Densities of juveniles of the Hawaiian deepwater snapper Pristipomoides filamentosus were surveyed for 3 years in relation to their demersal environment at an east Oahu study site. Juveniles settled annually to spatially stable aggregations, occupying expanses of uniform sedimentary habitat. Habitat data were collected and used in a logistic regression model to predict correctly 68% of the juveniles' spatial variability. Premium habitat was identified as a sediment bottom, free of relief, and close to focused sources of drainage (reef platforms, embayments, and anthropogenic sources) in adjacent shallows. Surveys for juveniles elsewhere on insular slopes of the Hawaiian Archipelago indicated low juvenile abundance except at infrequent locations close to point sources of coastal drainage. Estimates of recruit production, based on densities of juveniles from other than premium habitat, were a small fraction of the recruits needed (calculated from catch) to account for the fishery's current landings of adult snappers. The 68-fold higher juvenile abundance at premium habitat can reconcile this difference, indicating that such infrequent high-quality habitat is an important (perhaps critical) fishery resource.

Depth range
30- 120 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 6608 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Fisheries

Focusgroups
Fishes

Locations
USA - Hawaii

Platforms
Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV)
Fishing