The Spatial Variation of Acoustic Water Column Data and Its Relationship with Reef-Associated Fish Recorded by Baited Remote Underwater Stereo-Videos off the Western Australia Coast

Spatially explicit information on coral fish species abundance and distribution is required for effective management. Nonextractive techniques, including echosounders and video census, can be particularly useful in marine reserves where the use of extractive methods is restricted. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of combining echosounders and baited remote underwater stereo-videos (stereo-BRUVs) in providing more holistic information on the distribution of demersal and semidemersal reef-associated fish. The spatial distribution of fish biomass was assessed using both methods in two small areas, one in Cockburn Sound (CS), a temperate body of water, and the other in the tropical waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP). The results showed high correlations between the acoustic and stereo-BRUV data in CS, suggesting the potential use of both for a better estimation of biomass in the area. The results for the NMP showed weaker correlations between the two datasets and highlighted the high variability of the system. Further studies are required, but our initial findings suggest a potential benefit of combining both techniques in the reef-associated fish distribution assessment.

More about the biodiversity of parasites in Vietnam: a first report of microsporidia (opistosporidia, microsporidia) in coral fish

This is the first report of microsporidia infection in marine fish from Vietnam. Microsporidia (Opistosporidia, Microsporidia) were identified in 4 species of coral fish Cheilinus chlorourus (Labridae), Abudefduf bengalensis (Pomacentridae), Pomacentrus brachialis (Pomacentridae), Atule mate (Carangidae) from Nha Trang Bay (East Sea), Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, in 2018 and 2019. Dry smears of blood, intestine and liver were stained using the Giemsa method. Gut and liver were fixed in Bouin’s fluid, processed for routine paraffin infiltration, and sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Strong microsporidia infections were the same for all three species revealed in 1 of every 6 fish samples (prevalence 16.7%) of C. chlorourus, A. bengalensis, and P. brachialis. In C. chlorourus there were meronts, sporogonial plasmodia, and sporoblasts found in all layers of intestine (enterocytes, myocytes, mesotheliocytes), pancreas and liver. In A. bengalensis parasites were found in enterocytes of the small intestine and liver. In P. brachialis meronts, sporogonial plasmodia and sporoblasts were in enterocytes of the small intestine. Intracellular parasites are located in parasitophorous vacuoles covered with additional shell, which appeared to be in the process of forming xenoma. Microsporidia infection was revealed in 1 of 31 fish samples of A. mate (prevalence 3 %). Up to 30 of round and oval white xenomas were detected in the gills of fresh samples by microscopy. We tentatively assign the microsporidia to Glugeidae due to host affiliation (fish), localization (digestive system) and xenoma formation. They differ from Pleistophoridae by localization in non-muscular cells.

Coral reefs fisheries development business strategy in Sabang City

Marine fisheries are an important source of food and income for people all over the world. Billions of people, most of them from developing countries, rely on fish as a major source of animal protein. Fisheries play an important role in the prevention and reduction of poverty. Fisheries provide nets that are essential to people when other work resources are unavailable. The aim of this study is the strategy for developing coral fisheries in Sabang city. The method used in research is to use the SWOT method of analysis. Fisheries development strategy in Sabang city: 1). Develop cathing tool technology to replace the previous cathing tools that are non-environmentally friendly. 2). Conducting the coral reef conservation socialization where the coral fish live. 3). Cooperating with the society in controlling fishing areas by utilizing the local culture that is still very strong in protecting the sea to avoid illegal and excessive exploitation of fish. 4). Means of transportation and distribution for the export of coral fish, which results in a high selling price. 5. The development of the added value of coral fishery products for the welfare of fishermen.

The effect of coal-fired power plant (CFPP) operations on food transfer Polonium-210 (210Po) in coastal ecosystem

A coal-fired power plant (CFPP) is an option to cover a requirement of supply electrical energy, but in the process of operating, it can release several radionuclides. One of the radionuclides is 210Po which is one of the most radiotoxic natural radionuclides. 210Po radionuclides can move into the food web in marine ecosystems. The transfer of 210Po to marine ecosystems can be determined using a method of impact radiation doses on components of marine ecosystems such as plankton, coral, fish, molluscs, and crustacea. The results show that external and internal doses of 210Po were still below the screening level determined by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), thus does not have an impact on the marine organism ecosystem.

CORAL REEF COVER RELATIONSHIP TO POMACENTRIDAE AND PHYTOPLANKTON CORAL FISH IN KASIAK ISLAND OF WEST SUMATRA PROVINCE

Kasiak Island is one of the islands located in the waters of Pariaman, West Sumatra, and located right in front of Pariaman City. Around the sea, the island is surrounded by coral reefs and is a protected area. In the aquatic area of Kasiak Island has never been conducted research on the relationship of coral reef cover to the coral Pomacentridae and phytoplankton. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on this matter in the waters of Kasiak Island, West Sumatra Province. Data collection of coral reef cover is done by the LIT (Line Intercept transect) method with a transect length of 50 meters at a depth of 5 meters using scuba equipment. Coral fish observation is done by UVC (Underwater Visual Census) method with a transect length of 50 meters and an observation area of 2.5 meters left and right at a depth of 5 meters. Phytoplankton sampling is conducted during the day at 11.00 to 15.00 WIB at five points of the station with a depth of 5 meters using Vandorn water sampler volume 2 L with a total take of 100 L, then filtered using Plankton net no 25 and inserted into a sample bottle of 125 ml, then preserved using Lugol 4% as much as 4-6 drops, after which analyzed in the laboratory. Based on the results there is a very strong relationship between coral cover to the abundance of coral fish, where coral cover contributes to the abundance of coral fish by 93.87%, which means that the higher the percentage of coral cover the more species and abundance of coral fish are found. Then the a strong relationship between coral reef cover and phytoplankton abundance, where coral reef cover contributes to the abundance of phytoplankton by 56.37%, which means an increase in the percentage of coral reef cover along with the increasing abundance of phytoplankton.

Condition of Coral Reefs and Reef Fishes in Dofa Village, Sula Islands Regency

Coral reefs are unique among ocean associations or communities that are entirely formed by biological activity. This study aims to determine the condition of coral reefs and reef fishes in Dofa Village, West Mangoli District, Sula Islands, 2018. Collecting coral data used the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method, while coral fish data collection used the visual census method. Water parameters measured are temperature, salinity, degree of acidity (pH), brightness and current velocity. Based on observations, the water temperature ranges from 29.33° C - 29.9° C. The salinity of the waters ranges from 29.67 ‰ - 34 ‰. The degree of acidity is 7.5 which supports the life of coral reef. The water brightness level is 65% - 100%. The current velocity ranges from 0.02 m / s to 0.05 m / s. The condition of the coral reef ecosystem based on the percentage of hard coral cover ranged from 21.02% - 33.7% with low to medium category. The coral mortality index at the study location was small where at station 1 it was 0.487, station 2 was 0.335 and station 3 was 0.205, meaning that there was no significant change for live coral reefs. The abundance of reef fishes ranged from 0.52 ind/m2 - 1.22 ind/m2 which was dominated by the Pomacentridae and Labridae families where the two families were groups of fish that used coral reefs as habitat for feeding ground. The index value of coral fish diversity in the coral reef ecosystem at all stations ranged from 0.58 to 3.60 where the diversity index value was in the low to medium category. The uniformity index is included in the medium category with values ​​ranging from 0.58 to 0.63 which illustrates that the difference in the number of individuals for each species is not too significant. The dominance index of reef fishes at the observation station is very small, ranging from 0.03 - 0.07 which indicates that the dominance of the species is very low, so that the condition of the reef fish community is relatively stable.

Checklist of the coral fish fauna of Xisha Islands, China

The Xisha Islands are composed of the Yongle Islands and the Xuande Islands in Hainan Province, China. It has one of the highest species diversity in the world and is also a typical oceanic distribution area of coral reefs globally. The ichthyofauna of the Xisha Islands were recorded by underwater visual census in May 2019 and July 2020. The survey data were combined with previous records of species into the checklist of the Xisha Islands presented herein. A total of 691 species, belonging to 24 orders and 97 families, was recorded. The major families were Labridae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae, Chaetodontidae, Hexanchidae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Gobiidae, Scorpaenidae and Carangidae. In this study, the Coral Fish iversity Index (CFDI) of six families (Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Scaridae and Acanthuridae) was 229, indicating 756 coral fishes. In terms of the IUCN Red List, one species is Critically Endangered (Glyphis gangeticus), six species are Endangered (Stegostoma fasciatum, Aetomylaeus maculatus, Aetomylaeus vespertilio, Epinephelus akaara, Cheilinusundulatus sp. and Xiphias gladius), 16 species are Vulnerable, and 13 species are Near Threatened in the Xisha Archipelago, so conservation should be strengthened in this area in the future. One species is a new record for China (Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus) and 23 species are newly found in the Xisha Islands.

Struktur Komunitas Ikan Karang di Area Ponton Quick Silver, Perairan Toyapakeh, Nusa Penida

The availability of coral reefs as habitat is closely related to the exsistence of coral fish resources in the waters. Coral fish resources are very important for tourism, as an object sought after by tourist because of their diverse and charming colors and shapes. Reef fish abundance depends on coral cover. This research was conducted in February 2020. The percentage of coral cover was collected using the Under Water Potography Transect (UPT) method and the visual census method for reef fish communities at five research stations located in the area of the Quick Silver’s pontoon, Toyapakeh, Nusa Penida with area of 20.000 . Based on the results, the diversity index in the first data collection ranged from 3.18-3.76, which means the diversity isin the high category. On the other hand, the diversity index in the second data collections tends to decrease in the range of 2.66-3.40, which means that the diversity is in the medium to high category. The uniformity index for the first and second data collection falls into the category of distressed communities. The dominances index on the two data found inj the low category. From this research, it was also found that the percentage of live coral cover in the area of use of the Quick Silver pontoon ranged from 0.08% to 17.32%, which means that all research stations were classified as bad. These results indicate that the presence of reef fish is not only caused by live corals but also by anthropogenic activities of the pontoon, such as manual feeding by visitors. This condition applies to reef fish with omnivore eating behavior, one of which is the Pomacentridae family of the major fish group. These anthropogenic activities can change the composition of reef fish communities and increase abundance.

Checklist of the coral fish fauna of Xisha Islands, China

The Xisha Islands are composed of the Yongle Islands and the Xuande Islands in Hainan province, China. It has one of the highest species diversities in the world and is also a typical oceanic distribution area of coral reefs globally. The ichthyofauna of the Xisha Islands were recorded by underwater visual census in May 2019 and July 2020. The survey data were combined with previous records of species into the checklist of the Xisha Islands presented herein. A total of 691 species belonging to 24 orders and 97 families was recorded. The major families were Labridae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae, Chaetodontidae, Hexanchidae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Gobiidae, Scorpaenidae, and Carangidae. In this study, the coral fish diversity index (CFDI) of six families (Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Scaridae, and Acanthuridae) was 229, indicating 756 coral fishes. In terms of the IUCN Red List, one species is Critically Endangered (Glyphis gangeticus), six species are Endangered (Stegostoma fasciatum, Aetomylaeus maculatus, Aetomylaeus vespertilio, Epinephelus akaara, Cheilinusundulatus sp., and Xiphias gladius), 16 species are Vulnerable, and 13 species are Near Threatened in the Xisha Archipelago, so conservation should be strengthened in this area in the future. One species is a new record for China (Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus) and 23 species are newly found in the Xisha Islands.