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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Southwest Pacific
probably aggregating to spawn. There were also healthy populations of giant clams,
trochus, and various sea cucumbers, along with starfishes and other echinoderms. Some
crown-of-thorns starfishes (COTS) were also noted, but there were no significant
variations in invertebrate populations from 1997 to 2001 at the sampling stations. Larger
COTS populations occur in some bays adjacent to Noumea.
Samoa
There has been sporadic reef monitoring by many visiting scientists, but 6 long-term,
national monitoring sites have been selected. There is also community monitoring
through the Village Level Coral Reef Monitoring Project (VLCRMP) at many community
MPAs, including the fishery reserves. Long-term monitoring is being conducted in 9 of
these MPAs. There was monitoring in 21 community fish reserves in the two main islands
of Savaii and Upolu in 2000-2001. On Savaii, which is less populated than Upolu, live coral
cover was high (55%) comprising mostly of Acropora species. On Upolu, 78% of the cover
was dead coral or rubble and only 22% live coral. The higher coral cover may be attributed
to fewer pressures on the marine resources of Savaii, while on Upolu, there has been
major urban migration and increased demands for seafood.
The monitoring is now showing that the protected coral reefs are undergoing marked
improvements, with increased coral recruitment and regrowth in areas previously
damaged by coral bleaching, storms and destructive fishing practices.
There is less coral cover on heavily populated Upolu, than Savaii.
Island Hard Live Coral Dead Coral Other
Acropora spp. Other corals categories
Savaii 16.6% 38.2% 35.0% 10.2%
Upolu 7.5% 14.0% 14.0% 64.5%
There are 59 villages working with the Samoan Fisheries Division to manage their marine
resources under the Village Fisheries Management Program. Villages develop their own
management tools such as devising and enforcing village by-laws (within local and
national circumstances), establishing fish reserves and seeking alternative livelihoods. The
Fisheries Division collects baseline data prior to establishing the fish reserves. The
villagers now report greater fish abundance, and more coral recruitment and re-growth in
the protected areas. The crown-of-thorns starfish continues to be a threat to coral reefs.
Unfortunately, there are still reports of destructive fishing practices such as dynamite
fishing, the use of chlorine and Derris roots in more remote rural villages. Efforts to curb
the practice include awareness raising through the fisheries extension and training
program and empowering villagers to take action through the Village By-laws.
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