Preliminary Survey of Coral Reefs at Vakare with special emphasis on Kayankerni Reef

and 4m. across are found in some reef edge areas giving excellent height relief to the reef and
supporting large popul<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong> shoaling fish species above the colonies and in the deep crevices <strong>at</strong> their
bases.
In some areas large sections <strong>of</strong> old dead coral is found interspersed <strong>with</strong> live coral areas, significant
areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>Coral</strong> rubble also exist indic<strong>at</strong>ing th<strong>at</strong> the reef may have seen a significant mortality event and is
now recovering well from it. The age <strong>of</strong> corals vary and most are m<strong>at</strong>ure colonies indic<strong>at</strong>ing healthy long
term survival <strong>of</strong> corals <strong>at</strong> the site.
At least one large expanse <strong>of</strong> Sea grasses ( Halophilla sp.) was observed <strong>at</strong> about 5m depth. reportedly
several other large sea algal beds are found in the area.
At first the fish popul<strong>at</strong>ions seem abundant and diverse on the reef. The reef teems <strong>with</strong> large shoals <strong>of</strong>
Fussiliers, Damselfishes, Cardinalfishes, Sweepers, Parrots, Snappers and Sweetlips. The initial
impression <strong>of</strong> high abundance and the vibrancy <strong>of</strong> the fish popul<strong>at</strong>ions was shadowed by the notable
lack <strong>of</strong> many species <strong>of</strong> "Color fish" th<strong>at</strong> would normally be expected to be present in a similar situ<strong>at</strong>ion.
The group include many species <strong>of</strong> Butterflyfish; the family <strong>of</strong> which only 12 species were observed
during the preliminary survey while in a reef <strong>of</strong> similar condition it would not be un-usual to find 20-25
species. In addition; many other species including Genera Pterois , Zebrasoma , Canthigaster, Ostracion,
Amphiprion, Chromis, Plectorhinchus, Labroides, Dascyllus, Balistapus etc. were either not observed or
found in very small numbers on the reef. While the preliminary n<strong>at</strong>ure <strong>of</strong> the dive is too brief for
conclusions the apparent reduction <strong>of</strong> popul<strong>at</strong>ions may be <strong>at</strong>tributed to selective collection in the
Ornamental aquarium industry. Other notable omissions included top end pred<strong>at</strong>ors including Trevallys
(Carangidae),Barrakuda ( Sphyraenidae) and Large Groupers (Serranidae). medium to small sized
groupers were common on the reef including E. caeruleopunct<strong>at</strong>us, C.argus, C.formosa. A very young
individula and a medium adult grouper <strong>of</strong> a Plecropoma sp. was observed but was unable to confirm
species identific<strong>at</strong>ion. Angel fishes were abundant <strong>with</strong> all three common large species (Pomacanthus
semicircul<strong>at</strong>us, P. annul<strong>at</strong>us, P. impar<strong>at</strong>or) observed along <strong>with</strong> Centropyge multispinis, C. flavissimus
and C. eiblii present.
The focus on invertebr<strong>at</strong>es was low as the preliminary n<strong>at</strong>ure <strong>of</strong> the survey did not have scope to look
for the more cryptic species. <strong>Coral</strong> abundance and Diversity was high and is documented in the list. The
list only details species th<strong>at</strong> are easily identified in the field <strong>with</strong>out delving in to microscopy. Where it is
not possible to go down to species level identific<strong>at</strong>ion has been carried out to generic level. The absence
<strong>of</strong> any large sea anemones was notable and can be directly <strong>at</strong>tributed to the high activity <strong>of</strong> the
ornamental fish collectors in the area. Few crustaceans were observed primarily due to the limit<strong>at</strong>ions in
the preliminary survey observ<strong>at</strong>ions. Several Painted Spiny lobsters <strong>of</strong> medium size was observed along
<strong>with</strong> good numbers <strong>of</strong> Sea cumbers still popul<strong>at</strong>ing reef areas. the sea cucumbers observed all belonged
to the genus Holothuria while it may be possible th<strong>at</strong> a higher diversity would be observed if a night
time survey is carried out. though several large Pin cushion Sea stars (Culcita spp) were observed It is
notable th<strong>at</strong> no coral pred<strong>at</strong>or "Crown-<strong>of</strong> Thorn Sea stars" th<strong>at</strong> have reached plague proportions in
many other reefs both in the East and North-west coast were observed during the survey. Crinoid
popul<strong>at</strong>ions were abundant and Diverse. The Big Blue Octopus, Reef Squids, Large Lambis lambus