RESULTS TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO Figure 21
MEAN FISH BIOMASS (KG/100 M 2) BY CATEGORY IN THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO.
relative size frequency distribution of selected important fish families also highlighted the high occurrence of fish of larger sizes between 21-30 cm, and 31-40 cm (Figure 22). This distribution was especially evident at Aratika and Fakarava for the 21-30 cm size class and at Toau for the 31-40 cm size class. Fish between 51-100 cm in length were also notable at Aratika. The fish families included in Figure 22 were mostly important target fish species such as surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), jacks (Carangidae), Maori wrasse (Labridae), emperor (Lethrinidae), snapper (Lutjanidae), parrotfish (Scaridae), groupers (Serranidae), barracuda
Figure 22
(Sphyraenidae), sharks (Carcharhinidae), RELATIVE SIZE CLASS DISTRIBUTION (%) BASED ON TOTAL DENSITIES OF SELECTED IMPORTANT SPECIES IN THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO.
nurse sharks (Ginglymostomatidae), and rays (Myliobatidae). The single most important species in terms of its total accumulated biomass was the blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinidae). This shark was encountered in numerous occasions at Fakarava and Hao. The fish communities at the survey locations within Tuamotu were impressive. They boasted high species richness, and exceptional densities and biomass especially of important target species. While small-bodied minor, major and indicator reef species were abundant, large target species and top predators such as sharks were common and abundant, and these accounted for the high biomass at Tuamotu.
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