status—Eleven of the 13 species of the family Mullidae that are managed in Micronesia as part of
the CHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001) and occur in CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers 2001;
Myers and Donaldson 2003). All 11 have EFH designated within the boundaries of the study area
(WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the remaining three species of goatfishes found in the
study area have designated EFH under the PHCRT (WPRFMC 2001). Currently, no data are
available to determine if goatfishes of the CHCRT are approaching an overfished situation (NMFS
2004a). A number of goatfish are commercially important in the western Pacific and most of the catch
is marketed fresh (Randall 2001b). None of the species found in the study area are listed on the
IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Goatfish are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Indian, and
Pacific Oceans (Froese and Pauly 2004). The majority of species in this family can be found in the
Indo-West Pacific region (Allen and Steene 1987).
Habitat Preferences—Generally, goatfish are found over sandy areas in shallow-waters adjacent to
reefs at depths at about 10 m (Allen and Steene 1987; WPRFMC 2001). However, some species
have been reported as deep as 140 m (WPRFMC 2001). Goatfish eggs and larvae are pelagic and
adults and juveniles are found in demersal habitats associated with coral reefs, rocks, sand, mud,
crevices, and ledges (WPRFMC 2001).
Life History—Goatfish are commonly found schooling and may spawn either in groups or pairs
(WPRFMC 2001). Goatfish are pelagic spawners and aggregations of 300 to 400 individuals are
common for certain species (Allen and Steene 1987).
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-10, D-14, and D-18; Table 4-5)
Eggs and Larvae―The water column extending from the shoreline to the outer boundary of
the EEZ to a depth of 100 m.
Juvenile and Adult―All rocky/coral and sand-bottom habitat and the adjacent water column
from 0 to 100 m.
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