11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.905
The Manila Ocean Park: A Venue For Coral Reef Education And Research
Benjamin VALLEJO JR* 1,2
1 Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines, Quezon City,
Philippines, 2 Manila Ocean Park, Manila, Philippines
This study documents the recently opened Manila Ocean Park efforts on coral reef
education and conservation research. Among the major thrusts in coral reef education and
research is on coral propagation under captive conditions. This study aims to establish a
baseline for coral propagation for the aquarium trade, laboratory based research on coral
health and the effects of global climate change. This research focus is tied to public
education programs that emphasize active engagement in coral reef conservation
23.906
Marine Biodiversity Conservation in The Kudat Priority Conservation Area, Sulu-
Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion, Sabah, Malaysia : Applying The Ecosystem Approach.
Robecca JUMIN* 1 , Yoke Lee LEE 1 , Sikula MAGUPIN 1 , Annadel CABANBAN 1
1 WWF-Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
The Ecosystem Approach (EsA) was adopted by many countries that signed the
Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) but very little examples of its application are
found in the world. As the framework for biodiversity conservation in the CBD, the
Strategic Plan of Action for meeting conservation implies this application. The
application of the EsA follows 5 general steps: defining the ecosystem; identifying
stakeholders; knowing the resource uses; and identifying management strategy. As a
stakeholder of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion, WWF-Malaysia SSME
Conservation Programme has embarked on the conservation of the Kudat Priority
Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia following the concept of the Ecosystem Approach.
This Project complements the establishment of the Tun Mustapha Park with the Kudat
PCA, where collaborative management between local, resource-users and governmental
agencies is the stated and desired management strategy. Thus, the Project began by
knowing the stakeholders in the Area and gathering local knowledge on the coastal and
marine ecosystems and the patterns of resource uses. The information gathered from this
phase will define the community education and public awareness strategy to build
community support. The results from this phase are presented in this paper and
discussed against the 12 principles of the Ecosystem Approach. This phase and the
future envisioned phases of the Tun Mustapha Park management uphold the principles
for biodiversity conservation.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.907
Supporting The Suppliers; The Key To Sustaining The Marine Aquarium Trade?.
Gayatri REKSODIHARDJO-LILLEY* 1 , Yunaldi YAHYA 1 , Putu WIDYASTUTI 1
1 Marine Aquarium Council Indonesia, Denpasar, Indonesia
A responsible marine aquarium trade, based on informed resource management strategies and
shared responsibilities through the whole trade chain, is urgently needed if the marine resources
are to be conserved for the future. The trade's survival depends to a large extent on maintaining
the health of coral reef ecosystems, and provision of greater financial incentives to the supply
end of the trade chain is one means of achieving this.
For over three decades, Indonesia has been the major supplier of marine ornamentals, supplying
the world with large quantities of wild-caught marine organisms of many species. However,
poor management of the trade has led to over-collection and resource depletion, and stock
mortality rates remain high.
Thousands of coastal communities depend on this trade as their only source of income. Up to
three generations of collectors can be found living in some coastal villages. Coastal areas have
become damaged through increasing levels of human impact, and the collectors have had to
travel progressively further from their villages to fulfill their orders.
For the past four years, MAC has been working with local partners in coastal areas, focusing on
resources assessment and reef conditions, development of collection area management plans,
and capacity building of collectors in non-destructive collecting and post-harvest techniques.
Three sets of data on resource assessment surveys have been collected in Buleleng district,
North Bali during 2003, 2005 and 2007, as well as harvest data from 2005 to 2007. The
accumulated data show that there is a chance that managed collection areas could provide a
sustainable harvest of marine organisms for the aquarium trade. Currently we are working with
collectors in Bali, Jakarta Bay, West Sumatra (Mentawai/ Padang) and Sulawesi.
23.908
‘Evidence-based’ Coral Reef Conservation
Sue WELLS* 1 , William SUTHERLAND 2
1 Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2 University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, United Kingdom
This paper provides preliminary results of an initiative to document scientific evidence of the
impact of conservation actions and management interventions undertaken for coral reefs.
Despite a massive investment in their protection, and the publication of much guidance for
managers, reefs are in serious decline. Many interventions are based on good science, but others
have evolved from personal experience and common sense. There is no single source that
collates experiences and the impacts of different interventions, and this initiative is aimed at
filling this gap through the website ConservationEvidence.com. Relevant data are extracted
from scientific journals and other sources, and a list of common coral reef management
interventions has been compiled. Each of these is being assessed according to the ‘evidence’
available. The study is incomplete but some examples can be provided:
A systematic review has been carried out and conclusions drawn (e.g. the impact of marine
protected areas on coral reef fish populations);
A review has been undertaken but this is not systematic and comprehensive (e.g. the impact of
coral reef restoration programmes);
There are only a few papers and the results can be summarised (e.g. the impact of fisheries gear
exchange programmes on coral reef fish populations);
There are numerous papers and a systematic review is needed before sound conclusions can be
drawn (e.g. the impact of artificial reefs on adjacent natural reefs); and
There is no information on the intervention in the sources used (e.g. the impact of awarenessraising
programmes for local communities on the health of adjacent reefs).
This information will be of direct value to coral reef managers but will also help to identify
research priorities for the scientific community.
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