Donate
Give
search-icon
Celebrating Fish Diversity

Fish communities in the Tuamotu Archipelago have been much more diverse than in Society Islands, especially on the fore reef.  The fish are not only more abundant, but they are larger overall, meaning greater biomass, which is good for reefs and for the human populations they must sustain.

Two blacktip reef sharks patrol a reef at Fakarava
Two blacktip reef sharks patrol a reef at Fakarava

Fish Diversity at Tuamotu

Typically each dive site hosts a large diversity of fish and fish schools, including apex predators, such as sharks, groupers, and snappers.

Large groupers are more abundant in the Tuamotus
Large groupers are more abundant in the Tuamotus

 

There were many more fish near channels and on reefs with very high relief and high coral cover.  Reefs dominated by fleshy algae, especially the lagoonal reefs, and areas damaged by storms had many fewer fish, but in general still reflected higher fish diversity than in the Society Islands.

Fish Diversity: Schools of fish inhabit the reefs
Fish Diversity: Schools of fish inhabit the reefs

 

Though we are not studying fishing pressure on the reefs around French Polynesia, it is apparent that there are fewer fish being caught here due to their larger size, greater abundance and higher fish diversity when compared to the Society Islands.

(Photos by: 1 – 2 Dr. Brian Beck, 3 Serge Andrefouet)

If you liked this blog, you might also like reading about Fish Spotting in Jamaica.

Related Posts

2025-2026 B.A.M. Student Voices

Throughout the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) and Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) programs, we evaluate each phase of the mangrove education and restoration process to better understand how students are learning, growing, and connecting with their coastal environments.

Before the programs begin, students share what they already know about mangroves and how they feel about them. As the program progresses, we continue to gather feedback to see how their knowledge evolves from identifying mangrove species and understanding food webs to recognizing the role mangroves play in coastal protection and climate change mitigation.

But the surveys go beyond science content.

We also ask students…

Read More

Ten Years of B.A.M.: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose

Ten years ago, the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) program began with a simple but meaningful commitment: to connect Bahamian students with the mangrove ecosystems that shape and protect their island home.

Since 2015, B.A.M. has been implemented in partnership with Friends of the Environment, whose dedication to environmental stewardship in Abaco has made this program possible year after year. Together, we have worked alongside Patrick J. Bethel High School and Forest Heights Academy to bring hands-on mangrove science into classrooms and out into the field.

What makes ten years remarkable is not just longevity — it is consistency…

Read More