Nomination for a World Heritage Site 2009 - Phoenix Islands ...

Phoenix Islands were the most diverse in terms of species per unit area of shallow water
substrate.
The Phoenix Islands population of Napoleon
Wrasse (Cheilinus undulates,) usually a good
indicator of local fishing pressure, is exceptional
compared to other internationally recognized
marine biodiversity hotspots recently surveyed in
the Indo-Pacific (Table below). As many as 20-25
individuals were seen on each dive in PIPA. The
population could be quickly devastated if foreign
or local ventures started fishing operations. This
species is presently protected under Appendix II
of CITES and although it is not necessarily
threatened by extinction, it could easily vanish if
the trade is not closely controlled.
Photo: David Obura
Frequency of Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) for various locations in the Indo-
Pacific previously surveyed by Conservation International:
Location No. sites % of total Approx. no.
where seen sites seen
Phoenix Islands 2002 47 83.92 412
Milne Bay, PNG – 2000 28 49.12 90
Milne Bay, PNG – 1997 28 52.83 85
Raja Ampat Islands – 2001 7 15.55 7
Togean/Banggai Islands – 1998 6 12.76 8
Weh Island, Sumatra – 1999 0 0.00 0
Calamianes Is., Philippines – 1998 3 7.89 5
Shimada (1951) reported that juvenile skipjack were available in the Phoenix Islands,
indicating that this area was a skipjack spawning area. Further surveys are needed to
determine the extent and importance of the spawning area. Also spawning areas of yellowfin
and bigeye tuna within PIPA need to be investigated.
A list of fish species is attached to the nomination dossier in the Species List attachment.
Marine invertebrates
The motile invertebrate fauna of the Phoenix Islands is low in diversity, has a number of
taxonomic gaps, and densities of large invertebrates are generally low. During 2002 New
England Aquarium expedition echinoderms were the most diverse and prominent phylum
sampled, though with low species richness, noticeable for all the major classes – sea stars, sea
cucumbers, brittle stars and sea urchins. Some species were abundant on all islands, such as
the sea star Linckia multifora and in shallow waters, the urchin Echinometra mathaei.
Kanton and Orona host spectacular giant clam (Tridacna maxima) communities in sizes
rarely seen elsewhere in the world. The density of these giant clams in Orona lagoon is the
highest ever observed by the New England Aquarium expedition scientists (2002), a
particularly unique feature within PIPA. Obura (in press) reported patches of Tridacna
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