Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000
Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000.pdf
Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000.pdf
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<strong>Status</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Coral</strong> <strong>Reefs</strong> <strong>of</strong> American Samoa and Micronesia<br />
ability to perform monitoring and assessment are employed on o<strong>the</strong>r tasks. Thus additional<br />
people should be trained to ensure adequate monitoring <strong>of</strong> coral reefs. Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
training exercises are short and focus on techniques that are easy to use and not time<br />
consuming, and coral identification is usually not covered. <strong>Coral</strong> surveys using life forms<br />
would not give an accurate measure <strong>of</strong> diversity e.g. at Malakal sewer outfall. There were<br />
no significant difference in percent coral cover between 1976 and 1991, but species<br />
diversity has decreased dramatically since 1973. Without taxonomic evaluation, this<br />
evidence would have been missed. Periodically, funds are needed to bring many people<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r to perform assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> Palau from Ngeruangel to <strong>the</strong> Southwest<br />
Islands. Reef studies tend to be limited to Koror and selected places in Babeldaob, while<br />
unique areas far from Koror are usually neglected. The last comprehensive work on Palauan<br />
reefs was in 1992 during <strong>the</strong> REA, and many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> places have not been studied since.<br />
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORAL REEF CONSERVATION<br />
Overall, <strong>the</strong> reefs <strong>of</strong> American Samoa and Micronesia are very diverse and in good<br />
condition, but development pressures and increasing population demands are resulting in<br />
increases in sedimentation, commercial fisheries, coastal pollution, ship groundings and<br />
recreational activities. While reefs in <strong>the</strong> atolls and less populated areas are in good to<br />
excellent condition, many <strong>of</strong> those adjacent to population centres, particularly on high<br />
islands, are declining to fair and poor categories, with noticeable decreases in coral cover,<br />
fish abundance and resilience to natural disturbances. <strong>Coral</strong> reefs in <strong>the</strong> small islands have<br />
a distinct carry capacity, which is clearly being exceeded in some instances.<br />
Pro-active steps in preserving coral reefs are evident in all areas presented in this report.<br />
American Samoa deserves recognition for establishing a task force on human population.<br />
While all acknowledge this is a sensitive issue, it must also be recognised that human<br />
population growth is <strong>the</strong> key element in increasing levels <strong>of</strong> anthropogenic disturbance. A<br />
regional consortium to deal with marine resource issues was recently established with<br />
support from <strong>the</strong> US Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Interior, Office <strong>of</strong> Insular Affairs, that includes<br />
American Samoa, <strong>the</strong> CNMI, <strong>the</strong> FSM, Guam, Palau and <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Marshall Islands. The<br />
Marine Resources Pacific Consortium (MAREPAC) has developed specific objectives, including:<br />
• To develop <strong>the</strong> capabilities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regional resource agencies, institutions <strong>of</strong><br />
higher education, and community-based organisations within Micronesia and<br />
American Samoa to deal with issues surrounding sustainable use <strong>of</strong> marine<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> cultural, economic and scientific value.<br />
• To foster cooperation and collaboration among <strong>the</strong> local and federal resource<br />
agencies, research facilities, community-based organisations, educational institutions<br />
and <strong>the</strong> private sector in meeting <strong>the</strong>ir mandates, goals and community needs.<br />
• To collect, syn<strong>the</strong>sise and disseminate adequate and accurate information in<br />
support <strong>of</strong> sound policy development on marine resource use, addressing<br />
present needs as well as <strong>the</strong> concerns for future generations.<br />
The 16-member governing board includes 2 members each from regional resource<br />
agencies, institutions <strong>of</strong> higher education and community-based organisations.<br />
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