11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.909
Patterns Of Spatial Variability in Distribution Of Benthic Invertebrates And Algae
At Sharm El Sheikh (South Sinai, Egypt)
Stefano ACUNTO 1 , Jessika GIRALDI 1 , David BALATA 1 , Luigi PIAZZI 1 , Francesco
CINELLI* 1
1 University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
A survey of benthic community was conducted as part of the project to construct an
Underwater Observatory on the coast of Sharm el Sheikh (South Sinai, Egypt). To
provide the first step of the Environmental Impact Assessment based on a BACI design
(Before - After Control Impact), the spatial distribution of benthic invertebrates and algae
was studied along the coast of Ras Mohammed National Park in the area of Marsa
Ghoslani.
A nested sampling design was used at a hierarchy of spatial scales: 5 sites (100 s of m
apart), 3 areas within each site (10 s of m apart) and 20 1m2 frames within each area
were randomly selected. Plots were sampled using the photo-quadrats method. All
samples were collected at a depth of 10 m on a gentle slope rocky bottom covered with
sand and scattered coral assemblages.
A combination of univariate and multivariate analysis of the percentage cover was used
to describe differences in the mean abundance of organisms identified at the genus level
and, when necessary, grouped into broader categories.
Results showed significant differences in the distribution and abundances of organisms
among sites as well as among areas, indicating that abundances varied at the scales of
hundreds and tens of meters along the coast investigated. These results are likely to be
due to spatial differences of the hydrodynamic conditions of the studied sites. One of the
sites with the lowest percentage cover of living organisms was suggested as the most
suitable for the location of the Underwater Observatory in order to minimize the impact
of the structure.
23.910
Newly Found Coral Reef At Hadd Tay Muang And Participatory Management
Approaches By Communities
Kittipan SUBKOON* 1 , Songpol TIPPAYAWONG 1 , Jirapong JEEWARONGKUL 1 ,
Supaporn BUANIUM 1
1 Marine and Coastal Resources Unit, WWF Thailand, Phang-nga, Thailand, 82140,
Phang-nga, Thailand
In January 2006, a new coral reef at Hadd Tay Muang, Phang Nga Province, Southern
Thailand was discovered by the staff of the Marine & Coastal Resources Unit (MCRU),
WWF Thailand. The total coral reef area discovered so far was 2.7 km 2 . More than 30
genera of hard coral were identified. Living coral was the most conspicuous portion in
these reefs comprising 32-67.75% of the substrate cover. At present 315 species from154
Genus and 71 families of fish were also identified. The dominant families were
Carangidae, 26 species, Pomacentridae, 22 species, and Serranidae, 22 species, implying
a good status of reef and high biodiversity. Having no or inadequate management may
lead to biodiversity degradation as the reef is under threats (e.g. commercial trawler,
some destructive fishing gear). There is an urgent need in protecting this area before it is
highly exploited from incoming stakeholders such as dive operators. WWF Thailand
Marine Programme in cooperation with coastal communities has tried a number of
manages approaches such as area zoning by scientific and socio-economic–based
judgment to compromise between previous stakeholder and new-coming stakeholder.
Mooring buoys installation and coral restoration have been in place for degraded area;
artificial fish shelter for small-scale fishing is also provided as alternative fishing ground
to satisfy fishing -based community and also decreases fishing impacts on the reef.
Communication and Education are other issues that should be focused besides capacity
building and awareness raising programme. These could ensure sustainable use of the
reef and enhance more participation in marine resources conservation. Lastly, we highly
expect to see more integration especially involvement from provincial authorities which
could help sustain natural resources utilization throughout laws, regulations, effective
strategic plans and long term supports.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.911
Learning About Reef Conservation And Management: Coral Reef Ed-Ventures, An
Environmental Education Program For Schoolchildren in Belize
H. Allen CURRAN* 1 , Paulette PECKOL 2 , Susan ETHEREDGE 3 , Miguel ALAMILLA, JR. 4
1 2
Geology, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Biological Sciences, Smith College,
Northampton, MA, 3 Education & Child Study, Smith College, Northampton, MA, 4 Hol Chan
Marine Reserve, San Pedro, Belize
Efforts to conserve and sustain coral reefs for future generations are directly dependent on
support of all stakeholders in tropical coastal communities, where healthy, well-managed reef
systems are of great importance. However, local knowledge of reef ecosystems and
conservation methods may be limited, and study of coral reef ecology and natural history
commonly is not part of school curricula. Coral reefs provide an ideal topic for teaching
schoolchildren about fundamental oceanographic, ecologic, conservation, and sustainability
principles. Coral Reef Ed-Ventures was initiated in summer 2000 in cooperation with Hol
Chan Marine Reserve on Ambergris Caye, as an outgrowth of a multi-year research program to
monitor the health of Belizean reefs. Now in its ninth year, students from Smith College
organize and run the program, which enables up to 60 local schoolchildren, ages 7 to 11, to
participate in an intensive two-week summer program about coral reefs. The goals of the
program are to increase understanding of a healthy reef ecosystem, to explore how various reef
organisms interact, and to develop appreciation for threats to the reef and how to conserve and
sustain reef resources. The curriculum emphasizes a methodology of critical thinking and
inquiry-based science learning. Helping children to develop observation and recording skills is
an integral part of active, hands-on classroom and field trip experiences. Lessons focus on
marine science with a multi-disciplinary and multi-arts approach. Pre- and post-program
questionnaires completed by the children are used as assessment tools. At the gala Coral Reef
Ed-Ventures graduation ceremony, the children present a program about reef ecology and
conservation for their parents and the community, and each child is awarded a Coral Reef
Expert card.
23.912
Pirates Of The Caribbean; Illegal, Unregulated And Unreported Fishing Threats To
Coral Reef And Pelagic Marine Biodiversity
Steven LUTZ* 1,2
1 Public Policy Office, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, 2 Public Policy
Office, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Washington
Worldwide overfishing has greatly increased the pressure for fishing enterprises to pursue
illegal fishing activities. Pirate fishing or Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, by
nationals of one country in another country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, is a growing
worldwide concern as it challenges local fisheries’ management efforts, depletes already
overfished coastal fisheries, and has been recognized as a major threat to marine biodiversity.
Two cases of pirate fishing in the wider Caribbean region are discussed: pirate fishing in the
Bahamas and at Navassa Island, a U.S. territory. Three classes of pirate fishing are reported:
subsistence, recreational, and commercial, each having respective zones of activity. Reef fish,
endangered sea turtles, corals, and pelagic species (such as tuna and swordfish) are targeted,
with other species impacted as bycatch or through destructive fishing practices. Unchecked, the
impact from pirate fishing will have serious negative consequences for coral reef and pelagic
marine biodiversity.
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