FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THREE SELECTED MANGROVE AREAS OF SARANGANI BAY PROTECTED SEASCAPE

Assessment on the Fish Assemblages in Three Selected Fringe Mangrove Areas of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape particularly in coastal waters of Sitio Linao, Maasim, Kawas Marine Sanctuary and Brgy.Poblacion, Malapatan were conducted for three consecutive months. Fish visual census was carried out using seven 1x20m transects situated along the periphery fringe mangrove area for a duration of 3 months. The result of the study revealed that the most abundant of all species in the area is Zenarchopterus dispar from family Zenarchopteridae or the Feathered-river Garfish among the three areas, while the most species found in the area belongs to family Zenarchopteridae. Highest Tropic level was recorded in Linao showing that fish species among the areas are generally composed of species that has mobile invertebrates as their diet, Analysis of similarity shows that Kawas and Malapatan are closely similar than Linao due to near of proximity of the sites. The study supports the idea of mangrove as essential nursery ground for fishes, thus it is recommended to have a study on trophic levels to further understand fish assemblage of the Sarangani Bay Protected Scascape (SBPS).