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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
they enter nearshore habitats such as surf zones, reefs, and stream entrances (WPRFMC 2001).
Juvenile sixgill threadfin are found from the shoreline breaker to 100 m depth (WPRFMC 2001).
Life History—Spawning occurs close to shore for three to six days per month and is associated with
the lunar cycle (Myers 1999; WPRFMC 2001). In Hawai’i, the sixfeeler threadfin spawns from June to
September, with a peak in July and August (WPRFMC 2001). Spawning may occur year round in
tropical locations (WPRFMC 2001). Both eggs and larvae are subject to advection by ocean currents
(WPRFMC 2001).
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.
♦ Priacanthidae (Bigeyes)
Status—Two species of the family Priacanthidae (Bigeyes) 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). Both species have EFH designated within the boundaries
of the study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). In addition, the remaining 4 species of bigeyes
found in the study area have designated EFH under the PHCRT (WPRFMC 2001). Currently, no data
are available to determine if bigeyes of the CHCRT are approaching an overfished situation (NMFS
2004a). These species are excellent food-fish but are not important in most fishery areas (Starnes
1999; Amesbury and Myers 2001). These two species are not listed on the IUCN Red List of
threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Priacanthids can be found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian,
and Pacific Oceans (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The glasseye, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, is located circumtropically north to Ryukyu, Bonin, and
Hawaiian Islands, and south to Lord Howe and Easter Island. This species is located throughout
Micronesia (Myers 1999).
The moontail bullseye, Priacanthus hamrur, can be found in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and
southern Africa to southern Japan and Australia, and throughout the central Pacific to French
Polynesia (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Habitat Preferences—Bigeyes are typically epibenthic and are usually associated with rock
formations or coral reefs. This family prefers shaded overhangs, caves, and crevices near the reef
during the daytime (WPRFMC 2001). Occasionally, bigeyes may be associated with more open areas
at depths of 5 to 400 m (Starnes 1999). Eggs larvae and early juvenile stages are pelagic (Froese
and Pauly 2004).
The glasseye is a subtropical species that ranges from 33°N to 32°S at depths from 3 to 300 m
(Froese and Pauly 2004). This species is commonly associated with lagoons or seaward reefs below
the surge zone, generally around islands (Froese and Pauly 2004; Myers 1999). Glasseyes are found
singly or in small groups under or near ledges during the day forming larger groups at dusk to forage.
Juveniles of this species are pelagic (Froese and Pauly 2004).
The moontail bullseye is a tropical species ranging from 32°N to 24°S at depths from 8 to 250 m
(Froese and Pauly 2004). This is a relatively uncommon species that inhabits the outer reef slopes
and deep lagoons at depths from 8 m to greater than 80 m and is probably most common from 30 to
50 m (Starnes 1999; Froese and Pauly 2004).
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