Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 Mariculture of Black Pearls This ‘industry’ is developing rapidly in French Polynesia e.g. in the Tuamotu atolls there was an increase of 35% in one year to 8 tons in 1999. In the Cook Islands (e.g. Manihiki atoll) the general aquatic ecology of the atoll lagoons has probably been affected. Here the trophic structure of the lagoon food-web has been modified by the large stocks of Pinctada margaritifera growing in open waters through the release of large quantities of faecal pellets. This has resulted in eutrophication, algal blooms and significant mortality of pearl oysters, fish and invertebrates. Sediment, Sewage and Oil Pollution Poor land management and urbanisation on some of the high islands has resulted in destruction of some reefs and damage to others nearby. However, the impacts are usually localised and sediments are washed into oceanic waters. None of the islands, except for Bora Bora, French Polynesia, have major sewage treatment facilities and most wastes are flushed directly into reef lagoons. This practice is predominately a major problem on the urbanised islands where high densities result in human faecal contamination (Tarawa, Kiribati), as well as pollution from pig breeding areas in coastal margins (e.g. Wallis and Futuna and some islands in French Polynesia). There is evidence of eutrophication from sewage and agriculture fertiliser nutrients in some lagoon waters around Moorea, French Polynesia as well. A sewerage system is planned for Papeete and houses outside the towns are required to have septic tanks. In Aitutaki atoll a decrease in coral cover to 9% and an increase in turf algal of 14% has been reported and associated with localised eutrophication; however, the abundance of fish did not change. There is no oil pollution in the region, except localised damage near the major harbours. Tourism Activities These islands are on the outer edge of major tourism development, but the industry is developing in French Polynesia (200,000 tourists per year), Cook Islands (60,000), Tonga (25,000), Kiribati (at least 4,000), and in Niue (about 1,000). Major degradation to reefs has occurred during hotel construction, particularly when these are concentrated on some islands. After construction, there are often conflicts between the different users and interests over lagoon and reef resources, especially between fishermen and operators of tourist aquatic activities. These add to the acknowledged cultural impacts of having too many tourists on islands with low populations. Nuclear Testing, Military Activities There were military operations on some atolls during and immediately after World War II (Kiribati and French Polynesia). This also included nuclear weapons tests, but fortunately these no longer occur and the reefs are recovering from the damage. CORAL REEF PROTECTED AREAS AND COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT The main objective of marine protected areas for coral reefs in this region is to both maintain natural biodiversity as well as provide mechanisms and incentives to encourage sustainable development to maintain natural resources, ecological functioning, economic advancement and cultural heritage values (e.g. fishery recruitment areas, shoreline 190
Status of Southeast and Central Pacific Coral Reefs ‘Polynesia Mana Node’ STRESS TO REEFS Kiribati Wallis and Futuna Tonga Over-fishing 3 2 3 Destructive fishing 2 Removing reef rock Poison, smashing reefs Extractions Wall building, 3 2 now banned Embarkment 1 2 Tongatapu Pearl oyster cultivation 0 0 No Sedimentation 1 3 1 Sewage Tarawa 2 1 Eutrophication 2 2 Tongatapu, Nuku'alofa Tourism 0 0 Tongatapu, Nuku'alofa Nuclear tests Christmas, Malden 0 0 Overview of anthrophogenic impacts on reefs in Polynesia Mana node countries stabilisation areas, and ecotourism areas). While there are only a few coral reef conservation areas in most countries, traditional measures that are enforced by local communities still exist and are often effective at conserving resources. When formal legislation has been declared over coral reef areas, there is frequently a lack of respect for the laws and little enforcement. Community based management or involvement in decision making is a developing concept amongst governments for planning and management of protected areas, recognising that both bottom-up ‘community’ and top-down ‘government’ approaches are needed and can be compatible. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF PROTECTED AREAS Although the Polynesia Mana node encompasses an EEZ area of 12 million km 2 and about 350 islands only a few reefs are formally protected through international designation. For example, the Taiaro atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia is a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO and is currently being proposed that the protected status also include neighbouring atolls and improved zoning provisions. There are no other World Heritage or Ramsar sites that include coral reefs in this region, but similar conservation projects are planned in the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Kiribati. NATIONAL CORAL REEF PROTECTED AREAS At the national level, each country in this region has some coral reef protected areas, varying in definition and regulation. The Cook Islands has declared 5 coastal areas of Rarotonga (representing 15% of the coastal-marine area) as temporary non-harvesting zones for fishing. These are called ‘Ra’ui’, which recognises a long-standing traditional Polynesia method utilising rotating zones. These areas receive considerable community support and have encouraging fishery recovery results, but they are not formally gazetted. French Polynesia has two uninhabited atolls denoted as nature reserves (Scilly and Bellinghausen) and also one sand cay on a reef platform in the Marquesas (Motu One). Kiribati has several protected areas as wildlife seabird sanctuaries (e.g. Jarvis and Starbuck islands) but they do not legally address conservation of marine habitats. In Niue, many traditional conservation measures still exist in each village without any legislation, with only formal 191
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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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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