Status of the coral reefs in Micronesia and American Samoa: US affiliated and freely associated islands in the Pacific

Richmond, Robert; Kelty, Ruth; Craig, Peter; Emaurois, Carol; Green, Alison; Birkeland, Charles; Davis, Gerry; Edward, Ahser; Golbuu, Yimnang; Gutierrez, Jay; Houk, Peter; Idechong, Noah; Maragos, James; Paulay, Gustav; Starmer, John; Tafileichig, Andrew; Trianni, Michael; Vander Velde, Nancy

The coral reefs in this region are comparatively healthy, although there was extensive damage to the reefs in Palau during the coral bleaching event in 1998 and levels of human pressures are increasing, but not to the levels of reefs in nearby Asia. These countries and territories are affiliated with the USA and are currently included in many of the initiatives through the auspices of the US Coral Reef Task Force for improved mapping, monitoring and training to the eventual aims of strengthening coral reef conservation. Thus there has been a major expansion of all coral reef activities since the last report in 2000. In American Samoa, the reefs are recovering from crown-of-thorns starfish invasions, 3 typhoons, and warm water bleaching, as well as chronic human impacts around the towns and the aftermath of removing 10 shipwrecks. Fish populations, however, are not recovering at the same rate due to serious over-fishing on the populated islands. The local government has recently banned the export of live rock and scuba fishing. In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, there was moderate coral bleaching during the summer of 2001 and the reefs continue to suffer from increased sedimentation from poor land use and over-fishing around the populated islands. There have been major advances in coral reef monitoring with considerable training and the establishment of permanent monitoring stations. Coral reefs on Guam vary from excellent to poor, depending on adjacent land activities. Those reefs under the influence of excess sedimentation from soil erosion have low coral cover. There is excellent monitoring and research capacity on Guam and the 5 MPAs established in 2000 show that corals and fish populations are recovering well, however enforcement is weak in other areas. The coral reefs of the Federated States of Micronesia are generally good to excellent, with some problems around developments on the high islands and some fishing impacts. Capacity to monitor and manage their reefs is improving, but more progress is needed before adequate areas are protected as no-take reserves. In general, the reefs of the Marshall Islands are in good condition, including those in the former nuclear test sites. The reefs near the urban areas of Majuro are stressed, but still have an abundance of fish and invertebrates. Capacity to monitor and manage their reefs previously lagged behind adjacent countries, however there has been significant recent progress in developing capacity and establishing monitoring. Palau's coral diversity is among the highest in the world and the remote reefs are generally in good condition. Reefs closer to population centres are degraded due to sediment flows and sewage pollution, and increasing fishing pressures. Bleaching severely affected most reefs in Palau in 1998, however, monitoring is showing strong recovery and recruitment at many sites. A growing problem is sediment and dredging resulting from road development around the main island. Since the last report in 2000, the Palau International Coral Reef Center has opened with active research and education programs and is coordinating coral reef monitoring in the region for the GCRMN.

Status of the coral reefs in Micronesia and American Samoa: US affiliated and freely associated islands in the Pacific

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