AGRRA REEF ASSESSMENT & TEAM SUPPORT, NEMMA, ANTIGUA, JULY 2017
Photo: Suzanne Palmer AGRRA Data Collection and Team Support within 14/08/2017 the Northeast Marine Management Area (NEMMA), Antigua
Summary report on the team support provided and AGRRA data collection between 9-15th July 2017.
Suzanne E Palmer, PhD. Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies (Mona), Jamaica. [email protected]
AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Table of Contents
TRAINING SURVEY DIVES 2
SURVEY TEAM AND SUPPORT 2
ASSESSMENT OF CORAL REEF HABITATS IN THE NEMMA 3 OVERVIEW OF SURVEYED CORAL REEF HABITATS WITHIN THE NEMMA 3 BANK PATCH REEFS 3 FRINGING REEFS 3 SHOALS 4 SURVEY SITES 4
INDICATORS OF REEF HEALTH 7 CORAL COVER 7 NOTABLE AREAS OF CORAL COVER 7 FLESHY MACROALGAL COVER 10 KEY REEF HERBIVORES: DIADEMA URCHINS 10 KEY HERBIVOROUS FISH (BIOMASS) 12 PARROTFISH SIZE 13 KEY COMMERCIAL FISH (BIOMASS) 13 SUMMARY OF REEF FISH POPULATIONS 14
REEF HEALTH IN THE NEMMA 2005-2017 14
NEMMA REEF HEALTH COMPARED TO THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN 15
SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS 17 CORAL 17 BENTHIC 17 OTHER HERBIVORES (URCHINS) 17 HERBIVOROUS & COMMERCIAL FISH 17
IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS 17
FUTURE SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS 18
AGRRA TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS 19
REFERENCES 19
APPENDIX 1: IMAGES OF SURVEYORS 20
APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY DATA TABLES 21
Page 1 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
AGRRA DATA COLLECTION AND TEAM SUPPORT WITHIN THE NORTHEAST MARINE MANAGEMENT AREA (NEMMA), ANTIGUA
TRAINING SURVEY DIVES Training dives took place on Monday 10th July 2017. This provided the opportunity for the fish surveyors to calibrate their size classes and buddy system, and for me to spend time with the benthic surveyors laying and tying off transect lines and going through benthic and coral identification.
Once training had been completed and the survey team had been finalized I needed to be one of the primary benthic surveyors to ensure we were able to collect enough detailed information and complete the required number of transects per site.
Due to the small group number and myself needing to be one of the primary surveyors we were considerably short on divers to photograph and/or video and swim over the sites. However, between myself, the coral and fish surveyors we captured as much of the survey dives as time and weather allowed. This footage will be provided via Google Drive link (active for 1 month to enable viewing and downloading) to TNC and the survey team members.
SURVEY TEAM AND SUPPORT Despite weather challenges the team successfully completed a series of survey dives in the NEMMA and are congratulated for their efforts, determination and team work throughout the week. The success of the trip would not have been possible without the coordination of diving activities, boat, and logistical support provided by the Fisheries Division, particularly that by Mr. Mark (Steve) Archibald. The ground support of Mykl Clovis Fuller (Environmental Awareness Group) who coordinated the team throughout the week and ensured we all had food and datasheets for the surveys contributed greatly to the success of the trip.
TABLE 1 AGRRA SURVEY TEAM
AGRRA Name Agency Protocol Suzanne Palmer Lecturer, The University of the West Indies (Mona), Jamaica Benthic (detailed) Sophia Steele Eastern Caribbean Project Coordinator, Fauna & Flora International Benthic (basic) Jasiel Murphy Environment Officer at Antigua & Barbuda National Parks Authority Benthic (basic) Ruleo Camacho Natural Resource Officer for the Antigua Ministry of Health and Coral Environment. Mark Archibald Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Housing and the Fish Environment Trevor Jackson Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Housing and the Fish Environment
Page 2 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
IMAGE 1 ANTIGUA 2017 AGRRA TEAM. FROM LEFT MARK (STEVE) ARCHIBALD (FISH SURVEYOR, FISHERIES DIVISION), SOPHIA STEELE (BENTHIC SURVEYOR, FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL), TREVOR JACKSON (FISH SURVEYOR, FISHERIES DIVISION), JOHN WEBBER (BOAT CAPTAIN & DIVER SUPPORT FOR THE SURVEYS, FISHERIES DIVISION), SUZANNE PALMER (BENTHIC & CORAL SURVEYOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, JAMAICA & AGRRA PARTNER), RULEO CAMACHO (CORAL SURVEYOR, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT). NOT PICTURED JASIEL MURPHY (BENTHIC SURVEYOR, NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY).
ASSESSMENT OF CORAL REEF HABITATS IN THE NEMMA Overview of Surveyed Coral Reef Habitats within the NEMMA The coral reef habitats within the NEMMA are notable patchy in development and from the surveyed areas comprise predominantly patch and fringing fore reefs, subtidal crests, and lagoon patch reefs.
Bank patch reefs The bank reef system within the NEMMA extends from Bird Island to Horseshoe Reef, northeast Antigua, otherwise referred to as Kettle Bottom Shoals (Figure 3). Along this bank are a series of patch reefs that are predominantly windward exposed fore reef zones between 7-11m in depth.
Other reef areas surveyed within the bank system were located within the lagoonal sheltered area between Long Island and Bird Island. These include Great Bird Island west and Great Bird Island South, both of which are protected leeward and windward lagoon reef zones.
Fringing reefs Green Island has narrow fringing reefs on its southern coast that range from 6-8m in depth, they are windward exposed, fore reef habitats (Figure 3).
Page 3 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Shoals On the edges of the bank reef system are several shoals, one being Hell’s Gate which largely comprises a windward, subtidal crest reef zone at depth of 3-4m (Figure 3). Survey sites The team met on Sunday 9th July 2017 for introductions and to discuss the potential surveys sites, review protocols, and set up the survey equipment. Survey areas were initially selected based on existing GPS survey locations as reported in the Antigua and Barbuda Coral Reef Report Card 2016 (Kramer et al., 2016) which included data from the 2005 AGRRA surveys (Brandt et al., 2005) and 2013 surveys by Robert Steneck, University of Maine. This was to allow future comparison to existing datasets.
Between 11-15th July 2017 a combination of incomplete team numbers on two of the days and progressively poor and unsafe weather conditions from 13th July resulted in a continuously revised survey site strategy. Given the time and weather constraints the final site selection (Table 2) targeted representative sites with respect to habitat and location within the NEMMA, as well as taking into consideration the different strategies for site selection (e.g. representative, legacy, tourist, unique, reefs near threats, and fishing priority areas). Manta tows were carried out along potential reef monitoring sites selected on Google Earth, including areas around Non-such reef, and sheltered patch reef areas around the popular tourist area of Great Bird Island.
See Future Survey Recommendations for further potential monitoring sites that we were unable to visit due to poor weather conditions.
The original AGRRA sites have the same code from the existing database (A03-02, A04-02), however have been named to give a local meaning for future surveys by the team and when discussing site characteristics to the local community.
TABLE 2 DETAILS OF SITES SURVEYED IN 12-14TH JULY 2017
Site Depth Reef Existing Site Name Latitude Longitude Comments Code (m) Location data A01-01 Little Bird 2-3 17.16402 -61.73284 Bank, patch Patch, back reef 2005 Patch A03-02 Kettle Bottom 7-8 17.18114 -61.75529 Bank, Patch Representative fore reef/ 2005 Shoal 4 Unique site (APRO) A03- Great Bird 2-3 17.14676 -61.72824 Bank, patch Leeward lagoon, Tourist N/A 02A Island west site? A04-02 Kettle Bottom 9-11 17.18958 -61.78912 Bank, patch Representative fore reef 2005 Shoal 2 A05-03 Green Island 2 6-8 17.06484 -61.66710 Fringing Representative fore reef + 2011 shallows are snorkel area A08-01 Great Bird 1-3 17.14243 -61.72432 Bank, patch Windward lagoon, Tourist N/A Island South site A09-01 Windward Reef 6-7 17.12034 -61.70920 Bank, patch Representative fore reef 2011 HG-01 Hell’s Gate 3-4 17.13908 -61.72087 Shoal Subtidal crest, unique site N/A (Acropora palmata stands)
Page 4 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
FIGURE 1 LOCATION OF THE AGRRA SURVEY SITES WITHIN THE NEMMA, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. SOURCE: GOOGLE EARTH
FIGURE 2: NAUTICAL CHART OF THE NEMMA IN ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. NOTE THE LOCATION OF KETTLE BOTTOM SHOALS AND GREAT BIRD ISLAND. SOURCE: HTTP://FISHING-APP.GPSNAUTICALCHARTS.COM
Page 5 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
FIGURE 3: LOCATION OF AGRRA SURVEY SITES WITHIN THE NORTH TO NORTH-EAST AREA OF THE NEMMA, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. SOURCE: GOOGLE EARTH
FIGURE 4: LOCATION OF AGRRA SURVEY SITES WITHIN THE EASTERN AREA OF THE NEMMA, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. SOURCE: GOOGLE EARTH
Page 6 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 INDICATORS OF REEF HEALTH Coral cover Corals build the reef’s 3D structure, provide habitat, and protect coastlines (Kramer et al., 2016).
The fore reefs to the north, Kettle Bottom 2 and Kettle Bottom 4, had the highest live coral cover of the reefs surveyed of 16.6% and 21.2% respectively (Figure 5). Whereas the fore reefs further south around Green Island (10.7%) and Windward Reef (4.8%) had distinctly lower coral cover. The more sheltered lagoon patch reefs around Great Bird Island and Little Bird had coral cover ranging from 10.3%-12.4%, however, this was patchy and variable across the reef.
Live Coral Cover Fleshy macroalgae cover Calcareous and Fleshy Macroalgae 45.0 40.0 35.0 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 Percentage (%) Percentage 10.0 5.0 0.0 Kettle Bottom Kettle Bottom Green Island 2 Windward Reef Little Bird Great Bird Great Bird Hell's Gate Shoal 4 Shoal 2 Backreef Island West Island South Fore reef Backreef Intertidal Crest:Back Subtidal Crest
FIGURE 5 GRAPH SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE OF LIVE CORAL COVER, FLESHY + CALCAREOUS MACROALGAE COVER ACROSS THE SURVEY SITES. NOTE THAT SITES ARE ARRANGED BY REEF ZONE.
Notable Areas of Coral Cover Of note are the extensive Acropora palmata stands across the shallow subtidal crest of Hells Gate (Image 2 and Image 3). In comparison to other sites there is relatively low coral cover (8.4%), however, the stands of Acropora palmata plus recruitment of encrusting species indicates a level of regeneration within this area.
The coral communities within NEMMA are dominated by Porites astreoides (32.7%), Undaria agaricites (9.4%), Orbicella faveolata (8.2%), Orbicella franksi (7.7%). Other notable species include Orbicella annularis (4.9%), Porites divaricata (4.9%), Porites porites (4.7%), Acropora prolifera (4.4%), and Diploria labyrinthiformis (3%), Acropora cervicornis (2.8%), Siderastrea siderea (2.8%), Acropora palmata (2.6%), Porites furcata (2.3%), Millepora complanta (1.4%), Colpophyllia natans (1.2%). Species which were rare (<1%) were Agaricia fragilis, Millepora striata, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria clivosa, Solenastrea bournoni, and Stephanocoenia intersepta.
Of note are the extensive Acropora prolifera beds across the for reef of Kettle Bottom Shoals 4 (A03- 02) (Image 4 and Image 5). These beds dominate the low relief spurs of the fore reef with healthy Acropora prolifera colonies in places overgrowing the Acropora sp. rubble.
Page 7 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
IMAGE 2 ACROPORA PALMATA STANDS AT HELLS GATE IN ~3M WATER DEPTHPhoto: Suzanne Palmer
Photo: Suzanne Palmer
IMAGE 3: ACROPORA PALMATA COLONIES AT HELL'S GATE IN ~3.5M WATER DEPTH
Page 8 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
Photo: Suzanne Palmer
IMAGE 4 EXTENSIVE ACROPORA PROLIFERA BEDS AT KETTLE BOTTOM SHOAL 4 AT ~7M WATER DEPTH. SEE YOU TUBE VIDEO UPLOADED BY RULEO CAMACHO FOR FURTHER INSIGHT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PUYZHAAPYKI
Photo: Suzanne Palmer IMAGE 5 HEALTHY ACROPORA PROLIFERA BEDS OVERGROWING ACROPORA SP. RUBBLE AT KETTLE BOTTOM SHOAL 4
Page 9 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Overall there was no significant evidence of coral disease across the surveyed coral colonies and only minor patches of coral bleaching indicating reasonably healthy coral communities. Across several the surveyed reefs there was evidence of regrowth of the Orbicella sp. complex.
Coral recruitment is measured as the number of new corals on a reef (Dahlgren, et al., 2016), specific to the AGRRA protocol are small recruits (0-2cm in diameter) and large recruits (2-4cm in diameter). Between the different reef zones the total number of recruits (small + large) was highest across fore reef (4.1/m2) and subtidal crest zones (4.3/m2) dominated by Agaricia sp., Porites sp., and Siderastrea sp. Back reef areas had lower recruitment (2.7/m2) and only Porites sp. were recorded. For intertidal crest:back reef zones recruitment was 3.6/m2 with Agaricia sp., Porites sp., and Siderastrea sp. all documented.
Fleshy Macroalgal Cover Fleshy macroalgae, when too abundant, outcompete corals (Kramer et al., 2016).
The average fleshy macroalgal cover was 22.5% across fore reefs (range 9.6-33.2%) and an average 13.5-14.8% across back reef and sheltered patch reef areas. Of note was the higher fleshy macroalgae (27.7%) and calcareous macroalgae (15.3%) at Windward Reef together with the presence of the red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis (Image 6). Green Island 2 had the highest fleshy macroalgal cover of 33.2% (Image 7). The average cover of calcareous macroalgae is consistent across most of the reefs (5.5-6.9%), the exceptions being the low recorded values at Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 (2.7% ± 3.5%) and high values at Green Island 2 (10.2% ± 2.5%). When considering the cover of both fleshy macroalgae (e.g. Sargassum sp., Dictyota sp.) and calcareous macroalgae (e.g. Halimeda sp.) it can be seen that Windward Reef has the highest values (43%) followed by Green Island 2 (36.4%) and Hell’s Gate (32.2%). The
Key reef herbivores: Diadema urchins Herbivorous fish and Diadema urchins clean algae of reefs (Kramer et al., 2016).
Diadema antillarum urchins were not recorded at six of the eight survey sites. The two sites where Diadema antillarum was recorded were Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 (0.23 /m2 adults, 0.05/m2 juvenile) and Green Island 2 (1.24/m2 adults, 0.09/m2 juvenile), both fore reef sites. Other urchins, predominantly Echinometra sp. were recorded at five of the eight sites, with densities ranging from 0.04-0.12 /m2.
Other benthic invertebrates identified were lobster at Little Bird Island West (0.02/m2) and Green Island 2 (0.03/m2). No conch was recorded throughout the surveys.
Page 10 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
Photo: Suzanne Palmer IMAGE 6 ASPARAGOPSIS TAXIFORMIS, WINDWARD REEF
Photo: Suzanne Palmer IMAGE 7 EXTENSIVE FLESHY MACROALGAL COVERAGE (PARTICULARLY DICTYOTA SP.) ALONG THE NARROW FRINGING REEF OF GREEN ISLAND
Page 11 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Key Herbivorous Fish (Biomass) Herbivorous fish and Diadema urchins clean algae of reefs (Kramer et al., 2016).
The total biomass of herbivorous fish (parrotfishes and surgeonfishes) varied significantly with reef type and zone. Across the surveyed fore reefs the total biomass for herbivorous fish averaged 2302 g/100m2. However, there was high variability between sites. For the 2 fore reefs along the Kettle Bottom Shoals bank they ranged from 1802 – 2735 g/100m2. There was similar surgeonfish biomass between reef sites (435-478 g/100m2), however, at Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 there was a considerably higher parrotfish biomass (2300 g/100m2) compared to Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 (1324 g/100m2)
To the south east of the NEMMA the biomass of grazers was variable but notably lower than the more northern fore reefs (e.g Green Island to the south east: 1234 g/100m2). Windward Reef needs to be revisited to complete the fish surveys, however, from the data available there was relatively high biomass of surgeonfish recorded (1648 g/100m2) and the highest overall biomass for herbivorous fish (3436 g/100m2) throughout the surveys (Figure 6).
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FIGURE 6 GRAPHS SHOWING THE TOTAL FISH DENSITY (TOP) AND TOTAL FISH BIOMASS (BOTTOM) AT EACH SURVEYED REEF SITE
Page 12 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Parrotfish size Where parrotfish populations thrive, there may be less macroalgae and more coral recruits (Dahlgren et al., 2016).
Smaller species of parrotfish, and juveniles of the large species, consume turf algae and can graze on macroalgae, but their smaller size limits their grazing ability of macroalgae (Dahlgren et al., 2016). Therefore, when considering indicators or coral reef health it is common to consider the number or percentage of the parrotfish species that grow to greater 30cm at each reef, and importantly what their average length is at each reef (e.g. stoplight, queen, yellowtail, and rainbow parrotfishes).
Across the NEMMA coral reef survey sites the average length of parrotfish was 10.3cm with no parrotfish over 30cm observed. On intertidal crest/back reefs and the subtidal crest 64-66% of parrotfish were in the 6-10cm size category and 16-20% in the 11-20cm size category. For the fore reef surveys, where the highest numbers of parrotfish were observed (Table 3), 49% of parrotfish were 6-10cm in size and 27-31% 11-20cm in size. Across all sites there were 3-13% observed in the 21-30cm. At the species level the most abundancy striped (Scarus iseri) and stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) were on average 8.7cm and 12.9cm in length respectively (Table 3). Although in lower numbers the queen parrotfish (Scarus vetula) had an average length of 17.6cm. Overall parrotfish were the most abundant fishes across the NEMMA coral reefs but parrotfishes were small.
TABLE 3 DATA ON THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF PARROTFISHES WITHIN THE NEMMA, ANTIGUA DUERING THE 2017 SURVEYS. NOTE THAT WEATHER WAS POOR THROUGHOUT AND THEREFORE FUTURE SURVEYS ARE RECOMMENDED. AVERAGE LENGTH OF FISH (CM) USING THE MIDPOINT OF SIZE CLASSES.
Total number of Average length Scientific Name Common Name fishes recorded of fish (cm) Scarus iseri Striped Parrotfish 528 8.7 Scarus taeniopterus Princess Parrotfish 102 10.1 Scarus vetula Queen Parrotfish 14 17.6 Sparisoma atomarium Greenblotch Parrotfish 10 7.5 Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband Parrotfish 64 13.6 Sparisoma chrysopterum Redtail Parrotfish 28 14.9 Sparisoma rubripinne Yellowtail Parrotfish 8 12.7 Sparisoma viride Stoplight Parrotfish 190 12.9
Key Commercial Fish (Biomass) Groupers and snappers are key predators that keep food chain in balance (Kramer et al., 2016).
The overall commercial fish biomass averaged 60 g/100m2 for sheltered patch reefs up to 539 g/100m2 for fore reefs. However, the biomass of snapper and grouper was extremely variable between fore reef sites and again the highest biomass was recorded at Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 (767 g/100m2) and Windward Reef (815 g/100m2) in comparison to the other fore reefs surveyed which ranged from 244-333 g/100m2.
There are issues and conflict with reporting only groupers and snappers as key commercial fish across the Caribbean given the grunts, parrotfish and surgeonfish commonly form a considerable percentage of the catch across the region. Further, a comprehensive assessment of what the artisanal commercially important fishes specific to Antigua is beyond the scope of this report. Therefore, whilst the ‘key commercial fish biomass’ has been reported for comparative purposes it is important to note overall reef fish population metrics and variability of the surveyed reefs as described below.
Page 13 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 Summary of Reef Fish Populations
The average total fish density was 70.7-71.3 /100m2 for the Kettle Bottom Shoal fore reefs (Table 8) and 32.5-43.9 /100m2 for the more east to south-east fore reefs of Green Island 2 and Windward Reef (Table 8). Some of the transects for the patch reefs were incomplete, however, typically ranged from 48.0-49.2 /100m2 (Table 8). With respect to average total fish biomass fore reef sites with the highest biomass ranged from 2250-4595 g/100m2 though were extremely variable across reef sites. The patch reefs had considerably lower fish biomass of between 695-1796 g/100m2 (Table 8). Across fore reef and patch reef sites the fish assemblage was predominantly parrotfish, surgeonfish, and to a lesser extent jacks and snapper. The fish biomass of the subtidal reef crest was over 60% parrotfish and over 20% surgeonfish.
The most recorded fish species (i.e. recorded at all sites) were the surgeonfish (blue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus; Ocean Surgeonfish, Acanthurus tractus; Doctorfish, Acanthurus chirurgus), parrotfish (Striped Parrotfish, Scarus iseri; Princess Parrotfish, Scarus taeniopterus, Stoplight Parrotfish, Sparisoma viride; Redtail Parrotfish, Sparisoma chrysopterum), and wrasse (Slippery Dick, Halichoeres bivittatus, Yellowhead Wrasse, Halichoeres garnoti) (Table 9).
REEF HEALTH IN THE NEMMA 2005-2017
During the surveys, we revisited two of the previously surveyed AGRRA fore reef sites from the 2005 surveys. There has been a decline in coral cover at Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 (A04-02) (Table 4) based on the AGRRA data available. In 2005, Brandt et al., (2005) recorded the highest live coral cover at this site throughout the survey period (41% ± 16), whereas in 2017 this has fallen to 17% ± 4 (this study). However, it is important to note that Brandt et al., (2005) also recorded the highest level of coral disease (22% of corals along the transects) and significant bleaching with over 35% exhibiting evidence of some type of bleaching. Therefore, the presence of coral disease and bleaching are likely contributing factors to the lower live coral cover that is present today. Nevertheless, during the 2017 surveys no coral diseases were observed (nor any significant bleaching recorded), that together with small patches of Orbicella regrowth could be positive signs of improvement for these fore reefs.
At Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 (A03-02) live coral cover has nearly doubled between 2005 and 2017 (Table 4) based on the AGRRA data available. This can be largely explained by the expanse of Acropora prolifera beds that were documented at this site (Image 4 and Image 5). The increase in live coral cover, together with little change in macroalgal cover (fleshy and calcareous) are positive indicators for the future trajectory of coral reef health at this fore reef.
Between 2005 and 2017 there has been relatively little change in macroalgal cover across the fore reefs surveyed (Table 10), but at present there are considerably lower densities of Diadema. Brandt et al., (2005) recorded the highest density of Diadema within the AGRRA database at that time (up to 3/m2) and documented across 33 % of reefs surveyed in NE Antigua. However, throughout the 2017 surveys Diadema were only present at two of the surveyed sites with densities ranging from 0.28-1.33/m2. Further surveys across the fore reefs of Kettle Bottom Shoals, and at different depth ranges, would be needed to further characterize the Diadema populations in NE Antigua. However, from the surveys completed in 2017 there are low densities of Diadema across NE Antigua coral reefs.
Page 14 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 There is considerably lower fish biomass between the 2005 and 2017 survey data. As indicated poor weather conditions throughout the 2017 surveys may have contributed to the lower numbers recorded and therefore further surveying across NE Antigua would hopefully determine this. Nevertheless, there is more than 50% lower fish biomass for total biomass (all species) and for the most dominant families (parrotfish and surgeonfish) (Table 10).
TABLE 4 COMPARISON OF REEF HEALTH INDICATORS OF TWO FORE REEFS ACROSS THE KETTLE BOTTOM SHOALS, NEMMA BETWEEN 2005 (BRANDT ET AL., 2005) AND THIS STUDY (2017).
Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 (A04-02) (A03-02) Reef Health Indicators 2005 2017 2005 2017 % Live Coral Cover 41 ± 16 17 ± 4 11 ± 4 21 ± 8 % Fleshy Macroalgae 1 ± 2 10 ± 3 19 ± 15 20 ±7 % Calcareous Macroalgae 6 ± 3 3 ± 4 11 ± 13 7 ± 2 Average Fish Biomass (grams/100m2) 5390 3571 3734 2250 Average Fish Density (#/100m2) 103 72 147 71
NEMMA REEF HEALTH COMPARED TO THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
The AGRRA survey data collected in 2017 has been separated into: (1) fore reefs and (2) other reefs (back reef, crest:back reef, subtidal crest) for the purpose of a cursory regional comparison (Figure 7). For the scope of this report the NEMMA Antigua AGRRA 2017 data has been compared to the Caribbean average values (Caribbean average based on AGRRA regional database 2011-2014: www.agrra.org). and data presented in the series of 2016 Coral Reef Health Report Cards for the Eastern Caribbean (Kramer et al., 2016 - Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada: www.caribnode.org) (Figure 7). Please see the individual 2016 report cards for details on the timeframe and location (e.g. reef type, zone) of the reef health data presented.
Overall the percentage of live coral cover for the surveyed NEMMA fore reefs (average 13%, range 4.8- 21.2%) is near to the Caribbean average (14%) but lower than the live coral cover documented across St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent & Grenadines, and Grenada. However, the percentage of fleshy macroalgal cover across fore reefs (23%) and other reefs (20%) in the NEMMA is lower than the regional average and comparable to coral reefs across the Eastern Caribbean (range 16-23%, exceptions being the high cover of 35% for St. Kitts & Nevis, and low cover of 4% in Dominica).
The herbivorous fish biomass across the surveyed NEMMA fore reefs (2302 g/100m2) whilst lower than the regional average (3928 g/100m2) is higher than all other Eastern Caribbean reefs as reported in the 2016 Report Cards, with the exception being St. Kitts & Nevis (2538 g/100m2).
Page 15 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
A. Live Coral Cover B. Fleshy Macroalgal Cover
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FIGURE 7 GRAPHS COMPARING THE NEMMA ANTIGUA 2017 SURVEY DATA TO EXISTING DATA FROM THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN. NOTE: PLEASE SEE THE INDIVIDUAL REPORT CARDS FOR DETAILS ON WHEN AND WHERE THE DATA WAS COLLECTED.
*DATA FROM NEMMA AGRRA 2017 FORE REEFS. ** DATA FROM NEMMA AGRRA 2017 INTERTIDAL CREST:BACK REEF, BACK REEF & SUBTIDAL CREST. ^DATA FROM 2016 CORAL REEF REPORT CARDS: KRAMER ET AL., 2016, AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM HTTP://WWW.CARIBNODE.ORG/DOCUMENTS/. THE CARIBBEAN AVERAGE (AS REPORTED IN THE REPORT CARDS) IS BASED ON AGRRA REGIONAL DATABASE 2011-2014 (WWW.AGRRA.ORG)
Page 16 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS Coral • ‘Fair’ to ‘good’ live coral coverage for most surveyed reefs. • Healthy coral colonies with no evidence of coral diseases. • Extensive Acropora prolifera beds at Kettle Bottom Shoal 4. • Acropora palmata stands at Hells Gate,
Benthic • Relatively high though variable fleshy macroalgae cover • Cyanobacteria was recorded at multiple sites but was very patchy. The anomaly at Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 where higher levels were recorded (16.7%, std 5.6%) - is this temperature related or an isolated case? • The occurrence of the red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis at Windward Reef and Non-such Reef.
Other Herbivores (urchins) • Diadema antillarum were not recorded at most sites apart from Green Island (1.24/m2) and Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 (0.23/m2). • Other urchins, specifically Echinometra sp. were recorded at 5 of the 8 surveyed sites but at low densities (0.02-0.06/m2).
Herbivorous & Commercial Fish • Between site-variability for parrotfish and surgeonfish biomass, though typically low. • Parrotfishes are small. • Low biomass of ‘commercially important fish’ (snappers and groupers). • Note: the sea conditions and visibility throughout the surveys were extremely poor which may have impacted the fish surveys. 2 sites have incomplete fish data.
IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS • The team achieved a considerable amount within the short time frame and under poor weather conditions. They are now confident moving forward in planning and executing their next AGRRA surveys around the island. Given the incomplete fish surveys at two of the survey sites it is anticipated that this will be a priority for August 2017. I have recommended this happen as soon as possible. As part of this additional survey trip it was suggested they revisit sites that were previously inaccessible due to the weather conditions (eastern NEMMA survey sites). • The team intend to carry out AGRRA surveys around the island to improve spatial representation, with mention of the southern sites around Cades Reef. • Mr. Archibald intends to increase capacity among Fisheries to increase the number of potential fish surveyors.
Page 17 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 FUTURE SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS The recommendations below are based on observations during the week of surveying and have the potential to feed into the management plan for the NEMMA.
• To select the most appropriate time of the year for surveying based on experience and typical weather patterns (August/September?). Throughout the week of surveys the seas were rough and the visibility was poor (<10m, sometimes <5m) which would have impacted upon the fish survey data.
• To do a rapid swim over of the sites during the winter where cyanobacteria was observed to get an idea whether it was temperature-related or whether it needs to be investigated further.
• Over the course of the week we surveyed a range of different reef habitats which has increased the team’s exposure to the considerable between-site and within-site variation across the coral reefs within the NEMMA. This variability needs to be accounted for in the assessment and management of this area. It is recommended that additional surveys be carried across these different habitats to build upon this initial phase of surveying and allow analysis of reef health by habitat.
• To consider establishing long-term monitoring and permanent markers at A03-02 due to the extensive Acropora prolifera beds which provide the three-dimensional framework that create habitat for fish and other creatures (Ruleo Camacho had interest here). It is recommended that the feasibility of establishing mooring buoys for these long-term monitoring sites (or tourist sites) be investigated to avoid the issues with anchoring near coral reef sites.
• To survey the existing GPS sites around Horseshoe Reef (most northernmost area of NEMMA – part of the Kettle Bottom Shoals), due to previously observed high coral coverage and diversity and large coral colonies by Fisheries. These may form unique sites which you would like to monitor long- term.
• To increase representation across the eastern sections of the NEMMA by surveying the existing GPS sites between Green Island and Spithead Channel which were inaccessible during the survey period due to rough sea conditions. This includes Non-such reef crest which was snorkeled over and where healthy Acropora palmata stands growing atop extensive Acropora palmata skeletons were observed.
• To investigate the extent of reef development and potential to survey around Long Bay – an area of tourist interest which has not been surveyed before and will increase the spatial coverage of reef surveys along the eastern section of the NEMMA. This area was inaccessible over the survey period due to rough sea conditions.
• Given the number of observed Acropora palmata stands growing atop the remnant skeletons at multiple sites within the NEMMA it would be valuable to work on mapping the extent and getting basic dimensions of these colonies to get a better insight into the recovery of the Acropora palmata framework species. This could possibly form an Internship or Research Student project.
Page 18 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 AGRRA TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS • There needs to be a central repository for survey footage (videos and photographs). • To establish clarity on where the AGRRA survey equipment is stored and who will maintain this. • To establish a location or point person responsible for maintaining at least the minimum number of waterproof datasheets are available to the team for training and future surveys. • Set up an email list for the AGRRA surveyors which can be used for coordinating reef monitoring, posting observations or concerns (e.g. coastal development, sightings of different species, illegal fishing activities) • Where possible determine whether there can be an overlap between the AGRRA survey sites and water quality monitoring. This could then assist in interpreting the data or providing any early warning indicators of water temperature or nutrient inputs.
REFERENCES
Brandt, M.E., Cooper, W.T., Yñiguez, A.T., McManus, J. (2005) Results of a coral reef survey of the North Sound of Antigua, B.W.I. http://ncore.rsmas.miami.edu.
Dahlgren, C., K. Sherman, J. Lang, P.R. Kramer, & K. Marks (2016) Bahamas Coral Reef Report Card Volume 1: 2011–2013. http://www.agrra.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bahamas-2016-Coral-Reef- Report-Card.pdf.
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Steneck R, Newman SP, Williams SM. 2016. Antigua and Barbuda’s Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Steiner S. 2016. Dominica’s Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Kramer PA, Nimrod S, Phillips M. 2016. Grenada’s Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Bruckner A. 2016. St. Kitts and Nevis’ Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Steneck R, Newman SP, Williams SM. 2016. Saint Lucia’s Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Kramer PR, Roth LM, Constantine S, Knowles J, Cross L, Steneck R, Newman SP, Williams SM, Phillips M. 2016. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Coral Reef Report Card 2016. The Nature Conservancy. (www.CaribNode.org).
Page 19 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 APPENDIX 1: IMAGES OF SURVEYORS
Photo: Suzanne Palmer
FIGURE 8 FISH SURVEYOR AT KETTLE BOTTOM SHOAL 4
Photo: Suzanne Palmer FIGURE 9 FISH SURVEYOR AT GREEEN ISLAND 2
Page 20 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
Photo: Suzanne Palmer
FIGURE 10 JASIEL MURPHY (BENTHIC SURVEYOR) AT WINDWARD REEF
APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY DATA TABLES
TABLE 5 SUMMARY TABLE OF 2017 DATA: LIVE CORAL COVER AND MACROALGAE. MEAN VALUES ± STANDARD DEVIATION. CORAL COVER IS CORRECTED FOR SAND PATCHES, MUD AND SEAGRASS.
Fleshy Calcareous Calcareous + Live Coral Reef Zone Reef Name macroalgae macroalgae Fleshy Macroalgae Cover (LCC) cover (FMA) cover (CMA) (FMA + CMA) Kettle Bottom 21.2 ± 8.1 19.5 ± 6.9 6.9 ± 1.7 21.7 Shoal 4 Kettle Bottom 16.6 ± 4.3 9.6 ± 2.7 2.7 ± 3.5 20.9 Fore reef Shoal 2 Green Island 2 10.7 ± 4.2 33.2 ± 10.2 10.2 ± 2.5 36.4 Windward 4.8 ± 3.1 27.7 ± 6.3 6.3 ± 5.5 43.0 Reef Little Bird Backreef 12.4 ± 6.6 18.7 ± 5.5 5.5 ± 5.9 25.3 Backreef Great Bird 11.7 ± 9.2 13.3 ± 5.9 5.9 ± 6.3 26.0 Intertidal Island West Crest:Back Great Bird 10.3 ± 10.2 16.3 ± 6.6 6.6 ± 2.3 18.1 Island South Subtidal Crest Hell's Gate 8.4 ± 2.9 31.7 ± 5.5 5.5 ± 0.6 32.2
Page 21 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017 TABLE 6 SUMMARY TABLE OF 2017 DATA: CORAL RECRUITS ORGANISED BY REEF ZONE.
Total (all Total Total Agaricia Total Porites Total Siderastrea Zone species) unknown sp. #/m2 sp. #/m2 sp. #/m2 #/m2 #/m2 Backreef 2.667 0.000 2.667 0.000 0.000 Fore 4.052 1.219 1.305 0.133 0.329 Intertidal Crest:Back 3.600 0.533 0.533 0.533 1.733 Subtidal Crest 4.267 2.133 2.133 0.000 0.000
TABLE 7 SUMMARY DATA TABLE FOR 2017 SURVEYS: URCHIN DENSITIES
Diadema Diadema Other urchins Reef Zone Reef Name (adults) #/m2 (juvenile) #/m2 #/m2 Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 0.23 ± 0.21 0.05 ± 0.08 0.02 ± 0.04 Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 0.00 0.00 0.05 ± 0.12 Fore reef Green Island 2 1.24 ± 0.64 0.09 ± 0.11 0.06 ± 0.08 Windward Reef 0.00 0.00 0.00 Backreef Little Bird Backreef 0.00 0.00 0.00
Intertidal Great Bird Island West 0.00 0.00 0.05 ± 0.02 Crest:Back Great Bird Island South 0.00 0.00 0.03 ± 0.05 Subtidal Crest Hell's Gate 0.00 0.00 0.00
TABLE 8 FISH BIOMASS AND FISH DENTSIY BY REEF SURVEY SITE - NOTE THAT WINDWARD REEF IS NOT INCLUDED AS THERE WERE INCOMPLETE SURVEYS. NOTE THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE REEF SITE WHICH WAS A SUBTIDAL CREST. VALUES ARE AVERAGE ± STANDARD DEVIATION
Total fish biomass Total fish density Reef Type Reef Name grams/100m2 #/100m2 Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 2250 ± 1692 71.3 ± 40.7 Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 3571 ± 2601 70.7 ± 34.4 Fore reef Green Island 2 2735 ± 3540 32.5 ± 22.7 Windward Reef 4595 ± 2098 43.9 ± 13.6
Intertidal Great Bird Island West 695 ± 594 18.0 ± 11.7 Crest:Back Great Bird Island South 1150 ± 1020 49.2 ± 40.2 Subtidal Crest Hell's Gate 1796 ± 715 48.0 ± 15.8
TABLE 9 FISH BIOMASS BY FAMILY - NOTE THAT WINDWARD REEF IS NOT INCLUDED AS THERE WERE INCOMPLETE SURVEYS. NOTE THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE REEF SITE WHICH WAS A SUBTIDAL CREST. VALUES ARE AVERAGE ± STANDARD DEVIATION
Intertidal Zone Fore Subtidal Crest Crest:Back Angelfish 1 ± 2 0 ± 0 0 Butterflyfish 7 ± 9 8 ± 11 2 Damselfish 62 ± 118 4 ± 1 52 Filefish 32 ± 63 0 ± 0 0
Page 22 AGRRA Reef Assessment & Team Support, NEMMA, Antigua, July 2017
Grunt 58 ± 81 16 ± 5 10 Jacks 220 ± 439 24 ± 33 6 Parrotfish 1530 ± 678 444 ± 19 1103 Snapper 165 ± 204 26 ± 37 0 Surgeonfish 772 ± 585 308 ± 357 436 Wrasse 54 ± 22 60 ± 5 76 TOTAL 3288 ± 1028 922 ± 322 1796
TABLE 10 COMPARISON OF FORE REEF DATA FROM 2005 (BRANDT ET AL., 2005) AND 2017 (THIS STUDY) IN NE ANTIGUA. NOTE THAT INDIVIDUAL REEF SITES ARE NOT ENTIRELY THE SAME. ^PARROTFISHES + SURGEONFISHES
FORE REEFS 2005 2017 Live coral cover (%) 21 13 Fleshy macroalgae (%) 11 15 Calcareous macroalgae (%) 7 7 Total Fish Density (#/100m2) 136 55 Total Fish Biomass (grams/100m2) 5536 3288 Total Herbivore Biomass^ (grams/100m2) 4814 2302 Coral Recruits (#/m2) 3.1 4.1
TABLE 11 COMPARING THE NEMMA ANTIGUA 2017 SURVEY DATA TO EXISTING DATA FROM THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN. NOTE: EXISITING DATA COMPRISES SURVYE DATA AVAILABLE TO WHICH MAY COMPRISE MULTIPLE REEF TYPES/ZONE AND SURVEY DATA SPANNING THE LAST DECADE.
*DATA FROM FORE REEFS. ** DATA FROM INTERTIDAL CREST:BACK REEF, BACK REEF & SUBTIDAL CREST. ^2016 CORAL REEF REPORT CARDS: KRAMER ET AL., 2016, AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM HTTP://WWW.CARIBNODE.ORG/DOCUMENTS/.
NEMMA NEMMA St. Kitts St. St. Vincent & Average Reef Health Indicators Antigua Antigua Antigua^ Dominica^ & Grenada^ Lucia^ Grenadines^ Caribbean^ 2017* 2017** Nevis^ % Live Coral Cover 13 11 9 21 25 21 11 22 14 % Fleshy Macroalgae 23 20 18 17 4 16 35 20 30 Total Herbivorous Fish Biomass 2302 1204 2810 1987 200 2204 2538 1004 3928 (grams/100m2)
Page 23 7/30/17
AGRRA Antigua 2017 The North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA) Suzanne E Palmer, PhD. The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica AGRRA Partner
A04-02
• Kettle Bottom Shoal 2 • Bank reef • Wave-exposed fore reef 9-11m • No evidence of spur and groove but this may be due to weather conditions, flattening of reefs and/or the high amount of rubble • Appeared to be more ORBI overall in various states of health • Relief provided by old massive colonies of Orbicella annularis interspersed with Acropora palmata rubble and boulders. Colonies of Orbicella faveolata, Orbicella franksi and Porites astreoides were notable. Fair amount of cyanobacteria and peysonellids observed.
AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
1 7/30/17
A03-02 • Kettle Bottom Shoal 4 • Very extensive Acropora prolifera beds– fields of healthy APRO • Reasonable number of larger Acropora palmata colonies, fair amount of Millepora alcicornis • Interspersed with rubble patches and small encrusting corals. • Low relief reef but with some minor evidence of sand channels and spurs of Acropora prolifera growing on rubble. But channels just lower relief and with rubble. Possibly the low relief ‘spur and groove’ described in the early AGRRA surveys? • Wave-exposed, 7-8m depth • Beyond Acropora prolifera beds there was reasonable coral diversity (Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides, Siderastrea siderea, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Colpophyllia natans, Stephanocoenia intersepta)
AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
A01-01 • Little Bird back reef • 2-3m • SE area of lagoon • Close to the channel • Sandy patches, clusters of coral heads, Acropora prolifera thickets mixed health, gorgonians • Boat in channel, swam through opening and surveyed from GPS point W and SWW • Very small Dendrogyra cylindricus noted. Also Meandrina jacksoni • Very brittle framework with lots of ‘reskinning’ by encrusting species. • Digitate Porites common AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
2 7/30/17
A05-03 • Green Island 2 • Fringing fore reef 6-8m • Narrow, moderately sloping reef slope • Diadema antillarum present! • Reasonable framework development and species diversity including massive and branching species, more fragmented westwards • Increased MA cover 7- 8m compared to ~6m (notably Sargassum and Dictyota) • Observed: Undaria agaricites, Porites divaricata, Agaricia lamarki. Porities porites recruits • CCA cover apparent AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
A08-01
• Great Bird Island south • Bank, patch reef in lagoon area (1-3m) • Tourist snorkel site • Rough weather and strong surge – incomplete surveys • Elevated patches of coral framework and gorgonians (1m relief) interspersed with sandy substrate. Lots of Acropora sp. rubble • Acropora palmata rubble with extensive areas of turf algae sediment • Fair amount of established Acropora palmata healthy colonies, small thickets of less healthy Acropora cervicoris AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
3 7/30/17
A09-01 • Windward Reef • New APAL colonies in shallows (1-3m) • Fore reef, 6-7m Higher FMA? Extensive Asparagopsis taxiformis • Low visibility (<10m), reasonably strong current • Narrow bands of elevated coral framework with larger coral colonies interspersed with low- lying interlocking Acropora boulders and rubble with high fleshy macroalgae, cryptic spaces and smaller coral colonies • Surveyed from GPS point to NNE • Survey team need to return to redo fish
• Cyanobacteria present AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
HG-01 • Hell’s Gate • Strong swell • Subtidal crest 3-4m • Standing old dead Acropora palmata colonies with small coral colonies encrusting, interlocking structure some of which was fragile • Undaria agaricites, Favia fragum Porites digitate • Good number of healthy Acropora palmata stands! • At edges and in sand channels some massives including Orbicella annularis.
AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
4 7/30/17
A03-02a • Great Bird Island west • Patch • 2-3m depth • Old OANN colonies covered with TAS • Patches of coral framework and GORG with elevation 0.5-2.5m (nearly at sea level) • Invasion of gastropods? • OANN colonies with minimal LC • ACER thickets (appeared unhealthy) AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
A few general observations
• Healthy large APAL colonies at a few of the survey sites • Extensive APRO thickets at one site • Little of no evidence of coral diseases or bleachingNo or only 1-2 Diadema at all sites • No or 1 Echinometra sp. at all sites • CYAN across many of the sites • A few of the sites had high coverage of Asparagopsis taxiformis
AGRRA Antigua 2017 Suzanne E Palmer
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