Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 conducted since the early 1990s show declines in coral cover which are probably due to cyclones and/or bleaching events. Coral Reef Knowledge For large areas of this Polynesia Mana node, most scientific knowledge on reef status is relatively recent. The reefs of French Polynesia are the best studied because of many research programmes and institutions (CRIOBE-EPHE, Moorea, University of French Polynesia, and ORSTOM-IRD in Tahiti), and scientific publications continue to increase through the past three decades. There was previously a research station on Fanning Island, Kiribati directed by the University of Hawaii. There are small stations now on Tarawa and Tonga in association with the University of the South Pacific. There is limited information on past events such as cyclones, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, bleaching, major pollution etc. throughout the region. Most of the knowledge continues to be based on surveys by outside scientists, teams or organisations because there is under-developed national capacity even though all members of Polynesian society rely on reefs for direct or indirect food and cash income streams. Most islands in this area are remote without urban concentrations, so the majority of reefs are in good condition, although this impression is based on spotty information. Compared to other regions of the world, these reefs are amongst the least degraded and under minimal pressures from human and land influences (e.g. few rivers, low terrestrial sedimentation). However, there are increasing anthropogenic pressures on reefs and islands where populations are concentrated, and which will damage the reefs if no management action is undertaken. The major damage is caused by shoreline modification (retaining walls, dredging of channels, mining of coral and sand) which impacts directly on nearby fringing reefs. Irrespective of this localised damage to nearshore reefs, the outer reef slopes are generally healthy except for reduced fish populations due to fishing pressure. ‘REEFS AT RISK’ This 1998 report from the World Resources Institute indicated that Pacific reefs were more healthy and under much lower levels of anthropogenic stress than all other regions. The wider Pacific region, (including those bordering the Pacific Ocean: Japan, East Australia, East Pacific coast) contains 60% of reefs considered to be ‘low risk’, as compared to other coral reefs areas, e.g. South East Asia which as about only about 20% of the reefs at low risk, and 40–50% low risk reefs throughout the Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Middle East. In the Polynesia Mana region, over 50% of the reefs are not threatened by risks in the near future with the exception of impacts from global climate change. The only two ‘red’ points indicating high estimates of threat to the coral reefs in this region are Tonga and Christmas Islands. The threat on Tonga is due to the urban impacts of Tongatapu, and a similar case could be made for Papeete on Tahiti. Threats for Christmas Island include past nuclear tests, but testing by the United Kingdom ceased in 1958 and by the United States in 1962. At present the only impacts to reefs on Christmas are from small tourist operations (1,712 tourists in 1995). 186
Status of Southeast and Central Pacific Coral Reefs ‘Polynesia Mana Node’ CORAL REEF FISHERIES Fish Resources Reef fish are important in the diets of people of Polynesia and throughout the Pacific, resulting in a strong respect and dependence on reef resources, especially in atoll environments. The annual coral reef fisheries for all of these countries is probably less than 25,000 tons with more than 75% being for subsistence use and less than 25% commercial, especially in Kiribati, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia. Most fish are captured by traditional methods (hook and lines, fixed traps near atoll passes and spearguns) by men and/or women according to traditions. The exchange of edible resources from one island to another within a country is unusual, but takes place between the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French Polynesia. The only significant export industry is the ‘live reef fish trade’ for mainly grouper (Serranidae) and wrasses (Labridae), primarily from Kiribati for the Asian market. Fishing for tuna offshore is also an important resource for island peoples, both for the food and licensing royalties received from foreign vessels for the right to harvest within Polynesian country EEZs. For example, about 6,000 tons of tuna are taken annually in French Polynesia, with only 2,300 tons for domestic markets. Invertebrate and Turtle Resources These are important for people living on atolls e.g. on Tuamotu in French Polynesia (Octopus, Tridacna, Turbo), and on Tonga where 118 tons of molluscs are collected annually (Anadara, Tridacna). Many other edible items from the reef are consumed, including algae, worms, sea cucumbers and jellyfish. Choice varies with cultural preferences, but there are other available foods and potential exports not harvested. Sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) are exported from Wallis-Futuna now, also from Tonga during the 1990s, but export has been banned for 10 years. However, the trade in ‘trepang’ is not important in any of these countries. Lobsters (Panulirus) are over-exploited throughout and populations are now threatened. Although most countries have laws banning exploitation, black coral for export as jewellery has been over-harvested, especially in Kiribati and Tonga when it was once relatively abundant. Turtles (green and hawksbill) have been over-hunted and now are threatened species throughout the Pacific. Some countries try to conserve turtles by protecting nesting sites and banning or regulating exploitation, however enforcement is weak. Aquarium Trade This trade has developed recently in Kiribati (with 8 export licences in 1999) and the Cook Islands. The trade in Tonga in 1995-96 consisted of 56% corals, 27% fish (50% damselfish), and 17% invertebrates. A project was launched recently in French Polynesia to collect fish larvae entering the lagoon at night, and after they are sorted, fed and stabilised, they are exported to Europe. These form the broodstock for the aquarium market, with the main ecological advantage being that it is non-destructive of the environment. Introduced species Trochus niloticus and Turbo marmoratus were introduced to the countries in this region as early as the 1950s in French Polynesia and as recently as Tonga in the 1990s. Today all countries export several tons per year of trochus shell for buttons and paint, in addition to 187
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FOREWORD Over the past few years, I
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CONTENTS COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERR
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories T
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON T
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Executive Summary CORAL BLEACHING I
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Executive Summary South Asia Most r
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Executive Summary parts of Fiji and
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Executive Summary management and mo
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Executive Summary tourism developme
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Executive Summary problem is loomin
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6. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH A
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Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs of East and N
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15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Northe
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17. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE EA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Easter
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18. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTHE
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Status of Coral Reefs in Southern T
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AGRRA AIMS ASEAN B
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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