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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
ICRAN
SAMOA MPA PROJECT – ICRAN DEMONSTRATION SITE
The 2 major islands of Samoa, Savai’i and Upolu, and many tiny islands are circled
by diverse fringing reefs, as well as mangroves and some seagrasses. The Samoan
people are heavily dependent on reefs, but over- and destructive fishing and poor
land management threaten the reefs and fish stocks. The Districts of Aleipata (11
villages) and Safata (9 villages) covering 10-15km of coastline on Upolu established
district-level, community-based, multi-use MPAs under a World Bank-IUCN initiative
(Samoa Marine Biodiversity Protection and Management Project).
Ecological monitoring: Intensive baseline data were recorded of parameters
considered important by the local communities in all major reef habitats (lagoon,
channels and outer slopes). This was augmented by information gathered from local
communities. The reefs are in good health, considering the many natural and
anthropogenic pressures that have affected these reefs over 20 years, including
destructive cyclones in 1990 and 1991. There is low coral cover on the inner lagoons
(10-20%), but very high cover on the outer slopes (80-100%) and outer lagoons
(50–60%) adjacent to avas (reef channel breaks). Fish abundance is low and
individuals small in most accessible areas of the lagoon and on some outer slopes,
indicating strong fishing pressures. However, fish are more abundant and diverse in
less frequented areas (e.g. exposed outer slopes), and a large numbers of juveniles in
the outer lagoons was a good sign. Highly prized species like giant clams, sea
cucumbers and edible molluscs are also very rare except in remote areas. The reefs
have recovered well after the cyclones, but damage is still evident with some parts
not functioning well. There are also residual effects of crown-of-thorns starfish
(COTS) outbreaks 20 to 30 years ago, especially in the avas and bays where coralline
algae have replaced corals. There are concerns that the COTS could re-emerge and
destroy coral cover. Sea urchins are eroding the reef rock and preventing new coral
recruits from growing. Recovery from past dynamite fishing is poor or non-existent,
even 5 years after it was stopped.
Socio-economic monitoring: Incorporation of socio-economic monitoring into the
baseline assessment and community monitoring is being developed under
dedicated funding.
Monitoring effectiveness: The communities developed draft MPA management
plans after the surveys, and long-term monitoring sites were established to provide
performance indicators of the plans. Village Fisheries Reserves have been
established and incorporated into the MPA plans. Trials are under way for
community based monitoring of selected indicators to provide more immediate
feedback on how their MPAs are progressing. Contact: David Fisk, Apia Samoa;
davefisk@ipasifika.net
Coral reefs are 80% of the natural resources.
Ecological Monitoring is effective.
Socio-economic Monitoring is planned.
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