11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.759
The Status Of The Reefs Of Sudan in 2007
Rebecca KLAUS* 1 , Jeremy KEMP 1 , Melita SAMOILYS 1,2 , Holger ANLAUF 1
1 Equipe Cousteau, Paris, France, 2 Cordio, Mombassa, Kenya
The coast of Sudan borders the western shore of the Red Sea which is recognised as an
area of global importance for marine biodiversity. The mainland is edged by a nearcontinuous
often steep fringing reef. Offshore is a complex barrier reef system, composed
of a diverse range of fully or partially submerged reef formations, and numerous
uninhabited islands. While some of the more accessible offshore reefs (e.g. Sanganeb
Atoll) have previously been the subject of research, and others are renowned tourism dive
sites (e.g. Sha’ab Rumi), much of the coast and more remote reef complexes have never
been surveyed. Several recent initiatives, associated with the establishment of two marine
protected areas and planning for integrated coastal zone management, through
partnerships between various non-governmental organisations and local Government,
have provided the opportunity to assess the status of the Sudanese reefs (2002, 2006 and
2007). The diversity of flora and fauna associated with the reefs within Sudanese waters
transition from communities that are characteristic of the northern Red Sea to those more
representative of the southern Red Sea. Recreational and extractive use of the resources is
still moderately low however, the condition of the reefs and the abundance of resources is
highly variable. There are low abundances of several key commercial fin fish
(particularly groupers and larger snappers) and invertebrate groups (particularly sea
cucumbers and larger gastropod molluscs), and an apparent absence of sea-urchins in
some parts. The reefs were impacted by the 1998 coral bleaching event, and the extent of
mortality and recovery reflected localized differences in community composition and
environmental conditions. The bio-geographical trends in diversity within Sudanese
waters, the variability in resource abundance and present condition of the reefs all have
important implications for the resilience of the system that need to be accounted for in
planning for management.
18.760
Status Of Coral Reefs in Iranian Waters Of The Persian Gulf
OMID SEDIGHISAVADKOUHI* 1 , HAMZEH VALAVI 2
1 marine Environment Deputy, Echobiology Bureau, Department Of The Environment,
Tehran, Iran, 2 marine Environment Deputy, Echobiology Bureau, Department Of The
Environment, Shiraz, Ireland
Status of coral reefs of six Islands (Farur, Banifarur, Kish, Hendurabi, Khark and
Kharkoo) and Nayban Bay were studied from February to September 2007. MantaTow
technique, Line Point Transect (Substrate Line Transect), Fish and Invertebrate belt
Transect methods were used for this survey.
A total of 46 hard coral species (27 Genera/12 Families), the highest number of species
recorded for Iranian waters, and 25 species of fish were identified. 21 species of reef
building corals are reporting from Iranian waters for the first time. Kish (30 species) and
Farur (29 species) were most diverse reef area.
Farur and Khark-Kharkoo showing 68% and 64% live coral cover, respectively were
found as the best developed and healthy reef areas.
Favidae (17 species), Siderastreidae and Poritidae (each 5 species)were the most diverse
coral families in the the region.
Coral cover of studied areas is dominated by poritidae, Acroporidae and Favidae
Families.
Highest density of reef fishes such as Dark butterfly fish were recorded in Kharkoo
(13/100sqm) and Farur (10.75 /100sqm) and highest density of Arabian butterfly fish
were recorded in Kish (5.5/100sqm ) and Farur reefs ( 2.5/100sqm).
In addition to anthropogenic factors, natural stressors particularly elevated sea water
temperature has affected coral reefs of Iranian waters dramatically.
In September 2007, a significant increase in water temperature as high as 35.5 ○ to 37 ○ C
were recorded in the survey area.
Acroporids corals in Kish Island have been 98% bleached. In Nayband bay, corals of
Favids up to 60% and Porites up to 30% were bleached. Coral bleaching in Farur ranged
from 25% in deeper waters to 60% in shallow waters.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.761
Fish Communities And Habitat Interactions At Two Reef Systems Of The Gulf Of
Mexico.
Gabriela NAVA MARTÍNEZ* 1 , Ernesto ARIAS 2
1 Oceanus, A.C., Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, 2 CINVESTAV, Merida, Mexico
Information of four reefs of the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (SAV) and two reefs in the Bank
of Campeche (SABC) was obtained to describe so much the attributes of the community of fish
as well as of the benthic community of both reef systems. The results were analyzed to describe
the interactions among the distribution and abundance of the species of fish in different
environments in the reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. For the attribute of abundance significant
differences were observed between systems, reefs and reef zones being in general the leeward
zones significantly more abundant than those of windward, different to those typical
distributions. For the trophic structure, the abundance of herbivores was significantly different
form the carnivorous, which were distributed in environments of higher complexity. The sites
could cluster in typical habitats regarding the benthic community. The results showed that the
reefs of the Gulf of Mexico had an environment highly dominated by algae specially incrusting
algae. The coverage of stony coral was higher in the SAV, whereas in the SABC octocorals
predominated. The species of predominant fish in the SABC were herbivores belonging to the
family Scaridae and Pomacentridae, whereas in an environment with major structural
complexity and diversity of organisms as some sites of the SAV where octocorals and coverage
of live coral are predominant the major fish species were mainly Chaetodontidae,
Pomacanthidae, Acathuridae and Haemulidae. This distribution seems to have a trend
depending of the environment but affected locally by wave exposure and effects of the local
impacts as fishing pressure reflected in the abundances of fish and the reduction of herbivores
or carnivorous and/or extractives activities that are reflected in the loss of coverage and
structural complexity.
18.762
Marine Debris Density On Coral Reefs Around U.s.-Affiliated Pacific Islands
Sarah MYHRE* 1,2
1 Joint Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Research, Honolulu, HI, 2 Coral Reef Ecosystem
Division, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu
Observations by towed divers of marine debris were recorded in 2006 and 2007 in seven U.S.affiliated
Pacific Island regions: the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands (NWHI), the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), American
Samoa, the U.S. Lines Islands and the Phoenix Islands. The regional density of debris
observations (ob/km²) was calculated from a Pacific-wide total of 431 surveys, covering an
estimated 10,210 km². Debris density was described for four categories: nets/lines, munitions,
shipwrecks, and other manmade objects. Observation density of nets/lines was highest in the
MHI (0.034 ob/km²) and Wake Island (0.029 ob/km²), but was absent from American Samoa
and the U.S. Line Islands. Observation density of munitions (i.e., unexploded ordinance) was
highest again in the Main Hawaiian Islands (0.017 ob/km²) followed by CNMI (0.007 ob/km²)
and Wake Island (0.005 net/line ob/km²), but was absent from all other regions. Observation
density of shipwrecks around Wake Island (0.011 ob/km²) was tenfold greater than in the
NWHI, MHI, CNMI and American Samoa. Observation density of other manmade objects was
greatest around Wake Island (0.037 ob/km²) and the MHI (0.022 ob/km²), but was absent from
the U.S. Line Islands. These trends indicate regional differences in the magnitude and type of
human use and impacts to coral reef ecosystems.
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