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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
Life History—Eggs of the flounder and sole are pelagic. As larvae metamorphose into juveniles and
adults they become demersal. Information on the reproductive process and the extent of spawning
aggregations in the Indo-Pacific species are lacking (WPRFMC 2001).
♦ Ostraciidae (Trunkfishes)
Status—Six trunkfish species are managed in Micronesia as part of PHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001),
all occur in the CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers 2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003), and all
have EFH designated within the boundaries of the study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c).
Currently, no data are available to determine if trunkfishes of the PHCRT are approaching an
overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). None of the species found in the study area are listed on the
IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Trunkfish or boxfish are distributed in both the Indo-Pacific and Indo-pan-Pacific
regions of Micronesia (Myers 1999; Amesbury and Myers 2001).
Habitat Preferences—Ostraciids are solitary, slow-swimming, diurnal predators that inhabit a variety
of sand and rubble bottom areas (e.g., subtidal reef flats, lagoons, bays, channels, seaward reefs)
covered with moderate to heavy algae or coral growth (Myers 1999; Matsuura 2001a). These fish
have been reported at depths from 1 to100 m (Amesbury and Myers 2001). Postlarvae and juveniles
are commonly collected in grassbeds and other shallow areas (WPRFMC 2001).
Life History—Trunkfish are sexually dimorphic. The species of trunkfish studied so far are haremic
with males defending a large territory with non-territorial females and subordinate males. Trunkfish
spawning occurs in pairs at dusk, usually above a structure (WPRFMC 2001).
♦ Tetradontidae/Diodontidae (Pufferfishes and Porcupinefishes)
Status—Seventeen pufferfish and three porcupinefish species are managed in Micronesia as part of
PHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001). All of these species occur in the CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and
Myers 2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003) and have EFH designated within the boundaries of the
study area (WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). Currently, no data are available to determine if
pufferfishes or porcupinefishes of the PHCRT are approaching an overfished situation (NMFS
2004a). Some porcupine fishes are inflated, dried, and sold as curios (Leis 2001). None of the
species found in the study area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Pufferfish and porcupinefish are distributed worldwide throughout tropical and
temperate waters including brackish and some freshwater habitats (Waikiki Aquarium 1999b;
Matsuura 2001b).
Habitat Preferences—Both groups have reef-associated and pelagic forms utilizing bottom types of
sand, rubble, silt, coral, or rock in estuarine, mangrove, lagoon, and coral reef (e.g., reef flats,
seaward reefs, patch reefs) habitats from the shoreline to 100 m (Myers 1999: WPRFMC 2001).
Pufferfishes feed in the quiet shallow-waters of the reef during the day and rest in caves or crevices
at night. Porcupinefishes also occur close to the reef in quiet waters during the day, often in caves or
under ledges, but emerge at night to feed (Waikiki Aquarium 1999b). Most puffers are solitary but a
few form small aggregations (WPRFMC 2001). Larval forms are pelagic occurring from 0 to 100 m
(WPRFMC 2001).
Life History—Most information on pufferfish reproduction has been collected in temperate locations;
however, some assumptions can be made about tropical species (WPRFMC 2001). All species lay
demersal adhesive eggs, although the courtship often occurs near the surface (Myers 1999). At least
one species, the blacksaddled goby (Canthigaster valentini), is haremic with males spawning at midmorning
with a different female each day. Females then deposit the eggs in tufts of algae (Myers
1999). Porcupinefish may spawn pelagic or demersal eggs depending on species. As observed in
one species, the spiny balloonfish (Diodon holacanthus) spawning takes place at the surface near
4-45