On transect 1, cage 2, 100 m from the reef, 3 large triggerfishes 

 sometimes accompanied by several goatfishes and a number of small 

 jacks, were in and out of the cage frequently. Surprisingly, the 

 vegetation inside was approximately the same in diversity and 

 abundance as that outside, despite fish activity inside. Udotea 

 conglutinata , IJ. verticillosa , Halimeda incrassata , Caulerpa 

 cupressoides , Lobophora variegata , and the seagrass Syringodium 

 f ilif orme all occurred inside the cage and in the immediate 

 vicinity outside. A moderate amount of filamentous algae and 

 diatoms occurred on the cage screen. No large grazing fishes 

 were seen on the plain in this area. 



On transect 1, cage 3, 180 m from the reef, plant cover was sparse. 

 Inside the cage were 5 Halimeda incrassata plants, and on the cage 

 mesh diatoms and attached filamentous algae, notably Cottoniella 

 arcuata, were abundant. Halimeda and Cottoniella , as well as 

 occasional Acanthophora spicif era, Dasya pedicellata , Gracilaria 

 cylindrica , Grif fithsia globulifera , Hypoglossum tenuifolium , 

 Wrightiella timianowiczi , Anadyomene stellata , Avrainvillea 

 nigricans , Caulerpa cupressoides , Caulerpa ashmeadii , Penicillus 

 capitatus , P^. dumetosus , Udotea spp. , Lobophora variegata , and 

 Piety Ota dichotoma , all with assorted epiphytes, occurred in the 

 vicinity. No large grazing fishes were observed in the area, but 

 some juveniles and the batfish, Ogcocephalus nasutus , were seen at 

 the site. 



On transect 2, cage 1, 3m from the reef, plant cover inside the cage 

 was significantly greater than outside, and the contents more stable 

 Udotea, Dictyota, and Lobophora outside the cage appeared frayed, 

 split, nibbled, inside, blades and fronds were entire. Outside, 

 mats of blue-green algae were rolled and turned, and were generally 

 brown; inside the substrate appeared to be stable, and the blue-green 

 mat had a green cast. A moderate amount of algae and diatoms was 

 attached to the mesh of the cage. 



Grazers in the vicinity were numerous including numerous surgeon- 

 fishes, parrotfishes , angelfishes and triggerfishes. Spotted goat- 

 fishes, while apparently not feeding on the algae directly, worked 

 over the bottom, vigorously stirring and mouthing the sand and blue- 

 green mats , creating small clouds of sediment to rise wherever they 

 fed. No fishes were observed inside this cage, although numerous 

 mysid shrimp frequently gathered under the screen. 



VI-142 



