TRUK ISLANDS 



Map of the bait grounds of Truk. 



coral when not disturbed and akaesa lives in 

 close proximity to coral heads and crevices. 



Izumi reported that this is a very strong 

 baitfish and that many can be carried in a bait- 

 well for extended periods. Other species are 

 also used as bait and akaesa is a general name 

 rather than a specific one. However, only one 

 species was collected and identified, a circum- 

 stance that led me to believe that this must be 

 the one of primary importance. 



Akaesa is not attracted to a night light and 

 cannot be taken with this method. It can be 

 found in abundance around the coral heads be- 

 tween Dublon, Fefan, Param, Udot, and Tol 

 and around coral heads that occur inside the 

 reef, north of the Northeast Pass up to Tora 

 Island. 



Akaesa was used for bait between November 

 and February when takabe could not be taken. 



Izumi stated that akaesa is not visible from 

 the surface during daylight hours and that it 

 lives in coral areas that afford it protection 

 from fishing during the day. However, it 

 leaves these areas at night, after which the 

 fishermen set their net over the coral. The 

 nets would remain in place until just before 

 daylight when the fish return to the coral and 

 gather over the nets. The fishermen would then 

 dive down, as soon as they could begin to see, 

 and lift the net, usually catching enough bait for 

 a day's fishing. The wear and tear on the nets 

 and the difficulty of working in the deeper water 

 made this a method of fishing which was avoided 

 if takabe could be taken. 



