FISH COMMUNITIES

QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENTS AND OPERATIONAL PROTOCOLS

We will conduct underwater visual censuses using belt transect methodology to estimate the structure of the fish assemblage at each site. By collecting information resolved to size for each individual encountered, we will calculate numerical and biomass density estimates for the entire non-cryptic fish assemblage. Further, divers will record the density of large mobile invertebrates, principally the important echinoderms (large sea urchins and crown-of-thorns starfish). These data will provide strong insights into the fisheries potential of each island area, as well as providing essential information for better interpreting patterns of ecological change within the reef environment.