Status of coral reefs in the southwest Pacific region to 2002: Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
Sulu R, Cumming R, Wantiez L, Kumar L, Lober M, Sauni S, Poulasi T, Pakoa K. 2002. Status of coral reefs in the southwest Pacific region to 2002: Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Pages 181-201. In Mulipola A. Status of coral reefs of the world:2002. Australian Institute of Marine Science. Townsville, Australian. GCRMN Report
The coral reefs of these 7 countries continue to degrade as a result of human pressures, with a new threat emerging in 2000 and 2002. Coral bleaching and mortality was not a problem during the major global bleaching event of 1997-98, but there have been severe bleaching episodes since then, particularly in Fiji, and to a lesser extent in Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Bleaching mortality now ranks as probably the major threat to the reefs in this region, along with over-exploitation of reef fisheries. On the brighter side, there have been expansions of coral reef monitoring activities and capacity within the GCRMN and Reef Check frameworks. Similarly, many local and international NGOs have assisted communities to establish their own MPAs to monitor and conserve their coral reef resources. This is strongest in Samoa and Fiji, with some encouraging initiatives in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Coral health and fish populations are now increasing in some of these MPAs. Ethnic tension in the Solomon Islands has meant an almost total breakdown in government conservation activities, and the immediate prospects for conservation are not encouraging.
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Sulu, R; Cumming, R; Wantiez, L; Kumar, L; Lober, M; Sauni, S; Poulasi, T; Pakoa, K
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- Coral Reef, Marine Resources, Monitoring, Samoa