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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Southwest Pacific
The major threats to coral reefs in Vanuatu are over-fishing (both subsistence and
commercial), soil erosion, tropical cyclones, earthquakes and seismic activities, and
potential climate change impacts. Coral bleaching was observed around Erakor Island in
2001, and also in 2002 in Vila Harbour, Hat Island and Moso islands on Efate. There may
have been more incidents of coral bleaching, but there has been no monitoring or
surveying to confirm this. Collecting for the aquarium industry is a potential threat to
coral reefs, with 3 operators currently exporting stock. Populations of species targeted for
the aquarium trade are small and easily susceptible to over-exploitation. Harvesting of the
giant clam Tridacna crocea is now banned.
CORAL REEF FISHERIES
Sustainable coral reef fisheries are critical for these countries, particularly as subsistence
and artisanal fisheries. The economic value of subsistence fisheries is estimated at US$71.04
million. Most countries still use traditional, non-mechanised methods but as catches
decline, the people resort to more innovative and destructive methods such as night spear
fishing, dynamite fishing and use of poisons. Fisheries departments and regional
organisations (Secretariat of the Pacific Community, University of the South Pacific, and the
World Fish Center - ICLARM) are promoting aquaculture of important species to generate
income and alleviate pressure on reef resources. There is an urgent need to implement
improved management of coral reef fisheries. Some traditional management measures still
exist but these are failing to arrest the decline in coral reef fisheries. A new initiative
through the Locally Managed Marine Areas project encourages communities to manage
their coral reef resources in partnership with government and NGOs.
THREATS TO CORAL REEF FISHERIES
It is critical to achieve sustainability of coastal reef fisheries to maintain food security
for the people. Management, however, is hampered by a lack of data and trained people.
Traditional subsistence fishing methods have been displaced by modern methods when
Pacific Island populations doubled between the 1960s and 1990s. Now the emphasis is
on economic returns above environmental concerns. Destructive fishing with
dynamite, plant (e.g. Derris) and chemical poisons, and overuse of seine nets have
resulted in large-scale damage and reductions in fish breeding stocks, particularly of
the top predators. Other threats include destruction of breeding and feeding habitats
through coastal development and habitat destruction.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Three potential climate change impacts have occurred in this part of the Pacific in the
past decade: increases in cyclone frequency; increases in sea surface temperatures
resulting in coral bleaching; and sea level rise. The apparent increase in the incidence
of cyclones since the early 1990s has caused considerable damage on land and
increased sediment loads onto coastal reefs of Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. There were also
serious coral bleaching events associated with raised sea surface temperatures in early
2000 and 2001 affecting Fiji and Solomon Islands (e.g. up to 90% of corals were killed
in parts of Fiji). Previous bleaching in Fiji was apparently not as severe as the event of
early 2000. There are, however, huge gaps in coral cover data prior to the bleaching;
this is now an issue being addressed by the IMR Southwest Pacific GCRMN Node. Low-
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