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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 ICRAN RAMSAR BONAIRE NATIONAL MARINE PARK, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES – ICRAN DEMONSTRATION SITE Bonaire is in the southern Caribbean about 100km north of Venezuela, and one of the islands in the Netherlands Antilles. The island is approximately 40km by 11km with a land area of 288km 2 , and includes the small uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire, 750m off the western coast. The Marine Park was established in 1979, but not actively managed from 1984 until 1991, when dedicated Dutch Government funds were provided. There is comprehensive legislation for the Marine Park area, which is enforced over the 2,700 hectares of extensive coral reefs and seagrass beds, and mangrove-lined bays, from high water to 60m depth around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. There are 5 Ramsar sites on Bonaire, 3 of which are Salinas (salt lakes), the semi-enclosed bay of Lac on the windward shore and the island of Klein Bonaire is also a Ramsar site, with 690ha of limestone platform and the vegetation. After the success of the Saba National Marine Park, the Bonaire MPA followed as one of the first in the world to introduce a diver user fee, raising enough funds to become selfsufficient. In 1999 the MPA was given National Park status, having complied with the requirements of the Netherlands Antilles Nature Policy Plan i.e. legal protection, sufficiently large, representative of local nature, and with effective and sustainable management in place. Ecological Monitoring: There has been regular coral reef monitoring since the first baseline study in 1983 of the leeward slopes of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. Since 1974 a series of photographic quadrats (3 x 3m2) has been monitored annually at 4 sites at Karpata to study coral cover and diversity. These show a steady decline in coral cover and diversity at all depths except 40m. The greatest loss of total coral cover has been at 20m where coral cover declined from over 70% in 1974 to approximately 7% in 2001. Causes of coral loss are related to: increases in the alga Lobophora sp. which is out-competing corals in the deep reef environment; overgrowth by the colonial ascidian Trididemnum solidum; effects of repeated bleaching events; and coral disease. The most significant loss of coral cover occurred in the early 1990s during a major bleaching event in September 1991, but also correlated with substantial increases in tourism within the coastal zone. The Bonaire reefs are still amongst the best in the Caribbean and coral losses on Bonaire are less than elsewhere. Marine Park staff began to monitor photo-quadrats at 15 sites along the leeward shore in 1994 (36 photos each 1 x 0.7m) at 10m and 20m. Preliminary results indicate that the reefs are in good condition. Data on fish populations were collected in 1972 and again in 1994. The 1994 study compared heavily-dived and little-dived reefs and results indicate that fish biomass was high, with a good balance of herbivores and carnivores. More recent anecdotal evidence suggests that carnivore populations are declining with few grouper present on Bonaire’s reefs, although parrotfish are especially abundant. Local volunteer divers, directed by the Marine Park, have conducted annual Reef Check monitoring since 1997 within the Marine Reserve north of Karpata. This has generated considerable local publicity for the annual event. Bonaire has actively participated in CARICOMP monitoring since 1995 with a permanent coral reef study site located at Barcadera (10 permanent 10m transect lines). 338
Status of Coral Reefs in the Eastern Caribbean Mangrove and seagrass study sites are located in Lac, a semi-enclosed bay on the windward shore. The results show a slow decline in coral cover coupled with an increase is turf and fleshy algae cover. The AGRRA (Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment protocol) was implemented on Bonaire in 1999 along with training in AGRRA techniques to build local and regional capacity. Results indicate that these reefs are amongst the ‘healthiest’ in the Caribbean. Volunteers trained by REEF, local expert fish spotters and REEF staff have collected species lists and abundance, with 391 species of fish recorded on Bonaire reefs since 1994 (the highest number for a single location in the Caribbean). Surveys in and after 1996 of possible coral diseases around Bonaire showed the presence of yellow band, black band, white band and white plague. Additionally, losses were documented due to parrotfish bites which are believed to be a form of territorial marking. Marine Park staff and local volunteers monitored the colonial ascidian (Trididemnum solidum) on Bonaire’s reefs in 1994 and in 2000. Cover of this ascidian, has increased dramatically in density at some sites, but not changed much in the overall area covered. The highest densities are found at 15-30m and they easily overgrow living corals, but the ascidian suffers little predation, has a high reproductive rate, and spawns daily. Socio-economic Monitoring: A study of the carrying capacity of the reefs and the economic impact of the MPA in 1991 reported that visitor numbers were at or near the Park carrying capacity. The Marine Park also monitors the number of arriving yachts and use of the Park by dive operators and fishermen. Information of dive site visitation is collected from dive operators on a monthly basis. Studies are also assessing the reasons for success of the Marine Park and diver willingness to pay for conservation. Monitoring Effectiveness: The data from monitoring are vital for effective management in the Bonaire MPA. The principle value has been in outreach activities with the local community, tourism and especially diver operators, and government decision-makers. Park managers have been able to use data to distinguish between natural and human damage to the reefs and change management accordingly. A particularly valuable assessment is the economic value of the Marine Park coupled with determination of sustainable carrying capacity for particular dive sites and also the whole island. The Marine Park staff are strong supporters of frequent and constant monitoring of the largest possible number of components on the coral reefs. Contact: Fernando Simal, Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire, manager@washintonparkbonaire.org Coral reefs are 85% of the natural resources. Ecological Monitoring is effective. Socio-economic Monitoring is occasional. 339
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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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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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12. STATUS OF THE CORAL REEFS IN MI
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Status of the Coral Reefs in Micron
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13. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE HA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Hawaii
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14. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE U.
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Status of Coral Reefs in the US Car
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15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NO
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#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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