Recruit-habitat associations in the Main and Northwest Hawaiian Islands (funded by NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) 

 

 

 

Several studies have documented relationships between the distribution and abundance of fishes and the habitats in which they reside. Surprisingly, little information exists on the relationship between young recruits (fish that have recently settled to reefs from a pelagic existence) and coral reef habitats in Hawaii.  Beginning in 2006, Ed DeMartini (NOAA Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center), Todd Anderson (SDSU), Alan Friedlander (NOAA National Ocean Service; Oceanic Institute), and Jim Beets (University of Hawaii, Hilo)  have begun documenting recruitment and habitat associations of Hawaiian reef fishes in the Main (Big Island, Oahu) and Northwest (Midway Atoll) Hawaiian Islands. 

The Main Hawaiian Islands represent more coral-rich but predator-poor regions whereas the Northwest Hawaiian Islands are characterized by relatively coral-poor, predator-rich reefs.  The current focal species for this study are wrasses (Labridae) and parrotfishes (Scaridae).  Documenting the magnitude of recruitment and habitat associations with coral and other substrata in both of these regions will provide a better understanding of the habitat requirements of Hawaiian coral reef fishes.