Fig. 6 Broken meshes in the pot were repaired by the authors. 



largely prevented escape by all fish species. However, the number of 

 parrotfish in a Virgin Island pot decreased from four to two during 

 " 4-hour interval. 



After several days observation of freshly baited Virgin Island pots, 

 it was concluded that the rate of fish entry follows a relatively 

 consistent pattern. Many observations were made on pots placed near 

 the squirrelfish school under the soft coral seawhip. This school 

 was large enough about (60 fish) that some fish were active near the 

 pot at all times. Following release of fish from the previous study 

 period, fish would investigate the pot and, eventually one would 

 enter. The time before first entry would vary, but once the first 

 fish was inside, other fish followed rapidly. Daytime catch rates 

 were higher than those during darkness. When the number of fish inside 

 approached 25, the rate of entry would drop off sharply (Figure 7). 

 It appeared that the relatively large number of fish swimming inside 

 and trying to escape frightened other fish from the area. 



This "saturation effect" always occurred long before the volume of 

 the pot limited fish entry. The saturation effect, is not unique to 

 Virgin Island reef fishes; it has also been inferred from catches 

 of sablefish in the northeastern Pacific. 



VI-11 



