The residency behaviour of six specimens of spangled emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus, was studied by acoustic telemetry in the mooring area (3–6 m depth) of a marine protected area (MPA) in New Caledonia. The 3 smaller fish (34–49 cm FL) remained within the study site less than 6 hours. The 3 larger individuals (51–54 cm FL) were regularly detected within the study site during the survey (6.5 months). These fish followed similar diurnal patterns of detection. They use the study site as a resting area during the day and migrate each night to feeding grounds after sunset. However, their presence was higher when wind speed was low (<10 knots) during weekends and school holidays. These links reflect a possible impact of human feeding activity. Consequently, management policies should include measures to control feeding activities within MPAs to maintain marine communities in a state unaltered by human activities.
