Editing Kiritimati (section)

==Ecology of the reef==
Overfishing and pollution have impacted on the ocean surrounding the island. In the ocean surrounding uninhabited islands of the Northern Line Islands, [[Shark]]s comprised 74% of the top predator biomass (329&nbsp;g/m<sup>2</sup>) at [[Kingman Reef]] and 57% at [[Palmyra Atoll]] (97&nbsp;g/m<sup>2</sup>), whereas low shark numbers have been observed at [[Tabuaeran]] and Kiritimati.<ref name="SAS">{{cite journal |first1=Stuart A. |last1=Sandin |display-authors=etal |date=27 February 2008 |title=Baselines and degradation of coral reefs in the northern Line Islands |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=e1548 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0001548 |pmid=18301734 |bibcode=2008PLoSO...3.1548S |s2cid=12343048 |pmc=2244711 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Green turtle]]s (''Chelonia mydas'') regularly nest in small numbers on Kiritimati. The lagoon is famous among sea anglers worldwide for its [[bonefish]] (''Albula glossodonta''), and has been stocked with ''[[Oreochromis]]'' [[tilapia]] to decrease [[overfishing]] of marine species. Though the tilapias thrive in [[brackish water]] of the flats, they will not last long should they escape into the surrounding ocean.<ref name=teebaki1993/>

[[Giant trevally|Giant Trevally]] (Caranx ignobilis) are found in large numbers both inside and outside of the lagoon and along the surrounding reefs. Very large specimens of Giant Trevally can be found around these surrounding reefs and they are sought after by many fishermen in addition to Bonefish.