Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project
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FIJI CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROJECT ND 2 ANNUAL REPORT - Prepared by - James Comley, Director of Marine Science Ryan Walker, Marine Science Co-ordinator Kate Tanner, Project Scientist David Edmends, University of Nottingham Alice Ramsey, Research Assistant Peter Raines, Managing Director October 2004 Coral Cay Conservation Ltd. 13th Floor, The Tower 125 High Street, Colliers Wood London, SW19 2JG, UK Tel: +44 (0) 870-750-0668 Fax: +44 (0) 870-750-0667 Email: [email protected] Ministry of Tourism, www: www.coralcay.org Culture, Heritage and Civil Aviation Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project - 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................I List of Figures.............................................................................................................III List of Tables............................................................................................................... V Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. VII Executive Summary ...................................................................................................IX 1. Introduction..........................................................................................................1 2. Project Background.............................................................................................5 2.1 The coastal zone of Fiji..................................................................................5 2.2 The Mamanuca Islands ..................................................................................7 2.3 Aims and Objectives ......................................................................................8 2.3.1 Project Activities and Timetable............................................................8 2.3.2 Habitat mapping and Geographic Information Systems......................12 3. Methods ...............................................................................................................13 3.1 Survey strategy.............................................................................................13 3.2 Volunteer training ........................................................................................15 3.3 Baseline transect technique ..........................................................................18 3.4 Reef Check...................................................................................................22 3.5 Data analysis ................................................................................................24 3.5.1 Oceanographic, climate and anthropogenic impact data .....................24 3.5.2 Benthic data..........................................................................................24 3.5.3 Fish and invertebrate data ....................................................................25 3.6 Habitat Mapping ..........................................................................................26 3.7 Conservation Management Ratings and Geographic Information System..28 3.8 Environmental Awareness and Community work .......................................30 3.8.1 Mamanuca Environment Society.........................................................30 3.8.2 Dive into Earth Day, April 2004..........................................................30 3.8.3 Environmental Awareness Teaching at Local Schools........................32 3.8.4 Best Practice Guidelines Workshops for Water Sports Activities.......36 3.8.5 Introductory Reef Awareness Talks for Resort Guests........................36 3.8.6 The Mamanuca Dive Operators Reef Check Network ........................37 3.8.7 Video Presentations to Local Villages.................................................39 3.8.8 Community Workshops in the Mamanucas.........................................40 Prepared by Coral Cay Conservation I Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project - 2004 4. Results .................................................................................................................41 4.1 Survey Progress............................................................................................44 4.2 Oceanographic, climate and anthropogenic impact data. ............................47 4.2.1 Water Temperature ..............................................................................49 4.2.2 Water Salinity ......................................................................................49 4.2.3 Water visibility.....................................................................................50 4.2.4 Wind Strength and Direction...............................................................51 4.2.5 Current Strength and Direction............................................................52 4.2.6 Surface Impacts....................................................................................53 4.2.7 Sub-surface Impacts.............................................................................54 4.2.8 Boat Frequency and Activity...............................................................55 4.2.9 Aesthetic and Biological Impressions..................................................57 4.3 Multivariate analysis and benthic habitat definitions ..................................58 4.4 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function of Benthic Habitat Classes..............62 4.5 Reef Fish Populations ..................................................................................63 4.5.1 Fish Family and Selected Species Abundance.....................................63 4.5.2 Fish Assemblage Variation Between Analysis Sectors .......................66 4.5.3 Fish Assemblage Variation Between Habitats.....................................66 4.6 Invertebrate Populations ..............................................................................68 4.7 Habitat Mapping ..........................................................................................71 4.8 Conservation Management Rating and Geographic Information System...76 5. Discussion............................................................................................................78 5.1 Training........................................................................................................78 5.2 Environmental Awareness and Community Work ......................................78 5.3 Survey progress............................................................................................78 5.4 Oceanographic observations ........................................................................80 5.5 Multivariate Analysis and Benthic Habitat Definitions ...............................81 5.6 Reef Fish Populations ..................................................................................81 5.7 Habitat Mapping ..........................................................................................82 5.8 Conservation Management Rating and Geographic Information System...83 5.9 Management Findings and Recommendations ............................................83 6. Recommendations ..............................................................................................86 7. References...........................................................................................................88 Appendix 1..................................................................................................................91 Appendix 2..................................................................................................................99 Prepared by Coral Cay Conservation II Fiji Coral Reef Conservation Project - 2004 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1(a). The Fiji islands, showing the project area .........................................2 Figure 1 (b) Major islands within the Mamanucas ................................................3 Figure 2. Location of the different ‘Survey sites’ within the Mamanucas..............14 Figure 3. Schematic diagram of a baseline survey dive team showing the positions and data gathering responsibilities of all four divers. ..........................................19 Figure 4. Schematic diagram (aerial aspect) of an example of a reef area mapped by divers during a sub-transect survey. Solid line represents imaginary sub- transect line. .........................................................................................................19 Figure 5. The use of a secchi disc to assesses vertical water clarity. ......................20 Figure 6. Schematic diagram showing the position of the transect lines during a Reef Check survey.. .............................................................................................23 Figure 7. Participants in the Dive into Earth Day on Yanuya Island. .....................31 Figure 8. CCC Project Scientist with children of Yanuya Island at the Dive into Earth Day cleanup activity...................................................................................31 Figure 9. School children from Namamanuca Primary School on Yanuya Island undergoing classroom based-education...............................................................33 Figure 10. The value of practical experience- a school pupil from Namamanuca Primary School on Yanuya Island gaining practical experience in coral reef monitoring. ...........................................................................................................33 Figure 11. Dive Operators undertaking tuition in marine