Reef Fish Diversity in the Solomon Islands - Conservation News
One of the World’s Richest Reefs for Fish Species
Over 1,000 species recorded, with sites like Njari Island setting global benchmarks for fish variety.
Dr Gerry Allen (CI) confirmed the Solomon Islands as a hotspot for reef fish diversity, with 1,019 species documented—77% observed during the survey and the rest from museum records. The team identified 47 new distribution records and a new cardinalfish species. Fish counts ranged from 100 to 279 species per site, with an average of 185. Notably, Njari Island, off Gizo, recorded 279 species in a single dive—one of the world’s highest site totals. These results underscore the Solomon Islands’ vital role in global marine biodiversity.
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