Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Montipora monasteriata
Montipora sp.1
Montipora spumosa
Montipora tuberculosa
Montipora zsmooth
Agariciidae
Gardineroseris planulata
Leptoseris hawaiiensis
Leptoseris incrustans
Pachyseris speciosa
Pavona cactus
Pavona clavus
Pavona danai
Pavona decussata
Pavona explanulata
Pavona maldivensis
Favites halicora
Favites pentagona
Favites russeli
Favites sp.1
Goniastrea edwardsi
Goniastrea retiformis
Leptastrea purpurea
Leptastrea transversa
Leptoria phrygia
Montastrea annuligera
Montastrea curta
Montastrea valenncienesi
Platygyra daedalea
Platygyra sinensis
Plesiastrea versipora
Fungiidae
Fungia danai
Pocillopora damicornis
Pocillopora eydouxi
Pocillopora meandrina
Pocillopora verrucosa
Poritidae
Porites annae
Porites compressa
Porites lutea
Porites rus
Porites sp.1
Porites sp.2
Siderastreidae
Coscinaraea columna
Psammocora contigua
Psammocora haimeana
In 2002, coral reef surveys were conducted in the Phoenix Islands (Obura and Stone 2003).
All of the Phoenix Islands were surveyed except McKean. Visual assessment methods were
used to define the overall reef structure and habitats. Video transects were completed.
General findings were as follows. Benthic communities differ between leeward and
windward sides, with higher coral cover on the leeward slopes. Lagoon communities were
highly differentiated between Abariringa (Kanton), Orona, and Nikumaroro, with Abariringa
the most developed. Minor coral bleaching primarily in the lagoons of Abariringa (Kanton)
and Orona.
According to Mangubhai (2002), an additional 15 to 20 species of coral were identified for
the Phoenix Islands during the 2002 expedition. Reefs were free of coral bleaching, disease
or predation from crown of thorns starfish.
Salvat (2002) reported that the coral reefs of the Phoenix Islands were some of the most
difficult to access, also making them virtually pristine. A short overview of results of the
2000 and 2002 New England Aquarium expeditions was provided in Salvat (2002). Salvat
(2002) reported that there was no monitoring of coral reefs in Kiribati (this included the
Phoenix Islands).
In July to September 2002, there was a hot-spot over the Phoenix Islands (Planetary Coral
Reef Foundation 2004). It was speculated that this caused the mass bleaching of corals most
notably in the lagoons of Abariringa (Kanton) and Orona.
In 2004, the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (2004) conducted dive surveys on Manra
(Sydney), Rawaki (Enderbury), Abaririgna (Kanton), McKean, and Nikumaroro (Gardner).
No data analysis or summary was provided in this report. Raw field data were presented in
the web site.
Extensive and recent coral bleaching was reported for the Phoenix Islands (Anon. 2005).
This was unusual as coral bleaching had not previously been reported from Kiribati.
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