scholarly journals Dependency of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef’s tropical fisheries on reef-associated fish

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Brown ◽  
William Taylor ◽  
Colette C. C. Wabnitz ◽  
Rod M. Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
Reef Degradation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Degradation ◽  
By Catch

Abstract Coral reefs have been subject to mass coral bleaching, potentially causing rapid and widespread degradation of ecosystem services that depend on live coral cover, such as fisheries catch. Fisheries species in tropical waters associate with a wide range of habitats, so assessing the dependency of fisheries on coral reefs is important for guiding fishery responses to coral reef degradation. This study aimed to determine how fisheries catches associate with coral reefs in Queensland, Australia. Queensland’s largest fisheries did not target fish associated with reefs, but specific sectors, particularly aquarium fisheries and commercial fisheries in the mid to northern region had a high dependence on species that use coral reefs. Regions that had a greater relative area of coral reefs had higher catches of species that depend on live coral, suggesting that coral area could be used to predict the sensitivity of a jurisdiction’s fisheries to bleaching. Dynamic analysis of stock trends found that coral trout and red throat emperor, the two largest species by catch for the reef line fishery, were at risk of overfishing if habitat loss caused declines in stock productivity. Management of fisheries that are highly dependent on reefs may need to adapt to declining productivity, but further research to support ongoing reforms in Queensland’s fisheries is needed to quantitatively link reef degradation to stock production parameters is needed.

scholarly journals The Status of the Coral Reefs of the Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka), with 36 Coral Species New to Sri Lanka Confirmed by DNA Bar-Coding

Oceans ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-529
Author(s):  
Ashani Arulananthan ◽  
Venura Herath ◽  
Sivashanthini Kuganathan ◽  
Anura Upasanta ◽  
Akila Harishchandra
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Acropora Digitifera ◽  
The Status

Sri Lanka, an island nation located off the southeast coast of the Indian sub-continent, has an unappreciated diversity of corals and other reef organisms. In particular, knowledge of the status of coral reefs in its northern region has been limited due to 30 years of civil war. From March 2017 to August 2018, we carried out baseline surveys at selected sites on the northern coastline of the Jaffna Peninsula and around the four largest islands in Palk Bay. The mean percentage cover of live coral was 49 ± 7.25% along the northern coast and 27 ± 5.3% on the islands. Bleaching events and intense fishing activities have most likely resulted in the occurrence of dead corals at most sites (coral mortality index > 0.33). However, all sites were characterised by high values of diversity (H’ ≥ 2.3) and evenness (E ≥ 0.8). The diversity index increased significantly with increasing coral cover on the northern coast but showed the opposite trend on the island sites. One hundred and thirteen species of scleractinian corals, representing 16 families and 39 genera, were recorded, as well as seven soft coral genera. Thirty-six of the scleractinian coral species were identified for the first time on the island of Sri Lanka. DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was employed to secure genetic confirmation of a few difficult-to-distinguish new records: Acropora aspera, Acropora digitifera, Acropora gemmifera, Montipora flabellata, and Echinopora gemmacea.

scholarly journals Quantification of The Effects of Coral Reef Degradation On Butterflyfish Populations in The Southern Great Barrier Reef

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Reef Degradation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Coral Reef Degradation ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
A Minor

Because of their wide abundance on coral reefs, butterflyfishes’ presence or absence can function as an indicator for overall reef health. A survey of both healthy and degraded coral reef flats off Heron Island in Queensland, Australia was conducted to determine the effects of decreasing coral cover on corallivorous fishes. During a four-day period at the end of October, 2013, four species of butterflyfish – two obligate and two facultative corallivorous butterflyfish species – were tallied along two transects in the reef flats. From a total of 291 individuals, there was a significant difference in habitat composition choice between healthy and degraded habitats seen by a p= 2.234e-10. Additionally, means extracted from log-transformed data suggest that the twelve percent decrease in live coral between transects of the healthy habitat caused a disproportionate decrease in fish abundance. This suggests that a minor loss of coral cover can result in a dramatic loss of fish abundance and diversity and may point towards a threshold where living coral can no longer sustain original population abundances of coral reef communities.

scholarly journals CONDITION OF CORAL AND REEF FISH IN THE LOCATION OF FISH CATCHING USING DYNAMITE FISHING IN KAPOPOSANG WATER PARK AND THE SURROUNDING SEA

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mahmudin Mahmudin ◽  
Chair Rani ◽  
Hamzah Hamzah
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystem ◽  
Control Location ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Reef Ecosystem

Dynamite fishing is one of the causes of damage to the coral reef ecosystem in Indonesia. Fishing activities using explosives (dynamite fishing) occur because of the desire of fishermen to get a lot of catch with low cost in a short time. Kapoposang Water Park (WP) is a region rich in marine biological resources. However, dynamite fishing activities which are still found within the area have caused the coral reef ecosystem to be severely damaged. The results showed a lower difference in the percentage of live coral cover at dynamite fishing locations (DF1, DF2) compared to control locations (K1, K2). In addition, the highest average values of coral fish abundance were found at locations K1, DF1, and DF2. Conversely, the results of the analysis found the lowest fish abundance at the K2 location. Different from the average number of reef fish species that were higher at the control location (K1, K2) compared to dynamite fishing locations (DF1, DF2). For the target fish biomass there is no real difference between the control location and dynamite fishing.

scholarly journals Status of Coral Reefs in the Water of Spermonde, Makassar, South Sulawesi

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Ni Wayan Purnama Sari ◽  
Rikoh Manogar Siringoringo ◽  
Muhammad Abrar ◽  
Risandi Dwirama Putra ◽  
Raden Sutiadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Index Value

Observations of the condition of coral reefs have been carried out in Spermonde waters from 2015 to 2018. The method used in this observation uses Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), and the data obtained is analyzed using CPCe (Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions) software. The results show that the percentage of coral cover has increased from year to year. The percentage of live coral cover in 2015 was 19.64%, 23.60 in 2016, 23.72% in 2017, and 27.83% in 2018. The increase in live coral cover from year to year is thought to occur due to the availability of nutrients. or increasing public awareness, considering this location is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Makassar. Coral reef health index values can be used to classify coral reef health. Through the analysis of the coral reef health index, an index value of 4 was obtained, which means that the condition of the coral reefs is in the “moderate” category.

Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak at Taiping Island (Itu Aba), Spratlys, South China Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Khang Heng ◽  
Ming-Jay Ho ◽  
Chao-Yang Kuo ◽  
Ya-Yi Huang ◽  
Chia-Ying Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
South China ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Regional Collaboration ◽  
First Time

Outbreak of crown-of-thorns sea stars, Acanthaster cf. solaris, were documented in coral reefs around Taiping Island, Spratlys for the first time. The outbreak might be thereason for the significant decline in live coral cover in 2021. Comprehensive monitoring through regional collaboration is needed.

Dietary shift in juvenile coral trout (Plectropomus maculatus) following coral reef degradation from a flood plume disturbance

Coral Reefs ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin K. C. Wen ◽  
Mary C. Bonin ◽  
Hugo B. Harrison ◽  
David H. Williamson ◽  
Geoffrey P. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Coral Trout ◽  
Juvenile Coral ◽  
Reef Degradation ◽  
Coral Reef Degradation

Ecological State of Coral Reefs for Conservation and Developmental Planning in Pandan Island, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel G. Becira ◽  
Benjamin J. Gonzales ◽  
Honorio B. Pagliawan
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Pinna Nobilis ◽  
Commercially Important

In Palawan, Philippines, Honda Bay is fast becoming a target recreational site for curious domestic and foreign visitors. The general objectives of this resource assessment are to gather information regarding status of the marine resources in Pandan Island, and to provide recommendations for their sustainable use. Assessment was done using line intercept transect (LIT), fish visual census (FVC) and an imaginary transect belt for coral cover, fish, and macro-invertebrates, respectively. Average live coral cover around Pandan Island can be categorized as good (57%), with stations 7 and 1 and 2 categorized as excellent (76-100%) and fair (26-50%) conditions, respectively. Some 178 fish species were recorded in Pandan Island waters of which seven (7) highly target and 29 common commercial fish species were found. The estimated total reef fish biomass around Pandan Island is 588 mt/ km2. A total of eight macro invertebrate (shells, etc.) species belonging to five families was found around Pandan Island. The study concluded that of these eight species, six are commercially important,Tridacnacro cea(taklobo), Tridacnasquamosa (taklobo), Hippopusporcellanus(taklobo), Trochusniloticus(topshell), Pinna nobilis (tarab), and Bohadschiamarmota (sea cucumber). Five of these species the T. crocea, T. squamosa, H. porcellanus, P. nobilis, and T. niloticus are listed as endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature.   Keywords - target species, macro-invertebrates, coral cover, coral reefs, reef fish, conservation

scholarly journals Cuando la conservación no puede seguir el ritmo del desarrollo: Estado de salud de los ecosistemas coralinos del Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández ◽  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
The North ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract: When conservation can keep up with development´s pace: Health status of coral ecosystems in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Coral reefs are diverse and productive ecosystems, despite this, they are being threatened by human activities that enhance the detrimental impact of the natural phenomenon’s like Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). The north Pacific of Costa Rica has been characterized as one of the best regions for the coral reefs development in the country. However, many of these ecosystems are being lost as a result of eutrophication, overfishing, invasive species and others impacts that affect the region. In the present study, live coral cover in the north Pacific was 5.0 ± 10.4(s.d.) %, with a domination in the ecosystems by turf algae. Twenty-six invertebrate taxa were registered in the region with the predominance of the sea urchin Diadema mexicanum. Ninety-four species of reef fish were identified. Snappers and some planktivores species were the groups with the highest frequency and abundance. The localities previously studied in the 1990 decade, presented a mean live coral cover between 40-50 %, whereby the actual state of the reef reflect a significant deterioration. This decline in coral cover is due to natural events like the El Niño, as well as the decrease in water quality in the region. In recent years, proliferations of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa sertularioides and high densities of bioerosive sea urchins have been reported, mainly associated with HAB events. Likewise, fish communities have low biomass, especially in the vicinity of fishing villages. The state of the reefs in the North Pacific is worrying and requires actions for its recovery and conservation, for which there must be better planning of the development of projects and activities on the coast. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(Suppl. 1): S280-S308. Epub 2018 April 01. 

scholarly journals The gut microbiome stability of a butterflyfish is disrupted on severely degraded Caribbean coral reefs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Clever ◽  
Jade M. Sourisse ◽  
Richard F. Preziosi ◽  
Jonathan A. Eisen ◽  
E. Catalina Rodriguez Guerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Core Microbiome ◽  
Habitat Gradient ◽  
Fermentative Bacteria ◽  
Fish Gut

AbstractEnvironmental degradation has the potential to alter key mutualisms that underline the structure and function of ecological communities. While it is well recognized that the global loss of coral reefs alters fish communities, the effects of habitat degradation on microbial communities associated with fishes remain largely unknown despite their fundamental roles in host nutrition and immunity. Using a gradient of reef degradation, we show that the gut microbiome of a facultative, coral-feeding butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is significantly more variable among individuals at degraded reefs with very low live coral cover (~0%) than reefs with higher coral cover (~30%), mirroring a known pattern of microbial imbalance observed in immunodeficient humans and other stressed or diseased animals. We demonstrate that fish gut microbiomes on severely degraded reefs have a lower abundance of Endozoicomonas and a higher diversity of anaerobic fermentative bacteria, which suggests a broader and less coral dominated diet. The observed shifts in fish gut bacterial communities across the habitat gradient extend to a small set of potentially beneficial host associated bacteria (i.e., the core microbiome) suggesting essential fish-microbiome interactions are vulnerable to severe coral degradation.

scholarly journals Struktur Komunitas Ikan Karang dan Tutupan Karang pada Terumbu Buatan Artificial Patch Reef (APR)

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-340
Author(s):  
Munasik Munasik ◽  
Aldion Adin Nugroho ◽  
Retno Hartati ◽  
Agus Sabdono ◽  
Sugiyanto Sugiyanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Patch Reef ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Natural Coral

Artificial Patch Reef (APR) have been applied as a new method for Biodiversity Conservation Program at Panjang Island, Jepara since 2015. Previous study suggested that design and location of artificial reefs installation affected to abundance of reef fishes, associated with the artificial reef.  This study aims to investigated community structure of reef fishes associated to artificial patch reef comparing to reef fishes in nearby natural reefs. Assessment of coral reef condition on two habitats were conducted on July 2019, after 4 years deployment.  The results show that artificial patch reefs with a percentage of live coral cover are less than half of natural coral reefs, and have succeeded in increasing the abundance of reef fish with nearly the same density and community structure resembling reef fish in natural coral reefs. The similarity in community structure of the two habitats is probably due to the similarity in habitat type and morphology of the hard corals. The results indicate that Artificial Patch Reef (APR) reefs have increased the coral cover of Acropora branching and resulted in increased reef fish abundance which is compatible with reef fish communities associated with natural coral reefs around it. Aplikasi metode baru terumbu buatan Artificial patch Reef (APR) pada Program Konservasi Bioiversitas Pulau Panjang, Jepara telah dilakukan sejak 2015. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa pemilihan desain dan lokasi pemasangan terumbu buatan yang tepat akan meningkatkan kelimpahan ikan karang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui keberhasilan penerapan terumbu buatan APR melalui kelimpahan ikan karang yang berasosiasi pada terumbu buatan dan terumbu karang alami di sekitarnya. Penilaian kondisi terumbu karang tersebut telah dilakukan pada Juli 2019 setelah 4 (empat) tahun pemasangan terumbu buatan. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa terumbu buatan dengan persentase tutupan karang hidup lebih kecil, separuhnya dari tutupan pada terumbu karang alami telah berhasil meningkatkan kelimpahan ikan karang dengan densitas hampir sama dan struktur komunitasnya menyerupai ikan karang yang berasosiasi dengan terumbu karang alami. Kesamaan struktur komunitas kedua habitat kemungkinan akibat kesamaan tipe habitat dan morfologi karang keras penyusunya. Hasil ini mengindikasikan bahwa terumbu buatan Artificial patch Reef (APR) telah meningkatkan tutupan karang bercabang Acropora dan berakibat terhadap meningkatnya kelimpahan ikan karang yang sesuai dengan komunitas ikan karang yang berasosiasi dengan terumbu karang alami di sekitarnya.

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