SPC PROCFish/C Invertebrates Observations French Polynesia 2003, 2004 and 2006

Study Extent

Fakarava, Maatea, Mataiea, Raivavae, Tikehau in French Polynesia

Sampling

Diversity and abundance of invertebrate species were determined using a range of survey techniques, including broad-scale assessment (using the manta-tow technique) and finer-scale assessment of specific reef and benthic habitats. Broad-scale assessments were used to record large sedentary invertebrates; transects were 300 m long × 2 m wide, across inshore, midshore and more exposed oceanic habitats. Fine-scale assessments were conducted in target areas (areas with naturally higher abundance and/or the most suitable habitat) to specifically describe resource status. Fine-scale assessments were conducted of both reef (hard-bottom) and sandy (soft-bottom) areas to assess the range, size, and condition of invertebrate species present and to determine the nature and condition of the habitat with greater accuracy. These assessments were conducted using 40 m transects (1 m wide swathe, six replicates per station) recording most epi-benthic resources (those living on the bottom) and potential indicator species. For trochus and bêche-de-mer fisheries, searches to assess aggregations were made in the surf zone along exposed reef edges. On occasion, when time and conditions allowed, dives to 25–35 m were made to determine the availability of deeper-water sea cucumber populations. Night searches were conducted on inshore reefs to assess nocturnal sea cucumber species See http://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/pfj5w

Quality Control

Data from reef front search 4 & 5 in Fakarava excluded as it is missing a GPS position

Method steps

1. Multiple observations for the same species aggregated by replicate. For replicates with a start and end positions (manta tow), the position provided is the middle point.

1. Acanthaster planci
2. Actinopyga mauritiana
3. Arca sp.
4. Astralium sp.
5. Atrina sp.
6. Bohadschia argus
7. Bohadschia marmorata
8. Bohadschia vitiensis
9. Cassis cornuta
10. Cerithium sp.
11. Chama sp.
12. Charonia tritonis
13. Chicoreus ramosus
14. Conus flavidus
15. Conus miles
16. Conus nimbosus
17. Conus sp.
18. Culcita novaeguineae
19. Cymatium sp.
20. Cypraea sp.
21. Cypraea tigris
22. Diadema sp.
23. Drupa sp.
24. Drupella sp.
25. Echinometra mathaei
26. Echinothrix calamaris
27. Echinothrix diadema
28. Echinothrix sp.
29. Erosaria erosa
30. Heterocentrotus mamillatus
31. Holothuria atra
32. Holothuria fuscogilva
33. Holothuria hilla
34. Holothuria leucospilota
35. Holothuria nobilis
36. Lambis lambis
37. Lambis sp.
38. Lambis truncata
39. Linckia laevigata
40. Luria isabella
41. Mauritia arabica
42. Monetaria annulus
43. Monetaria caputserpentis
44. Monetaria moneta
45. Monetaria obvelata
46. Octopus cyanea
47. Octopus sp.
48. Panulirus sp.
49. Pinctada margaritifera
50. Spondylus sp.
51. Stichodactyla sp.
52. Stichopus horrens
53. Strombus sp.
54. Synapta sp.
55. Tectus niloticus
56. Terebra sp.
57. Thais sp.
58. Thelenota ananas
59. Thelenota anax
60. Tridacna maxima
61. Tripneustes gratilla
62. Turbo crassus
63. Turbo marmoratus
64. Turbo setosus
65. Turbo sp.
66. Tylothais aculeata
67. Vasum ceramicum

Fakarava, Maatea, Mataiea, Raivavae, Tikehau in French Polynesia