Bringing Back the Big Ones

Ask anyone what fishing was like "back in the day" and you will likely hear stories of big fish and huge catches. In the stories today the fish are smaller as are the catches.  Our goal is to bring back some of the big fish that were around in the past so that they are again a viable, abundant resource.

Thanks to funding through a Proactive Species Conservation Grant from National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Adminisration's National Marine Fisheries Service* we are assessing the status of Atuhong (Bolbometopon muricatum) and Tanguisson (Cheilinus undulatus) in the Marianas (CNMI and Guam). We hope the information collected will help build our understanding of population numbers and habitat use needed for development of management plans for both species.

We intend to work with all stakeholders to map out a path to bringing these fishes back in abundance. If you would like to be directly involved, please contact the projects principle investigators, listed at the bottom of this page.

*The Fine Print
This webpage was prepared by under award NA08NMF4720496 from NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources, U.S. Department of Commerce.  The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NOAA NMFS OPR or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Step One: Where are they Now?

The CNMI Marine Monitoring Team are surveying around the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Agijuan and Rota to evaluate where the fish are- big and small.  This coming year we will extend these surveys to include Guam. Towed diver surveys are being used to cover ground and primarily find where the big fish are-- or are not.  Diving and snorkel surveys are being used to find where fish are in more restricted areas-- such as Saipan Lagoon.

Step Two: Where where they back when?

Although we can get a sense of how Atuhong and Tanguisson doing now through scientific surveys, understanding the past is more of a challenge.  We are compiling a list of references that include mention of these animals.  This work is nearly complete and we will post the bibliography online when finished.

We are also interviewing knowledgable fishermen who have had the chance to spend some time catching both Atuhong and Tanguisson-- and a lifetime to build an understanding of the life histories of these fish in the Marianas.  Because there is almost no scientific information on these species prior to the early 1980's, we are hoping the collective knowledge of local fishermen will provide a better understanding what things used to be like.  This information will give us an idea of what realistic goals for rebuilding populations of these fishes are. If you would like to participate, please contact us.

Step Three: Get the Word Out 

Once we have completed our survey work-- later this coming year (2010), we will share our findings.  This will include the results of our literature review, the surveys with knowledgeable fishermen and our scientific surveys. At that time we will provide initial recommendations on steps individuals can voluntarily take to help bring back Atuhong and Tanguisson in the Marianas. 

Step Four: Bringing 'em Back

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a management plan for the recovery of these species in the Marianas. We will need the input of fishermen, resource managers, divers, and other stakeholders to develop a plan for improving the numbers of Atuhong and Tanguisson. Please feel free to contact us directly and participate in the public meetings-- we will be sending out announcements toward the end of 2010.  Your views and suggestions are important to us.

Contacts:

CNMI
John Starmer, Coral Reef Biologist
Coastal Resources Management Office
(670)664-8303
john.starmer {at} crm.gov.mp

Guam
Jay Gutierrez, Aquatic (Fisheries) Supervisor
Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources
(671) 735-3984
jaytgutierrez {at} guamdawr.org

More Information:

NOAA NMFS Office of Protected Resources
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/

NOAA NMFS Proactive Species Conservation
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/concern/grant.htm

Fishbase- A comprehensive fish database
http://www.fishbase.org/

Tanguisson from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheilinus_undulatus

Atuhong from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumphead_parrotfish


BioSearch... Volunteer with the MMT!

Do you log your dives? Do you want to help build our understanding of Atuhong and Tanguisson? You can do both by participating in the BioSearch Program.  By filling out observations about your dive or snorkel, you can help us fill out our understanding of where these species of interest are found.

To find out more about this program, visit the BioSearch Homepage.