The information presented in this volume was first published in 18 mimeographed parts over the period 1973-1981 as Number 3 in the series Research Reports from the Zoology Department, University of the West Indies. The full series is now reprinted by ICLARM, with the permission of all contributors, as a single volume. An epilogue reviewing progress in coral reef fisheries research over the period 1973-1982 has been addedfrom which it is possible to make some appraisal of the accuracy of the original parameter estimates. The scientific names used in this report follow those in Randall (1968) for the most part and recent changes or proposed changes in nomenclature have not been incorporated into this edition. Areas have been converted from square nautical miles to metric units.