Ichthyological Field Data of Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia, 1952

Study Extent

Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

Sampling

A variety of sampling methods was employed during the survey. At various times sailing canoes, outrigger canoes, outboard motorboats, an outboard motor, and a small cutter were made available by the natives for transportation. Generally, three native assistants helped with the handling of the boats and the collecting. Dr. Newell made available his shallow water diving equipment for four stations in 20 to 40 feet of water. Many types of hooks and lines were tried, and the natives were most helpful in providing this type of fishing gear. About three-fourths of the time at Raroia was spent in the field by the fish crew, and the remainder was used in preserving and packing the fishes and taking notes. The gear that was actually available for fish collecting is listed below.

Method steps

1. Transportation: 35 horse outboard motor; anchors.
2. Spear fishing gear: Champion rubber sling gun; Hawaiian slings (2); spear shafts with simple hinged barbs (6); simple spear loaned by natives.
3. Swimming gear: Depth gauges (2); Swim fins (2 pr.); Snorkels (1); Tabe shoes (2 pr.); Squale face masks (2); Diving underwear (1 pr.).
4. Ichthyocide gear: Rotenone-powdered (app. 385 lbs.); Cloth sacks (6); Inner tube floats (2); Galvanized buckets (3); Dipnets-small (6); Dipnets-large (6); Shark repellent (20 pkgs.).
5. Fishing Tackle: Navy survival fishing kit; Assorted nylon lines; Assorted hooks loaned by natives.
6. Preservation: Formaldehyde (35 gals.); Washtubs (3); Porcelain and plastic trays (3); Museum jars S oz. (24); Screw top vials (50); Canning machine and 50 cans; cone soft string; Sodium borate (2 qts.); Cheese cloth 50 yard bolts (4); Burlap sacking 3 x 100'; Numbered tin tags.
7. Steel Drums: 54 gal. (5); 35 gal. (4).
8. Records: Collection resistall labels (4OO); Field data sheets (100); Record Books (3); Higgins Eternal ink and pens.
9. Fish Books: Tinker: Hawaiian fishes (1914); Schulte: Fishes of the Phoenix and Samoan Islands (1943); Fowler: Fishes of Oceania (1928).
10. Photographic Equipment: 35 mm. Kodak Signet, accessories, and film; 4 x 5 Speed Graphic, accessories, and film.

Raroia Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia