Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 4. Marine Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Luke (1998) reported on the Coelenterata benthic invertebrate collection of the Scripps
Institute of Oceanography. Most specimens were from McKean and included the following
species:
1) Millepora murrayi
2) Hydnophora microconos
3) Hydnophora rigida
4) Pocillopora damicornis
5) Pocillopora elegans
6) Pocillopora eydouxi
7) Pocillopora setchelli
8) Pocillopora verrucosa
9) Seriatopora cf. angulata
10) Acropora sp.
11) Acropora abrotanoides
12) Acropora cymbicyanthus
13) Acropora humilis
14) Acropora variabilus
15) Montipora aequi-tuberculata
16) Montipora venosa
17) Montipora verrilli
18) Porites cf australiensis
19) Porites fragosa
20) Porites hawaiiensis
21) Porites lichen
22) Porites lobata
23) Porites lutea
24) Porites solida
25) Porites superfusa
26) Psammocora nierstraszi
27) Leptoseris mycetoseroides
28) Pavona cf. clivosa
29) Pavona clavus
30) Fungia scutaria
31) Parahalomitra robusta
32) Echinophyllia aspera
33) Lobophyllia costata
34) Cyphastrea microphthalma
35) Favites pentagona
36) Leptastrea purpurea
37) Platygyra daedalea
38) Turbinaria irregularis
Lovell et al (2000) provided a summary of reef types in Abriringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, Rawaki, Carondelet Reef, and Winslow
Reef were provided (see Table III-4.2 above).
In 2000, only 1 site was surveyed for coral species (Stone et al 2001). Nineteen species of
coral were identified at this site. Only one partially beached Fungia was recorded indicating
minimal coral stress.
In 2000, coral cover averaged 20 percent around McKean (Stone et al 2001). Carpeting soft
corals (Sinularia and Lobophytum) covered 10 percent of the bottom.
In 2002, coral reef surveys were conducted in the Phoenix Islands (Obura and Stone 2003).
All of the Phoenix Islands were surveyed except McKean.
In 2004, the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (2004) conducted dive surveys on Manra
(Sydney), Rawaki (Enderbury), Abaririgna (Kanton), McKean, and Nikumaroro (Gardner).
Kerr and Wragg (2006) reported that McKean had surprisingly low levels of live coral. It
appeared to have had a significant coral die off more than 2 years ago. This could have been
related to a 2001 wreck of a fish trawler, or the coral bleaching event in 2002.
Pierce et al (2006) reported that McKean had especially low coral levels on the lee side outer
reef slope site (less than 10 percent).
In 2006, Kerr and Wragg (2006) conducted coral health rapid assessment surveys on Manra,
Rawaki, Enderbury, Birnie, McKean, Orona, and Nikumaroro. All surveys were completed
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