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Biology, fishery and trade of sea moths (Pisces: Pegasidae) in the central Philippines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2004

Marivic G. Pajaro
Affiliation:
Present address: Project Seahorse, Fisheries Centre, The University of British Columbia, 2204 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada Project Seahorse-Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Cebu, Philippines
Jessica J. Meeuwig
Affiliation:
Project Seahorse, Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave. Dr. Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada
Brian G. Giles
Affiliation:
Present address: Project Seahorse, Fisheries Centre, The University of British Columbia, 2204 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada Project Seahorse, Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave. Dr. Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada
Amanda C.J. Vincent
Affiliation:
Present address: Project Seahorse, Fisheries Centre, The University of British Columbia, 2204 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada Project Seahorse, Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave. Dr. Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada
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Abstract

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Sea moths (family Pegasidae) are little-studied benthic fish, found throughout the Indo-Pacific. Two species of sea moths, Pegasus volitans and Eurypegasus draconis, are caught incidentally in illegal trawl gear in the Philippines and sold into the dried fish trade. Approximately 130,000–620,000 P. volitans and 130,000 E. draconis were landed off north-western Bohol alone in 1996. An additional 43,000–62,000 sea moths (predominantly P. volitans) were caught live for the aquarium trade. Catch per unit effort for P. volitans was double that of E. draconis, probably because of its occurrence in shallower waters where fishing effort was concentrated. Sea moths may be unsuited for heavy exploitation as they occur at low densities. Moreover, a female-biased catch could lower the effective population size, given the reported monogamy amongst sea moths. No population data were available for a complete conservation assessment, although divers surveyed did report declines in their abundance.

Type
Articles
Copyright
© 2004 Fauna & Flora International