Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of Australasia
RECOMMENDATIONS
PNG
There is an immediate need to build scientific and management capacity related to coral
reefs in PNG. Programmes are urgently needed to retain the current capacity for assessment,
monitoring and management with long-term employment, and support the training of
future marine scientists and managers;
An integrated approach is needed between environmental planning and any economic
developments that will impact on the reefs. Effective management of urban development,
watershed degradation and large-scale commercial activities requires much greater
capacity in provincial and national government agencies;
Monitoring initiatives need to be supported and developed to provide an effective and
ongoing assessment of reef health. An integrated monitoring program involving UPNG,
PNGDA, and the Office of Environment and Conservation (OEC) could provide an effective
monitoring network with links to management objectives. Monitoring is urgently needed in
areas likely to come under stress from coastal development and other terrestrial activities.
Support is needed for diver and technical skills training, routine monitoring trips, quality
control, data assessment and dissemination;
High quality mapping of PNG reefs is important for conservation initiatives and appropriate
management of fisheries resources. Continued support for biodiversity assessments
conducted by appropriate experts and basic biological and ecological research is
important for the long-term sustainability of PNG’s coral reef resources;
Community-based programmes could be established within a network of marine protected
areas. Addressing the needs of local communities and integrating them in the
development, management and enforcement of protected areas is likely to yield success.
Continued community support is important for the success of marine protected areas; and
Effective methods of enforcing fisheries regulations are urgently needed. This is particularly
important for any re-introduction of the live reef-fish trade. Community education and
alternative income programmes can help reduce destructive fishing practices. Increased
commitment is also needed at provincial and national levels.
Australia
• Most Australian reefs are well protected against the pressures that they are
subject to, both legally and in terms of capacity to enforce those regulations.
This situation needs to be maintained;
• There are a growing number of monitoring programmes covering many reef
areas; maintenance of effective monitoring is important, given potential effects of
changing human pressures and climate change;
• The long-term effects of chronic pollution from river runoff and coastal activities
are poorly understood and closer attention is required to managing these to
ensure the sustainability of the GBR;
• Chronic fishing pressures, both commercial and recreational, have the potential
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