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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 gumaensis, Prealticus poptae) are endemic. There are few data, but fish resources in the northern islands are considered to be healthier and have less fishing pressure than the more populated southern islands. Fish caught by scuba and spear-fishing around Saipan in 1993 and 1996 were generally smaller than those from Tinian. Destructive fishing methods are difficult to regulate, due to a lack of staff and funding for enforcement agencies. Fishing using poisons chlorine bleach and Derris roots does occur, but has not been documented. The use World War II bombs for blast fishing was prevalent in the past, but appears to be nonexistent today. Over-harvesting of topshell (Trochus niloticus) and edible sea cucumbers has resulted in moratoriums being placed on their collection. Federated States of Micronesia Most (873 of 1,125 species) of the fish on FSM are reef-associated, however, catch and export data are limited although scale of the fisheries operation may be substantial. The gross value of FSM fisheries in 1998 was estimated at US$86.4 million, and this is having the greatest impact on FSM fisheries, compounded by over-fishing by foreign vessels. FSM earns about US$18-24 million annually from licensing fees for foreign vessels fishing for tuna in its waters. Fish export from Yap and Kosrae is limited and mostly for personal and family use. Chuuk had the largest commercial export. Commercial export of fish and crab from Pohnpei occurred until a recent cholera outbreak shut it down. Destructive fishing practices, including the use of explosives taken from World War II wrecks, have caused localised reef damage, especially in Chuuk lagoon. A small sea cucumber fishery operating in Yap was closed down in the mid-1990s. Better quantitative assessments of fisheries resources within the FSM are needed. Guam The monitoring of the 5 MPAs established in 2000 has demonstrated an increase in both mean size and abundance of both herbivorous and carnivorous fishes, particularly in Tumon Bay, the main tourism centre on Guam. Large schools of grazing surgeonfishes and larger and conspicuous snappers are now seen. The rebound of fish populations within this easily accessible area is a good demonstration of MPA effectiveness. However, the granting of permits for the ‘International Birdman Rally’ in the protected area demonstrated that political will is weak, even following the objections of the regulatory agencies and most of the public. Elsewhere, fish populations have declined 70% over 15 years, and total fish catches have more than halved Marshall Islands Seven of the 860 species of reef fishes in the Marshall Islands are endemic, and the endemic three-banded anemonefish (Amphiprion tricinctus) is exported for aquariums. Live rock and molluscs are also exported for the aquarium trade and crafts respectively. There is no commercial food fishery in the Marshalls as a result of the 67 nuclear tests conducted between 1946-1958, although there has been no significant accumulation of heavy radioactive elements in fish muscle tissue. Some other radionuclides have been shown in fish from near the bomb tests on Bikini and Enewetak lagoons, however, the concentrations of these radionuclides are reducing and in some species it is below detection. The RMI reported a gross value of the fishing industry at US$19.2 million, but this was mostly for oceanic pelagic species. 226
Status of the Coral Reefs in Micronesia and American Samoa Palau The largest number of reef fish species occur on Palau (1,278 species). Commercial fisheries generate US$6.4 million in gross value output, however, foreign-based fishing activities are a problem, including poachers from Indonesia and the Philippines on Helen Reef. Fish populations in the main islands of Palau show signs of over-fishing compared to the Southwest islands where there is less fishing pressure. Highly desired species of fish are either absent or present in low numbers in the main islands of Palau. ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS TO CORAL REEFS Threats from fishing and climate change are addressed in previous sections. The major threats to reefs are directly attributed to increases in human activities such as development and more efficient exploitation of coral reef resources. For example in American Samoa, there has been an increase of 35% in the population during the last 10 years, and in the Northern Marianas, the increase has been over 300% in 15 years. These population increases result in over-fishing (and destructive fishing) of reef resources, and more coastal development and habitat destruction, which result in more sediment and wastewater runoff with increased loads of nutrients and eutrophication in reef waters. Major tourism growth in the Northern Marianas, Guam, Palau and FSM has resulted in the clearing of coastal lands for developments, harbour construction, golf courses and roads with major losses in habitat and water visibility on near-shore reefs and direct reef damage from tourists e.g. using jet skis. American Samoa In 1999, overfishing of reef resources, coastal development and habitat destruction, and oil and hazardous waste spills in Pago Pago Harbor were the top ranked human stresses in American Samoa. Sedimentation, dumping and improper waste disposal, and nutrient loading with eutrophication in Pago Harbor were identified as medium threats, and sedimentation, dumping and improper waste disposal, and nutrient loading and eutrophication in Pago Harbor, marine debris, alien species, coral disease, and aquarium trade were ranked as low threats. CNMI The reefs near towns on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and those surrounding Farallon de Medinilla receive most of the human impacts from coastal development, population growth, fishing, and tourism. Concerns over the potential impacts of marine recreational sports on the environment caused the authorities to limit the number of tourist boat permits. The Government and the local dive operators association are installing more mooring buoys at major dive sites using money through the Coral Conservation Act. More than 20 ships have grounded on CNMI reefs over the past 20 years, usually during typhoons, and nearly half remain on the reefs. CNMI is working with NOAA to remove them before they disintegrate and cause more damage. There is a significant amount of war debris and unexploded ordnance in the nearshore waters. An unfortunate attempt in 1996 to clear some sunken bombs caused significant damage to the nearby Sasanhaya Fish Reserve, killing numerous fish, smashing coral, and killing a turtle. The resultant sediment plume blanketed an area around the Coral Garden site from months. 227
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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FOREWORD Our two governments have r
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CONTENTS Countries, States and Terr
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories S
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INTRODUCTION We are pleased to endo
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Introduction Some of the larger fou
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Introduction Coral reefs are coming
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON A
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Executive Summary This report, howe
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Executive Summary GLOBAL AND REGION
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Executive Summary There is clear ev
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Executive Summary Key sites chosen
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Executive Summary • Europa and Sc
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Executive Summary CORAL REEF TARGET
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Executive Summary ICRI OPERATING UN
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Executive Summary COLLAPSE OF CORAL
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Executive Summary Prognosis for the
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Executive Summary concern is an out
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Executive Summary Southern Tropical
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Executive Summary Achievements in E
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7. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CORAL R
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Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reef
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs in East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Northe
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16. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF MESOAM
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Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoameric
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17. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE EA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Easter
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18. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTHE
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Status of Coral Reefs in Southern T
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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