[Coral-List] FW: [ReefCheck-list] Reef Fishes dying in huge numbers

[julian]

Looking at the list of species this does not appear to be a random selection
of reef fishes. On the contrary it appears that all the fish, with the
exception of the Snapper Lutjanus, are open water plankton feeders.
Coincidence?

The snapper might be feeding on the affected species and so become infected.

Julian

> From: "Gregor Hodgson" <gregorh at ucla.edu>
> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 20:29:43 -0800
> To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Subject: [Coral-List] FW: [ReefCheck-list] Reef Fishes dying in huge numbers
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Taratau Kirata [mailto:TaratauK at mnrd.gov.ki]
> Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 5:48 PM
> To: 'ReefCheck-list at yahoogroups.com'
> Subject: [ReefCheck-list] Reef Fishes dying in huge numbers
> 
> 
> I would just like to report and if possible would like
> thoughts/comments on the incidence.
> 
> Fish species of Naso annulatus, Alectis ciliaris, Alectis inducus,
> Carangoides orthogrammus, Lutjanus gibbus, Melichthys niger, Melichthys
> vidua are reported of in its third week of dying on four islands in our
> Kiribati group.  On some islands it is still going on while others stop, but
> two more new islands are also experiencing this.
> 
> The islands are all coral atolls where they have small or
> no lagoon.  The fishes are reported dying on the outer reef near to the open
> ocean.  The fishes can be seen being washed ashore onto the beach at
> specific locations on these islands in large numbers (250-400).  The numbers
> may be greater for some species and slightly fewer for other species.
> 
> The local people and fisheries are suspecting it is something related to
> increase in
> water temperature around the area.  However, this arises another doubt since
> we believe this fishes are able to tolerate increase in water temperature
> (slight).  Since the area which this thing is happening is in the open
> sea, it may be that the area which increases in water temperature is large
> and that the temperature rise is more than slight, or what do you think.
> 
> Our local people are very concerned owning to the fact that we depend
> heavily on these resources for our livelihood.
> 
> Thank you.  Should you like further information on this I am always
> available in supplying it.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Taratau Kirata
> Fisheries Officer
> Ministry of Fisheries
> Kiribati Government
> 
> 
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