Mesophotic coral ecosystems : potential candidates as essential fish habitat and habitat areas of particular concern

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

Blyth-Skyrme, V.

Rooney, John J. B. (John Joseph Bowman)

Parrish, Frank A.

Boland, Raymond C.

United States, National Marine Fisheries Service,

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)

United States, National Marine Fisheries Service,

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)

2013

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are light-dependent communities of corals, algae, sponges, and other organisms that exist at depths between approximately 30 m to 150 m. Little known until recently and understudied relative to shallower reefs, MCEs may contain significant coral reef ecosystem resources, including both luxuriant coral reefs and diverse fish communities. Research in the Pacific Islands Region over the last few years has produced data to facilitate a better awareness of the distribution and potential significance of MCEs, but they are still relatively unknown and remain absent from most coral reef ecosystem monitoring programs and management considerations. We synthesize results of research to map the distribution of benthic habitats and communities at mesophotic depths within the region and discuss them within the context of requirement to identify and manage essential fish habitat for managed species mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act".

Conservation

Coral reef conservation

Coral reef ecology

Coral reef fishes

Coral reef management

Corals

Habitat

Marine ecosystem management

Research

Islands of the Pacific

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)

PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center)

CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)

Administrative Report

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center administrative report H ; 13-02

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are light-dependent communities of corals, algae, sponges, and other organisms that exist at depths between approximately 30 m to 150 m. Little known until recently and understudied relative to shallower reefs, MCEs may contain significant coral reef ecosystem resources, including both luxuriant coral reefs and diverse fish communities. Research in the Pacific Islands Region over the last few years has produced data to facilitate a better awareness of the distribution and potential significance of MCEs, but they are still relatively unknown and remain absent from most coral reef ecosystem monitoring programs and management considerations. We synthesize results of research to map the distribution of benthic habitats and communities at mesophotic depths within the region and discuss them within the context of requirement to identify and manage essential fish habitat for managed species mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act".

2013

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)

PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center)

CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)

Library

Public Domain

1860

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/740