REEF FISH MANAGEMENT

The fishes of coral reefs exist as rich assemblages of sedentary demer sal species in a patchy and changeable environment. Local subpopulatio ns are interconnected by means of an obligatory, and usually lengthy, pelagic larval stage. Current research is establishing the spatial ext ent of these interconnections. Because processes of larval dispersal, and of settlement of juveniles to local groups, are central to the dyn amics of reef fish populations, understanding their ecology depends on knowledge of the spatial scales at which they operate. Coral reef fis hes are of substantial economic value to the coastal states where they occur Increasing pressure on these resources demands more effective m anagement, which in turn requires further ecological insights. We sugg est approaches for more effectively managing these unique biotic resou rces.