11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.984
Damselfish Embryo Assay: Field Measurement Of Pollution Impact
Lisa LOBEL* 1 , Phillip LOBEL 1
1 Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA
PCB accumulation and the occurrence of embryonic abnormalities were investigated in
the damselfish, Abudefduf sordidus, from PCB contaminated and uncontaminated
sites within Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific Ocean. Developmental anomalies were
assessed in damselfish embryos collected in the field during four natural spawning
seasons (1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001). Laboratory incubations of abnormal embryos
demonstrated that the abnormalities observed were lethal. PCBs were measured in fish
tissues with mean whole body concentrations ranging from 364.6 to 138,032.5 ng/g lipid.
A significant residue effect relationship was found between total PCB concentration and
embryo abnormalities. This study provides baseline monitoring criteria and evaluates
sediment quality benchmarks used for ecological risk assessments on coral reefs.
23.985
Scaling-Up Efforts For Fisheries Management And Marine Biodiversity
Conservation Through Networks Of Marine Protected Areas in Marine Corridors
Within The Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape
Miledel Christine QUIBILAN* 1 , Porfirio ALINO 2 , Sheila VERGARA 1 , Romeo
TRONO 1
1 Conservation International Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines, 2 Marine Science
Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Information derived from local stakeholders on the state of their marine resources and use
patterns and from scientific studies that elucidate more objectively key state and pressure/
threat indicators were integrated using GIS map-based analyses. Objectives for this
integration were to: 1.) derive key ecological criteria relevant for MPA selection, and 2.)
provide site-specific recommendations on the appropriate design (i.e. location, size and
configuration) of networks of MPAs in three marine corridors within the Sulu Sulawesi
Seascape. Spatially defined grids (i.e. 5 km2) and a point-scoring system was used to
transform discrete data on the extent of marine habitats, diversity, distribution and
abundance of corals, reef fishes, seagrasses, mangroves, fish egg and larvae and
threatened marine species onto GIS maps. We elucidate the challenges and opportunities
in identifying new areas for protection and the implications of expanding the size of
existing no-take areas. Scientific evidence that would show the inter-connectedness of
marine species, habitats, protected areas, and corridors at different spatial and temporal
scales remains to be one of the fundamental gaps that need to be addressed for the
purpose of guiding strategic conservation directions. An improved understanding of the
science of connectivity can potentially facilitate the commitment of local governments
and national policy makers to continue to work together so that synergistic benefits can
be derived from cooperative conservation and fisheries management initiatives. However,
the success of these initiatives will also depend on how effective coastal management is
sustained in the long-term. Effective coastal management may be achieved if
management responsibilities and accountabilities are clearer and defined individually,
locally and cooperatively among stakeholders. In order for stakeholders to make timely
decisions and actions on the ground based on current scientific knowledge and
information, regular feedback and translation is crucial and to some extent, continually
guided.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.986
An Automated Real-Time Meteorological And Oceanographic Monitoring System
Supporting Marine Biological Research And Management On The Mesoamerican Barrier
Reef
Thomas OPISHINSKI* 1
1 Interactive Oceanographics, East Greenwich, RI
In 1997 an environmental monitoring system was established at the Smithsonian’s marine
research laboratory on Carrie Bow Cay (CBC) in Belize to address fundamental needs for
meteorological and oceanographic measurements. Many factors including operational
environment, remote location, data accessibility, power restrictions, autonomous operation, and
available communications for data transfer influenced the design criteria. In many ways the
design criteria established for the system by the Smithsonian in 1996 were both pioneering and
vital to the long term success of the system. It was one of the earliest monitoring systems to
process and transfer real-time data from a remote geographic location to a web site for public
access. To our knowledge it is still the only automated system continuously monitoring
oceanographic and meteorological conditions on the outer Mesoamerican barrier reef.
The system continues to provide a baseline set of data used to examine long term trends, short
term and seasonal cycles, and episodic events. This data has proven invaluable to management
efforts for regional organizations and research studies for both Smithsonian scientists and an
increasing number of organizations worldwide. To meet expanding needs of the users,
continuous efforts are taken to improve and add functionality to the environmental monitoring
system and supporting web site.
This paper provides an overview of the system, samples of data offerings such as statistical
weather summaries, tidal forecasts and shoreline surveys, data samples illustrating trends,
extreme weather events and seasonal dependencies. A summary of biological research that has
utilized the data is presented. Also included is an introduction to some of the features of the
newly designed web site that provides interactive data analysis for the user, forecasting, realtime
quality control of data, a harmonic tidal analysis and prediction model and an intelligent
processing module designed to identify conditions favorable for coral bleaching.
23.987
International Coral Reef Management Through Government-Private Cooperation
Michael MOLINA* 1 , Thomas CRAVEN 2
1 Department of Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HI, 2 Department of Defense,
US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, AL
The Eniwetak Conservation Area (ECA) is an example of ecosystem-based management in a
coral reef setting that is being implemented on the scale of an entire atoll lagoon islet with its
surrounding reef and incorporates governmental and traditional management practices. The
ECA was established at Kwajalein Atoll by the United States Government (US), the Republic
of the Marshall Islands Government (RMI), and local landowners through a unique
environmental process developed as a result of the Compact of Free Association between the
US and the RMI. This process is embodied within a formally adopted set of environmental
standards that apply the substantive protections of US environmental law to US activities in the
RMI, with special focus on US Army Space and Missile Defense Command activities at
Kwajalein. As a result of consultation and permitting procedures contained in the standards, a
Document of Environmental Protection (DEP) was issued from the Commander, US Army
Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA), permitting a proposed project to proceed on a conditional basis.
Based on US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service
recommendations, the DEP required compensatory mitigation to offset anticipated projectrelated
losses to sea turtle, seabird, and coral reef habitats. Since there was no viable
opportunity to do this at the project islet, protection of these resources at a suitable nearby islet
was pursued. Designation of the ECA was identified in the DEP and accomplished through
issuance of a new base policy by the USAKA Commander, a signed conservation use
agreement between the local Marshallese landowners and the RMI, and development of an ECA
management and monitoring plan. The ECA includes an entire uninhabited islet with an intact
native forest, numerous nesting seabirds, documented sea turtle nesting, and a biologically rich
coral reef.
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