HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
Figure 1.2: Schematic diagram of the measurement method
Tide data has been taken from Male’ International Airport Tide Gauge.
Wave patterns have been estimated using secondary studies and by installing a wave gauge
(AWAC—AST) located at the project site near Male’ reef.
1.8.3.2 Marine Assessments
Visual Snorkelling Survey
Visual snorkelling surveys were carried out at selected locations of the reef flat and the channel
near Male’ and Hulhule’ island that falls within the footprint of the project, to qualitatively
determine the main benthic composition and the general status of these areas. This method
allows for a quick assessment of the survey areas.
Photo Quadrat Survey
A 50 m transect line was deployed along the reef slope at 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m depths at each
island (Male’ and Hulhule’). A total of 10 high resolution photographs were taken every 5 m,
along the transect lines (each photograph covers 0.5 m 2 area of the sea bed). These were later
analysed using CPCe. CPCe, or Coral Point Count with excel extension, developed by the
National Coral Reef Institute, is software designed to determine coral community coverage and
diversity using transect photographs. Underwater photographic frames are overlaid by a matrix
of randomly generated points, and the fauna/flora of species or substrate type lying beneath each
point is identified. 20 random points per picture were analysed to characterize the substrate
composition (sample size: 250 points per transect).
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
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