Epinephelus socialis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	PERCIFORMES	SERRANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Epinephelus socialis

Species Authority:

(Günther, 1873)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Surge Grouper
French	–	Merou Houleux
Spanish	–	Mero Oleado

Synonym/s:

Serranus socialis Gunther, 1873

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Assessed:	2008
Assessor/s	Kulbicki, M. & Sadovy, Y.
Evaluator/s:	Sadovy, Y. & Moss, K. (Grouper and Wrasse Red List Authority)
Justification: Epinephelus socialis is listed as Near Threatened because of population decline due to overfishing estimated to be close to 30% in the past 30 years, which is predicted to continue in the future.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Epinephelus socialis is found on coral reef islands from Japan to Pitcairn, including Ogasawara, Pitcairn, Marshall Islands (Rigili island, Enewetak), Bikini, Yuroshi Island, Society (Tahiti), Tuamotu, Kiribati (Canton Island), Samoa, Northern Mariana, Tuvalu, Fanning Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra, Phoenix, Australe, Cook, Gambier, Rapa, Mururoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Dulcie, Henderson, Marcus. It is not reported from Melanesia (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga) or Caroline Islands.
Countries:	Native: American Samoa; Cook Islands; French Polynesia; Japan; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Micronesia, Federated States of; Northern Mariana Islands; Pitcairn; Samoa; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United States Minor Outlying Islands; Wallis and Futuna
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – northwest; Pacific – western central

Population [top]

Population:	The population size of Epinephelus socialis is unknown and the very few accounts of population densities, size range or catch data are not sufficient to clearly define the population status. However, all the available information points to low natural abundances and restricted biotope. Populations can be considered as very fragmented. Local extinction is likely on such islands, with however a strong potential for re-colonization from nearby less populated or disturbed islands.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

The population size of Epinephelus socialis is unknown and the very few accounts of population densities, size range or catch data are not sufficient to clearly define the population status. However, all the available information points to low natural abundances and restricted biotope. Populations can be considered as very fragmented. Local extinction is likely on such islands, with however a strong potential for re-colonization from nearby less populated or disturbed islands.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	General Epinephelus socialisis found in a very specific habitat: the shallow part of reef flats exposed to the wave action from the ocean. It is found in less than 10 m and most records are from less than 3 m deep. The habitat of this species is not very large in most of the islands where it is found. Known to reach at least 52 cm TL, most fish less than 35 cm. In parts of its range it is probably not eaten because of risks of ciguatera. It is not dependent on coral cover. Feeding This species lives on the bottom where it feeds on fish and benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, octopus). Ambushes its preys. Reproduction Nothing reported on its reproduction.
Systems:	Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

General
Epinephelus socialisis found in a very specific habitat: the shallow part of reef flats exposed to the wave action from the ocean. It is found in less than 10 m and most records are from less than 3 m deep. The habitat of this species is not very large in most of the islands where it is found. Known to reach at least 52 cm TL, most fish less than 35 cm. In parts of its range it is probably not eaten because of risks of ciguatera. It is not dependent on coral cover.

Feeding
This species lives on the bottom where it feeds on fish and benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, octopus). Ambushes its preys.

Reproduction
Nothing reported on its reproduction.

Systems:

Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Epinephelus socialis is threatened mainly by subsistence fishing. This species is mainly threatened on islands with high human densities and easy access to reef flats exposed to oceanic action. It is very vulnerable to fishing as adults and juveniles live on reefs easily accessible and do not require sophisticated means to be caught. This species is never abundant and its relatively large adult size makes it a favored target for subsistence fishing over most of its range. In some highly populated islands (e.g., Tahiti, Tarawa) pollution of shallow oceanic reefs and coastal development (roads, peers, runways, hotels, etc.) may also be the cause for habitat degradation and decrease in prey abundance. The specificities of its habitat (shallow, close to shore) makes it very sensitive to cyclones and pollution (agriculture, terrestrial runoffs, etc.).

Major Threat(s):

Epinephelus socialis is threatened mainly by subsistence fishing. This species is mainly threatened on islands with high human densities and easy access to reef flats exposed to oceanic action. It is very vulnerable to fishing as adults and juveniles live on reefs easily accessible and do not require sophisticated means to be caught. This species is never abundant and its relatively large adult size makes it a favored target for subsistence fishing over most of its range. In some highly populated islands (e.g., Tahiti, Tarawa) pollution of shallow oceanic reefs and coastal development (roads, peers, runways, hotels, etc.) may also be the cause for habitat degradation and decrease in prey abundance. The specificities of its habitat (shallow, close to shore) makes it very sensitive to cyclones and pollution (agriculture, terrestrial runoffs, etc.).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There is very little information on its abundance, its size distribution, reproduction or life span. It will gain from marine reserves or protection of the reef habitat. Harvest management of this species is needed as it is heavily fished throughout its range.

Conservation Actions:

There is very little information on its abundance, its size distribution, reproduction or life span. It will gain from marine reserves or protection of the reef habitat. Harvest management of this species is needed as it is heavily fished throughout its range.

Citation:	Kulbicki, M. & Sadovy, Y. 2008. Epinephelus socialis. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 March 2010.
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