11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

22.845
Ornamental Fish Trade in The Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden
Maroof KHALAF* 1 , Mohamed ALI 2
1 Marine Science Station, Aqaba, Jordan, 2 Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Um-
Alquin, 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.
22.847
Differential Effects Of A Marine Partially-Protected And Unprotected Area On
Shore Reef Fish Communities And Populations
Maria Catalina REYES-NIVIA* 1 , Alberto RODRIGUEZ-RAMIREZ 2
1 Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam,
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2 Programa Biodiversidad y Ecosistemas Marinos, Instituto de
Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras INVEMAR, Santa Marta, Colombia
In developing countries, marine protected areas (MPAs) are being used as fisheries
management tools, but these areas are not always fully closed to fishing and may be
located adjacent to highly disturbed reefs. To determine whether partial protection affects
coral reef fishes, combined metrics such as community composition and density of
selected populations were evaluated over a large spatial scale. The roving diver technique
was used to determine species richness and relative abundance of all species and belt
transects (30x2 m) were used to estimate density of families. Twenty fringing reefs
located on leeward and windward sides along Santa Marta coastline were surveyed. Nine
reefs were part of the MPA “Tayrona Natural National Park” (TNNP) in the Colombian
Caribbean, whilst the other 11 were situated close to the three major urban settlements in
the area. Sampling design included the variability at these two spatial scales (protection
and wave exposure levels). Spatial distribution of reef fish community differed between
protection levels, whereas there was not clear grouping by sheltered or exposed sites.
Significant spatial variation in density of damselfish, grunts, and, snappers was found,
displaying higher values inside the MPA. Parrotfish showed responses to both spatial
factors with higher abundances associated to both marine park and sheltered reefs.
Grouper species abundance was low (< 1 ind/60 m 2 ) across the study area. Overall there
appears to be some spatial variations in reef fish communities and particular populations
probably influenced by the MPA presence. These outcomes demonstrate however that the
marine parks not fully-fishing closed do not offer protection to fishery target families (i.e.
groupers) and indirectly suggest that fishing pressures are uniform along the study area.
Poster Mini-Symposium 22: Coral Reef Associated Fisheries
22.848
Fish Community Structure, Habitat Diversity And Fishing Pressure in Gulf Of Guinea
Reefs (Tropical Eastern Atlantic)
Carlos Eduardo FERREIRA* 1 , Sergio FLOETER 2 , Claudio SAMPAIO 3 , Luiz ROCHA 4
1 Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Brazil, 2 Dept. de Ecologia e
Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil, 3 Museu de Zoologia,
Univesidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil, 4 Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology,
University of Hawaii, Kane‘ohe, HI
The Island of São Tomé is located about 500 km west of the coast of Africa, in the Gulf of
Guinea. Its marine fauna is one of the least known in the world. Due to its high levels of
endemism, the region is considered a marine biodiversity hotspot. In February of 2006 we
performed a quantitative survey in seven sites along the island. These sites showed different
levels of coral cover, wave exposure and fishing pressure. Abundance of reef fish was sampled
by 20 x 2 m strip transects (n = 20) in all sites. Percent cover of benthic organisms was
simultaneously sampled by photoquadrats. Fishing intensity was assessed by estimating the
number of fishermen per 10 km2. One site, Kia presented mean total density (886 + 254 SE)
and richness per census (16 + 0.6 SE) higher than any other site. This difference was due to
high abundance of planktivores including Myripristis jacobus, Chromis multilineata and
Paranthias furcifer. These three species, together with Thalassoma newtoni, are the most
abundant fishes in all sites (p < 0.001 for all except Diogo Vaz). Trophic comparisons indicate
diurnal planktivores and mobile invertebrate feeders as significantly dominant fish groups in all
sites (p < 0.01 for the most), except for Hirundino where territorial herbivores were second on
the rank. Canonical correspondence analysis showed the percent cover of coral and rubble as
the most important descriptors of sites with higher abundance and richness. Abundance was
also negatively correlated with fishing intensity. The abundance of targeted species was
extremely low indicating that decades of artisanal fishing has possibly led the reef fish stocks to
decline. Thus, the need for the establishment of marine protected areas is evident.
* funded by National Geographic Society
22.849
Unregulated Collecting Is Severely Impacting An Endangered Coral Reef Fish in
Indonesia
Alejandro VAGELLI* 1
1 New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences, Camden, NJ
The geographic range of Pterapogon kauderni (The Banggai cardinalfish) is limited to the
shallows of 32 islands within the Banggai Archipelago. P. kauderni is a valuable model for
comparative studies of coral reef fishes. It has direct development (absence of a larval stage),
one of the highest recorded population genetic structures, and an ontogenetic shift in habitat -
microhabitat utilization. However, it is threatened in the wild due to an enormous demand for
the international ornamental fish trade.
Its conservation status has been researched since 2001 by conducting surveys, censuses, and by
interviewing fish collectors and buyers throughout the Archipelago. In 2001 about 700,000
specimens were collected. By 2004 average population density was reduced by 90%, and two
populations had been eliminated. In 2007 at least 900,000 were harvested out of an approximate
total population size of two million specimens. Five populations declined to less than 150
individuals and all populations showed significantly lower densities than their estimated
historical baseline.
Habitat and essential microhabitats are being eliminated by the widespread practice of
dynamite fishing, and the appearance of coral fields covered by a fungus-like organism and
algae are further diminishing habitat availability.
Continued collecting, if not regulated, will deplete many more populations. An effort to include
P. kauderni in CITES was defeated in June 2007 based on unfounded concerns about local
economic impact. In September 2007 the IUCN, based on the same data, listed P. kauderni as
“Endangered”.
It is suggested that Pterapogon kauderni to be included in CITES. Trade regulation and
monitoring would ensure its survival and provide incentive to develop commercial aquaculture
activities that are currently hindered by availability of cheaper wild caught specimens. It would
also allow local people to sustainable harvest it over time.
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