Word: damselfish
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Palau is renowned for its marine life. Divers and scientists from around the world fly to this Pacific archipelago 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines to view its parrot fish, gobies, damselfish, sharks, turtles, butterfly fish and stately Napoleon wrasses. The Blue Corner on the western reef is rated one of the world's top dive sites for its abundance of big fish. With 1,387 species at last count, Palau has more fish varieties than any other area of Micronesia. But a decade ago, all this was threatened by fishermen. A short boat ride from Ulong takes...
...blue-green seas are a delight for sailors, swimmers and snorkelers. Through submarine gardens of coral and undulating sea fern dart brilliant damselfish and trumpetfish, butterfly and angelfish. The waters teem with spiny lobster (langouste); with crab, shrimp and snapper, as well as bass and swordfish. Ashore, the islands are ablaze with hibiscus, bougainvillaea, begonia, poinciana, wild orchids, frangipani, red and orange flame trees, wild ginger. Mangoes, avocados, coconuts, papayas, limes and grapefruits flourish, along with such tropical staples as cassava, spinach-like calalu, calabaza (the West Indian pumpkin), the squash called christophene, and soursop, a fine fruit to squeeze...
...initial study, Myrberg chose the bicolored damselfish, which is abundant and active in the clear waters off North Bimini and emits a large variety of sounds. By recording underwater noises and observing the behavior that accompanied each sound, he quickly learned parts of the damselfish language and began using it to control his subjects. By playing a recorded chirping sound, for example, he caused the damselfish to twist 45 degrees and then make a U-shaped dip, a pattern it often follows during spawning. Another recorded call actually caused color changes on the body of the fish...
...says Myrberg, "I was sitting there hitting the 'chirp' button, but visibility was so bad that I couldn't follow the little damselfish." Frustrated, he told his sound man to try a different set of signals. No sooner did the sound projector begin broadcasting a low-frequency tone than "bang, the whole area was filled with sharks." A chance turn of the dials had paid off with completely unexpected information...
...normally swim singly or in small groups can be concentrated into selected areas, it may become profitable for commercial fishermen to "harvest" them, thereby tapping a rich new source of protein. Similar tactics might be used to satisfy less adventuresome tastes in seafood. "If we can make this little damselfish twist and turn around in the open sea," says Myrberg, "maybe some day we can make a snapper jump into...
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