June, 2000 
9 
Pcmpheridac. Pomaccntridae and 
Pseudochromidae are not recorded 
by Sommer e/ al. (1996). primarily 
because they are noi of importance to 
fisheries. As far as the authors arc 
aware, this checklist therefore 
represents the first record of these 
species along the eastern coast of 
Somalia (Indian Ocean). Unfortunately 
wc were not able to obtain the species 
checklist compiled by Muller and 
Dumitrcscu (1984) to confirm this. 
a single, one hour snorkel dive, 34 
species of fish belonging to 17 families 
were identified (Table 2). The 
abundance of fishes originating from 
the Red Sea was clearly evident, and 
a number of species which were not 
encountered on the Indian Ocean coast 
of Somalia were observed. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
While traveling by boat between 
dive sites large shoals of pelagic 
clupeids were frequently observed near 
the surface These shoals of bait fish 
were often accompanied by large 
predatory game fish such as 
Scombcromoms commerson. We were 
not able to determine the species of 
clupeid. but discussion with Rudy van 
der Elst (Oceanographic Research 
Institute, pers. comm.) revealed that 
he has observed similar shoals of fish 
during aerial surveys of the region. He 
believed that they were probably the 
Indian oil sardine ( Sardinella 
longiceps ) However, this needs to be 
confirmed. 
The reefs dived between 
Barmadobe and Dudura 
contained very few corals and 
were dominated by red algae, 
ascidians and sponges. This is 
probably because of the high 
wave action and turbidity 
encountered on the inshore reefs. 
However, the reef dived north ol 
Bosaso in the Gulf of Aden was 
a true fringing coral reef and was 
characterized by an exceptional 
diversity of coral reef fishes. In 
The diving survey along the east coast 
of Somalia would not have been 
possible without the help of many 
people. We would like to thank Alex 
Forbes and Tony Pottcrton of the 
IUCN. Eastern Africa Regional Office 
for coordinating the whole exercise 
The staff of Ocean Training 
Promotions, namely Abdullahi Daib. 
Abdulisac. Mahomed. Mahomud. 
Holden. Nur Hagcc. Chino and the 
others in the team, took care of 
logistics and looked after us 
exceptionally well under difficult 
circumstances. Finally we must thank 
all the village ciders, villagers, 
fishermen and traders who extended 
Sergion fish Acanthuris sp. 
