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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
♦ Mugilidae (Mullets)
Status—Three species of the family Mugilidae (Mullets) 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 three have EFH designated within the boundaries of the study area
(WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the remaining two species of mugulids found in the study
area have designated EFH under the PHCRT (WPRFMC 2001). Currently, no data are available to
determine if mullets of the CHCRT are approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). Several
species of mullets are of moderate to major importance to fisheries in the western Pacific and smallscale,
subsistence fisheries are probably also relatively prominent (Harrison and Senou 1999). None
of the species found in the study area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN
2004).
Distribution—The family Mugilidae can be found in all tropical and temperate seas but are most
speciose in the Indo-West Pacific region (Harrison and Senou 1999; Foese and Pauly 2004).
The kanda, Valamugil engeli, is found in the Indo-Pacific region from East Africa to the Marquesan
and Tuamoto islands and north to the Yaeyamas (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The acute-jawed mullet, Neomyxus leuciscus, is found in the Pacific Ocean around southern Japan
and the Mariana, and Bonin Islands east to the Hawaiian, Line, and Ducie Islands. In Micronesia this
species is found around the Ifaluk, Mariana, and Marshal Islands (Froese and Pauly, 2004).
The fringelip mullet, Crenimugil crenilabis, is found in the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea and
East Africa to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe Island
(Harrison and Senou 1999).
Habitat Preferences—Most species of mullet are euryhaline and occupy diverse habitats including
marine, brackish lagoons, estuaries, and freshwater environments (Harrison and Senou 1999). Some
species more typically inhabit brackish waters. Mullets are generally found feeding over reefs or
sandy bottoms at depths around 20 m (Harrison and Senou 1999; WPRFMC 2001).
The kanda is found in tropical waters from 25°N to 24°S usually associated with coral reefs. Adults
usually inhabit sandy to muddy areas of reef flats and shallow lagoons while juveniles are generally
found in tide pools (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The acute-jawed mullet is found in tropical waters between 30°N and 30°S at depths from 0 to 4 m.
This species inhabits sandy shores, tide pools, and rocky surge areas. The acute-jawed mullet tends
to move inshore to surface waters at night (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The fringelip mullet inhabits tropical waters from 32°N to 32°S at depths from 0 to 20 m. This species
is found in coastal waters, over sandy or muddy areas of lagoons, reef flats and tide pools (Froese
and Pauly 2004).
Life History—Very little information concerning the spawning and migration of these species is
available. It is presumed that the eggs and larvae are dispersed by advection. The acute-jawed mullet
is a schooling species. The fringelip mullet forms large schools before spawning. Spawning occurs in
June over the shallow, open areas of the lagoon slope and spawning events usually take place after
dark in large aggregations (Froese and Pauly 2004).
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-12, D-16, and D-20; Table 4-5)
Eggs/Larvae―The water column from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ to a depth
of 100 m.
Juvenile/Adult―All sand and mud bottoms and the adjacent water column from 0 to 46 m.
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