11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.1023
Why do Divers Dive Where They Dive? Understanding the Distribution of Divers
across the Reefs for Ensuring their Sustainable Management
Maria C. UYARRA 1 , Isabelle M. CÔTÉ* 2 , Andrew R. WATKINSON 3,4
1 School Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom,
2 School Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 3 Tyndall
Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, 4 School of Environmental
Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
The popularity of coral reefs is continuously increasing within the diving industry. Due
to the vulnerability of coral reefs to natural and human disturbances, a fundamental goal
of coral reef managers is to regulate the distribution of divers across the reefs, which
would allow the sustainable human use as well as their effective protection. Therefore,
there is considerable interest in understanding the general rules that can explain the
distribution of divers across reefs. We used hierarchical partitioning regressions to
examine site attributes that influenced the popularity of dive sites within divers in the
Caribbean island of Bonaire. We analysed information from dive guides, created indices
for access and carried out ecological surveys at 76 of the 81 existing dive sites in Bonaire
to assess the actual conditions of different attributes that characterise each dive site.
Additionally, we asked 400 divers to indicate where they dived and how they accessed
sites (by boat or from shore) during their holidays, and 8 of the 12 dive shops provided
information on the dive sites used during 14,057 boat dive trips. This information helped
us to develop two indices of dive site use (popularity), one for boat dive sites and another
for shore dives. Coral reef related attributes, accessibility and the likelihood of sighting
charismatic species contributed positively to where people went on boats, whereas the
popularity of shore dives was mainly related to the difficulty of the dive. Identifying
those attributes that affect dive site popularity will help to focus future management
strategies.
23.1024
Influence of Management on Resilience of Hard-coral Assemblages on Belize Reefs
Nadia BOOD* 1 , Melanie MCFIELD 2 , Richard ARONSON 3
1 Mesoamerican Reef, World Wildlife Fund, Belize, Belize, 2 Mesoamerican Reef,
Smithsonian, Belize, Belize, 3 Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
Given the global deterioration of coral reefs, marine ‘no-take’ areas (NTAs) are seen as
an important tool to foster their sustainable management and conservation. NTAs have
been proven to effectively increase stocks of commercially exploited reef species. Less
well-documented is their impact on hard-corals’ health and reef resilience. We tested the
hypothesis that NTAs would increase the resilience of reef ecosystems to large-scale
disturbances and specifically whether hard-coral assemblages on managed reefs are better
able to absorb impacts, resist macroalgal overgrowth and/or regenerate after disturbances.
Belize’s reefs experienced a punctuated reef decline in 1998, due to bleaching and
hurricane damage. Our hypothesis was that reefs inside managed NTAs would be more
resilient and exhibit a faster recovery to this disturbance, due to higher populations of
herbivorous fish and higher herbivory rates. We tested the role of critical functional
groups (i.e. reef framework builders and grazers) and protection status in relation to hardcoral
recovery from two intensely damaging perturbations on Belize’s reefs in 1998
(mass coral bleaching and Hurricane Mitch) on six paired reefs. Contrary to expectation,
no significant difference in mean hard-coral cover was detected between non-NTA and
NTA reefs. Furthermore, the density of juvenile corals was significantly greater on non-
NTA reefs. NTA reefs exhibited a significantly higher macroalgal cover than non-NTA
reefs. Based on a one-time sample of herbivore density, a significant difference between
NTA and non-NTA reefs was not detected. This study demonstrates that hard-coral
assemblages within the managed reefs were no more resilient than those of the
unmanaged reefs, and that there are likely factors hampering coral resilience within and
outside of the targeted NTAs with greater hindrance inside the NTAs. These results
require more targeted investigations to ascertain the cause(s) of the lack of any
measurable recovery six years after the punctuated reef disturbance.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.1025
Comparative Study Of Coral Cover, Fish Density And Fish Biomass in Biga Marine
Reserve From 2003 To 2005
Daisy Desiree FLORES-SALGADO* 1,2
1 Philippine LMMA Network, Quezon City, Philippines, 2 Earth Restoration Trust, Quezon City,
Philippines
There are an increasing number of marine reserves in the Philippines, yet conducting adaptive
management for these areas poses a challenge to local resource managers. The research used the
Before and After, Control and Intervention (BACI) Analysis to compare these parameters. Fish
visual census (FVC) was used to determine fish abundance, while Life form Intercept Transect
(LIT) or Point Intercept Transect (PIT) were used to monitor coral cover. To determine if
significant difference exists between the parameters being compared, t-test and/or Standardized
Mean Difference (SMD) were used. The study aimed to provide information that may help local
decision makers develop an adaptive management plan and to provide policy recommendation
to the Local Government. Results show significant mortality in live coral cover both in the open
(Control) and reserve (Intervention) areas from 2003 (Before) to 2005 (After) of 17% and 6%,
respectively. The significant difference between the decrease in live coral cover outside the
reserve compared to inside reveals the importance of management of marine reserves in
preserving live corals.
Increased algal growth was also observed in both areas. There was a significant increase in fish
density inside the marine reserve, including an abundance of damselfish, herbivores that feed on
algae. No significant increase in fish density or biomass was observed outside the reserve in
2005, but there are evident signs of an increasing number of smaller fish in the open harvest.
Simple economic valuation indicated the positive implications of having a marine reserve on
food and livelihood. The study provided adaptive management strategies and policy
recommendations to the stakeholders of Biga Marine reserve.
23.1026
Private Management Of Coral Reefs: An Example From The Sugud Islands Marine
Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia
Lydia TEH* 1 , Louise TEH 1 , Fung Chen CHUNG 2
1 Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2 Reef Guardian
Sdn. Bhd., Sandakan, Malaysia
Many marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly in developing countries, have been
ineffective in achieving their conservation objectives due to a lack of financial resources to
support enforcement and monitoring. Private investment and management in MPAs is a
potential approach to address the pervasiveness of ‘paper parks’. We evaluate the effectiveness
of private management in conserving coral reefs, using a case study of the Sugud Islands
Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) in Sabah, Malaysia. SIMCA is managed by a private
management company called Reef Guardian. The majority of management costs for the
conservation area are met from conservation fees. With adequate funds and a sustainable source
of financing, Reef Guardian has been able to invest in the personnel and surveillance
technology necessary to enforce the rules and regulations of the 467 km2 conservation area.
Enforcement capacity has also been strengthened through collaboration with local enforcement
agencies. This has reduced anthropogenic threats to marine biodiversity, such as illegal fishing
and turtle egg poaching. Underwater visual census shows that there is a comparatively high
abundance of commercially important fish such as groupers within SIMCA. The mean number
of annual turtle nestings increased from 101±13 (SD) to 205±82 after Reef Guardian
assumed management of SIMCA in 2003. Our results suggest that private management can be
effective in conserving biodiversity in MPAs, and may well succeed regionally in suitable
locations.
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