Biological Surveys of Carondelet, a Shallow, Submerged Seamount in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati

A rare survey of Carondelet, a remote submerged seamount within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), reveals limited but significant marine biodiversity. Despite challenging conditions that previously hindered exploration, researchers documented 12 coral genera, 120 bony fish species, and two shark species, with coral cover ranging from 12.8% to 35.3%. The study highlights the dominance of Montipora and Acropora at shallower depths (5–8 m) and Porites and Pavona at deeper sites (20 m). Evidence of fishing activity, including unfouled lines, suggests human impact persists even within protected zones. This work provides the first published biodiversity data for Carondelet, contributing critical baseline information to PIPA's conservation efforts.

Mangubhai, S., Nand, Y., Tekiau, A., Zgliczynski, B., & Sandin, S. (2024). Biological Surveys of Carondelet, a Shallow, Submerged Seamount in the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati. Atoll Research Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.24970113