11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.1039
Effectiveness Of A Small Mpa in Conserving Fish Resources
Victor NESTOR* 1 , Charlene MERSAI 1 , Geory MEREB 1 , Yimnang GOLBUU 1
1 Research, Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror, Palau
While there has been a proliferation of MPA establishment in Palau, little effort has been
directed at evaluation of these MPAs' management and impacts. We evaluated whether a
small 1 km2 MPA can be effective in conserving fish resources. Underwater surveys
were carried out to obtain fish abundance, hard coral cover and rugosity in Ngelukes
Conservation Area and Uedangel, its control site. Fish abundance in Ngelukes CA
increased from a 48.9 ± 7.8 (Mean ± SE) in 2005 to 69.7 ± 25.0 and decreased to 53 ±
14.1 in 2007. For the control site, Uedangel, there was a different pattern with a
consistent decrease in fish abundance over the three-year period. Fish abundance was
35.3 ± 7.2 (Mean ± SE) in 2005 and decreased to 28.1 ± 7.3 in 2006 and by 2007 the fish
abundance was 27.1 ± 7.9. This fluctuation in fish abundance inside Ngelukes CA and
the decrease in Uedangel from 2005-2007 were not significant so data for the different
years were pooled. Analysis of the pooled data showed that there was a significant
difference in the number of fish inside Ngelukes CA compared to its control site with
mean fish abundance in Ngelukes at 57.2 ± 10.5 (Mean ± SE) compared with the control
site, which only had a mean fish abundance of 30.2 ± 4.3. There was no significant
difference in coral cover and rugosity between Ngelukes CA and its control site. Since
there was no difference between rugosity and coral cover between the MPA and its
control site, the differences in fish abundance between the MPA and control is more
likely due to protection, rather than the type of habitat it has. The results of this study
showed that even small MPAs could still be effective in conserving valuable resources.
23.1040
Species Composition And Abundance At Two Protected Spawning Aggregation
Sites In Palau With Different Length Of Closure
Geory MEREB* 1 , Arius MEREP 1 , Alan FRIEDLANDER 2 , Yimnang GOLBUU 1
1 2
Palau International Coral Reef Center, Koror, Palau, NOAA/NOS/CCMA-
Biogeography Team, Waimanalo, HI
Grouper spawning aggregations are heavily targeted around the world. In Palau,
Ngerumekaol and Ebiil Channels are both spawning aggregation sites that have been
protected from fishing since 1976 and 2000, respectively. Groupers and other resource
species were monitored monthly over a 1.5-year period at these two protected spawning
aggregations and two nearby control areas. Surveys were conducted 2-6 days before the
new moon of each month, which coincides with the peak aggregation period in Palau. At
the aggregation sites, three grouper species (Plectropomus areolatus, Epinephelus
polyphekadion, and E. fuscoguttatus) accounted for 78% of the number and 85% of the
biomass of all resource species surveyed but comprised < 1% of the total number and
biomass at control sites. Number and biomass of the three major grouper species pooled
was significantly higher at Ngerumekaol compared to Ebiil. Plectropomus areolatus was
the dominant grouper at both spawning sites and numbers, biomass, and size were all
higher at Ngerumekaol compared to Ebiil. The larger Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ,
showed even more pronounced differences between the two sites with higher values also
at Ngerumekaol. Epinephelus polyphekadion was the third most important species at
Ngerumekaol but only one individual was encountered at Ebiil. Differences in densities
and composition of grouper species at these two aggregations may be attributed to the
differences in time since closure (Ngerumekaol = 31 years, Ebiil = 7 years). In addition,
Ebiil is further from the capitol, Koror, and experiences problems with poaching. The
peak spawning period at Ebiil occurs during the national open season for groupers and is
therefore easier for poached fish to be sold. The lower numbers of E.fuscoguttatus and
the near absence of E. polyphekadion at Ebiil may reflect the effects of previous and
current overexploitation.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.1041
Learning From The Development Of Marine Protected Area Networks: Is Science Or
Practical Realities The Guiding Force?
Stuart GREEN* 1 , Alan WHITE 2 , Stacey KILARSKI 2 , Patrick CHRISTIE 3 , Anna MENESES 4 ,
Leah BUNCE 5 , Giselle SAMONTE-TAN 5 , Kate NEWMAN 6 , Stuart CAMPBELL 7 , Helen
FOX 6
1 TNC, Tagbilaran City, Philippines, 2 TNC, Honolulu, HI, 3 University of Washington,
Washington, WA, 4 TNC, Manila, Philippines, 5 CI, Washington, WA, 6 WWF, Washington, WA,
7 WCS, Bogor, Indonesia
Marine protected areas (MPAs) and networks of MPAs are an accepted means of protecting
coral reef and associated habitats and enhancing near-shore fisheries. A growing number of
MPA networks are being formed to provide important spatial links needed to maintain
ecosystem processes and connectivity, as well as improve resilience by spreading risk in the
case of localized disasters, failures in management or other hazards, and thus help to ensure the
long-term sustainability of populations This study is part of the “Marine Learning Partnership”
among four global non-government organizations engaged in the development of MPA
networks in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. The primary objective of the
study was to assess the status of the MPA networks in varying stages of planning and
implementation, identify major gaps in information, science, knowledge, and enabling
conditions, and to generate and disseminate increased knowledge of MPA networks through
collaboration. Methodology of the study included: field observation at six sites,
implementation of a structured interview protocol that engaged the MPA managers and primary
stakeholders at the field sites and in national offices, and a stakeholder learning workshop.
Findings show that the six MPA networks are progressing towards their biodiversity
conservation and fisheries management goals. To achieve measureable objectives of effective
habitat protection and connectivity among the individual MPAs, MPA managers and
stakeholders at the sites are discovering that there are many social and governance factors that
must be addressed. The planning for each network is benefitting from improved science and
practical guidance on how to build representative and resilient networks that will minimize loss
from multiple local and global forces over time. Nevertheless, effective management of
individual MPAs and networks is only beginning.
23.1042
Effective Socio-Political Strategies That Help Support Ecological Resilience Of Marine
Protected Area Networks Within The Coral Triangle
Anna MENESES* 1 , Alan WHITE 2 , Stuart GREEN 3 , Stacey KILARSKI 4 , Patrick CHRISTIE 5
1 Global Marine Initiative, The Nature Conservancy, Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines,
2 Global Marine Initiative, The Nature Conservancy, Kailua, HI, 3 Global Marine Initiative, The
Nature Conservancy, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, 4 Global Marine Initiative, The Nature
Conservancy, Honolulu, HI, 5 School of Marine Affairs and Jackson School of International
Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
The Coral Triangle is the global center of marine biodiversity and one of the world’s top
priorities for conservation. Various organizations and partner groups are working to establish
networks of Marine Protected Area (MPAs) within the Coral Triangle. Network designs are
generally based on scientific principles of resilience, whereby focus is based on reefs that are
most likely to survive threats. Criteria to form networks include among others: (1) protecting a
representative range of habitat types and replicating these at multiple locations to spread the risk
of habitat loss; (2) protecting coral communities that are resistant to bleaching; (3)
understanding coral reef connectivity to other ecosystems and processes, and; (4) increasing
management effectiveness of controllable/human factors. In this light, the “Marine Learning
Partnership” Project (LMPP), involving four global NGOs, is working towards a framework for
tropical marine conservation that emphasizes resilient and representative MPA networks. The
objective of LMPP is to improve conservation field practice in scaling up from MPA sites to
ecological networks, by generating and disseminating knowledge through inter-organizational
collaboration. This required capturing and analyzing experiences gained among institutions
working in six sites across countries through: (1) a survey using standard forms targeting MPA
managers and primary stakeholders, and; (2) a stakeholder learning workshop involving
representatives from participating countries. Since, ecological networking is relatively new,
LMPP sites serve as “reality laboratories”. We are realizing that certain initial socio-political
arrangements are needed to support and sustain MPA network initiatives to achieve ecological
resilience and economic benefits. The most effective socio-political approach taken by each of
the six study sites will be presented to serve as models for others to learn from, considering
various political set-ups and cultures across countries.
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