11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

22.841
The Impact Of The Export Trade in Coral Reef Resources-Perspectives From
Coastal Communities And Implications For Managing Change
Lydia TEH* 1 , Louise TEH 1 , Benjamin STARKHOUSE 1 , Ussif Rashid SUMAILA 1
1 Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
We aim to assess the impact of trade expansion in coral reef resources on Fijian coastal
communities by investigating resource users’ perceptions of i) ecological and socioeconomic
changes in the inshore fisheries in the recent past; ii) magnitude of this change
and how it influences resource harvesting activities; iii) drivers that explain the change,
and iv) fishers’ response to the change. We conduct semi-structured interviews with
fishers, supplemented with participant observations and relevant statistics, to characterise
past and present reef fisheries condition, resource use patterns, and economic
participation in the reef resource trade. Fisheries and socio-economic characteristics will
then be compared against export trade volume over time to evaluate the relationship
between trade expansion and ecological and socio-economic well-being. Fishers’
response to export trade expansion will also be qualitatively assessed based on changes in
fishing and livelihood strategies. Data for this study will be collected in early 2008;
results from this study will inform about coastal communities’ ability to adapt to trade
induced changes, and aid in formulating environmentally and socially sustainable policies
to govern the trade in coral reef resources.
22.842
Effect Of Tourism Development On Economically Important Reef Fish Of Koh
Kood, Trat Province, Thailand
Se SONGPLOY* 1 , Nipat SOMKLEEB 1 , Makamas SUTTHACHEEP 1 , Sittiporn
PENGSAKUN 1 , Thamasak YEEMIN 1
1 Biology, Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Bangkok, Thailand
Koh Kood is located in Trat Province, the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand. It is the
most eastern island of Thailand near Cambodia. Since Koh Kood is not far from Mu Koh
Chang where is a hot spot for tourism, it is developing to a new tourist destination.
Infrastructure development and anthropogenic disturbances have been increasing during
2002-2007. The main objective of the present study was to compare economically reef
fish densities between the surveys in 2002 and 2007 by using Fish Visual Census
Technique. The dominant economically important reef fish were Chocolate hind
(Cephalopholis boenak), Streaked spinefoot (Siganus javus) and Deep bodied fusiller
(Caesio cunning). These three fish species were reported in many published papers
studied in the Gulf of Thailand. The most expensive specie is Leopard coralgrouper
(Plectropomus leopardus) which costs 1400 baht (≈43 USD)/kg. The results showed that
densities of economically important reef fish, such as Humpback red snapper (Lutjanus
gibbus), Brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta), Deep bodied fusilier (Caesio cunning),
Chocolate hind (Cephalopholis boenak), Leopard coralgrouper (Plectropomus
leopardus), Streaked spinefoot (Siganus javus), Orange-spotted spinefoot (Siganus
guttatus), and White-spotted spinefoot (Siganus canaliculatus), between the surveys in
2002 and 2007 were not statistically different. The results suggest that tourism
development on Koh Kood still has no effect on economically important reef fish because
tourism development on the island is at the initial phase. However, there is high potential
for tourism development on Koh Kood because of its natural resources and infrastructure
development. Therefore, long - term monitoring programs and appropriate coral reef
management strategies are necessary.
Poster Mini-Symposium 22: Coral Reef Associated Fisheries
22.843
Sacrificing Coral Reefs To Achieve The Progress: Life Of Blast Fishermen in The
Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Muhammad CHOZIN* 1,2
1 Southeast Asian Studies Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 2 Marine Division, Research
Center, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
Blast fishing is fishing method practicing by throwing a bomb made from mixed fuelammonium
nitrate fertilizer (NH4NO3) into sea in order to quickly catch fish. However, it is
tremendously destructive to coral reefs. It is estimated that more than 53% of Indonesia’s coral
reefs in Indonesia has been threatened by destructive fishing including blast fishing.
Particularly, in the Spermonde archipelago, South Sulawesi, more than 75% of fishermen are
practicing this fishing method. Supported by strong closed-networking system links capitals,
market, government officers, and operators make the practices are prevalent.
My research focus is on socio-cultural aspects of blast fishermen society in an island within
Spermonde archipelago. Using participant observation field work, I looked at vividly into the
society to observe how deep the practice of blast fishing has a root from their cultures, beliefs,
and custom. In addition, I also conducted interviews with fishermen, government officers, and
fish traders. By doing so, I try to understand how the blast fishermen perceive themselves and
others, how they deal with power of state, and how they response to the globalization.
Finally, I examine fishermen’s opinion of the sustainability of their maritime resources
including coral reefs and fish stocks. It seems that their awareness of environmental issues has
no impact to their daily life. The desire to achieve the modern progress overcomes the need of
resources sustainability. Even though they know the bad impact of blast fishing practice in the
long run, they keep continue it because they are “greedy”. Actually, a closely expose to
Makassar’s modern life (the capital city of South Sulawesi Province) but lack of education
plunges them into greediness. The highly demand from global fish-market attracts them to use
short-cut way in catching the fish. Moreover, the lack of law enforcement contributes the
continuity of this practice.
22.844
Ornamental Fish Trade in The Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden
Maroof KHALAF 1 , Mohamed ALI² 2
1 Fish ecology and taxonomy, Marine Science Station, Aqaba, Jordan, 2 Marine Resources
Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Um Al-Qaueen, United Arab Emirates
The communities of ornamental reef fish species from shallow water habitats along the coasts
of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Djibouti were surveyed by the visual census
technique. A total of 118 transects of 100 m length and 5 m width (500 m²) were performed at
32 sites. Some data on the marine ornamental fish trade was extracted from relevant
government export statistics. Also, the authors visited the holding facilities of the companies
involved in ornamental fish trade in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen and recorded all aquarium
fishes present at the time. A total of 29,485 fishes were counted along the 18 transects in
Jordan, 196,379 fishes were counted along the 31 transects in Egypt, 113,268 fishes were
counted along the 33 transects in Saudi Arabia, 129,932 fishes were counted along the 18
transects in Yemen and a total of 53,856 fishes were counted along the 18 transects in Djibouti.
Out of the 50 species counted 5 species dominated the Jordanian reef e.g. A. bicinctus (76.3%
per 500 m belt transect of the total individuals counted in the Red Sea); 11 species dominated
the Egyptian reef e.g. C. aygula (81.9%); 20 species dominated the Saudi Arabia Red Sea coast
e.g. D. aruanus (84.9%); 7 species dominated the Yemeni Red Sea coast e.g. D. trimaculatus
(80.7%) and 6 species dominated the Djiboutian coast e.g. C. melapterus (100%). Species
needing special consideration such as species with poor survivorship in captivity, easily
overexploited and ecologically important species were determined. Recommendations for
management plans of the ornamental fish trade were presented.
475