Eight new species of fish have been discovered in the CNMI.
Previously, the fish were niether discovered nor described anywhere in the world.
The specimens were found near Tank Beach, part of the Forbidden Island Marine
Sanctuary, during surveys conducted in the summer of 2003. Fisheries scientist
Dr. Kate Moots, in collaboration with visiting scientists and fisheries staff,
collected a number of specimens, described and cataloged them, and is providing
updates to the CNMI Checklist of Fish. Through the Fisheries Research Programs
efforts, the species below were determined to be new records for the CNMI and
for the entire world. By understanding the type, number, and life characteristics
of a variety of fish, fisheries managers can make better, more predictable decisions
to sustain fisheries harvests. Most food fish of the CNMI are well described.
But the smaller fish they may prey on for food are not necessarily well understood.
Many different fish and invertebrate species contribute and are part of the
marine and reef ecosystem. By studying these species, learning the different
types of species and describing how they interact with the environment, fisheries
managers gain a better picture of how the system works as a whole. Such findings
contribute to our ability to use ecosystem-based approaches rather than less
predictable species-by-species approaches to conserve fishery stocks and populations.
It is anticipated that nearly 1200 different species of fish reside in the waters
of the CNMI. The fish shown below exemplify the diversity of our marine ecosystem,
the importance of research and the need to take a precautionary approach in
fisheries management.
New Species of Fish
Discovered in the CNMI
|
| Dinematichthys |
|
| Trimma |
| |
| Enneapterygius |
|
| Helcogramma |
|
| Eviota
sp.1 |
|
|
|
Eviota sp.2
|
| |
