30n 



20- 







Fig. 7 



Time of fish entry into Virgin Island pots during five 

 different sets. Dots indicate the time of fish enumeration. 



Observations of fish outside the pots reacting to captured fish were 

 common. Butterf lyf ishes and goatfish became particularly active when 

 one of their species was captured. An experiment was conducted to 

 see if a reduction of visual stimulus by fish inside the pot to those 

 outside would alter the catch rate for a particular pot. Olive green 

 burlap covers were placed over the pots during these experiments. 

 Tunnels were not covered. No change in catch rate between covered and 

 uncovered pots was noted. 



Our attempts at capturing the larger pelagic fishes (jacks, mackerels, 

 and snappers) proved futile. An experimental pot was buoyed upward by 

 flotation bags until it hung some 25 feet above the seabed. A low 

 intensity light inside the pot attracted many small fishes and inverte- 

 brates after darkness, but none of the large pelagic fishes (up to 

 50 pounds) would enter. These large fish also would circle under the 

 habitat's lights each night, but we did not observe any foraging on 

 the numberous smaller animals similarly attracted. 



VI-12 



