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REEF CHECK

Introduction

In the past twenty years coral reefs have suffered heavily from anthropogenic pressures. Pressures such as overfishing, the use of destructive fishing methods such as cyanide and dynamite and general habitat degradation from pollution (Gomez,1997). As well as anthropogenic threats, coral reefs are subject to a number of natural perturbations, storm damage, Acanthaster (Crown of Thorns) outbreaks, disease and more recently publicised coral bleaching. Assessing and monitoring the health of coral reefs is critical to enable us to implement management activities to avoid reef decline. The Tukang Besi Islands (Wakatobi Marine Park) is an area of rich biological diversity and provides livelihoods for thousands of coastal people within the Park. To protect this biological wealth and the survival of poor coastal communities relying on these resources, we must implement comprehensive monitoring that is accessible, unambiguous and repeatable. Last season 25 sites were visited and baseline assessments of coral reefs were conducted concentrating on benthic condition, reef fish families and invertebrate indicators of stress as designed by the Reef Check programme. In 2001 season Operation Wallacea teams again took part in Reef Check and visited a total of 50 sites during the survey period June - October.

Methodology

Survey methods used the methodology developed for use by non-specialists by Australian Institute of Marine Science (English et al, 1997) and modified by the Reef Check programme (ReefCheck.org). Teams of volunteers swam 100m transects (4x20 non overlapping transects) to collect data. The benthic data recorded the category of substrate below the line at 0.5 metre intervals using the codes; HC (Hard Coral),SC (Soft coral), RKC (Recently killed coral), RB (Rubble), SD (Sand), SI (Silt), FS (Fleshy Seaweed), OT (other). Fish and invertebrates were identified to family. For full list and methodology see website www.reefcheck.org.

Objectives

To repeat surveys at the 25 sites visited in 2000 season
To extend the survey in 2001 to cover 50 sites

Preliminary results

Initial results show blasting, other anthropogenic damage and over exploitation at the majority of sites with reefs around the island of Wanci faring worse than those around Hoga and those in the south east of the Park.

Analysis

Total assessment for entire Park and comparison with two previous data sets from 1996 and 2000
Assessments per site for each measured parameters
Comparison between main islands
Identification of damage "hotspots"
Mapping into GIS with additional information on reefs

Outputs

A report entitled 2001 Reef Check Assessment of the Wakatobi Marine National Park will be produced by Sarah Curran by February 2002.