This report on the status of Micronesian coral reef ecosystems has been summarised from more detailed reports in 'The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2004', which will be... more
This report on the status of Micronesian coral reef ecosystems has been summarised from more detailed reports in 'The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2004', which will be available at www.nccos.nos.noaa.gov in February ...
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Our changing climate poses growing challenges for effective management of marine life, ocean ecosystems, and human communities. Which species are most vulnerable to climate change, and where should management focus efforts to reduce these... more
Our changing climate poses growing challenges for effective management of marine life, ocean ecosystems, and human communities. Which species are most vulnerable to climate change, and where should management focus efforts to reduce these risks? To address these questions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Climate Science Strategy called for vulnerability assessments in each of NOAA’s ocean regions. The Pacific Islands Vulnerability Assessment (PIVA) project assessed the susceptibility of 83 marine species to the impacts of climate change projected to 2055. In a standard Rapid Vulnerability Assessment framework, this project applied expert knowledge, literature review, and climate projection models to synthesize the best available science towards answering these questions. Here we: (1) provide a relative climate vulnerability ranking across species; (2) identify key attributes and factors that drive vulnerability; and (3) identify critical data gap...
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The 290 km long Mariana Islands Archipelago encompasses 14 islands of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam, and numerous offshore banks (Figure 15.1). From a geological perspective, the... more
The 290 km long Mariana Islands Archipelago encompasses 14 islands of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam, and numerous offshore banks (Figure 15.1). From a geological perspective, the islands can be divided into two groups: a southern and a northern island arc region. Although the islands of the older southern arc, which includes Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and Farallon
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Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were... more
Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were noted to have stranded during this period on Tinian, one identified as Balaenoptera edeni, the Byrdes whale, while the other was not identified. The planned expansion of mili- tary activities in the Marianas Archipelago, particularly the use of sonar and the potential impact on cetaceans, is noted.
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The 290 km long Mariana Islands Archipelago encompasses 14 islands of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam, and numerous offshore banks (Figure 15.1). From a geological perspective, the... more
The 290 km long Mariana Islands Archipelago encompasses 14 islands of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam, and numerous offshore banks (Figure 15.1). From a geological perspective, the islands can be divided into two groups: a southern and a northern island arc region. Although the islands of the older southern arc, which includes Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and Farallon
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Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were... more
Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were noted to have stranded during this period on Tinian, one identified as Balaenoptera edeni, the Byrdes whale, while the other was not identified. The planned expansion of mili- tary activities in the Marianas Archipelago, particularly the use of sonar and the potential impact on cetaceans, is noted.
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Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were... more
Documented strandings in the Commonwealth of the North- ern Mariana Islands over the past 17 years are reviewed with recorded autopsy information provided. Most of the strandings occurred on the island of Saipan, although two whales were noted to have stranded during this period on Tinian, one identified as Balaenoptera edeni, the Byrdes whale, while the other was not identified. The planned expansion of mili- tary activities in the Marianas Archipelago, particularly the use of sonar and the potential impact on cetaceans, is noted.
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The topshell Trochus niloticus was introduced into the Mariana Islands during the Japanese mandate years, 1914–1944, when 2974 trochus were planted on Saipan in March 1938 (Asano 1938). The suc-
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Administrative Reports are issued to promptly disseminate scientific and technical information to marine resource managers, scientists, and the general public. Their contents cover a range of... more
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Administrative Reports are issued to promptly disseminate scientific and technical information to marine resource managers, scientists, and the general public. Their contents cover a range of topics, including biological and economic research, stock assessment, trends in fisheries, and other subjects. Administrative Reports typically have not been reviewed outside the Center. As such, they are considered informal publications. The material presented in Administrative Reports may later be published in the formal scientific literature after more rigorous verification, editing, and peer review. Other publications are free to cite Administrative Reports as they wish provided the informal nature of the contents is clearly indicated and proper credit is given to the author(s).
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Research Interests: Engineering and Geography
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In the present study, life-history traits of importance to fisheries management were estimated for the forktail rabbitfish (Siganus argenteus) based on fishery-dependent samples collected over a 2-year period in the Commonwealth of the... more
In the present study, life-history traits of importance to fisheries management were estimated for the forktail rabbitfish (Siganus argenteus) based on fishery-dependent samples collected over a 2-year period in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Age-based and reproductive information was derived from analysis of sagittal otoliths and gonads. The species is short-lived, with a maximum age of 7+ years, and females reach sexual maturity at ~1.3 years (21.8-cm fork length). Age distributions and total mortality rates were similar between sexes. However, females on average reached larger asymptotic sizes, with estimates of mean asymptotic length exceeding that of males by 2cm. Reproductive cycles, based on temporal variation in gonadosomatic index values and proportional frequency of active ovaries, demonstrated two annual activity peaks, consistent across 2years of sampling. Peak spawning occurred from March to May–June, whereas a second, smaller peak spanned August and ...
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John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter... more
John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter Vroom7,8, Kevin Wong7 ...
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John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter... more
John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter Vroom7,8, Kevin Wong7 ...
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A comprehensive status review report in response to a petition to list the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
The Mariana Islands are a chain of 16 volcanic peaks stretching over a distance of approximately 2,500 km from 13° to 21° N latitude and centered at 145° E longitude (Fig. 19.1). Politically, the area is divided into two jurisdictions,... more
The Mariana Islands are a chain of 16 volcanic peaks stretching over a distance of approximately 2,500 km from 13° to 21° N latitude and centered at 145° E longitude (Fig. 19.1). Politically, the area is divided into two jurisdictions, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Guam is a US territory located at 13°28' N, 144°45' E
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In 2004-2005, several species of marine fish were collected for mercury (Hg) analysis from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Relatively high concentrations were found in representatives from the Hafa... more
In 2004-2005, several species of marine fish were collected for mercury (Hg) analysis from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Relatively high concentrations were found in representatives from the Hafa Adai Beach area located some distance from known sources of Hg contamination. A follow-up investigation aimed at identifying additional land-based sources of Hg in the area was launched in early 2007. The study identified a medical waste incinerator as the primary source of Hg enrichment. The incinerator was operational for about 20 years before it was closed down by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in January 2006, for multiple violations of the Clean Air Act. Stormwater runoff from this facility entered a drainage network that discharged into the ocean at the southern end of Hafa Adai Beach, about 1 km away. At the time of this investigation storm drain sediments at the coast were only marginally enriched with mercury although values some 50x above background were detected in drainage deposits a few meters down-gradient of the incinerator site. Mercury concentrations in fish from the Hafa Adai Beach area were also significantly lower than those determined in similar species 3 yr earlier. The implications of the data are briefly discussed.
Research Interests: Environmental Toxicology, Toxicology, Coral Reefs, Mercury Pollution, Coral Reef Ecology, and 15 moreHeavy metals, Environmental Sciences, Incineration, Heavy Metal Pollution, Mercury, Heavy Metals in Environment, Animals, Fishes, Mercury in Fish, Micronesia, Marine Fish, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Fresh water, Clean Air Act, and Environmental Protection Agency
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is part of the 290 kilometer (km) long Mariana Islands Archipelago that encompasses the 14 islands of the CNMI, numerous offshore banks, and the US Territory of Guam. The... more
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is part of the 290 kilometer (km) long Mariana Islands Archipelago that encompasses the 14 islands of the CNMI, numerous offshore banks, and the US Territory of Guam. The southernmost islands of the CNMI, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, are volcanic in origin and nearly all covered with uplifted limestone derived from coral reef. These islands have the oldest and most developed reefs in the CNMI (predominantly located along the western/leeward sides), and are where the ...
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John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter... more
John Starmer1, Jacob Asher7,8, Fran Castro2, Deborah Gochfeld3, Jamison Gove7,8, Amy Hall7,8, Peter Houk2, Elizabeth Keenan4, Joyce Miller7,8, Robert Moffit7,8, Marc Nadon7,8, Robert Schroeder7,8, Ellen Smith7,8, Michael Trianni6, Peter Vroom7,8, Kevin Wong7 ...