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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
the export of aquarium species but only has one commercial operation at this time (WPRFMC 2001). The
EFH designations for all aquarium species managed as CHCRT are described in the following
paragraphs.
EFH Designations—(WPRFMC 2001; Figures D-10, D-14, and D-18; Table 4-5)
Eggs and Larvae―All waters from 0 to 100 m from the shoreline to the limits of the EEZ.
Juvenile and Adult―All coral, rubble, or other hard-bottom features and the adjacent water
column from 0 to 100 m.
♦ Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes)
A complete summary of the family Acanthuridae including EFH and HAPC designations is provided
earlier in the CHCRT section. The following three surgeonfishes will be addressed individually.
Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Status—The yellow tang is managed in Micronesia as part of the CHCRT by the WPRFMC
(2001), has been reported as occurring in CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers 2001; Myers
and Donaldson 2003), and has EFH designation within the boundaries of the study area
(WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). Currently, no data are available to determine if the yellow tang is
approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). This species is not listed on the IUCN Red
List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—The yellow tang can be found in the Pacific Ocean associated with Ryukyu,
Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake, and Hawaiian Islands (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Habitat Preferences—Yellow tangs inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs from
below the surge to approximately 46 m. This species can be found in tropical waters from 30°N to
15°N in water temperatures ranging from 24° to 28°C at depths between 2 and 46 m (Froese and
Pauly 2004).
Life History—At this time, information on the life stages of the yellow tang is limited. The yellow
tang may spawn in groups or pairs (Myers 1999).
Yellow-eyed Surgeon Fish (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Status—The yellow-eyed surgeonfish is managed in Micronesia as part of the CHCRT by the
WPRFMC (2001), has been reported as occurring in CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers
2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003), and has EFH designation within the boundaries of the study
area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). Currently, no data are available to determine if the yelloweyed
surgeonfish of the CHCRT is approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). This
species is not listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—The yellow-eyed surgeonfish can be found in the Indo-Pacific region from east
Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie Islands. Its range is bounded to the north by the
Bonin Islands and to the south by the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. This species can
be found throughout Micronesia (Myers 1999).
Habitat Preferences—The yellow-eyed surgeonfish inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and
seaward reefs. This species can be found in tropical waters from 30°N to 30°S in water
temperatures ranging from 21° to 27°C at depths between 1 and 113 m (Froese and Pauly 2004).
Life History—Very little information exists on the life history of the yellow-eyed surgeonfish. This
species has been observed spawning in pairs (Myers 1999).
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