New Deep-Water Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia1

Home , Etelis, Etelis carbunculus, Lord Howe Island, Paracaesio, Pristipomoides multidens

New Deep-water Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia 1

STEVEN H. KRAMER,2.3 SHARON H. KRAMER,2,4 AND STEPHEN J. NEWMAN 2

ABSTRACT: Eighteen new fish records for the Great Barrier Reef, including seven new records for Australia, are reported from line-fishing surveys in deeper waters (> 60 m) offthe central and northern sections ofAustralia's Great Barrier Reef. The following 18 species represent new records for the Great Barrier Reef region, with the seven for Australia noted with an asterisk (*): the serranids *Epinephelus magniscuttis Postel et aI., E. morrhua (Valenciennes), E. octofas ciatus Griffin, E. radiatus (Day), and *Saloptia powe//i Smith; the branchiostegid Branchiostegus wardi Whitley; the lutjanids Etelis carbunculus Cuvier, E. coruscans Valenciennes, E. radiosus Anderson, Paracaesio kusakarii Abe, *P. stonei Raj & Seeto, *Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes), *P. auri cilia (Jordon et al.), P.filamentosus (Valenciennes), *P.j1.avipinnis Shinohara, P. multidens (Day), and *P. zonatus (Valenciennes); and the lethrinid Wattsia mossambica (Smith). Further exploratory fishing effort along the Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea is likely to result in discovery ofmore deep-water fish of Indo-Pacific distribution.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF (GBR) extends Commonwealth Government's Fisheries De 2300 km from Lady Elliot Island in the south velopment Trust Account investigated an al to Papua New Guinea in the north and is ternative fishery for small trawlers in 1986, off composed of numerous reefs, shoals, and Townsville, Australia, in the vicinity of Myr islands. In the south, the outer barrier reefs midon Reef (18 0 16' Slat., 147 0 24' E long.) are found as much as 260 km offshore. Pro (Anonymous 1986). Equipment consisted of ceeding north, the outer reef is much closer in droplines with baited circle hooks suspended and can be found within 40 km of the coast. from floats. Catches were low, with a total of The continental shelf area protected by the 32 fish composed of II different species from GBR is rarely greater than 60 m deep. The fish two survey trips. The only deep-water snapper fauna in these shallower waters has been well species reported were four rosy jobfish, Pristi documented, with over I1II species recorded pomoides filamentosus (Valenciennes), identi (Randall et al. 1990). The commercial and fied in the study as Aprion microlepis Bleeker recreational demersal fisheries in these waters following Grant (1982). usually target coral trout (Plectropomus sp.) In January 1992, a retail seafood market in and other groupers, snappers, and emperors. Townsville, Queensland, donated three speci Deeper waters (> 60 m) outside the outer mens (Pristipomoides filamentosus, P. multi barrier reefs and in channels between them dens (Day), and Epinephelus morrhua [Valen have not received as much attention and are ciennes)) that were being marketed as rosy relatively unexplored. jobfish (Lutjanidae) and as deep-water cod A survey sponsored by the Australian (Serranidae). The fish were reportedly caught northwest of Myrmidon Reef in 75 to 150 m

1 Manuscript accepted 3 February 1993. of water using hydraulic-powered handline 2 Australian Institute ofMarine Science, P.M.B. No.3, reels equipped with circle hooks and baited Townsville, MC, Queensland 4810, Australia. with squid or fish (J. Thomas, F.V. Kelgar, 3 Current address: 3605 Amigos Ct., Oceanside CA pers. comm.). The presence of these previ 92056. 4Current address: Southwest Regional Marine Re ously unrecorded species in the local market search Program, 9500 Gilman Dr. Dept. 0232, La Jolla prompted our exploratory bottom fish sur CA 92093-0232. veys to investigate the potential fishery. Here 70 New Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef-KRAMER ET AL. 71 we report new fish records from three deep WAM P.30510-007, Plate IA. water (> 60 m) surveys on the continental This is a new record for Australia. A single slope of the outer GBR. specimen (448 mm SL) was taken in the handline survey at 290 m. Color was light MATERIALS AND METHODS brown with rows ofdark spots along the back and midsides of the body. The species is Three surveys were conducted off the GBR distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, with in 1992 totaling 57.8 hr of fishing effort or records reported from Africa, Reunion, Mau 115.6 total handline hr. The first and third ritius, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Cale surveys (16-21 April and 26-31 December) donia, and the Philippines (Randall 1987, were in the vicinity of Myrmidon Reef in the Randall and Heemstra 1991). Epinephelus central section of the GBR (Figure 1). The magniscuttis as reported by Gloerfelt-Tarp second survey (19-29 June) was conducted at and Kailola (1984) is actually E. epistictus No.9 and No. 10 Ribbon Reefs, Lizard Island (Randall and Heemstra 1991). area, in the northern section of the GBR (14 0 40' Slat., 145 0 41' E long.) (Figure 1). Epinephelus morrhua (Valenciennes) Hawaiian-style deep-water handlines were WAM P.30509-005, Plate lB. used to survey depths ranging from 40 to A single specimen (312 mm SL) was ob 340 m. Handline rigs consisted of two hand tained from the fish market. Twenty individ powered Alvey "Reef Queen" reels (Alvey uals (325-555 mm SL) were captured on Australia Propriety Ltd., Brisbane) contain handlines in depths ranging from 90 to 208 m. ing ca. 365 m ofbraided, prestretched, l20-kg This was the most abundant serranid species test, dacron line. Terminal gear consisted of taken in our surveys. Color was pale brown four 12/0 mustad circle hooks on 45-kg mono with five narrow dark brown bands: one from filament leaders attached to a 68-kg monofila the upper orbit to the posterior nape; one ment mainline with swivels and a 2-kg weight. from the upper edge ofthe opercle to the base Cut squid and Western Australian pilchard of the fifth to ninth dorsal spines; one from [Sardinops neopi/chardus (Steindachner)] were the orbit to the midside of the body, where it used as bait. bifurcates to an upper branch that ends at the Fishing operations were conducted during base of the anterior soft portion of the dorsal the day. The vessel drifted over bottom fea fin and a second branch that ends at the tures such as ledges, pinnacles, and drop-offs posterior base of the dorsal fin; the fourth on the outer slope ofthe continental shelf that running from the lower edge of the orbit were located using a depth sounder. The rate through the upper base of the pectoral fin, ofdrift was controlled by using the engines to continuing as a broken band to the upper keep the bow of the vessel at a quartering caudal peduncle; and a last broad band from angle into the dominant wind, sea, or current. the upper edge of the maxillary groove to the At capture, fish considered new records for corner of the preopercle. This species is re the area were photographed next to a 30-cm ported from southern Japan to the western rule, weighed, measured for standard length Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea, and in (SL) in mm, and frozen. One specimen ofeach Australia from Melville Island (Northern Ter species was deposited in the Western Austra ritory), southern Queensland, and northern lian Museum (WAM) for identification and New South Wales (Randall 1987, Randall cataloguing. and Heemstra 1991). Epinephelus morrhua has been confused with E. radiatus (Day) (Randall NEW RECORDS 1987, Randall and Heemstra 1991); E. cometae Tanaka is a synonym (Masuda et al. Family SERRANIDAE 1984, Randall 1987). Subfamily EPINEPHELINAE Epinephelus octofasciatus Griffin Epinephelus magniscuttis Postel, Fourmanoir WAM P.30509-007, Plate Ie. & Gueze Four specimens (730-1140 mm SL) were 140'E 150'E

10'5 Torres

Gulf Cora 1

of Peninsula Sea 15'5 Carpentaria

20'S

QUEENSLAND

25'S

o 100 200 300 400 ! I ! ! ! \j kilometres LOCALITY MAP

FIGURE I. Location of the 1992 deep-water fisheries surveys.

PLATE II

A. Saloptiapowelli. B. Branchiostegus wardi.

1i' ~~-.;<~2;:':'i-\' -'~... '':;.'; .', ",!>,''''. _ .v. "':'I' ", '~ff.;'>" "'{ I<;,....,'.··/'. ~ ~.,·t. \ \~-··~~v~ \~J -,

C. Etelis carbunculus. D. Etelis coruscans.-

E. Etelis radiosus. F. Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus.

New Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef-KRAMER ET AL. 73 taken in the handline survey at depths ranging brownish green dorsally and silver ventrally, from 150 to 230 m. Color was gray with seven with a purple snout. The caudal fin had two broad dark brown bars from the nape to the parallel yellow bands, with the dorsal lobe caudal peduncle, extending from the dorsal fin yellowish and the ventral lobe with a black and passing ventrally. Epinephelus octofas triangle. This species is known in Australia ciatus has often been identified as E. septem from southern Queensland to Sydney, from fasciatus (Thunberg) (Randall and Heemstra Papua New Guinea, and from New Caledonia 1991). However, E. septemfasciatus is known and Vanuatu (Dooley 1978, Sundberg and only from Japan and China. Epinephelus octo Richards 1984, Brouard and Grandperrin fasciatus is found from East Africa to French 1985). . Polynesia and from Japan to Western Austra lia (Masuda et al. 1984, Randall 1987, Family LUTJANIDAE Randall and Heemstra 1991). SubfamilyETELINAE

Epinephelus radiatus (Day) Etelis carbunculus Cuvier WAM P.30509-006, Plate ID. WAM P.3051O-001, Plate lIe. Five specimens (416-550 mm SL) were Nine individuals (190-652 mm SL) were taken by handline at depths ranging from 190 caught on handlines in depths ranging from to 275 m. Color was light brown with five 150 to 318 m. Color was bright red, becoming broad dark brown bands: one from the nape paler ventrally. This species is commercially to the eye; one from the spinous dorsal fin to valuable in Guam, Hawaii, New Caledonia, the top of the opercle; one that originates and other areas of the Indo-Pacific Ocean from the posterior spinous dorsal and anterior (Masuda et aL 1984, Allen 1985, Polovina soft dorsal fin that passes downward and 1987, Anonyme 1989, Dalzell and Preston branches; one from the soft dorsal fin that also 1992). It is reported from northwestern Aus passes ventrally and branches; and the last on tralia (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984, Sa the caudal peduncle. Our specimens had dark insbury et al. 1985, Allen and Swainston 1988) brown spots in one or more rows between the and Papua New Guinea (Sundberg and Ri dark bands. This species is distributed in chards 1984). the Indo-West Pacific Ocean (Randall 1987, Randall and Heemstra 1991) and is recorded Etelis coruscans Valenciennes from the northwestern shelf of Australia WAM P.30510-002, Plate lID. (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984, Sainsbury Sixteen individuals (329-837 mm SL) were et al. 1985, Allen and Swainston 1988). taken by handline in depths ranging from 215 to 335 m. They were the largest lutjanids taken Saloptia powelli Smith in our survey. Color was bright red, becoming WAM P.30510-008, Plate IIA. silvery pink ventrally, with long, reddish cau This is a new record for Australia. One dal fin lobes. This species is important in specimen (252 mm SL) was taken in the June commercial fisheries of several Indo-Pacific handline survey at 200 m. Color was yellow areas (Masuda et al. 1984, Allen 1985, Polo dorsally, shading to pink ventrally. This spe vina 1987, Anonyme 1989, Dalzell and Pres cies is known from the West Pacific Ocean to ton 1992). Grant (1991) reported the species the South China Sea (Randall 1987, Randall from southern Queensland and northern New and Heemstra 1991). South Wales.

.Family BRANCHIOSTEGIDAE Etelis radiosus Anderson WAM P.3051O-003, Plate lIE. Branchiostegus wardi Whitley Three individuals (338-778 mm SL) were WAM P.3051O-009, Plate lIB. caught on handlines at depths from 185 to A single specimen (322 mm SL) was taken 275m. Coloration on the back and upper sides in the handline survey at 315 m. Color was was reddish to dark red and lighter ventrally. 74 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Volume 48, January 1994

This species is taken in commercial handline from Hawaii to East Africa, extending north catches in many areas ofthe Indo-West Pacific ward to southern Japan (Allen 1985). Aus (Masuda et al. 1984, Allen 1985, Dalzell and tralian records include the northwest shelf Preston 1992). It is reported from northwest (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984, Sainsbury ern Australia (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola et al. 1985, Allen and Swainston 1988), south 1984, Allen and Swainston 1988) and Papua ern Queensland, northern New South Wales New Guinea (Sundberg and Richards 1984). (Grant 1991), and NQrfolk Island (Francis 1991). Itis a commercially important handline Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus species in Hawaii (Polovina 1987) and other (Valenciennes) areas ofthe West Pacific (Dalzell and Preston WAM P.3051O-004, Plate IIF. 1992). This is a new record for Australia. Seven individuals (196-251 mm SL) were taken on Pristipomoidesjl.avipinnis Shinohara handlines; they were the smallest ofthe Pristi WAM P.30509-002, Plate I1Ie. pomoides species taken and were caught at This is a new record for Australia. Forty the greatest depths (250-335 m). Color was seven individuals (281-420 mm SL) were pinkish on body and yellow dorsally with caught at depths of 115-240 m. This was the bright blue spots. The dorsal and caudal fins second most abundant species in our survey. were yellow. This species is widespread in the Color was pale lavender or pinkish dorsally, Indo-West Pacific Ocean (Allen 1985). shading to a silvery hue ventrally. Pectoral Pristipomoides auricilla (Jordan, Evermann & fins were yellow, with a network ofdark spots Tanaka) on the head and a lavender snout. Found WAM P.30596-001, Plate IlIA. throughout the tropical West Pacific Ocean, This is a new record for Australia. One this is a commercially important species in specimen (277 mm SL) was taken by handline some areas (Allen 1985, Polovina 1987, An at 150 m during the December survey in the onyme 1989, Dalzell and Preston 1992). Myrmidon Reef area. Color was purplish brown with yellow spots on the sides. The Pristipomoides multidens (Day) upper lobe of the caudal fin and the dorsal WAM P.30509-003, Plate I1ID. fin were yellow. This species is widespread We obtained one specimen (SL 305 mm) in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean from from the fish market. Eight individuals (478 Hawaii to the Andaman Sea and northward 580 mm SL) were captured from depths rang to Japan (Allen 1985) and from New Cale ing from 77 to 245 m. Color was yellowish to donia (Brouard and Grandperrin 1985) and rosy, with about six broken golden stripes on Papua New Guinea (Sundberg and Richards the sides. The side ofthe snout and cheek had 1984). two golden stripes bordered with blue, and the top ofthe head had a series ofchevron-shaped Pristipomoides filamentosus (Valenciennes) yellow bands with apices directed anteriorly. WAM P.30509-001, Plate I1IB. The dorsal fin had yellowish rows of spots. We obtained two specimens (305 and 310 This species is widely distributed in the tropi mm SL) from the fish market. Fifty-two indi cal Indo-Pacific Ocean from Samoa to the viduals (210-562 mm SL) were caught at Red and Arabian seas and from southern depths between 95 and 210 m. This was the Japan southward to northwestern Australia most abundant species in our survey. Color (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984, Allen 1985, was pale lavender or pinkish dorsally, shading Sainsbury et al. 1985, Allen and Swainston to a silvery hue ventrally. A convoluted net 1988). work of narrow yellow lines on a lavender snout was typical of our specimens. The dor Pristipomoides zonatus (Valenciennes) sal fin was clear with yellow spots turning WAM P.30509-004, Plate IVA. to orange spots posteriorly. This species is This is a new record for Australia. Fourteen known from the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean individuals (279-372 mm SL) were captured New Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef-KRAMER ET AL. 75 at depths between 120 and 295 m. Color was fisheries on the northwestern Australian shelf pink, with four broad oblique yellow bars on (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984). the sides and with yellow dorsal and caudal fins. This species is widespread in the Indo Pacific Ocean and is a commercially impor DISCUSSION tant fish in many areas (Allen 1985, Polovina 1987, Anonyme 1989, Dalzell and Preston Most species found in our survey are widely 1992). distributed in the Indo-Pacific, but some have more limited ranges (Allen 1985, Randall Subfamily ApSILINAE and Heemstra 1991). Nine species from our survey have broad Indo-Pacific distributions: Paracaesio kusakarii Abe Epinephelus octofasciatus, E. magniscuttis, WAM P.3051O-005, Plate IVB. E. morrhua, Etelis coruscans, E. carbunculus, Fifteen specimens (324-615 mm SL) were Pristipomoides auricil/a, P. jilamentosus, P. caught at depths between 110 and 310 m. multidens, and P. zonatus. Four species have Color was gray to light brown dorsally and Indo-West Pacific distributions: Epinephelus white ventrally, with four brown vertical bars radiatus, Etelis radiosus, Pristipomoides on the body and gray to yellowish fins. This argyrogrammicus, and Wattsia mossambica. species may have potential for commercial Four species have a central to western Pacific fisheries (Allen 1985). It is distributed in the Ocean distribution: Pristipomoidesjlavipinnis, western Pacific (Masuda et aL 1984, Allen Paracaesio kusakarii, P. stonei, and Saloptia 1985) and is reported from the northwestern powelli. Only one, Branchiostegus wardi, is shelfofAustralia (Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola restricted to a specific subprovince (eastern 1984). Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea). Paracaesio stonei Raj & Seeto Records of deep-water snappers and WAM P.3051O-006, Plate IVe. groupers from nearby areas including New This is a new record for Australia. Twelve Caledonia (Fourmanoir and Laboute 1976, specimens (379-456 mm SL) were caught at Anonyme 1989), Vanuatu (Brouard and depths between 200 and 318 m. Color was Grandperrin 1985), Norfolk Island (Francis gray to light brown dorsally and white ven 1991), Papua New Guinea (Sundberg and trally, with five vertical brown bars on the Richards 1984, Dalzell and Preston 1992), and body and grayish fins with the caudal fin more northwestern Australia (Gloerfelt-Tarp and yellow. This species is known from the Ryu Kailola 1984, Sainsbury et aL 1985, Allen and kyu Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu (Raj and Seeto Swainston 1988) suggested their probable pres 1983, Masuda et aL 1984, Allen 1985, Brouard ence on the GBR. However, there are deep and Grandperrin 1985). water fish from our survey of the GBR that have not been reported from the northwestern Family LETHRINIDAE shelf of Australia, including members of the lutjanid, serranid, and branchiostegid families Subfamily MONOTAXINAE (Dooley 1978, Gloerfelt-Tarp and Kailola 1984, Sainsbury et aL 1985, Randall and Wattsia mossambica (Smith) Heemstra 1991). Lutjanids from our survey WAM P.30509-008, Plate IVD. on the GBR not reported from the northwest Nineteen specimens (256-512 mm SL) were ern shelf include four Pristipomoides species caught at depths between 105 and 290 m. (P. auricil/a, P. argyrogrammicus, P. jlavi Color was yellowish gray with indistinct dark pinnis, and P. zonatus), Etelis coruscans, and blotches on the body and yellowish fins. This Paracaesio stonei. Serranids not reported species is known from the Indian and West from the northwestern shelf include E. mag Pacific oceans (Masuda et aL 1984, Carpenter niscuttis and Saloptia powelli. Branchiostegus and Allen 1989) and has been taken in trawl wardi is not reported from the northwestern -l 0\

TABLE 1

NUMBER, LENGTH, AND DEPTH RANGES OF NEW FISH RECORDS FROM MYRMIDON AND RIBBON REEFS AREAS

MYRMIDON REEF (APRIL) RIBBON REEFS (JUNE) MYRMIDON REEF (DECEMBER)

SL (mm) DEPTH (m) SL (mm) DEPTH (m) SL (mm) DEPTH (m) SPECIES n min.-max. min.-max. n min.-max. min.-max. n min.-max. min.-max.

Epinephe/us llIagniscullis 0 1 448-448 290-290 0 E. morrhua 6 343-510 146-208 3 420-505 90-190 11 325-555 140-180 E. oClofasciarus I 760-760 216-216 0 3 730-1140 150-230 E. I"lIdiatus I 416-416 198-198 I 490-490 275-275 3 455-550 190-245 Sa/oplia pOIrelli 0 I 252-252 200-200 0 Branchioslegus Irardi 0 1 322-322 315-315 0 Etelis carbuncu/us 0 8 278-652 190-318 1 190-190 150-150 E. coruscans 0 13 329-837 215-335 3 510-725 230-260 E. radiosus 0 2 338-662 210-275 1 778-778 185-185 Prislipomoides arg.l·rograllllllicus 0 6 196-251 280-335 I 207-207 250-250 P. auricilla 0 0 1 277-277 150-150 P. /i/alllentosus 45 210-562 95-210 7 268-422 135-205 0 P../Ial'ipinnis 13 281-400 128-190 8 307-358 1I5-240 26 258-420 125-190 P. mU/lidell.\· 3 478-545 77-245 0 5 493-580 145-165 P. =onalus 3 287-372 137-198 10 279-332 120-295 I 316-316 190-190 Paracaesio kusakarii 0 8 420-536 110-310 7 324-615 150-180 P. slonei 0 12 379-456 200-318 0 Watlsia mossambica 5 256-366 150-198 II 314-391 105-290 3 304-512 140-150 Total 77 92 66 New Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef-KRAMER ET AL. 77 shelf. The differences in species composition rapidly to > 1000 m. Southeast of Myrmidon may be due to bottom topography, gear Reef (surveyed in December) the bottom selectivity, seasonal variation, or actual dif drops steeply to > 300 m with high ferences in distribution patterns of certain relief consisting of ledges, small peaks, and species. channels. Epinephelus octofasciatus has a very broad Many of the specimens from our survey Indo-Pacific distribution, but was not known were of a large size for their species, which is from eastern Australia until our survey. Epi typical of unexploited fish stocks (Table I) nephelus octofasciatus may be closely related (Dalzell and Preston 1992). Eteline snappers to and confused with E. ergastularius Whitley, and deep-water groupers have not been fished a serranid found only off the eastern coast of until recently in waters off the GBR and in the Australia (Randall and Heemstra 1991, Ran Coral Sea. Interest in commercial exploitation dall et al. in press). of this potential resource exists, with recent The depth distribution of species from our openings of two fisheries for deep-water spe survey compares favorably with those of spe cies in eastern Australia. A Queensland drop cies in studies from other areas (Table I) line fishery targeting the continental slope off (Sundberg and Richards 1984, Allen 1985, of the GBR and a Commonwealth North Brouard and Grandperrin 1985, Anonyme Eastern Demersal Line Fishery (NEDLF) 1989, Haight 1989, Randall and Heemstra targeting the Coral Sea were opened in 1991. 1991, Dalzell and Preston 1992). Snappers of Current knowledge on size, age, distribution, the genus Pristipomoides tended to be shal and species composition of the targeted fish lower (mean capture depth, 159 m), whereas stocks is almost nonexistent. Deep-water bot those of the genus Etelis were captured at tom fish stocks appear to be very sensitive to greater depths (mean capture depth, 251 m). exploitation pressure (Ralston et al. 1986). Paracaesio stonei appeared to be restricted to It is therefore imperative that additional greater depths (mean capture depth, 260 m) research be conducted promptly on these than Paracaesio kusakarii (mean capture unexploited fish stocks to ensure proper depth, 178 m). The serranids, lethrinid, and management. branchiostegid also conformed to previously reported depth distributions. The deeper-residing snappers of the genera Etelis or Paracaesio were not captured during ACKNOWLEDGMENTS our April survey in the Myrmidon Reef area despite fishing depths as great as 275 m (Table We thank the Australian Institute of I). However, Etelis species and Paracaesio Marine Science and the officers and crews of kusakarii were captured in the December R.V. Lady Basten and R.V. The Harry Messel. survey to the southeast ofMyrmidon Reef. In Jesse, Sheila, and Gregg Brunskill; Rebecca addition, Pristipomoides filamentosus was not Quinones; Tim Dejager; and Terry Garzotto captured in the December survey, but in the ably assisted in the field. Technical assistance April survey it composed the largest number was provided by Robert Humphreys of the ofany fish species caught, which suggests that National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu there may be seasonal variation in relative Laboratory. We thank Five Star Seafoods, abundance or catchability. Differences in spe Townsville, for providing specimens. Gerald cies composition of the catch may also be Allen (Western Australian Museum) kindly caused by the variations in bathymetry or fish reviewed our manuscript and confirmed our habitat of the areas surveyed. The bottom at species identifications, and John Randall Myrmidon Reef and to the northwest (sur (Bernice P. Bishop Museum) confirmed the veyed in April) drops precipitously to ca. identification oftwo serranids. Peter Doherty, 180 m, after which it becomes a gradual fea Tony Fowler, and David Williams provided tureless slope. Off of the Ribbon Reefs (sur useful comments on our manuscript. This is veyed in June) the bottom continues to drop AIMS contribution no. 626. 78 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Volume 48, January 1994

LITERATURE CITED FRANCIS, M. P. 1991. Additions to the fish faunas of Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Ker ALLEN, G. R. 1985. FAO species catalogue. madec islands, Southwest Pacific Ocean. Vol. 6. Snappers of the world. An anno Pac. Sci. 45: 204-220. tated and illustrated catalogue of lutjanid GLOERFELT-TARP, T., and P. J. KAILOLA. species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 1984. Trawled fishes of southern Indonesia (125). and northwestern Australia. Australian ALLEN, G. R., and R. SWAINSTON. 1988. The Development Assistance Bureau (ADAB), marine fishes of northwestern Australia. A Australia; Directorate General of Fish field guide for anglers and divers. Western eries, Indonesia; German Agency for Tech Australian Museum, Perth, Australia. nical Cooperation, Federal Republic of ANONYME. 1989. Essais de peche aux casiers Germany. sur la pente recifale externe de Nouvelle GRANT, E. M. 1982. Guide to fishes. Queens Caledonie. Service territorial de la marine land Department ofHarbours and Marine, marchande et des peches maritimes, Terri Brisbane, Australia. toire de Nouvelle Caledonie. July. ---. 1991. Fishes of Australia. E.M. ANONYMOUS. 1986. Droplining offTownsville Grant Pty., Ltd., Queensland, Australia. -potential alternative fishery? Aust. Fish. HAIGHT, W. R. 1989. Trophic relationships, 9:2-5. density and habitat associations of deep BROUARD, F., and R. GRANDPERRIN. 1985. water snappers (Lutjanidae) from Penguin Deep-bottom fishes of the outer reef slope Bank, Hawaii. M.S. thesis, University of in Vanuatu, South Pacific. In Proceed Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu. ings, 17th Regional Technical Meeting on MASUDA, H., K. AMAOKA, C. ARAGA, T. Fisheries, Noumea, New Caledonia, 5-9 UYENO, and T. YOSHINO, EDS. 1984. The August 1985. South Pacific Commis fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Tokai sion, ORSTOM, New Caledonia [English University Press, Tokyo. translation]. MUNRO, J. L. 1987. Workshop synthesis and CARPENTER, K. E., and G. R. ALLEN. 1989. directions for future research. Pages 639 FAO species catalogue. Vol. 9. Emperor 659 in J. J. Polovina and S. Ralston, eds. fishes and large-eye breams of the world. Tropical snappers and groupers: Biology An annotated and illustrated catalogue of and fisheries management. Westview Press, lethrinid species known to date. FAO Fish. Boulder, Colorado. Synop. (125). POLOVINA, J. J. 1987. Assessment and man DALZELL, P., and G. L. PRESTON. 1992. Deep agement of deepwater bottom fishes in reef slope fishery resources of the South Hawaii and the Marianas. Pages 505-532 Pacific. A summary and analysis of the in J. J. Polovina and S. Ralston, eds. Tropi dropline fishing survey data generated by cal snappers and groupers: Biology and the activities of the SPC Fisheries Pro fisheries management. Westview Press, gramme between 1974 and 1988. Inshore Boulder, Colorado. Fish. Res. Proj. Tech. Doc. 2, South Pacific RAJ, U., and J. SEETO. 1983. A new species of Commission, New Caledonia. Paracaesio (Pisces: Lutjanidae) from the DOOLEY, J. K. 1978. Systematics and biology Fiji Islands. Copeia 1983: 450-453. of the tilefishes (Perciformes: Branchio RALSTON, S., R. M. GOODING, and G. M. stegidae and Malacanthidae), with descrip LUDWIG. 1986. An ecological survey and tions of two new species. NOAA (Natl. comparison ofbottom fish resource assess Oceanic Atmos. Adm.) Tech. Rep. NMFS ments (submersible versus handline fishing) (Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv.) Circ. 411. at Johnston Atoll. U.S. Fish Wild!. Servo FOURMANOIR, P., and P. LABOUTE. 1976. Pois Fish. Bull. 84: 141-155. sons de Nouvelle Caledonie et des Nou RANDALL, J. E. 1987. A preliminary synopsis velles Hebrides. Les Editions du Pacifique, of the groupers (Perciformes: Serranidae: Papeete, Tahiti. Epinephelinae) of the Indo-Pacific Region. New Fish Records from the Great Barrier Reef-KRAMER ET AL. 79

Pages 89-188 in J. J. Polovina and S. Rals Guinea: A pilot study. Papua New Guinea ton, eds. Tropical snappers and groupers: J. Agric. For. Fish. 33: 55-62. Biology and fisheries management. West view Press, Boulder, Colorado. RANDALL, J. E., and P. C. HEEMSTRA. 1991. ADDENDUM Revision of Indo-Pacific groupers (Perci formes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae), with The range of several species of the deep descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pac. water fish community found off the GBR Fishes 20: 1-332. extends as far south as Lord Howe Island RANDALL, J. E., G. R. ALLEN, and R. C. (LHI) (31S S). The lutjanids Etelis coruscans, STEENE. 1990. The complete divers' and Pristipomoides jilamentosus, and P. zonatus fishermen's guide to fishes of the Great were caught during exploratory fishing efforts Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford off Lord Howe Island in 1992 (photographs House Press, Bathurst, Australia. provided by Paul Beaumont, F.V. Capella RANDALL, J. E., D. F. HOESE, and P. LAST. (in III). Equipment consisted of baited circle press.) On the status of the Australian hooks attached to droplines suspended from serranid fishes Epinephelus ergastularius floats. Depths of capture corresponded with Whitley and E. thompsoni Whitley. Rec. those of our survey (P. Beaumont, F.V. Ca Aust. Mus. pella III, pers. comm.). SAINSBURY, K. J., P. J. KAILOLA, and G. G. LHI is in subtropical latitudes, but has an LEYLAND. 1985. Continental shelf fishes essentially tropical fauna and the Pacific's of northern and northwestern Australia. southernmost coral reef (Francis 1991). The Clouston & Hall and Peter Pownall Fish East Australian Current flows southward eries Information Service, Canberra, along the GBR and may transport larvae to Australia. LHI. Thus, the occurrence ofspecies from the SUNDBERG, P., and A. RICHARDS. 1984. Deep GBR deep-water fish community at the south sea bottom handline fishing in Papua New erly latitudes of LHI is expected.