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

Status of Southeast and Central Pacific Coral Reefs ‘Polynesia Mana Node’
CORAL REEFS OF RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
The coral reefs of Rarotonga provide food to the population and have a deep cultural
and spiritual significance. These reefs are also essential for tourism, which is the
foundation of the Cook Island economy. However, reefs in Rarotonga have a decadeslong
history of degradation. The decline of coral health results from several factors:
bleaching from El Niño events; crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks; nutrient
and freshwater runoff into the lagoons; and algal overgrowth. There is no central
sewerage system on Rarotonga, and septic tanks overflow through the sands into the
lagoons. Agricultural areas also drain directly into the sea, bringing sediments, nutrients
and pesticides into the lagoons during heavy rains. There has been some bleaching of
corals in Rarotonga, but many corals appear to be heat-tolerant and have survived
several severe bleaching events.
The council of traditional leaders, the Koto Nui, and the Government have recently
re-established the traditional system of reef management involving no-fishing areas
known as ‘Ra’ui’. Fish populations have recovered in the Ra’ui areas, however, the
corals are still in very poor condition and filamentous algae dominate the lagoons. The
coral reefs of Rarotonga will benefit greatly from continued fisheries management and
the Ra’ui system, however, permanent no-fishing areas are also needed, where
restocking of depleted shellfish and especially sea cucumbers can occur, serving as
brood-stock for reseeding the wider reef system. COTS control is also needed. A
coral transplantation and recovery program would also help accelerate coral reef
recovery in the lagoons. Rarotonga desperately requires a tertiary treatment
sewerage and storm drain system to lower nutrient runoff into the lagoons. A
reduction of chemical inputs and runoff from agricultural land is also needed for longterm
coral reef health. From: Austin Bowden-Kerby, Foundation for the Peoples of the
South Pacific, bowdenkerby@connect.com.fj
coral reefs, but unfortunately, compliance is low and enforcement by governments is weak
through a lack of resources and political will. French Polynesia has developed various
types of ‘marine management plans’ using a bottom-up process, and most others are
planning National Environment Management Strategies (NEMS) with local communities,
usually with assistance from SPREP and other regional organisations. There are several
regional conventions relevant to coral reef conservation, such as the Apia convention of
1976 to promote protected areas; and the Noumea convention of 1996 to protect marine
resources from dumping at sea.
Monitoring
Coral reef monitoring is variable throughout the region. Well-developed programs only
exist in French Polynesia where water quality is monitored in Tahiti and some of the
Society islands, and the coral communities are monitored on the lagoon reefs of Tahiti,
Moorea and the outer slope of 14 islands. These are measured for the impacts from
cyclones, bleaching and minor anthropogenic pressures. A similar program was started in
Wallis and Futuna in 1999 and has developed well. In the Cook Islands, water quality,
coral cover and fish and invertebrate abundance are monitored in lagoons of 9 of the 15
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