11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.714
Pacific-Wide Status Of The Rare/endangered Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus
Undulatatus) And Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon Muricatum)
Brian ZGLICZYNSKI* 1 , Robert SCHROEDER 2 , Marc NADON 2 , Benjamin
RICHARDS 2
1 Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science
Center, Honolulu, HI, 2 Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, JIMAR-Univ. of Hawaii and
NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI
Biennial in situ surveys (2002-2007) of the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) Red Listed humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus, IUCN: endangered)
and bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum, IUCN: vulnerable) were conducted
at 32 U.S. Pacific Islands including portions of the Line and Phoenix Islands, Wake Atoll,
and the American Samoa and the Mariana Archipelagos. Belt Transect, Stationary Point
Count (SPC), and Towed-diver survey methods were use to assess abundances of these
fishes. Both species were not commonly observed at any of the islands, with C.
undulatatus observed at 22 (69%) of the islands and B. muricatum encountered at only 6
(19%) of the islands and atolls within the known range of the species during the survey
period. Densities for both species were higher at remote sites (i.e., sites geographically
located far from human population centers and direct anthropogenic impacts) than around
population centers. Highest densities were found at Wake Atoll with 1-12 C. undulatatus
and 1-7 B. muricatum observed per ha. These observations provide the first
comprehensive report on the status of these two live reef fishery targets in the U.S.
Pacific Islands and provide a scientific baseline for their management.
18.715
Effects of Indigenous Communities and Agriculture on Coral Reef Composition in
the Western Gulf of San Blas, Panama
April HELMS* 1 , Michelle DARE 2 , Shara JONES 3 , James ENGMAN 1
1 Department of Biology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, 2 Department of
Plant Biology, University of New Hampshire, Dover, NH, 3 College of Law, Lewis and
Clark College, Portland, OR
Reefs in the autonomous Kuna Yala region of Panama have been considered less
impacted than most in the Caribbean, due to reduced levels of fishing pressure, and
minimal development, deforestation and agriculture in adjacent coastal areas. Sites near
densely populated Kuna islands lacking wastewater treatment, or near agriculture,
however, may have potential for significant impact and degradation. In July of 2005,
2006 and 2007, reef community composition was surveyed at twelve near-shore sites in
Kuna Yala, and one site in adjacent Colon Province, where coastal populations and
anthropogenic disturbance are much higher. Sites were classified a priori as less
impacted, more impacted or highly impacted, based on proximity to population centers,
agriculture and sources of mainland runoff. Seven sites in Kuna Yala were considered
less impacted, five more impacted. The Colon site was considered highly impacted.
Data for each site/date were obtained by point sampling techniques using freeze-frame
images from replicate video transects over shallow (1-5m), well-developed reef. A 6factor
Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was conducted using Shannon diversity of
coral, percent coral cover, algal abundance, dead coral cover, abundance of branching
coral (Acropora spp.) and abundance of weedy coral (Millepora spp. and Agaricia spp.)
as variables. The first two axes of ordination explain 78% of the variation, and clearly
segregate sites based on impact levels. Community composition of the most degraded
site within Kuna Yala is similar to the highly impacted Colon site in its abundance of
fleshy algae (46%), low coral cover (21%), dominance of coral by weedy species (80%)
and virtual absence of branching coral colonies. Highest coral cover (65%) and lowest
fleshy algal cover (6%) were observed at a relatively remote site (Hollandaise Reef)
classified as less impacted.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.716
Population Status Of Acropora Corals in The Florida Keys
Steven MILLER* 1 , Mark CHIAPPONE 1 , Leanne RUTTEN 1 , Dione SWANSON 2
1 Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, Key Largo, FL,
2 RSMAS, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Population declines of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn coral (A. palmata) are
often-cited examples of Caribbean reef changes since the 1970s. Disease, bleaching, and
localized effects from storms and predation have been the principal agents of change. Both
species were formally added in 2005 to the U.S. Endangered Species List as threatened based
upon range-wide population declines and poor recovery. A spatially intensive survey of the
habitat distribution, colony abundance, size, and condition of both species was undertaken, first
in the upper Florida Keys at 107 sites during 2006, followed by a larger-scale survey of 235
sites spanning over 200 km of the Florida Reef Tract in 2007. A two-stage stratified random
sampling design incorporated multiple habitats and no-fishing management zones from the
inner shelf margin to the deeper (15 m) fore reef. Four belt transects 15-m x 1 m in dimension
yielded data on species presence-absence, colony numbers, size, and condition, as well as data
on depth, vertical relief, and the prevalence of Coralliophila predation. A. cervicornis was more
widely distributed among sites and habitats, but less abundant per site, than its congener. A.
cervicornis was particularly abundant on patch reefs, with a maximum site-level density of 1.22
colonies/m2 and surface area coverage of 2%. In contrast, A. palmata was most abundant on
shallow spur and groove reefs, with site-level densities up to 1.25 colonies/m2 and surface area
coverage up to 25%. Although the prevalence of disease-like conditions is relatively low, both
species continue to suffer predation by corallivorous snails and damselfishes, as well as
physical impacts from lost fishing gear. Predicting the future of these two species in Florida
requires information about both their present-day ecology and geologic history in the region.
18.717
The Jamaica Coral Reef Monitoring Network (Jcrmn)
Marcia CREARY* 1
1 Centre for Marine Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica
The Jamaica Coral Reef Monitoring Network (JCRMN) was launched in June of 2003 by
twelve agencies, institutions and organizations involved in coral reef monitoring, research
and/or management. The genesis of the JCRMN was borne out of the need to gather
information about the coral reefs surrounding the island of Jamaica, particularly on the south
coast. The primary objectives of the JCRMN are to stimulate interest in the monitoring of the
Jamaican coral reefs, train persons in coral reef monitoring methodologies and to develop a
sustainable coral reef monitoring programme for the island.
Since its inception the JCRMN has been able to acquire funds to conduct monitoring in the
Portland Bight Protected Area on the south coast to provide information for planning and
management. They have also participated in training and monitoring in Haiti and
reconnaissance visits to the Pedro Cays, 50 miles south of Jamaica. In addition, approximately
30 divers, including members of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs),
hotel resorts and scuba diving clubs, have been trained in the Reef Check Method of coral reef
monitoring. Of significance is that all the persons taking part in the monitoring exercises do so
on a voluntary basis, allowing the funds received by the JCRMN to be used for diving and
monitoring equipment, boat usage and other expenses. Despite the success of the network the
development of a sustainable monitoring programme based on external funding and volunteer
divers remains the biggest challenge facing the JCRMN. The JCRMN is coordinated through
the Caribbean Coastal Data Centre (CCDC) of the Centre for Marine Sciences at the University
of the West Indies, Jamaica.
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