#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia
Live coral cover data 6 months after the bleaching in 1998 in the Maldives and again in 2002,
showing that not all reefs were devastated, and some are showing slow recovery.
Reef Sites 1998 2002
Reef flat (1-2 m)
Hodaafushi 1.6% 1.7%
Finey 0.7% 1.4%
Hirimaradhoo 0.9% 1.1
Emboodhoofinolhu 1.3% 1.9%
Bandos 1.7% 6.9%
Udhafushi 1.9% 2.9%
Fesdhoo 3.3% 22.1%
Mayaafushi 0.6% 2.7%
Velidhoo 0.2% 2.3%
Ambaraa 1.2% 2.9%
Wattaru 2.8% 3.7%
Foththeyo 5.0% 5.0%
Villingili 4.3% 13.2%
Kooddoo 1.0% 6.0%
Gan 4.0% 12.9%
Reef flat (3 m)
Hithadhoo 51.6%
Reef slope (7 m)
Gan 42.8%
Reef slope (10 m)
Villingili 54.3%
Hithadhoo 40.9%
Coral reefs of the Maldives were in excellent condition prior to 1998, but were heavily
degraded during the bleaching event. Surveys show that about 2% live coral remains on
the reef tops at study sites (15 sites, with 3 in each region of: Haa Dhaal; North and South
Male; Ari, Vaavu and Addu atolls). Observations by tourist divers and others indicate a
similar status throughout the country, with approximately 90% loss of live coral cover
compared to pre-bleaching observations. There was slight recovery by 2002 at almost all
15 sites surveyed in 1998.
There was more coral cover in the far south (Gan and Villingili) and central atoll sites
(Bandos and Fesdhoo). It was encouraging that some sites added in 2002 had high coral
cover indicating that the bleaching had been less damaging on the atolls in the south (coral
cover 40 to 55%). Some corals that had not been seen since 1998 were observed for the first
time in 2002 e.g. Stylophora pistilata and Seriotopora hystrix at Hithadhoo. These corals
were thought to be locally extinct (not observed at 15 sites), however, it appears that some
breeding stock has survived. Encouraging levels of recruitment have been observed at all
the sites, with many acroporids and pocilloporids amongst the new recruits.
Pakistan
Detailed information on the biodiversity of reef habitats in Pakistan is lacking, although a
marine reference collection and resource centre was set up in the University of Karachi in 1969.
107