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

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
♦ Fistularidae (Cornetfishes)
Status—One cornetfish species, Fistularia commersonnii, is managed in Micronesia as part of
PHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001). This species occurs in the CNMI and Guam (Amesbury and Myers
2001; Myers and Donaldson 2003) and has EFH designated within the boundaries of the study area
(WPRFMC 2001; NMFS 2004c). Currently, no data are available to determine if the cornetfish of the
PHCRT is approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). Although not important in commercial
fisheries, they are frequently taken in trawls and by various types of artisanal gear and may appear in
local food markets (Fritzsche and Thiesfeld 1999b). This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List of
threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—The cornetfish is distributed in the tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and is
represented by a shallow-water and deepwater species in Indo-Pacific region (Nelson 1994;
WPRFMC 2001).
Habitat Preferences—A shallow-water species, the cornetfish occurs in virtually all reef habitats
except in areas of heavy surge to a depth of 122 m (Myers 1999; Allen et al. 2003). They are usually
seen in relatively open sandy areas within schools of similarly sized individuals (WPRFMC 2001) and
occasionally occur in mid-water, above steep dropoffs (Myers 1999).
Life History—Cornetfish eggs are large, pelagic, and subject to advection by ocean currents
(WPRFMC 2001).
♦ Anomalopidae (Flashlightfishes)
Status—Two flashlight fish species are managed in Micronesia as part of PHCRT by the WPRFMC
(2001). Both 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 flashlightfishes of the PHCRT are
approaching an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). Flashlightfishes are popular species in public
aquariums and a target as bait for local fisherman (Paxton and Johnson 1999). None of the species
found in the study area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
Distribution—Flashlightfishes are scattered in warm-water localities, primarily the Indo-Pacific region
(Nelson 1994).
Habitat Preferences—Flashlighfishes utilize caves and/or crevices within the coral reef habitat
ranging at depths from 30 to 400 m and as shallow as 2 m (Myers 1999). Flashlightfishes are
nocturnal, remaining hidden during the day and venturing out into the water column at night to feed
(WPRFMC 2001). They occur in large aggregations on outer reef slopes on dark, moonless nights
where they probably utilize their light organs for feeding, defense, schooling, or mating (Waikiki
Aquarium 1999d; Allen et al. 2003).
Life History—The eggs of flashlightfishes are pelagic, positively buoyant, and subject to advection by
ocean currents (WPRFMC 2001).
♦ Clupeidae (Herrings, Sprats, and Sardines)
Status—Six clupeid species are managed in Micronesia as part of PHCRT by the WPRFMC (2001).
Two species of sprat 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 sprat of the PHCRT are approaching
an overfished situation (NMFS 2004a). In the Marianas, the blue sprat (Spratelloides delicatulus) is
caught by butterfly (lift) nets and used as bait or food (Myers 1999). None of these species found in
the study area are listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (IUCN 2004).
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