Abundance, Species Diversity, and Conservation Status of Reef Fishes in Dumanquillas Bay, Zamboanga, Philippines

Zamboanga is one of the significant fishing grounds in the Mindanao Region, but little is known about the conservation status of reef fishes, particularly in Dumanquillas Bay, Zamboanga. Thus, this study assessed the abundance, species diversity, and conservation status of reef fishes in the bay. The assessment was conducted within eight sampling stations from May 6 to May 16, 2014. Reef fishes were censused using a line-intercept method. Fourteen thousand fifty individuals and 140 fish species belonging to 30 families were recorded―dominated by the family Pomacentridae. The number of fish individuals was significantly more abundant in Triton Island Station than in other sampling stations, while Muyong Island has the most diverse reef fishes. Almost all species are classified as the least concern category, except for Plectropomus areolatus of Cabog Island, which is under the vulnerable (VU) category. The number of less-valued species was higher than the commercially high-valued species. Therefore, it may indicate the overharvest of the latter group of species. This comprehensive study on reef fishes in Dumangquillas Bay may serve as a reference for fisheries resource management planning or for drafting fisheries policies in the bay.