gvi seychelles marine report jul 2013 - jun 2014 (cap ternay)

8/10/2019 GVI Seychelles Marine Report Jul 2013 - Jun 2014 (Cap Ternay)

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Global Vision International,Seychelles - Mah Report Series No. 142

ISSN 1751-2255 (Print)

GVI Seychelles Mah

Marine Conservation Expedition

July 2013 - June 2014


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GVI Seychelles Mah/Marine Conservation Expedition Report July 2013 - June 2014

Submitted in whole to

Global Vision International

Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA)

Lee Cassidy Science Coordinator Finnbar O'Mahoney Scholar

Samantha Howlett Science Coordinator Charlotte Orba Scholar

Chris Mason-Parker Country Director Matthew Waller Scholar

Kate Poss Base Manager Xavier Stowe Scholar

Charlotte Broadhead Community Coordinator Gabi Reuben Scholar

Danny Shand Dive Officer Alex Weber Scholar

Liv Moudy Dive Officer Kyle Thomas Scholar

Lee Bush Dive Officer

Sam Brodie Dive Officer

GVI Seychelles Mah/Marine Conservation Expedition

Address: GVI c/o SNPA, PO Box 1240, Victoria, Mah, Seychelles

Email: [email protected] page: http://www.gvi.co.ukand http://www.gviusa.com


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Abstract

This report summaries the findings from surveys conducted between July 2013 to June

2014, which examined coverage of all epibenthic organisms, along with scleractinian coral

diversity and juvenile recruitment rate, in addition to density of both reef and commercial fish

species and the abundance of key indicator invertebrate species. Results were then

combined with previous survey data from the program to assess and analyse trends and

changes in the coral reef communities along the North-West coastline of Mah.

Analysis of the surveys focussing on the epibenthic communities show that overall coral

cover has increased to 49%, the highest coverage seen yet in the monitoring program.

Granitic sites increased by 1.8% in 2014 whilst carbonate reefs remained stable from 2013.

Analysis of the structural complexity shows that branching coral coverage decreased slightly

this year, however it has still maintained dominance from 2011. This continued increase in

the growth of the physical matrix of the reefs is a very positive sign for the future ability of

these reefs to support a wider diversity of life.

Fish results show that the overall density of fish on survey sites has increased over the last

year, with changes mainly to the community composition. Protected areas show higher

density and diversity of fish species, highlighting again the need to maintain correct

management of these critical areas.

Abundance of invertebrate species has increased since the initial surveys conducted in

2005. Results from 2014 however, show a decrease in the Arthropoda phyla. Further

analysis of species abundance shows that the decrease in mean abundance was mainly due

to a drop in oyster numbers at granitic sites and Molluscs and crab species on carbonate

reefs, indicating that these are issues affecting specific species on specific substrate types,

as opposed to larger scale problems affecting overall phylum numbers within the survey

area.


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4.9 Influence of Marine Protected Areas on Fish Densities 2005 2014 ..................... 36

4.10 Fish Species Diversity ............................................................................................. 38

4.11 Commercial Fish Sizing Results .............................................................................. 40

4.12 Invertebrate Densities from 10m Transects ............................................................. 41

4.13 Invertebrate Densities from 50m Belts .................................................................... 43

4.14 Sea Cucumber Densities ......................................................................................... 46

5 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 47

5.1 Coral Surveys: LIT ................................................................................................... 47

5.3 Fish Surveys ............................................................................................................ 52

5.4 Invertebrate Surveys ............................................................................................... 55

6 Additional Ecosystem Monitoring.................................................................................. 56

6.1. Turtles ...................................................................................................................... 56

6.1.1. Incidental Turtle Sightings ................................................................................ 56

6.1.2. Beach Patrols for Nesting Turtles..................................................................... 58

6.1.3. In-water Surveys of Turtle Behaviour ............................................................... 58

6.1.4. Photo Identification of Turtles ........................................................................... 60

6.2. Crown of Thorns ...................................................................................................... 60

6.3. Cetacean Sightings ................................................................................................. 61

6.4. Whale Shark Sightings ............................................................................................ 616.5. Plankton Sampling ................................................................................................... 62

7. Non-survey Programmes .............................................................................................. 63

7.1 Extra Programmes ................................................................................................... 63

7.1.1 Internships ........................................................................................................ 63

7.2 Community Development ........................................................................................ 63

7.2.1 Community Education Programmes................................................................. 63

7.2.2 GVI Charitable Trust......................................................................................... 63

7.2.3 National Scholarship Programme..................................................................... 64

8. References ................................................................................................................... 65

9. Appendices ................................................................................................................... 67

Appendix A.Details of sites surveyed by GVI Seychelles Mah, year round. Sites in bold-

type text are located within Marine Protected Areas. ......................................................... 67

Appendix B.Scleractinian coral genera surveyed by GVI Seychelles - Mah. ................... 68

Appendix C.Fish families, genera and species surveyed by GVI Seychelles - Mah. ....... 69

Appendix D. Fish feeding guilds analysed by GVI Seychelles Mah. ............................. 72


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Appendix E.Fish species lists divided into commercial and reef species analysed by GVI

Seychelles Mah. ............................................................................................................ 73

Appendix F.List of invertebratespecies surveyed on 50m belt transects by GVI Seychelles

Mah. .............................................................................................................................. 74

Appendix G.Invertebrates surveyed on 10m LIT transects by GVI Seychelles Mah. .... 75

Figures List

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gvi seychelles marine report jul 2013 - jun 2014 (cap ternay)

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