AECD-3446

-136-

(UWFL-16) because of insufficient collections from deep water of large fish,

The distribution of fish with activity at Eniwetok was striking.
collected from islands

The fish

closest to the targets, i.e., Engebi, Runit and Eberiry,

had high counts, but those collected from the three other islands sampled (gurin,

Rigili and Japtan) had little or no activity.

Eberiru fish had the greatest amount

of activity with Runit and Engebi showing similar amounts in both liver and whole

fish.

The comparatively inactive areas of Igurin, Rigili and Japtan were similay

to Likiep and some islands of Bikini Atoll in activity in whole fish, but were not

always comparablein liver activity.
ANALYSIS BY SPECIES
Table 2 and Figure 2 summarize the data according to the families of
fishes and active and inactive areas of Bikini, Eniwetok and Likiep Atolls.

The

average d/m/g for all of these areas indicates that the parrot fishes (Scarideae)

have absorbed the greatest amount of activity per fish sampled followed by the

damsel fish (Pomacentridae), surgeon fish (Acanthuridae), wrasse (Labridae) and
herring (Clupeidae),
The pattern of activity in the Eniwetok active areas, where we have a

fairly good representation, indicates that the damsel fish absorbed the greatest

amountof activity with parrot fish, surgeon fish, wrasse, squirrel (Holocentridae)

and herring following in decreasing order of magnitude. The pattern of activity
in the so-called inactive areas of Bikini, Eniwetok, and Likiep Atolls is variable
for the most part, with the snappers (Lutianidae) having the greatest amountof
radioactive materials.

The picture in these areas of low activity is confused by

—
the possibilityofnatural radioactivity as well.as radioactivity that may be traceable
to the atom bombs.

Comparing the data with that obtained in 1948 (UWFL-16, p. 19, Figure 3)

we find somedifferences and somesimilarities.

Generally speaking, the damsel,

activities in both
parrot, surgeon, wrasse, and snappers have comparatively high

y low.
years, and the eel, shark, grouper, squirrel, and mullet are comparativel

Discrepancies are to be found in the halfbeaks, goatfish, blennies, and lizard

fishes. These differences are due to sampling, i.e., lack of blennies, eels, a”

d

lizard fishes from active areas, and to lack of sufficient numbers for reliable
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