Global Vision International, Seychelles - Mah Report Series No.

124 ISSN 1751-2255 (Print)

GVI Seychelles Mah

Marine Conservation Expedition

July - December 2012

GVI Seychelles Mah / Marine Conservation Expedition Report July - December 2012 Submitted in whole to
Global Vision International Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA)

Produced by Lee Cassidy Science Coordinator Sam Howlett Science Coordinator

And Rowana Walton Elizabeth Harris Joe Daniels Emily Shelton Chris Petchey Expedition Leader Expedition Staff Expedition Staff Scholar Scholar Christophe Mason-Parker Emily Allen Grace Frank Kate Downes Elizabeth Martin Country Director Dive Instructor Science Coordinator Expedition Staff Scholar

Thank you also to our hardworking volunteers for the collection of all data; Sage Roberts, Afnan Kumosani, Johanna Sollenberg, Michael Pollard, Rebecka Porse Shalin, Kate Poss, Christopher Sharwood, Mai Al-Marzoogi, Sophie May, Sarah Meek, Russell Keen, Christin Staerz, Daniel Walker, Thae Saatvedt Brekke, Suzanne Schoales, Carmen Kowarik, Pieter Van Altena, Stewart Clarke, Leah Andrews, Faris Radwan, Noa Homolka, Paolina dAvack, Laura Halbach, Anita Futterer, Nadia Aswani, Melainie Cordes, Zainab Saigol, Amer Alseiari, Lizzie Southall, Derry Tanzil, Katie Leggett, Sara Stekla, Samantha Gough, Naomi Trepanier, Cody Thomason, Mina Janeska, Sheena Weller,, Samuel Koolman, Carl Brown-Kenyon, Joe Lander, Kim Seymour, Clara Graefin Von Luckner, Jessica, Hehir, Johannes Renz, Lara Thompson, Thomas Ellis, Eva Paulus, Steph Gardner, Laetitia, Brun, Roya Allemann, Hunter Ring, Laura Rickwood, Manuel Spescha, Lucy Stratton, Lina Lundberg, Paul Mancuso, Katy Kelsoe, Laura Boggeln, Finbarr OMahony, Lina Kehlenbeck, Nick Taylor, Juliette Delacroix, Troy Gallant, Guido Staubesand, Sandra Haessig & Lance Williams. GVI Seychelles Mah / Marine Conservation Expedition Address: GVI c/o SNPA, PO Box 1240, Victoria, Mah, Seychelles Email: Seychelles@gvi.co.uk Web page: http://www.gvi.co.uk and http://www.gviusa.com

Abstract
This report summaries all data collected during the July to December 2012 survey period of coral reef monitoring; at all 24 survey sites across the North West Mah coastline. Surveys were conducted to analyse the rate of Scleractinian coral recruitment, density of both reef and commercial fish species and the abundance of key mobile invertebrate species. Coral recruitment monitoring found that the mean recruit density to be 15.3 recruits per m2 (SE 0.35), finding 40 coral genera from 14 family groups. Significantly, pre 2011, it was thought that the density of coral recruits had stabilised at around 12 14 recruits per m2 however the changes seen for 2011/2012 shows that recruit density has continued to increase. Family density changes were focused on for this report and noted that once data had been normalised, to account for number of genus in each family, the Poritidae family found highest relative abundance from 2005. However if the percentage composition of the total recruit density is analysed, which can indicate overall recruitment rates, the Acroporidae family has increased from 10.2% in 2005 up to 18.5% in 2012; whereas the Poritidae family has fallen from 32.9% in 2005 to 28.0% in 2012. Indicating that if current trends persist the Acroporidae family could become the dominant family group in future recruitment surveys.

Monitoring of the reef and commercial fish densities through the survey program shows continuation of trends seen in recent years. Whereas overall density had remained relatively stable, diversity has increased across most sites by an average of 6.38 (1.65 SE) from 2012. The most significant trend in the feeding guild analysis is the increase in the coralivore and corallivore/invertivore fish species. This is a primary indicator of the

continued recovery of the structure and overall diversity of the reefs. Monitoring of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) continued this year again showing higher densities within these protected areas with both the reef and commercial fish species, highlighting again the need to maintain correct management of these critical areas.

Invertebrate density surveys show the Short-spine (Echinothrix sp.) and long-spine (Diadema sp.) urchins are dominating. Substrate type analysis shows that density of short spine urchins is decreasing; but at a very slow rate, on both substrates yet long spines are stable. Density of the coralivorous Drupella snail has continued to increase but still remains at levels which cannot inflict significant damage to the reefs overall.

Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 8 1.1. 2. Survey Sites ........................................................................................................ 10

Aims ............................................................................................................................ 11 2.1. Species Lists....................................................................................................... 12 Coral ............................................................................................................ 12 Fish .............................................................................................................. 12 Invertebrates ................................................................................................ 13

2.1.1. 2.1.2. 2.1.3. 2.2.

Training ............................................................................................................... 13 Dive / Science Training ................................................................................ 13 Survey Methodology .................................................................................... 13

2.2.1. 2.2.2. 3.

Methodology ............................................................................................................... 14 3.1. Coral ................................................................................................................... 14 Coral Recruitment Quadrat .......................................................................... 14

3.1.1 3.2.

Fish ..................................................................................................................... 14 Stationary Point Count ................................................................................. 14 50m Belt Transects ...................................................................................... 15

3.2.1 3.2.2 3.3.

Invertebrates ....................................................................................................... 16 50m Belt Transect ........................................................................................ 16

3.3.1 3.4. 4.

Environmental Parameters .................................................................................. 17

Results ........................................................................................................................ 18 4.1. 4.2. Surveys Completed ............................................................................................. 18 Coral Recruitment Surveys ................................................................................. 18 Scleractinian Coral Recruitment Density ...................................................... 18 Coral Recruit Size Class Comparison .......................................................... 20 Coral Recruitment; Granitic versus Carbonate Substrate Composition ........ 21 Coral Recruitment; Deep versus Shallow Zonation ...................................... 22 Coral Family Density and Diversity .............................................................. 23

4.2.1. 4.2.2. 4.2.3. 4.2.4. 4.2.5. 4.3.

Fish Density Surveys .......................................................................................... 26

4.3.1. 4.3.2. 4.3.3. 4.3.4. 4.3.5. 4.3.6. 4.4. 4.5. 5.

Mean Commercial and Reef Fish Species Density....................................... 26 Combined Fish Density 2005 2012 ........................................................... 26 Fish Densities with regards to Feeding Guilds ............................................. 28 Influence of Marine Protected Areas on Fish Densities 2005 2012............ 29 Fish Species Diversity .................................................................................. 31 Commercial Fish Sizing Results ................................................................... 32

Invertebrate Densities ......................................................................................... 33 Sea Cucumber Densities .................................................................................... 35

Discussion .................................................................................................................. 36 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. Coral Recruitment Surveys ................................................................................. 36 Fish Surveys ....................................................................................................... 37 Invertebrate surveys ........................................................................................... 41

6.

Additional Ecosystem Monitoring ................................................................................ 42 6.1. Turtles................................................................................................................. 42 Incidental Turtle Sightings ............................................................................ 42 Beach Patrols for Nesting Turtles ................................................................. 44 In-water Surveys of Turtle Behaviour ........................................................... 44 Photo Identification of Turtles ....................................................................... 46

6.1.1. 6.1.2. 6.1.3. 6.1.4. 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. 6.5. 7.

Crown of Thorns ................................................................................................. 47 Cetacean Sightings ............................................................................................. 47 Whale Shark Sightings ........................................................................................ 47 Plankton Sampling .............................................................................................. 48

Non-survey Programmes ............................................................................................ 49 7.1 Extra Programmes .............................................................................................. 49 Internships ................................................................................................... 49

7.1.1 7.2

Community Development .................................................................................... 49 International School Seychelles (ISS) .......................................................... 49 GVI Charitable Trust .................................................................................... 49 National Scholarship Programme................................................................. 50

7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.3

8. 9.

References ................................................................................................................. 51 Appendices ................................................................................................................. 53 Appendix A. Details of sites surveyed by GVI Seychelles Mah, year round. Sites in bold-type text are located within Marine Protected Areas. ............................................. 53 Appendix B. Scleractinian coral genera surveyed by GVI Seychelles - Mah. ............ 54 Appendix C. Fish families, genera and species surveyed by GVI Seychelles - Mah. ... 55 Appendix D. Fish feeding guilds analysed by GVI Seychelles Mah. .......................... 58 Appendix E. Fish species lists divided into commercial and reef species analysed by GVI Seychelles Mah. ....................................................................................................... 59 Appendix F. List of invertebrate species surveyed on 50m belt transects by GVI

Seychelles Mah. ....................................................................................................... 60

Figures List
FIGURE 1.1. LOCATION AND SUBSTRATE TYPE OF GVI SURVEY SITES................................................................ 11 FIGURE 3.3.1. LAYOUT OF CORAL RECRUITMENT SURVEYS AT EACH SURVEY SITE, WHERE THE SHORELINE IS REPRESENTED BY THE TOP OF THE FIGURE AND THE DISTANCE FROM SHORE INDICATES INCREASING DEPTH. ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 FIGURE 3.3.2. LAYOUT OF FISH SPC AND BELTS, AND 50M INVERTEBRATE TRANSECTS AT EACH SURVEY SITE, WHERE THE SHORELINE IS REPRESENTED BY THE TOP OF THE FIGURE AND THE DISTANCE FROM SHORE INDICATES INCREASING DEPTH. ................................................................................................................ 17 FIGURE 4.2.1. MEAN CORAL RECRUITMENT DENSITY ACROSS ALL SITES FOR EACH SURVEY PERIOD FROM 2002 2012. .............................................................................................................................................. 19 FIGURE 4.2.3. A COMPARISON OF THE MEAN RECRUITMENT DENSITY PER M OF SCLERACTINIAN CORALS FOUND ON GRANITIC VERSUS CARBONATE SITES ACROSS NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012 ............... 21 FIGURE 4.2.4. MEAN CORAL RECRUITMENT DENSITY PER M ON DEEP AND SHALLOW DEPTH RANGES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012. ........................................................................ 22 FIGURE 4.2.5. RECORDED MEAN CORAL RECRUITMENT DENSITIES PER M OF SCLERACTINIAN FAMILIES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012). ......................................................... 23 FIGURE 4.2.6. NORMALISED RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF CORAL RECRUITMENT DENSITIES FOUND PER M OF SCLERACTINIAN FAMILIES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012 (DATA NORMALISED TO ACCOUNT FOR NUMBER OF GENUS WITHIN EACH FAMILY). ....................................... 24 FIGURE 4.2.7. NORMALISED RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF CORAL RECRUITMENT PER M OF THE 5 MOST ABUNDANT SCLERACTINIAN FAMILIES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012 (DATA NORMALISED TO ACCOUNT FOR NUMBER OF GENUS WITHIN EACH FAMILY). ............................ 24
2 2 2 2 2

FIGURE 4.2.8. PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF RECRUIT FAMILIES OF THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2005 2012 (DATA NORMALISED TO ACCOUNT FOR NUMBER OF GENUS WITHIN EACH FAMILY). ............................................................................................................ 25 FIGURE 4.3.1. MEAN DENSITY PER M OF ALL SURVEYED FISH SPECIES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES, 2005 2012. .......................................................................................................................................................... 27 FIGURE 4.3.2. A COMPARISON OF MEAN DENSITY PER M OF ALL SURVEYED FISH SPECIES BETWEEN CARBONATE AND GRANITIC SUBSTRATE SITES, 2005 - 2012. ................................................................... 27 FIGURE 4.3.3. COMPARISON OF FISH FEEDING GUILDS THROUGH DENSITY PER M ACROSS ALL SITES, 2005 2012. .......................................................................................................................................................... 28 FIGURE 4.3.4. COMPARISON OF FEEDING GUILDS THROUGH DENSITY PER M ACROSS ALL SITES, 2005 2012, DISREGARDING HERBIVORES. .......................................................................................................... 29 FIGURE 4.3.5. OVERALL MEAN DENSITY PER M OF FISH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, NOV-DEC 2005 TO JULY-DEC 2012. ........................................................................................................... 29 FIGURE 4.3.6. MEAN DENSITY OF FISH PER M ON CARBONATE SUBSTRATE SITES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, NOV-DEC 2005 TO JULY-DEC 2012. ............................................................. 30 FIGURE 4.3.7. MEAN DENSITY OF FISH PER M ON GRANITIC SUBSTRATE SITES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, NOV-DEC 2005 TO JULY-DEC 2012. ........................................................................... 30 FIGURE 4.3.8. SPECIES-RICHNESS (NUMBER OF FISH SPECIES FOUND) ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES ALONG NW MAH, 2012. GREEN DENOTES SITES WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND BLUE DENOTES NONPROTECTED SITES. ..................................................................................................................................... 31 FIGURE 4.3.9. A COMPARISON OF SPECIES-RICHNESS (NUMBER OF FISH SPECIES) BETWEEN THE SAME SITES OF NW MAH IN 2005 AND IN 2012. ........................................................................................................ 32 FIGURE 4.4.1. MEAN DENSITY PER M OF ALL SURVEYED INVERTEBRATE SPECIES ACROSS NORTH-WEST MAH, JULY DECEMBER 2012. ................................................................................................................ 33 FIGURE 4.4.2. A COMPARISON OF THE MEAN DENSITY PER M OF SHORT SPINE (ECHINOTHRIX SPP.) AND LONG SPINE (DIADEMA SPP.) URCHINS ON GRANITIC VERSUS CARBONATE SUBSTRATE ALONG NORTHWEST MAH, 2009 TO 2012. ..................................................................................................................... 34 FIGURE 4.4.3. MEAN DENSITY PER M OF CUSHION SEASTAR (CULCITA SPP.), CROWN OF THORNS (ACANTHASTER PLANCI) AND THE GASTROPODS DRUPELLA SPP. ............................................................ 34 FIGURE 4.4.4. MEAN NUMBER OF SEA CUCUMBERS RECORDED PER SITE FROM 2006 -2012.......................... 35 FIGURE 4.4.5. DENSITY PER M OF INDIVIDUAL SEA CUCUMBER SPECIES ACROSS ALL SURVEY SITES OF NORTH-WEST MAH, 2008 2012. ........................................................................................................... 35
2 2 2 2

1. Introduction
Global Vision International (GVI) Seychelles comprises of two expeditions based on the granitic inner islands of Seychelles. One on Mah, the largest and most heavily populated island in the Seychelles group, located at the Cap Ternay Research Centre in Baie Ternay National Park and one on Curieuse Island within the Curieuse National Marine Park, located north of Praslin. The marine parks at which both GVI bases are located are controlled and managed by the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA). All of GVIs scientific work in the Seychelles is carried out on behalf of our local partners and at their request, using their methodology; GVI supplies experienced staff, trained volunteers and equipment to conduct research in support of their on-going work. GVIs key partner is the conservation and research section of the SNPA. Additional local partners include the

Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS) and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA). Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA): A local organisation partly funded by the government, encompassing the conservation and research section and the Marine Parks Authority (MPA). These organisations have the respective aims of carrying out marine research in the Seychelles along with managing and protecting the marine parks. The coral and fish monitoring carried out for the SNPA constitutes the majority of the work conducted by the volunteers. Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS) is a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) that carries out environmental research in the Seychelles, currently monitoring whale sharks, cetaceans and turtles around Mah. GVI assists with all three of these research programmes by documenting the presence or absence of turtles on every dive throughout the phase, conducting in-water turtle behaviour survey dives and also turtle nesting surveys. Along with the turtle work GVI reports incidental sightings of cetaceans and whale sharks and undertakes weekly plankton sampling to aid with year round monitoring of plankton levels in conjunction with the arrival of whale sharks to Mah Island. Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) is the governing body which oversees the management and regulation of commercial and artisanal fisheries in the Seychelles. This government agency is directly concerned with setting the catch, bag and seasonal limits that apply to local stocks on an annual basis, as well as managing the international export industry that is generated from the harvest of fisheries across the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In 1998, a worldwide coral bleaching event decimated much of the coral surrounding the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles, with hard coral mortality reaching 95% in some areas (Spencer et al. 2000). It is thought that this was caused by the high ocean

temperatures associated with an El Nino Southern Oscillation event at that time. Efforts to monitor the regeneration of reefs in the Seychelles were initiated as part of the Shoals of Capricorn, a three year programme started in 1998 and funded by the Royal Geographic Society in conjunction with the Royal Society. The Conservation and Research section of the SNPA was set up by the Shoals of Capricorn in an effort to ensure continuation of the work started, as well as to assist the Marine Parks Authority (MPA) with the management of the existing marine parks. The predominant objective for the Seychelles GVI expedition is to aid this monitoring programme and thereby assist in the construction of management plans that will benefit the future recovery of coral reefs in the area. Between 2000 and the beginning of the GVI expedition in 2004 the Seychelles marine ecosystem management program (SEYMEMP) took place, this was the most

comprehensive assessment of the coral reefs within the inner islands of the Seychelles to date. Eighty one carbonate and granitic reef sites throughout the inner islands were monitored using fine scale monitoring techniques. Monitoring efforts were continued by Reefcare International, a non-governmental organisation based in Australia. The protocols established by Reefcare International provided a foundation for those adopted by GVI. Although GVIs logistical constraints restrict monitoring efforts to the north-west coast of Mah at sites selected by SNPA. The survey data collected by GVI volunteers allows for analysis of trends in coral reef health seen over the past 14 years of monitoring. Along with this core research GVI Seychelles also endeavours to aid in any of the other projects undertaken by all their partners where it can; as it is hoped that with this help they will be able to increase their capacity to monitor, manage and ultimately conserve the marine environment of the Seychelles for the future. The GVI expedition comprises of survey programs that are four, eight or twelve weeks long, running continuously throughout the year from January - December. Within the 12 months fish and invertebrates are surveyed continuously at all survey sites in set time periods. Line Intercept Transects and Coral Diversity transects are undertaken in the first 6 months to evaluate coral coverage and site diversity, and Coral Recruitment monitoring is conducted

within the second 6 months to survey newly recruited colonies and gain a picture of site recovery. Health and Safety: The safety of all volunteers is paramount. All volunteers are given a health and safety brief upon arrival and conservative diving guidelines are adhered to for the duration of the expedition. In addition, volunteers complete the PADI Emergency First Response first aid course, and are taught how to administer oxygen in the event of a diving related incident. 1.1. Survey Sites

GVI surveys a maximum of 24 separate sites across the north-west coastline of Mah (Fig
1.1.). The 24 sites are surveyed twice a year; once in the first 6 months and then again in

the second half of the year. All sites are now listed as core sites (see Appendix A for site details). The sites are evenly divided between carbonate and granitic reefs and they represent varying degrees of exposure to wave action and currents. Six of the sites are within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where restrictions on all fishing as well as regulations on the recreational use of the park are in place.

10

Figure 1.1. Location and Substrate Type of GVI Survey Sites.

Each survey site is divided into shallow and deep zones, where the shallow zone is defined by the depth range 1.5 5.0m and the deep zone is defined by the depth range 5.1 15.0m. Each site has a central point, marked by a distinctive landmark on the

coastline, and is further divided into left, centre and right areas (Fig 3.3.1.). These areas are loosely defined as such by their position with respect to the centre marker of the site. All depths are standardised with respect to tidal chart datum so as to eliminate tidal influence.

2. Aims
The focus of July to December 2012 was on surveying commercial and reef fish species as well as hard coral coverage around North-West Mah. The specific aims of the phase were;

Assess diversity and density of fish species across all survey sites Estimate size of commercially important fish species Assessing the rate of hard coral recruitment

11

Monitor coral predation and algal grazing pressures through density estimates of hard coral predators, sea urchins Assess abundance and diversity of commercially targeted invertebrate species including sea cucumbers, lobster and octopus

2.1.

Species Lists 2.1.1. Coral

The list of surveyed scleractinian corals covers 50 separate genera (See Appendix B for the complete species list). Corals are identified to genus level only as in situ identification beyond genus level is not possible in the case of some corals, and is also beyond the requirements of the project aims. Volunteers are also encouraged to record the genus as unknown if they are not able to confidently identify a coral beyond the family level, and similarly to record unknown hard coral where even the family is not determinable with a level of confidence. 2.1.2. Fish The fish species chosen for surveys are those that are likely to indicate status of the reefs along with fishing pressure, but are not overly difficult to locate, identify and count as specified by SCMRT. For example, Surgeonfish are herbivores and grazers and thus would influence the algal coral dynamics within the reef ecosystem. Reef-associated species of commercial concern are also surveyed. This data can be used to help determine the status of the reefs and of the fisheries especially when compared with the data from previous phases.

Fish are surveyed to the highest taxonomic resolution practicable, with most identified to species level. The resolution depends on difficulty of identification, and also the species characteristics and the data requirements of our partners. The taxonomic level needed varies according to the ecological function of the species within the ecosystem; for example, if different species within a genus feed on different types of food, it is highly desirable to distinguish them to species. However, volunteers are instructed to record only to the level to which they are confident of the identification, thus if they are sure of the family but not genus or species, they record only as an unknown species of that family. See Appendix B for the list and taxonomic resolution of fish species surveyed.

12

2.1.3. Invertebrates Invertebrate species which influence and can indicate the health and conditions of coral reefs are surveyed, along with commercially viable species which are targeted by the local fishing industry. A full list of surveyed invertebrate species is included in Appendix E. 2.2. Training 2.2.1. Dive / Science Training All volunteers must be at least PADI Open Water qualified to join the expedition. Volunteers then receive the PADI Advanced Open Water course covering Boat, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Underwater Naturalist, and Deep dives. Particular attention is paid to buoyancy as surveys are conducted in water as shallow as two metres and over delicate reef ecosystems. Volunteers are required to learn either hard coral, fish species or invertebrate identification. Training is initially provided in the form of presentations, workshops and informal discussion with the expedition staff. Self-study materials are also available in the form of electronic and hard copy flashcards, as well as Indian Ocean identification publications. Knowledge is tested using pictures on land, for which a 95% pass mark is required. Volunteers are taken on identification dives with staff members for in-water testing; their responses are recorded and the dives continue until the volunteer has demonstrated accurate identification of all necessary species/genera. 2.2.2. Survey Methodology Volunteers receive on land briefings and lectures, navigation practice and in-water training in the skills required to conduct reef surveys. Participants complete the PADI Coral Reef Research Diver (CRRD) course, which is specifically developed for GVI and offered in only one other marine expedition in the world, Mexico. All are trained in the use of a delayed surface marker buoy and tape reels, plus any other survey equipment specific to the research they will be conducting. The course also includes a series of lectures on various aspects of the marine environment. Before completing any Underwater Visual Census (UVC) independently, volunteers participate in practice UVCs in which they are taught and supervised by a member of staff.

Improvements to the quality of species identification training materials are an ongoing and extremely important component to this marine expedition. Photographs taken locally of species underwater are the best materials to use they are accurate and portray how the

13

organism appears underwater. New electronic and hardcopy flashcards are produced to enhance the self-study materials available and to develop the exams by the same means. Volunteers are encouraged to donate their underwater pictures to add to the library.

3. Methodology
3.1. Coral 3.1.1 Coral Recruitment Quadrat

Reef regeneration around north-west Mah was investigated by counting and identifying to genus level recently recruited scleractinian corals within the survey sites. Recent 'recruits' were defined as any coral smaller than 5cm in height and diameter, and then further divided into two size classes of 0- 2cm and 2.1- 5cm. 1m2 quadrats were used to define the area within which the recruits were to be counted. At each site, the coral recruits in a minimum of fifteen shallow and fifteen deep quadrats were identified to genus and counted. To ensure even coverage of the reef, quadrats were divided equally between the left, centre and right areas of each site (Fig 3.3.1). To ensure random placement of the quadrats the diver descends to a section of reef within the target depth and area, then swims for five fin-kick cycles in any direction and drops the quadrat from a height of 1m above the substrate, the quadrat will settle on an area of the reef not specifically selected by the diver. 3.2. Fish 3.2.1 Stationary Point Count

The stationary point count is a commonly used UVC technique (Kulbicki 1998, Engelhardt
2004) employed by well-respected reef assessment programs such as the Atlantic and Gulf

Rapid Reef Assessment (AGGRA) and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Coral Reef Monitoring Program (FKNMS CRMP) (Hill & Wilkinson 2004). Variations of the method have been used as part of several studies in the Seychelles (Jennings et al. 1995; Spalding &
Jarvis 2002; Engelhardt 2004; Graham et al. 2007) where the lack of spear fishing increases the

reliability of this technique (Jennings et al. 1995). The post-bleaching surveys conducted by Reefcare International as part of the Seychelles Marine Ecosystem Management Project (SEYMEMP) used 7 minute long stationary point counts and defined the area for the point count with a 7m radius (Engelhardt 2001; 2004); 7 7.5m radius circle has been shown to create an area of the most suitable size for the size groups into which coral reef fish typically fall (Samoilys & Gribble 1997). When GVI assumed responsibility for the

continuation of this assessment in 2005, the same methodology was adopted. 14

At each site eight stationary point counts were carried out. Four stationary point counts were done in each of the shallow and deep zones, two centre, one left and one on the right (Fig. 3.3.2.). Divers recorded depth at the centre of each point count and start time for each survey. A tape measure was used to delineate the circle radius, laid in any direction along the reef. This allows for visual reference for the census boundary, increasing accuracy for density calculations. Point counts were conducted by buddy pairs of divers where each was responsible for counting a different selection of surveyed fish, thus reducing the number of fish one person is required to count. During the last minute both divers swam around the circle to attempt to ensure that more cryptic fish were counted. 3.2.2 50m Belt Transects

Colvocoresses and Acosta (2007) reported that Belt Transect surveys can cover more area with a similar observer effort than Point Count surveys, although behavioural avoidance of fish towards divers was frequently noted and, possibly as a result, lower densities of fish have been recorded on Belt Transects than on Point Counts. We decided to introduce Belt Transects in addition to the Stationary Point Counts, but to incorporate mechanisms to reduce behavioural avoidance. Variety in methodologies also has the advantages of adding to the skills set of the Expedition Members and enhancing their experience. The transect belts were 50m long by 5m wide, a standard area often used for reef assessments (Samoilys & Gribble 1997; Hill & Wilkinson 2004). Surveys were conducted by buddy pairs with each diver responsible for counting a different selection of fish. Four belt transects were completed at each site, 2 in the deep zone and 2 in the shallow ( Fig. 3.3.2.). A measuring tape was laid parallel to the shoreline on the reef by one diver while the other swims in front counting fish. Samoilys and Gribble (1997) recommend this technique of simultaneously counting fish and laying the transect tape as it avoids disturbing the fish prior to counting. After completion of the outward stage of the transect, the observers hover away from the end of the tape for 3 minutes to allow fish to return to the survey area before beginning the return leg. On the return journey, the second diver swims back along the tape counting the other fish while the buddy reels in the tape behind them.

15

3.3.

Invertebrates 3.3.1 50m Belt Transect

Extent of hard coral predation was measured as the density of two types of sea star; cushion stars (Culcita spp.) and Crown of Thorns (Acanthaster planci), and gastropods in the genus Drupella at each survey site, all of which are hard coral predators. Algal grazing pressure was measured as the density of sea urchins. Two 50m transects were laid out at each site, using polyprophelene reel tape measures. The transects start at the shallow centre point and head out at opposing 45 angles towards the deep zone, thus covering the whole depth range of 1.5 15.0m and the spread of the site (Fig 3.3.1.)Target species within 2.5m either side of the tape were recorded (see Appendix F).

Coral recruitment density quadrat Invertebrate diversity belt

Figure 3.3.1. Layout of coral recruitment surveys at each survey site, where the shoreline is represented by the top of the figure and the distance from shore indicates increasing depth.

16

Stationary point count Fish belt transect Invertebrate belt

Figure 3.3.2. Layout of fish SPC and belts, and 50m invertebrate transects at each survey site, where the shoreline is represented by the top of the figure and the distance from shore indicates increasing depth.

3.4.

Environmental Parameters

During each survey dive the boat captain records abiotic factors pertaining to the environmental conditions during the dive.

Turbidity is recorded using a Secchi disk Cloud cover is estimated in eighths Sea state is evaluated using the Beaufort scale, a copy of which is kept on the boat Surface and bottom sea temperatures are recorded using personal dive computers

17

4. Results
4.1. Surveys Completed

During July to December 2012 coral reef monitoring was completed across survey sites along the North - West coast of Mah. The surveys conducted monitored hard coral recruitment, reef and commercial fish densities and mobile invertebrate densities. All surveys were successfully completed across the 24 survey sites with the exception of one invertebrate survey at Conception Central East Face. Bad weather conditions prevented the final invertebrate survey being completed. At each site all stationary point counts, fish belts, coral recruitment quads and invertebrate belt transect were completed; except for the missing invertebrate belts at Conception Central East Face. This created a total of 192 SPCs, 96 fish belts (53,556m), 861 coral recruitment quadrats (861m2) and 46 invertebrate density belts (11,500m) across the 24 completed sites. In addition to the core surveys, in-water behavioural turtle surveys were conducted weekly as well as turtle nesting surveys. Data was also collected on incidental sightings of megafauna including turtles, cetaceans, sharks, rays and invertebrates of commercial importance. 4.2. Coral Recruitment Surveys

4.2.1. Scleractinian Coral Recruitment Density Overall mean Scleractinian coral recruitment density across all sites in the October to December 2012 was 15.3 recruits per m2 (SE 0.35), finding 40 coral genera from 14 family groups. The dominant families at all sites were Faviidae, Poritidae and Acroporidae. Highest recruit density was found at survey site 18. Lilot North Face with 26.69 per m 2 with lowest density at 10. Baie Ternay North West with 8.00 per m2; showing a high range in the mean density of 18.69 per m2. Diversity analysis showed that overall 10 individual genera were present at all 24 survey sites and site specific analysis showed a maximum diversity of 28 genera from 13 families found at 13B. Anse Major Point. 12A. Anse Major Reef came out with lowest diversity of 19 genera within 10 families.

18

18.0 16.0 Mean Recruit Density (m-2 SE) 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0

Figure 4.2.1. Mean coral recruitment density across all sites for each survey period from 2002 2012.

Figure 4.2.1. shows mean coral recruitment density has decreased slightly since 2011 by 0.24 recruits per m2, 2011 still remains the density maxima for the whole monitoring program. Previous to 2011 it was thought that the density of coral recruits had stabilised at around 12 14 recruits per m2 however the change seen for 2011/2012 shows that overall recruit density is continuing to increase. Results from 2012 show a significant increase in density since the initial recruitment survey carried out in 2002 (Engelhardt 2004), from 7.47 recruits per m2 up to 15.3 recruits per m2 respectively. It is important to note that the 2002 survey covered a larger area than currently surveyed by GVI; a total of 1600m 2 in 2002 compared to the current total area of 861m2. Also the extra area covered during the 2002 survey was on the eastern side of Mah island (Engelhardt 2004) where the coral abundance is lower than sites surveyed by GVI; this would affect direct comparisons made to this data set. It is included in this report as a reference to early coral recruitment data taken after the 1998 bleaching event.

19

4.2.2.
12.0 Mean Recruit Density (m-2 SE)

Coral Recruit Size Class Comparison

0 - 2 cm 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 2 - 5 cm

Figure 4.1.2. Mean coral recruitment density per m2 for 0 -2 and 2 5 size classes on all survey sites across northwest Mah, 2005 2012.

Surveyed coral recruits are divided into two size classes, 0-2 cm and 2-5 cm, with respect to both height and diameter; 0-2cm size category representing the most recently settled coral juveniles to the reef. Results from 2012 found density of the recruits in the 2-5cm size class (9.57 per m2) to be higher than density of the 0-2cm size class (5.96 per m2); this trend is seen since surveys began in 2005. The 2 5cm recruit density has continued to increase in 2012 reaching its current maxima for the program. This is opposed to the 0 2cm recruit density which has decreased this year to a similar density to that which was found in 2010. The separation between small and large recruits has returned to similar values to that found previously in the program (Fig. 4.2.2).

20

4.2.3. Coral Recruitment; Granitic versus Carbonate Substrate Composition

20.0 18.0 Mean Recruit Density (m-2 SE) 16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Granitic Carbonate

Figure 4.2.3. A comparison of the mean recruitment density per m2 of scleractinian corals found on granitic versus carbonate sites across north-west Mah, 2005 2012

Results of recruitment density divided by substrate type showed that on carbonate reefs a mean of 13.24 per m2 (SE 0.05) was found and on granitic sites recruitment was higher at 17.05 per m2 (SE 0.48). This trend of higher recruitment density has been seen on granitic sites since the survey period began, with the exception of 2010 (Fig. 4.2.3.). This years results show a decrease in the density on both substrate types however the decrease is more pronounced on the granitic substrate which dropped by 0.44 recruits per m2; compared to the decrease on carbonate of only 0.12 recruits per m2. However these decreases only result in a minor change in overall density.

21

4.2.4. Coral Recruitment; Deep versus Shallow Zonation

20.0 18.0 Mean Recruit Density (m-2 SE) 16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 Deep 4.0 2.0 0.0 Shallow

Figure 4.2.4. Mean Coral recruitment density per m2 on deep and shallow depth ranges across all survey sites of north-west Mah, 2005 2012.

Depth specific recruitment densities at each of the sites for the current survey 2012 are 14.18 per m2 (SE 0.47) for the shallow surveys (1.5 5.0m) and 16.41 per m2 (SE 0.52) for the deep surveys (5.1 15m plus CD). Shallow surveys again show lower mean densities than that of the deep ranges; a pattern confirmed by all depth comparisons from this survey's history. Since 2010 recruitment has steadily increased within the shallow depth range opposed to the significant fluctuation seen in the deep range which reached its maximum density found in 2011 and subsequently decreased in the results from 2012 (Fig.
4.2.4.).

22

4.2.5.
Mean Coral Recruit Density (m2)

Coral Family Density and Diversity

6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Figure 4.2.5. Recorded mean coral recruitment densities per m2 of scleractinian families across all survey sites of north-west Mah, 2005 2012).

Recorded densities of coral recruits when focusing on the comparison between families show the same three groups dominating the abundance levels in previous surveys years from 2008. Faviidae remain at the highest density at 5.44 per m2 this dominance has been maintained throughout the survey program. The second most dominant coral family, Poritidae, with recruit density of 3.40 per m2 and finally the Acroporidae family found a density of 2.24 per m2 for 2012. These three coral families have remained dominant since 2008 when the Acroporidae family increased in density above the Pocilloporidae family and has remained so from that year. All other family groups show relatively stable density levels consistently lower than the top three. This type of analysis however does not account for the number of coral genus within each family. For example the Faviidae family consists of 12 individual coral genus; this would naturally give a higher density result as within each 1m2 quadrat there is a higher chance of finding Faviidae genus as the genus are more numerous than within the other family groups i.e. Poritidae and Acroporidae only have 3 genus within each family. The following analysis of family abundance has been normalised; wherein total density is divided by number of genus within the family, to give a more accurate representation of changes in the overall abundance by negating the difference in genus number between each family. Density units have been converted to relative abundance per m2 to give a visual representation of coral family density changes with time.

23

Reletive abundance of coral recruit families (normalised)

1.0 2005 2006 2007 2008 0.5 2009 2010 2011 2012

0.0

Figure 4.2.6. Normalised relative abundance of coral recruitment densities found per m2 of scleractinian families across all survey sites of north-west Mah, 2005 2012 (data normalised to account for number of genus within each family).

Figure 4.2.6. shows that once the number of genus within the family is accounted for the Poritidae family becomes the most abundant, this is constant throughout the survey program. The second most abundant family is Acroporidae which has remained at this level since 2008 when the abundance increased above the following families. The next three families Faviidae, Astroceoniidae and Pocilloporidae have obtained similar abundance levels for 2012.
1 Reletive abundance of coral families (normalised) per m2 Poritidae Acroporidae 0.5 Astrocoeniidae Faviidae Pocilloporidae 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Figure 4.2.7. Normalised relative abundance of coral recruitment per m2 of the 5 most abundant scleractinian families across all survey sites of north-west Mah, 2005 2012 (data normalised to account for number of genus within each family).

24

Figure 4.2.7. focuses on the 5 most abundant coral families; this shows clearly how the density of the Acroporidae recruits has increased significantly over the monitoring program. Increases are seen in the Faviidae, Pocilloporidae and Astroceoniidae families but at a much slower rate than the other dominant families.
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Pectiniidae Euphyllidae Merulinidae Unidentified Mussidae Fungiidae Siderastreidae Dendrophylliidae Agariciidae Oculinidae Pocilloporidae Faviidae Astrocoeniidae Acroporidae Poritidae

Figure 4.2.8. Percentage composition of recruit families of the relative abundance across all survey sites of northwest Mah, 2005 2012 (data normalised to account for number of genus within each family).

Figure 4.2.8. shows the percentage composition of recruits, by family, within the total density recorded for each year across the reefs . This is a better indicator of the recruitment rate when focused at the family level. Although relative abundance shows a continual increase in the Poritidae recruits, percentage composition shows that in 2005 Poritidae represented 32.9% of all the recruits recorded and in 2012 this had fallen to 28.0%. This indicates that although the density has increased through the monitoring program, the Poritidae recruits are actually making up a smaller proportion of the total recruits found. This is opposed to the Acroporidae family which has increased from 10.2% in 2005 up to 18.5% in 2012. This would indicate that the recruitment rate of Acroporidae colonies is greater than that of the Poritidae family. This is equally seen in the Astrocoeniidae family were the proportion of recruits has been increasing although at a slower rate. All other family groups show a stable recruit composition and rate of recruitment.

25

4.3.

Fish Density Surveys

4.3.1. Mean Commercial and Reef Fish Species Density Overall abundance for all surveyed commercial and reef fish species using both point count and belt methodologies came to 13,346 individuals across a total survey area of 53,556m2, giving an average fish density of 0.25 individuals per m2. Per specific survey site, the highest total abundance levels were found at Baie Ternay Centre with 809 individuals (0.36 per m2). The site with second highest overall density was Baie Ternay Lighthouse with 783 individuals (0.35 per m2). The lowest abundance levels were found at Anse Major Reef with 300 individuals (0.13 per m2), and Baie Ternay Reef North West with 339 individuals (0.15 m2). Baie Ternay Centre, the site with the highest density, is central in location to GVIs survey area and is also a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Although liable to high levels of traffic from both tourist charters and dive boats, the protection from fishing within this site is arguably the highest compared to all marine protected areas around north-west Mah. It is unsurprising then that the two sites with the highest densities are located here. It is suprising, however, that one of the lowest densities is also found within this MPA. This is due to the fact that Baie Ternay North West is characterised by extensive rubble substrate where corals struggle to colonise. Where this section of the Bay may have supported as diverse coral communities as the rest of the Bay prior to the 1998 bleaching event, the lack of stable substrate has obviously hindered recovery and the limited presence of corals subsequently means a less diverse and abundant community of fish. 4.3.2. Combined Fish Density 2005 2012 The data used to analyse fish abundance over all sites is taken from the stationary point count surveys, as the belt transect was only introduced into GVIs set survey methodology in 2009. The analysis of all data 2011 has also been modified to adapt to the new surveyed species list revised in 2009 and 2010, and all pre-existing data from 2005 onwards has been adapted to represent this. This finally allows for correct interpretation of the feeding guilds and total fish density across all of the survey years, and hence any relevant fluctuations in density or predominance of guilds can be accurately seen. The mean density of fish for July to December 2012 was found to be 0.25 individuals per m2, similar to the findings from 2011. Minor fluctuations in density are present across all

26

years of surveys, however the density has never been seen to rise or fall outside of 0.25 and 0.35 per m2 since 2005 (Fig. 4.3.1.). 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0

Mean density of fish per m2

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Trend in mean density of fish surveyed in Stationary Point Counts

Figure 4.3.1. Mean density per m of all surveyed fish species across all survey sites, 2005 - 2012.

When dividing the densities between site substrate (granitic vs. carbonate) the results from 2012 show an insignificant difference between the two; granitic sites had a density of 0.30 compared to 0.29 per m2 within the carbonate sites (Fig.4.3.2.). This finding is in tune with previous results; as minor fluctuations in substrate relative richness have occurred across all years and the predominance of either site switches. This is interesting in itself, as the two substrate compositions have greatly differing environments and food resources for fish species and so would theoretically harbour varying levels of fish density per m.

0.4

m2 Mean density of fish per

0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Carbonate Granitic

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Survey Year
Figure 4.3.1. A comparison of mean density per m of all surveyed fish species between carbonate and granitic substrate sites, 2005 - 2012.

27

4.3.3. Fish Densities with regards to Feeding Guilds All data on the abundance of fish species can be analysed using feeding guilds; determined by the primary food source of individual species. These feeding guilds and the species that fall within them are taken from Obura and Grimsditch (2009), and further adapted to the specific species found within Seychelles in agreement with our partners. A full list of the relative guilds and the divided species can be found in appendices C. Along with fish density results, the density of feeding guilds is also only taken from the stationary point counts to allow for standardised comparison regardless of the change in survey methodology in 2009.

The most dominant feeding guild across all sites is the herbivores (Fig. 4.3.3.), comprising surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), rabbitfish (Siganidae) and parrotfish (Scaridae). This guild has remained at a relatively stable abundance during all survey years, increasing slowly in density from 2006 to 2010. 2011 saw the first drop in herbivores for a number of years, however the results for 2012 show that the rate of decrease is slowing.

0.25 Density of Fish Species per m2 Planktivores 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 2005 Piscivorous Corallivores Varied diet Invertivores Herbivores Corallivore / Herbivore Corallivore / Invertivore 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Figure 4.3.3. Comparison of fish feeding guilds through density per m across all sites, 2005 - 2012.

Figure 4.3.4. reveals the greatest change in density that has occurred for any feeding guilds across all survey years. Once again the corallivores, a feeding guild consisting of obligate coral feeders within the butterflyfish family (Chaetodontidae), is the guild which has displayed the greatest change in abundance across the survey years, from 0.001 in 2005 to 0.037 per m2 in 2012.

28

0.06 0.05 Corallivores Density per m2 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Survey Phases Piscivorous Varied diet Corallivore / Herbivore Corallivore / Invertivore Invertivores Planktivores

Figure 4.3.4. Comparison of feeding guilds through density per m across all sites, 2005 2012, disregarding herbivores.

4.3.4. Influence of Marine Protected Areas on Fish Densities 2005 2012 In analysing the data between the mean density of fish per m2 within marine protected areas (MPAs) and unprotected areas there is a consistently higher density within MPAs (Fig. 4.3.5.). With the exception of the Jan - Mar 2010 survey phase, MPAs have had an average greater density of 0.049 per m2 0.004 SE.
0.5 0.45 0.4 0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0

Mean Densitys of fish (per m2)

Overall Protected

Overall Unprotected

Survey Phases
Figure 4.3.5. Overall mean density per m of fish inside and outside marine protected areas, Nov-Dec 2005 to JulyDec 2012.

Carbonate sites within MPAs have always held a higher density of fish since 2005, with the July to December 2012 phase containing a mean density of 0.307 per m2 within MPAs compared to 0.242 per m2 in the carbonate sites outside protected zones (Fig. 4.3.6.). 29

0.60 Mean Density of Fish per m2 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 Carbonate Protected Carbonate Unprotected

Survey Phase
Figure 4.3.6. Mean density of fish per m on carbonate substrate sites inside and outside marine protected areas, Nov-Dec 2005 to July-Dec 2012.

Granitic sites have had a much less significant difference between the years, continuously fluctuating in relevant densities. The July to December 2012 results show that mean density within granitic protected sites is currently slightly higher at 0.297 per m 2 compared with 0.281 per m2 outside protected zones (fig. 4.9.3.).
0.45 0.4 0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0

Mean Density of Fish per m2

Granitic Protected

Granitic Unprotected

Survey Phase
Figure 4.3.7. Mean density of fish per m on granitic substrate sites inside and outside marine protected areas, NovDec 2005 to July-Dec 2012.

30

4.3.5. Fish Species Diversity Diversity refers to the species-richness, or number of separate species, within the survey site as opposed to the relative abundance, or count, of individual fish. The three sites with the highest diversity in 2012 were Baie Ternay Reef Centre, Therese North End and Conception North Point, all with 40 species (Fig. 4.3.8.). The lowest diversity was found at Anse Major Reef with 23 species and Willies Bay Reef and Therese North East with 28 species (Fig. 4.3.8.). It is interesting but unsurprising that the sites that show the highest (Baie Ternay Centre) and the lowest (Anse Major Reef) abundance also show the highest and lowest diversity also. In addition, comparing sites inside Marine Protected Areas to those outside revealed that MPAs contained a higher number of species on average than non-protected areas with 36.3 species within the MPAs and 34.2 species outside MPAs.
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Figure 4.3.8. Species-richness (number of fish species found) across all survey sites along NW Mah, 2012. Green denotes sites within Marine Protected Areas and blue denotes non-protected sites.

A comparison of species-richness between the same sites surveyed in 2005 and the results from 2012 reveal a significant increase in the number of surveyed fish species present across all areas (Fig. 4.3.9.); with a mean increase of 6.38 species ( 1.65 SE) over all sites. The only exception of this rise was Therese North End, Baie Ternay North West and Therese North East survey sites which saw a recorded a drop of 1, 2 and 3 species respectively.

No. of individual species surveyed

31

No. of surveyed species present

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

2005 2012

Figure 4.3.9. A comparison of species-richness (number of fish species) between the same sites of NW Mah in 2005 and in 2012.

4.3.6. Commercial Fish Sizing Results All volunteers are assessed on their ability to estimate size of the commercial fish species when sighted underwater. Assessment was carried out by use of on-land training, where volunteers are asked to size objects from varying distances and instant feedback is given. On-land testing is also given by sizing a line with artificial fish attached from a distance of no closer than 2m. In-water assessment was carried out using a line with sections of polyurethane piping of known length. Volunteers estimate the lengths underwater and results and feedback are given after each dive. Along with practice methodology, assessment is also undertaken within the fish survey practice methodology under the supervision of a staff member. All volunteers sizings are checked against the staffs recording. Only when a volunteer displayed 100% accuracy in sizing fish to the 10cm bandwidth on both in-water piping assessment and the practice surveys were they allowed to conduct surveys. All volunteers from the past survey phase could accurately define the size of all commercial fish species to within the 10cm bandwidth required.

32

4.4.

Invertebrate Densities

In total 46 invertebrate abundance belts were completed across all the 23 sites surveyed, covering a total area of 11,500m2. The trends in density levels found during 2012 continue those found with all previous survey phases. Short-spine (Echinothrix sp.) at 0.32 per m2 SE 0.03 and long-spine (Diadema sp.) at 0.16 per m2 SE 0.05 (Fig. 4.4.1.) still show the highest abundance of all the surveyed invertebrates; significantly higher than all other invertebrate species found with the exception of Drupella snails.

0.35 Mean density per m2 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00

Invertebrate Species
Figure 4.4.1. Mean density per m2 of all surveyed invertebrate species across north-west Mah, July December 2012.

When dividing the two most abundant invertebrates by substrate type some interesting trends can be observed (Fig 4.4.2.). Short-spine sea urchins show a preference to granitic substrate, indicated by the higher density levels on these reefs; whereas long-spine sea urchins display similar density levels over both substrate types; not indicating any preference. Short spine urchins show a continual decrease in density on the carbonate reefs. On Granitic reefs Short Spine urchins increased significantly in 2010 but from that stage have decreased steady. Results from 2012 show that the density of short spine urchins, on the granitic sites, has returned to a level similar to 2009; negating the gains of 2010. Long spine urchins however have maintained similar density levels throughout the monitoring program on both site substrata.

33

0.60 Mean density (per m2) 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 2009 2010 2011 2012

Long Spine Carbonate Short Spine Carbonate Long Spine Granitic Short Spine Granitic

Figure 4.4.2. A comparison of the mean density per m2 of short spine (Echinothrix spp.) and long spine (Diadema spp.) urchins on granitic versus carbonate substrate along north-west Mah, 2009 to 2012.

Studies of the trends in the corallivorous invertebrates show significant, almost alarming, increases in abundances across the survey sites for the Drupella snails. Figure ??? shows the density levels of the major corallivorous invertebrates of Crown of Thorns seastar (Acanthaster planci), Cushion Starfish (Culcita spp.) and Drupella snails

0.16 0.14 0.12 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0

Mean density per m2

Cushion seastar Crown of Thorns seastar Drupella

Survey Phase

Figure 4.4.3. Mean density per m2 of Cushion Seastar (Culcita spp.), Crown of Thorns (Acanthaster planci) and the gastropods Drupella spp.

Density levels of both the Crown of Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) and the Cushion Seastar (Culcita sp.) have remained at very low and stable densities. The density of Drupella snails however have been increasing significantly since early 2010; reaching its maximum for 2012 of 0.15 per m2.

34

4.5.

Sea Cucumber Densities

The total number of sea cucumbers found across all survey sites along north-west Mah was 267 individuals for Jul Dec 2012. Figure 4.4.4. shows the total number of sea cucumbers found per site for each year of survey. This graph clearly displays that after the initial rapid decrease in abundance of sea cucumbers seen in 2007 the populations are increasing across all the survey sites
16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
No. Of Cucumbers found per site surveyed

Figure 4.4.4. Mean Number of sea cucumbers recorded per site from 2006 -2012

Analysis of individual sea cucumber species reveals that both Stichopus sp. (0.012 per m2) and Pearsonothurian graeffei (0.008 per m2) remain the most abundant sea cucumbers across all sites (Fig. 4.4.5.). Both show significant increases in their density through the monitoring program although Stichopus sp. has seen the larger rise from 0.007 per m2 in 2008 to its current maxima for the program, 2012. The results show clearly that the abundance of the commercially valuable species of sea cucumbers is significantly lower than that found for the non-valuable species of Stichopus sp., Pearsonothurian graeffei and Bohadshia sp.
0.014
Mean Density (individuals per m2) Stichopus sp. Pearsonothurian graeffei Bohadschia sp. Holothuria atra Actinopyga sp. *Actinopyga mauuritiana *Thelenota ananas Holothuria edulis *Holothuria nobilis *Holothuria fuscopunctata *Holothuria fuscogilva *Holothuria sp. (Pentard) Thelenota anax

0.012 0.010 0.008 0.006 0.004 0.002 0.000 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Figure 4.4.5. Density per m2 of individual sea cucumber species across all survey sites of north-west Mah, 2008 2012.

35

5.

Discussion

This report combines the data on coral recruitment, fish density and invertebrate abundance from the most recent survey period with that from the previous years studies to analyse any trends identified throughout the monitoring program. 5.1. Coral Recruitment Surveys

Coral recruitment monitoring for 2012 indicates that conclusions made in 2010; that mean recruit density had stabilised at around 12.0 14.0 recruits per m2, doesnt seem to be continuing through 2011/2012 as average density for these years has increased to 15.5 per m2. Obviously this is a very positive sign for the continual growth in the coral communities on the reefs within the survey area and indicates towards increased resilience to possible future degradation event. As the coral recruitment rate is one of the most important aspects of regeneration of reefs after disturbance (Connel 1997, Hughes & Tanner 2000, Syms & Jones
2000, Hughes et al. 2003).

When looking at the other aspects of coral recruitment; such as substrate preference, density of recruits with regard to size class and most notably for this report the trends in density and relative abundance of the coral families, additional information and conclusions can be drawn above that of overall mean density. Coral recruit density with regards to substrate type (granitic vs. carbonate) shows a decrease from the density maxima on both substrates in 2011. The decrease on granitic reefs however is more pronounced. Although, when looking at the trend over time, density changes are seen year on year and with such a minor change this year it is of little concern. What has remained stable is the continual dominance of the granitic reefs in terms of recruit density. This is to be expected as the granitic reefs provide a more suitable environment for coral recruitment, in terms of increased substrate availability and greater exposure to offshore currents due to their position, providing clear offshore waters and stable temperature / salinity gradients.

Recruit size class analysis shows that the larger more dominant size category 2-5cm has increased in density following a similar trend seen in recent years. However the smaller size class decreased this year back in levels seen in 2010. As the smaller size class indicates early settlement of coral juveniles. This drop in the smaller size class could indicate a reduction in the spawning of adult colonies during 2012. It will be interesting to see in the results from the next survey period, 2013, if the drop in small size class density

36

of this year will have an effected on the survivorship of recruits which can be drawn from the density of the larger size class in 2013, but this remains to be seen.

For 2012 the changes in family density were analysed, in detail, using differing analysis techniques to try to identify changes in the recruitment density and composition at the family level. Recorded family density followed trends seen in recent years with the family groups of Faviidae, Poritidae and Acroporidae dominating. However this way of looking at the results doesnt account for the number of genus within each family. For further analysis of the family density all data was then normalised and converted to relative abundance to give a better visual representation of changes in family density. This analysis shows that the Poritidae family has highest relative abundance and has remained so since the surveys began. This is a very positive sign in terms of overall reef growth as the Porites genus within the Poritidae family is one of the principle reef building scleractinian corals contributing heavily to the structure of the reef. Acroporidae has had the biggest change in relative abundance increasing to the second most abundant coral family group from 2008, showing a faster rate of increase than the Poritidae family.

The second type of analysis used to look at changes in family density is the percentage composition of total recorded density. This type of analysis can indicate relative recruitment rates. Analysis has shown that the Acroporidae family is making up a larger proportion of all recruits found, increasing from 10.2% in 2005 to 18.5% in 2012, which is the greatest increase seen across all family groups. Opposed to this is the reduction in the percentage composition of the Poritidae family which although still remaining the dominant family group has decreased in overall composition from 32.9% in 2005 to 28.0% in 2012. Although overall recruit density is increasing this indicates that if current trends remain stable the Acroporidae family could make up the greater proportion of the total recruits found in future surveys. 5.2. Fish Surveys

This section of the report contains results from fish surveys conducted between July to December 2012, focusing on the abundance and diversity of both reef and commercial fish species. The majority of the analysis is undertaken using the Stationery Point Count (SPC) data as this is the survey method used since the beginning, allowing for relevant long term comparisons. The belt transect methodology was introduced in 2009 and is therefore only used in the overall abundance analysis. This ongoing data set; comprising results from 12 years worth of collection; is invaluable as it provides significant insights into the health of

37

coral reefs around the inner islands of the Seychelles, as well as contributing information towards the status of coral reef knowledge around the world. One of the greatest impacts on Seychelles fish populations after the coral bleaching in 1998 was in species-richness, or in the variety of different species found at each site (Graham et al. 2006). The immediate loss of live coral cover and physical structure of the reef eliminated resources for fish; both physical habitats and prey. With the lack of resources, the ability to provide for a range of species was diminished and the diversity of all sites declined dramatically.

Based on this theory, one approach to viewing the relative health of survey sites is to compare the species-richness of the areas both to one another and over time. High species-richness indicates a reef which can support the needs of varying species and an associated complex food web. Comparing current diversity results at all sites to initial diversity recording in 2005 has shown an average improvement across all sites of +6.38 species, with the exception of only two sites (Fig. 4.3.9.).

Many studies have highlighted the positive correlation of species-richness of both fish and other targeted organisms to the structural complexity of the reef substrata of a site (Chabanet et al. 1996, Luckhurst & Luckhurst 1978, Talbot et al. 1978, Roberts & Ormond 1987). Analysis of the trend in reef structural complexity shows a shift towards a much more diverse habitat (Cassidy 2012). Initial data analysis in 2005 shows a reef system dominated by encrusting and massive lifeforms as these consist of families such as Porites and Faviidae which are slow growing corals and typically more resilient to bleaching events. The data show a steady increase in branching and a gradual increase in submassive lifeforms. This increase in coral diversity provides a greater variety in resources to be exploited, thereby resulting in a greater diversity in higher trophic level reef species.

There is a constant and steady increase in corallivores throughout the history of the data set (Fig 4.3.4.). Obligate corallivores are predators who feed solely on coral polyps, therefore numbers of these individuals are linked directly to the health and diversity of the coral reef (Jones & McCormick 2002). This strong linkage has led to many corallivore species being used as indicator species in different coral ecosystems about the world, allowing researchers to gather a picture of the health of a reef area by only recording the distribution and specific abundance of corallivorous species. There is also a steady increase in

38

corallivore/invertivores (Fig. 4.3.4.), indicating a diverse reef system that is able to support a variety of species.

The data since 1998 shows a steady rise in the corallivore guild from the initial density recordings of 0.001 to 0.038 fish per m. This rise has mainly been due to the increase in two butterflyfish species; Chaetodon trifascialis (Chevroned) and Chaetodon trifasciatus (Indian Redfin). When overlaid with the rise in percentage hard coral cover through the survey years (Cassidy 2012), corallivore density perfectly mirrors that of coral coverage.

Herbivores have always been the most abundant feeding guild in the history of the data set, reflecting their trophic level as primary consumers. The importance of healthy populations of herbivores on the reef has been documented in a number of studies (Miller 1998, Sluka &
Miller 2001) due to the role they play in mediating the competition between benthic algae

and slow growing corals (Sluka & Miller 2001). If macroalgae were not removed by herbivores then this would out compete corals and inhibit coral diversity (Hughes 1994). Research conducted on the Great Barrier Reef immediately following the 1998 bleaching event also solidified the importance of herbivory; with experimental manipulations removing herbivores from degraded areas causing a dramatic explosion in macroalgae which in turn suppressed the fecundity, recruitment, and survival of corals (Hughes et al. 2007).

Herbivores gradually and constantly increased in number for 4 years between 2006 and 2010, but then numbers took a downturn following this (Fig. 4.3.3.). There are a number of ecological theories as to why densities of herbivores fluctuate and rarely remain stable. One possibility is that they have reached their carrying capacity for some sites, therefore numbers will fluctuate around this maximum. Another theory is based upon the LotkaVoltera cycle (Berryman 1992), describing the relationship between predators and prey whereby prey numbers are controlled by the number of predators. A rise in prey will generally result in an increase in related predators as there is more food available. This increase in predators puts more pressure on prey populations and the population drops, causing a drop in availability of food and a subsequent drop in the number of predators. This drop in predator numbers relieves some of the pressure on prey populations, and the population increases again starting the cycle over. Corresponding peaks and troughs are generally more pronounced in prey numbers than for predators, and are slightly delayed for predators also. Throughout the data set piscivore numbers fluctuate at a density of around 0.02 individuals per m2 (Fig. 4.3.4.). A sharp decrease in piscivores in 2009 does show a rise in herbivores the following year, however, while some potentially related peaks and

39

troughs can be found in the data this oscillating cycle cannot obviously be seen in the trends for herbivores and piscivores. A study by Jennings & Polunin (1996) found that the biomass of piscivorous fishes was not correlated with the biomass or diversity of their potential prey, indicating that reef fish communities are not governed by a single, dominant process. It may be that analysing the data in a yearly or 6 monthly timescale is too broad to show such a relationship, or that predator numbers are not the primary influencing factor in control of herbivore numbers, therefore further analysis is required into the relationships between these two feeding guilds.

When analysing fish communities and assemblages it is important to factor in the affect of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). MPAs within the Seychelles are designated zones where the removal of any species is illegal and the anchoring of boats and level of tourism is monitored. These no-take zones have been developed to serve as both safe-houses for targeted fish species and coral reefs, but also so that they may potentially benefit fish stocks through the theory of spillover, the net export of adult fish, from an area of high density to adjacent non-protected areas of lower fish density (Abesamis & Russ 2005).

Overall, protected areas have been found to positively affect fish density and diversity at the sites surveyed on North-West Mah. Apart from one survey phase within January March 2010, throughout the data set MPAs have held a higher mean density of fish across all sites (Fig. 4.3.5.). In 2012 MPAs held an average density of 0.66 individuals per m 2 as opposed to a density of 0.57 individuals per m2 outside the MPAs. Protected areas also held on average 2 species more than unprotected areas, showing that MPAs increase diversity. Protection has a much more pronounced affect on carbonate reefs than on granitic (Fig. 4.3.6., Fig 4.3.7.).

High levels of fishing pressure can have knock-on effects on fish communities. Studies in Marine Reserves in Kenya have shown that intense fishing pressure can have strong direct and indirect impacts on herbivore assemblage structure, herbivory intensity and resulting benthic community structure (McClanahan & Shafir 1990, McClanahan 1994, McClanahan et al.
1994). For example, removal of species such as the Emperors (Lethrinidae) that predate

upon herbivorous invertebrates such as urchins (Diadema sp.) can mean that the numbers of these individuals could go unchecked and therefore over graze and exclude other herbivorous species such as the Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). Future analysis breaking down the affect of MPAs on feeding guilds could help to highlight exactly how MPAs affect reef fish assemblages across the North-West of Mah.

40

5.3.

Invertebrate surveys

Invertebrates have been studied as biological indicators within terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems extensively, including coral reef habitats. Their importance lies in their interactions with the reef habitat, and density may reflect changes in reef composition and structure. For the 50m abundance and diversity belts three groups are focused on; algal grazers, coral predators and commercially important invertebrates.

Algal grazers control the algal / coral dominance on the reefs, the key invertebrates which control this are the Echinoidea (sea urchins) (Hughes 1994). Abundance of sea urchins have been continuously dominated by two genus, the Echinothrix (Short Spine urchins) and Diadema (Long Spine urchins). Echinothrix show a reduction in their numbers with time, however density levels have only fallen by a very small amount which shouldnt have a major effect on algal density on the reefs. Diadema numbers have remained stable. All other Echinoidea are found in extremely low densities, and so would contribute little to the algal/coral dynamics of the reefs.

Coralivorous invertebrates surveyed consist of the Acanthaster planci (Crown of Thorns seastar), Culcita spp. (Cushion Starfish) and Drupella snails. The density of the two coralivorous Sea Stars have remained at very low stable densities throughout the monitoring program. However density of the drupella snails has increased significantly over the past two years. The continued increase in this species could be having an effect on the recruitment of the coral, Acropora spp. as this is their preferred food source; however although the densities are increasing they still remain relatively low at only 0.15 per m2. The most likely explanation for the increase in the Drupella numbers is that it is coupled with the increase in the adult branching Acropora spp., their preferred habitat and food source, found from GVIs benthic composition monitoring.

Commercial invertebrate monitoring is conducted by monitoring the Holothuroidea (Sea Cucumbers) along with Lobster and Octopus numbers. Monitoring is conducted to look at local coastal populations as they are highly valuable for the local fishing industry and density changes could indicate changes in exploitation levels. Sea cucumber numbers seem to be rising after the initial large reduction in overall abundance in 2007. If current trends persist abundance will reach and maybe exceed these figures in the future. When focussing on species diversity it is important to note that only the non-commercially valuable species are found in any significant numbers across the survey sites. Lobster and Octopus are consistently at very low densities. 41

6. Additional Ecosystem Monitoring

6.1. Turtles

Five species of marine turtles are found in the Seychelles EEZ waters: the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and green (Chelonia mydas) (IUCN 1996). The

leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley, although common to parts of the Western Indian Ocean, are not thought to currently nest in the Seychelles and are rarely seen. In contrast, the hawksbill and green are residents in coastal waters of the Seychelles, nest on the beaches, and are commonly observed. All five species found in the Seychelles face the combined threats of poaching, pollution and loss of nesting sites, and are listed by IUCN as endangered or critically endangered. The Seychelles is considered one of the most

important sites for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and is one of the only localities in the world where they can be observed nesting during daylight hours. GVI staff and volunteers are trained in turtle biology and the identification of the two species commonly seen around north-west Mah, C. mydas and E. Imbricata, through lectures and PowerPoint presentations. Volunteers are also trained in survey methodology for water based and land based turtle surveys. 6.1.1. Incidental Turtle Sightings For every dive undertaken by GVI, a record of turtle observations is kept. The parameters for each of GVIs dives are logged, regardless of whether or not a turtle was seen, enabling the calculation of turtle frequency per dive and thus effort-related abundance. The species, carapace length, sex, distinguishing features and behaviour of all turtles sighted is recorded wherever possible. Incidental sightings of sea turtles are divided into three month periods to more accurately view the fluctuations that occur in and outside of nesting season. Within the July to September time period of this report phase, a total of 38 turtles were sighted on 130 boat outings whereby dives were completed in that period (discounting dives that were specifically looking for turtles as part of the focal behaviour study). 34 of these sightings were identified as hawksbill turtles and 4 as green turtles, with an overall sighting frequency for all dives of 22.6%. Within the October to December period following this, 70 turtles were sighted on 152 dives; consisting of 57 hawksbills and 13 green turtles, giving a much higher overall sighting frequency of 53% (Fig. 6.1.1).

42

60 Frequency of Sighting (%) 50 40 30 20 10 0 Jul-Sep 05 Oct-Dec 05 Jan-Mar 06 Apr-Jun 06 Jul-Sep 06 Oct-Dec 06 Jan-Mar 07 Apr-Jun 07 Jul-Sep 07 Oct-Dec 07 Jan-Mar 08 Apr-Jun 08 Jul-Sep 08 Oct-Dec 08 Jan-Mar 09 Apr-Jun 09 Jul-Sep 09 Oct-Dec 09 Jan-Mar 10 Apr-Jun 10 Jul-Sep 10 Oct-Dec 10 Jan-Mar 11 Apr-Jun 11 Jul- Sep 11 Oct - Dec 11 Jan - Mar 12 Apr - Jun 12 Jul - Sep 12 Oct-Dec 12
Figure 6.1.1. Frequency (%) of hawksbill and green turtle sightings around north-west Mah from Oct- Dec 2005 to Apr- Jun 2012.

Hawksbill Turtles Green Turtles

In analysing the sightings results the frequency found for the months within October to December is comparatively higher than for those within July to September; a pattern that can be observed for hawksbills throughout our recorded data. This increase in encounters in the Seychelles coastal waters during this time can in part be explained by the immigration of sexually mature turtles to these designated nesting areas (Witzell 1983;
Houghton 2003; Ellis & Balazs 1998). This can be seen by a 100% increase in sighting

frequency for adult hawksbills in October to December. Carapace length can be used as a guide to the stage of sexual maturity of sea turtles, therefore for every turtle sighting the curved carapace length (CCL) is estimated. The approximate minimum carapace length of breeding-age female green and hawksbill turtles is 105cm and 80cm respectively (Mrosovsky 1983). The mean estimated carapace length for hawksbill turtles during the July to September and October to December period was 54.8cm ( 1.0 SE) and 55.1cm ( 1.0 SE) respectively (fig. 6.1.2.). This reveals a general steady population of sexually immature sea turtles. There was only one recorded sighting of a male during both periods and if males and females were occupying the bay randomly and equally, then we would expect to see a similar increase in both males and females with an increase in sighting frequency. This shows the increase in turtle activity within this time is largely due to the arrival of adult females for the nesting season.

43

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Jul-Sept 05 Oct-Dec 05 Jan-Mar 06 Apr-Jun 06 Jul-Sept 06 Oct-Dec 06 Jan-Mar 07 Apr-Jun 07 Jul-Sept 07 Oct-Dec 07 Jan-Mar 08 Apr-Jun 08 Jul-Sept 08 Oct-Dec 08 Jan-Mar 09 Apr-Jun 09 Jul-Sept 09 Oct-Dec 09 Jan-Mar 10 Apr - Jun 10 Jul - Sep 10 Oct - Dec 10 Jan - Mar 11 Apr - Jun 11 Jul - Sep 11 Oct - Dec 11 Jan - Mar 12 Apr - Jun 12 Jul - Sep 12 Oct-Dec 12

Figure 6.1.2. Mean carapace length of hawksbill turtles around north-west Mah from Jan- Mar 2006 to Apr- Jun 2012.

Mean carapace lengtrh (cm)

6.1.2. Beach Patrols for Nesting Turtles Beach patrols are conducted on north-west Mah during the Hawksbill turtle nesting season from October to March. This land-based turtle monitoring work includes beach walks, documentation of nesting tracks, and investigation of newly hatched clutches. Beach patrols are carried out weekly at beaches local to the Cap Ternay research station (Anse du Riz and Anse Major) to monitor nesting turtle activity. The surveys are conducted on foot, with the teams searching for signs of tracks or body pits walking along the upper beach, on the main beach, and also within the coastal vegetation. Within the October to December period 18 beach patrols were conducted on both Anse du Riz and Anse Major beach. One nest which was not identified to species level was found on Anse Major at the beginning of October, and one hawksbill was found successfully nesting on Anse di Riz during November. Tracks were found on Anse du Riz on a separate occasion with no obvious body pit. The difference in track width suggests that this was a separate, smaller individual who may have attempted to nest elsewhere in the area. 6.1.3. In-water Surveys of Turtle Behaviour In studies concentrating on the home ranges of sea turtles it has been found that normal daily activities of sea turtles centre around areas of high food availability and resource quality. When sufficient resources are available, individuals develop affinities for specific areas (Makowski et al. 2006). Preliminary results from research conducted by Von Brandis in the Amirantes, Seychelles, established that philopatric behaviour is common among foraging hawksbill turtles, and extensive information on individuals and their energy 44

budgets can be gathered using relatively non-invasive sampling protocols (Von Brandis pers. comm.). Focal behavioural studies work on the philosophy that an individual, when followed and observed correctly, can provide a wealth of ecological information that would otherwise be unnoticed in a simple point count survey.

Our objective is to document important interactions between hawksbill turtles and their environment while obtaining information on feeding preferences and the number of individuals displaying philopatric behaviour within the Baie Ternay Marine Reserve. Expedition members use SCUBA equipment to undertake a U-shaped search pattern. Divers look for focal animals and, upon finding an individual, follow and document all behaviours observed. Environmental conditions can dictate at what distance accurate

observations are made without altering normal behaviour but in general a distance of no closer than 5m is sufficient. A continuous time scale of data is used; divers stay with any individual encountered for as long as possible even if another individual is located. In the event that another turtle is found, the second member of the buddy pair may start to document behaviour but at no time are buddy pairs to become separated by more than 2m. Any characteristic markings should be documented and the use of underwater photography is highly desirable for turtle identification and determining unknown prey items. Due to logistical constraints, it is only possible for the study in Baie Ternay to be carried out on a weekly basis, incorporating two 45 minute dives with most Expedition Members participating in one dive; however it is an interesting addition to the routine for Expedition Members, enhancing their skill set and appreciation for marine ecological fieldwork.

Between July to December of 2012, two turtle behavioural dives were conducted each week; wherein a combined total of 25 turtle sightings over 38 separate dives. These sightings comprised 16 hawksbill and 9 green turtle. The estimated mean carapace length (CCL) of all turtles sighted was 61.2cm 21.01 SD. The range of sizes of turtles varied from 35cm to 120cm, and most were accurately identified through photo-identification and individual characteristics as being residential turtles of Baie Ternay Marine Park. Of these turtles sighted in the previous phase, again the greatest frequency of sightings occurred within the 0-10m depth class, with four sightings recorded outside of these depths with 3 at 11m and one at 13.8m. The shallow reef slope of Baie Ternay Centre does bias the results towards the shallower depth class, as the 0-10m range covers a larger area of reef and therefore a larger area of foraging grounds. From the studies it was noted that algae and soft coral were all common chosen food items.

45

Through the use of photo identification methods, spoken about in the following section, a number of individual turtles have been seen returning to, or residing within, specific areas of Baie Ternay marine park over a long time scale. It is impossible to correctly determine the specific home range of sea turtles without the use of remote telemetry, however one or more areas of disproportionately heavy use (i.e. core areas) can be identified for some of the more frequently spotted turtles. Understanding the spatial use patterns of sea turtles is fundamental to their conservation. This study reveals that Baie Ternay remains an important habitat for both the endangered green and hawksbill turtles; thus, further underscoring the need to develop and maintain conservation strategies that address the impacts that threaten this region. 6.1.4. Photo Identification of Turtles Throughout 2012 the use of photo identification methods for turtles was implemented into all dives where volunteers or staff had an underwater camera. The post-ocular area of scales on the left and right cheeks of both hawksbill and green turtles are unique to each individual, allowing for comparisons to be made between identification shots taken on different dives. Individuals can be recognised through analysis of the photographs, based on a code defined from the localisation and the number of sides of each scale of the head profile. This method has been taken from the Kelonia Observatory for Sea Turtles in Reunion Island (Ciccione et al. n.d.). The ability to recognise individuals in a population allows for reliable information to be collected on distribution, habitat use, or life history traits. It is from the increased emphasis on the importance of photographic identification that resident turtles have been accurately re-identified, and their home ranges consequently estimated within Baie Ternay marine national park. A number of individual turtles, both hawksbill and greens, have been accurately re-identified over varying time scales within the MPA. From data collected from these sightings it has been noted that many have distinct habitat preferences and feeding and resting areas. Photo-identification has also been critical in identifying the reasons behind the low trend in carapace length and any incidence of philopatric behaviour.

46

6.2.

Crown of Thorns

Outbreaks of the coral predator, the Crown of Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), were first reported in 1996 and were active until 1998, when the reefs suffered from the bleaching-induced coral mortality (Engelhardt 2004). Normal density levels are less than one individual per hectare (Pratchett 2007) and in these numbers A. planci can assist coral diversity by feeding on the faster growing corals such as Acropora and Pocillopora, which are its preferred prey items (Pratchett 2007) and early colonisers of degraded reefs that can out-compete slower growing corals (Veron 2000). In high numbers however the level of competition for food drives the starfish to eat all species of corals and reefs can become severely degraded with coral cover reduced to as little as 1% (CRC Reef 2001). The causes of outbreaks are still not completely understood; it may be connected to overfishing of A. planci predators, such as the giant triton shell which is popular with shell collectors, or to natural fluctuations (CRC Reef 2001). The most influential factor could be increased nutrient levels in the oceans (Engelhardt pers. comm.), from agricultural, domestic or industrial sources. A. planci are surveyed as part of the invertebrate abundance and diversity belts and incidental sightings are also documented after every dive. There were 51 recordings of A. planci across all sites during July and September and 29 seen during October to December 2012. Most sightings of A. planci were at Anse Major Reef and the adjoining Ray's Point. The greatest frequency of sightings for July to September occurred within the month of August, whereas the most recorded sightings for October to December occurred within November. 6.3. Cetacean Sightings

Cetaceans are considered to be under threat in many parts of the world and in response to this threat, a national database of cetacean sightings, the Seychelles Marine Mammal Observatory (SMMO), has been set up. GVI records all incidental cetacean sightings and passes all data to MCSS for inclusion in the national database. Data recorded includes date, time, location (including GPS coordinates where possible), environmental conditions, number of individuals, distinguishing features, size, behaviour and species. There were only 5 separate recordings of dolphin sightings within July to December 2012. Pod sizes ranged from 4 to 8 individuals with one sighting of a solitary individual. One sighting occurred during a dive and the rest were sighted from the boat. 6.4. Whale Shark Sightings

The Seychelles is famous for its seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). However despite their public profile, relatively little is known about their behaviour or the ecological factors which influence their migratory patterns. A whale shark 47

monitoring programme was started by volunteers in 1996 and is now the cornerstone of a eco-tourism operation run by MCSS. From 2001-2003, a tagging programme was initiated to study migratory patterns as part of the Seychelles Marine Ecosystem and Management Project (SEYMEMP); it is now clear that the sharks seen in the Seychelles are not resident, but range throughout the Indian Ocean. The oceanographic or biological conditions that determine the movements are unclear, it is possible however that the sharks follow seasonal variations in the abundance of the plankton on which they feed. All sightings of whale sharks are documented in as much detail as possible; including time, date, GPS point, number, size of the individuals, sex, distinguishing features, behaviour and tag numbers if present. Photographs are also taken whenever possible of the left and right side of the thorax from the base of the pectoral fin to behind the gill area to be used as identification in the global and regional database. Within the July to December period there were two separate sightings of whale sharks. The first sighting was a relatively small individual of 2.5m in Baie Ternay Centre on the 20/07/2012, an early comer for the September to December season. The other was at Lighthouse on the 05/08/12. All data collected, including any photographs taken, were sent on to MCSS for inclusion into their database. 6.5. Plankton Sampling

MCSS initiated a plankton monitoring programme in conjunction with the tagging and incidental recording surveys in an attempt to correlate the frequency of whale shark sightings with plankton levels. Plankton sampling has been run by MCSS since 2003 in conjunction with their on-going monitoring and tagging programmes. GVI started to assist MCSS in the collection of plankton data in July 2004, and have since carried out the survey on a weekly basis. Five plankton tows are carried out to the North West side of Grouper Point, just outside of Cap Ternay, between 08:00 and 11:00 hours. The tows are carried out along a North Westerly course from Grouper Point. In order to sample over a range of depths the net is let out 5m every 30 seconds (up to 45m). Samples are collected in the cod end of the net, decanted into a receptacle and preserved in formalin. After the survey and the filtering process, they are sent to MCSS for measurement of wet weight and species classification. Environmental conditions are also noted (sea state, cloud cover and turbidity). Plankton tows were successfully conducted each week from July to December and all samples were sent on to MCSS for analysis.

48

7. Non-survey Programmes
7.1 Extra Programmes 7.1.1 Internships

GVI Seychelles currently runs a GVI internship and Divemaster Internship program in conjunction with their marine research activities. Interns spend twelve weeks with GVI on the marine expedition and then the divemaster interns will complete an additional twelve weeks at a dive shop in the Seychelles gaining the PADI divemaster qualification. They also complete the GVI internship training which included additional courses in biological survey techniques and team leading. 7.2 Community Development International School Seychelles (ISS)

7.2.1

The GVI Seychelles community education program works in conjunction with the International School of the Seychelles (ISS). Lessons are held on Port Launay Beach, within one of the National Marine Parks on Mah, where children from ISS are taught about the marine environment and marine conservation in a location that ignites and stimulates their interest. This aspect of the expedition is key to the overall impact of our role within the Seychelles. It also increases the extent to which volunteers are able to contribute on an individual level, to help raise vital awareness of marine conservation issues related directly to the Seychelles. 7.2.2 GVI Charitable Trust

As part of the GVI Charitable Trust, GVI Seychelles has partnered with the Presidents Village Childrens Home in Port Glaud. The Presidents Village is part of The Childrens Home Foundation, which has several childrens homes in the Seychelles. The Presidents Village provides a home for abused, neglected and orphaned children and currently houses 56 children from birth to 18 years old. GVI Seychelles is successfully raising funds for the Presidents Village to contribute towards the costs of housing and clothing the children as well as purchasing special items not included in the children homes budget. GVI

volunteers this phase have organized weekly snorkel trips to Port Launay Marine Park for the children at Presidents Village. Some of the children were able swimmers so were shown some of the fish and corals by the volunteers which they attempted to identify back on the beach. Other children are new swimmers and the experience is an introduction to water safety and an appreciation of the marine environment. These snorkelling trips 49

provide an opportunity for the children to interact with other members of their local community and spend some time away from the Childrens home in a structured, educational and fun activity.

7.2.3

National Scholarship Programme

As part of GVIs local capacity program GVI runs a National Scholarship programme in each country. The National Scholarship Programme is directly funded by GVI and aims to increase long-term capacity building within the country. National recruits such as rangers, researchers and students are selected by the local partner organisations and are brought into the programme as volunteers. In order for SNPA to continue and build upon the research conducted by GVI, scholars are invited to join every expedition from the pool of SNPA staff. Unfortunately we did not have any applicants for the programme this phase.

50

8. References
Berryman, A. (1992), The Origins and Evolution of Predator-Prey Theory. Ecology, 73 (5), pp. 1530-1535. Cassidy, L. (2011), GVI Phase Report 121 Status of the Coral Reefs of North-West Mah, Seychelles Chabanet, P., Ralambondrainy, H., Amanieu, M., Faure, G. & Galzin, R., (1996), Relationships between coral reef substrata and fish, Coral Reefs 16, pp. 93-102 Ciccione, S., Jean, C., Ballorain, K. & Bourjea, J. (n.d.), Photo-identification of marine turtles: an alternative method to markrecapture studies, Kelonia lObservatoire des Tortues Marines, Region Reunion. Connell, J.H., (1997), Disturbance and recovery of coral assemblages. Coral Reefs 16:S101-S113 Colvocoresses, J., Acosta A., (2007), A large scale field comparison of strip transect and stationary point count methods for conducting length-based underwater visual surveys of reef fish populations. Fisheries Research 85, 130-141 CRC Reef, (2001), Crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef: Current state of knowledge: April 2001. Coral Reef Research Centre James Cook University, Townsville Engelhardt, U., (2001), Interim Report No. 1 (December 2001): Report on scientific field studies and training activities conducted in June / July 2001. Seychelles Marine Ecosystem Management Project. Reefcare International Pty Ltd, Townsville Engelhardt, U.M., Russell & Wendling, B., (2003), Coral Communities around the Seychelles Islands 19982002, p.212 p.231 Engelhardt, U., (2004), The status of scleractinian coral and reef-associated fish communities 6 years after the 1998 mass coral bleaching event. Seychelles Marine Ecosystem Management Project. Global Environment Facility/Government of Seychelles/World Wildlife Fund, Victoria. Ellis, D. M. & Balazs, G. H., (1998), Use of a generic mapping tools program to plot Argos tracking data for sea turtles, in S. P. Epperly and J. Braun (comp.) Proceedingsof the 17th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, NOAA Tech. Memo, NMFS-SEFSC-415, pp. 166168 Graham, N.A.J., Wilson, S.K., Jennings, S., Polunin, N.V.C., Bijoux, J.P., & Robinson, J. (2006) Dynamic fragility of oceanic coral reef ecosystems, PNAS, 103, no. 22 Graham N. A. J., Wilson S. K., Jennings S., Polunin N. V. C., Robinson J., Bijoux J. P., Daw T. M., (2007), Lag Effects in the Impacts of Mass Coral Bleaching on Coral Reef Fish, Fisheries, and Ecosystems. Conservation Biology 21(Issue 5), 12911300 Hill J., Wilkinson C., (2004), Methods for Ecological Monitoring of Coral Reefs: Version 1. A Resource for Managers. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. Houghton, J.D.R., Callow, M.J. & Hays, G.C. (2003) Habitat utilization by juvenile hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Linnaeus, 1766) around a shallow water coral reef, Journal of Natural History, 37, pp. 12691280 Hughes, T.P., (1994) Catastrophes, phase shifts, and large-scale degradation of a Caribbean coral reef. Science 265: 1547 1551 Hughes, T.P., Tanner, J.E., (2000), Recruitment failure, life histories, and long-term decline of Caribbean corals. Ecology 81:22502263 Hughes T.P., Baird AH, Bellwood DR, Card M and 13 others (2003) Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs. Science 301:929933 Hughes T.P., (2007), Phase Shifts, Herbivory, and the Resilience of Coral Reefs to Climate Change, Current Biology 17, pp. 360-365 Jennings S., Boulle D. P., Polunin N. V. C., (1995), Habitat correlates of the distribution and biomass of Seychelles reef fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 46, 15-25 Jennings, S & Polunin, N. V. C. (1997) Impacts of Predator Depletion by Fishing on the Biomass and Diversity of Non-target Reef Fish Communities. Coral Reefs. 16. 71-82.

51

Jones, G.P. & McCormick, M.I., (2002) Numerical and energetic processes in the ecology of coral reef fishes, Sale P (ed) Coral reef fishes; dynamics and diversity in a complex ecosystem, Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 221238. Kulbicki M., 1998, How the acquired behavior of commercial reef fishes may influence the results obtained from visual censuses. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 222, 11-30 Luckhurst, B. & Luckhurst, K., (1978), Analysis of the influence of substrate variables on coral reef communities, Mar Biol 49, pp. 317-323 McClanahan, T. R. & Shafir, S. H. (1990) Causes and Consequence of Sea Urchin Abundance and Diversity in Kenyan Coral Reef Lagoons. Oecologia. 83. 362-370. McClanahan, T. R. (1994) Kenyan Coral Reef Lagoon Fish; Effects of Fishing, substrate complexity and Sea Urchins. Coral Reefs. 13. Pp. 231-241. McClanahan, T. R., Kamukuru, A. T. & Muthiga, N. A., Gilagabher, Y. M. & Obura, D. (1995) Effect of Sea Urchin Reductions on Algae, Coral and Fish Populations. Cons. Biol. 10. 136-154. Miller, M. W. (1998) Coral/seaweed Competition and the Control of Reef Community Structure Within and Between Latitudes. Oceangr Mar Biol Annu Rev. 36. Pp. 65-96. Mrosovsky, N., (1983). Conserving Sea Turtles. The British Herpetological Society, London, p. 4 Obura D. O., Grimsditch G., (2009). Resilience Assessment of coral reefs Assessment protocol for coral reefs, focusing on coral bleaching and thermal stress. IUCN working group on Climate Change and Coral Reefs. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland. Pratchett M.S., (2007), Feeding preferences of Acanthaster planci (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) under controlled conditions of food availability. Pacific Science 61 (Issue 1), 113-120 Samoilys M., Gribble N., (1997), Manual for Assessing Fish Stocks on Pacific Coral Reefs. Queensland Training Series. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane. Sluka, R. D. & Miller, M. W. (2001) Herbivorous Fish Assemblages and Herbivory Pressure on Laamu Atoll, Republic of Maldives. Coral Reefs, 20. Pp. 255-262. Spalding M. D., Jarvis G. E., (2002), The impact of the 1998 coral mortality on reef fish communities in the Seychelles. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44, 309-321 Spencer, T., Telek, K.A., Bradshaw, C. & Spalding, M.D. (2000), Coral bleaching in the Southern Seychelles During the 1997 1998 Indian Ocean Warm Event, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 40 (Issue 7), pp. 569-586 Syms C, Jones GP (2000) Disturbance, habitat structure, and the dynamics of a coral-reef fish community. Ecology 81: 2714 2729 Veron, J.E.N., (2000) Corals of the World, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia, Vol 13 Witzell, W. (1983) Synopsis of biological data on the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766), FAO Fish, Synop., pp. 137

52

9. Appendices
Appendix A. Details of sites surveyed by GVI Seychelles Mah, year round. Sites in
bold-type text are located within Marine Protected Areas.

Site No 1 2 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 A 12 B 13 A 13 B 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 N/A

Site Name Conception North Point Conception Central East Face Port Launay West Rocks Port Launay South Reef Baie Ternay Lighthouse Baie Ternay Reef North East Baie Ternay Reef Centre Baie Ternay Reef North West Rays Point Willies Bay Reef Willies Bay Point Anse Major Reef Anse Major Point Whale Rock Auberge Reef Corsaire Reef White Villa Reef Lilot North Face Site Y Therese North End Therese North East Therese South Site X Secret Beach Reef

GPS S 0439.583, E 05521.654 S 0439.891, E 055 22.258 S 0439.416, E 05523.382 S 0439.158, E 05523.695 S 0438.373, E 05521.993 S 0438.013, E 05522.405 S 0438.321, E 05522.504 S 0438.382, E 05522.133 S 0437.347, E 05523.145 S 0437.650, E 05522.889 S 0437.589, E 05522.776 S 0437.546, E 05523.121 S 0437.509, E 05523.010 S 0437.184, E 05523.424 S 0437.024, E 05524.243 S 0437.016, E 05524.447 S 0436.935, E 05524.749 S 0438.652, E 05525.932 S 0437.771, E 05522.660 S 0440.101, E 05523.737 S 0440.099, E 05523.891 S 0440.764, E 05524.310 S 0437.059, E 05523.783 N/A

Survey Status Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Core

Granitic/Carbonate Granitic Carbonate Granitic Carbonate Granitic Granitic Carbonate Carbonate Granitic Carbonate Granitic Carbonate Granitic Granitic Carbonate Carbonate Carbonate Granitic Granitic Granitic Carbonate Granitic Granitic Carbonate

53

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

Acropora Acroporidae Astreopora Montipora Pocillopora Pocilloporidae Stylophora Seriatopora Porites Poritidae Goniopora Alveopora Dendrophylliidae Turbinaria Siderastrea Siderastreidae Pseudosiderastrea Coscinaraea Psammocora Lobophyllia Mussidae Symphyllia Acanthastrea Blastomussa Oculinidae Euphyllidae Galaxea Physogyra Pectinia Pectinidae Mycedium Echinophyllia Merulinidae Merulina Hydnophora Agaricidae Astrocoeniidae Faviidae Fungiidae

Fungia Herpolitha Diaseris Cycloseris Podabacia Halomitra Polyphyllia Favia Favites Montastrea Plesiastrea Goniastrea Echinopora Diploastrea Leptasrea Cyphastrea Platygyra Leptoria Oulophyllia Stylocoeniella Pavona Leptoseris Gardineroseris Coeloseris Pachyseris

54

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

Relevance Family Scientific name Common name Feeding guild (Engelhardt 2004)
Chaetodon vagabundus Chaetodon auriga Chaetodon trifascialis Chaetodon melannotus Chaetodon mertensii Chaetodon triangulum Chaetodon trifasciatus Chaetodon interruptus Chaetodon bennetti Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) Chaetodon lunula Chaetodon kleinii Chaetodon citrinellus Chaetodon guttatisimus Chaetodon lineolatus Chaetodon falcula Chaetodon meyersi Chaetodon xanthocephalus Chaetodon zanzibariensis Forcipiger sp. Apolemichthys trimaculatus Angelfish (Pomacanthidae) Pomacanthus imperator Pomacanthus semicirculatus Pygoplites diacanthus Acanthurus sp. Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) Ctenochaetus sp. Naso sp. Zanclus cornutus Siganus puelloides Rabbitfish (Siganidae) Siganus corallinus Siganus stellatus Vagabond Threadfin Chevroned Black-backed Merten's Triangular Indian Redfin Indian Ocean Teardrop Bennett's Raccoon Klein's Speckled Spotted Lined Saddleback Meyer's Yellow-headed C/I C/I C C/I C/I C C C/I C C/I C/I C/I C/I C/I C/I C C/I Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery Coral recovery

Zanzibar Longnose sp. Three-spot Emperor Semicircle Regal Surgeonfish Bristletooths Unicornfish Moorish idol Blackeye Coral Honeycomb

C C/I V V V V H H Pl V H H H

Coral recovery Coral recovery Visual appeal Visual appeal Visual appeal Visual appeal Algae vs. coral Algae vs. coral Algae vs. coral Visual appeal Algae vs. coral Algae vs. coral Algae vs. coral

55

Siganus argenteus

Forktail

Algae vs. coral

Siganus sutor

African Whitespotted

Algae vs. coral

Lutjanus gibbus Lutjanus sebae Lutjanus fulviflamma Lutjanus kasmira Lutjanus bengalensis Lutjanus monostigma Snappers (Lutjanidae) Lutjanus vitta Lutjanus fulvus Lutjanus argentimaculatus Lutjanus bohar Lutjanus russelli Macolor niger Aprion virescens Balistoides viridescens Triggerfish (Balistidae) Sufflamen chrysopterus Balistidae Monotaxis sp. Gymnocranius grandoculis Lethrinus olivaceous Lethrinus nebulosus Lethrinus Emperors (Lethrinidae) rubrioperculatus Lethrinus xanthochilus Lethrinus harak Lethrinus lentjan Lethrinus obsoletus Lethrinus erythracanthus Lethrinus mahsena Lethrinus variegatus Anyperodon leucogrammicus Groupers (Serranidae) Cephalopholis argus Cephalopholis urodeta Cephalopholis miniata Cephalopholis sonnerati

Paddletail Red emperor Longspot Blue-lined Bengal Onespot Brownstripe Flametail Mangrove jack Red Russell's Black Green jobfish Titan Flagtail Other triggerfish Redfin/Bigeye bream Blue-lined bream Longnosed Blue-scaled Redear Yellowlip Thumbprint Pinkear Orange-striped Yellowfin Mahsena Variegated Slender Peacock Flagtail Coral Hind Tomato large-eye

Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi

Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure

56

Epinephelus merra Epinephelus spilotoceps Epinephelus polyphekadion Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Epinephelus tukula Epinephelus fasciatus Aethaloperca rogaa Variola louti Plectropomus laevis Plectropomus punctatus Plectorhinchus orientalis Sweetlips (Haemulidae) Plectorhinchus picus Plectorhinchus gibbosus Bolbometopon Parrotfish (Scaridae) muricatum Scaridae Cheilinus trilobatus Cheilinus fasciatus Wrasse (Labridae) Oxycheilinus digrammus Cheilinus undulatus Tetraodontidae Diodontidae Holocentridae

Honeycomb Foursaddle Camouflage

Pi Pi Pi

Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure

Whitespotted

Pi

Fishing pressure

Brown-marbled Potato Blacktip Redmouth Yellow-edged Lyretail Saddleback African Coral Cod Oriental Spotted Gibbus Bumphead parrotfish Other parrotfish Tripletail Redbreasted Cheeklined splendour Humphead Puffers Porcupinefish Soldierfish Squirrelfish

Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi I I I C/H H I I I I I I Pl Pl

Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Fishing pressure Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Coral damage Algae vs. coral Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Sea urchins & COTs Upwelling areas Upwelling areas

57

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

Code Pl

Feeding guild Planktivores

Description (adapted from Obura and Grimsditch, 2009) Resident on reef surfaces, but feed in the water column. Their abundance is related to quality of reef habitat for refuge, and water column conditions. High level predators. Exert top-down control on lower trophic levels. Important fisheries species but very vulnerable to overfishing thus good indicators of the fishing pressure on a reef.

Key species Soldierfish, Squirrelfish, Unicornfish Groupers, Snappers Butterflyfish (Chevroned, Triangular, Bennetts, Indian Redfin, Meyers, Longnose sp.) Angelfish, Moorish Idol Sweetlips, Emperors, Pufferfish, Porcupinefish, Wrasse (Tripletail, Redbreasted, Cheeklined Splendor, Humphead), Triggerfish (Titan, Flagtail, Other) Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Bristletooth, Rabbitfish Bumphead parrotfish Butterflyfish (Vagabond, Threadfin, Blackbacked, Mertens, Indian Ocean Teardrop, Racoon, Kleins, Speckled, Spotted, Lined, Saddleback, Yellow headed, Zanzibar)

Pi

Piscivores

Corallivores

Relative abundance is an indicator of coral community health

Varied diet

Feed on coral competitors such as soft corals and sponges. Relative abundances may be an indicator of abundance of these prey items and of a phase shift.

Invertivores*

Second-level predators with highly mixed diets including small fish, invertebrates and dead animals. Important fisheries species thus abundances are a good indicator of fishing pressure.

Exert the primary control on coral-algal dynamics. H Herbivores May indicate phase shift from coral to algal dominance in response to mass coral mortality or pressures such as eutrophication. Relative abundance is a secondary indicator of coral community health

C/H

Corallivore/Herbivore

C/I

Corallivore/Invertivore

Relative abundance can be a secondary indicator of coral community health

58

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

Commercial Fish Species Siganidae (Rabbitfish) Lutjanidae (Snappers) Lethrinidae (Emperors) Serranidae (Groupers) Haemulidae (Sweetlips) Scaridae (Parrotfish)

Reef Fish Species Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfish) Pomacanthidae (Angelfish) Acanthuridae (Surgeonfish) Balistidae (Triggerfish) Labridae (Wrasse) Tetradontidae (Pufferfish) Diodontidae (Porcupinefish) Holocentridae (Soldierfish & Squirrelfish) Zanclus cornutus (Moorish Idol) Bolbometopon muricatum (Bumphead Parrotfish)

59

Appendix F.

List of invertebrate species surveyed on 50m belt transects by GVI

Seychelles Mah.

Mollusca (Gastropoda)

Drupella spp.

Drupella

Mollusca (Bivalvia)

Tridacnidae Culcita spp.

Giant Clam Cushion Sea Star Crown of Thorns Sea Star Other Sea Stars

Sea Stars (Asteroidea)

Acanthaster planci

Diadema spp. Echinometra spp. Sea Urchins (Echinoidea) Echinothrix spp.

Long Spine Urchin Mathaes Urchin Short Spine Urchin Pencil Urchin

Toxopneustes pileolus

Flower Urchin Cake Urchin

Holothuria artra Holothuria fuscopunctata Holothuria fuscogilva Holothuria nobilis Holothuria sp.(undescribed) Bohadschia spp. Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea) Actinopyga spp. Actinopyga mauritiana Stichopus spp. Thelenota ananas Pearsonothurian graeffei Thelenota anax Holothuria edulis (Cephalopoda) Lobsters (Palinura) Octopus spp. Panulirus spp. Parribacus spp./Scyllarides spp.

Lollyfish Elephant Trunk White teatfish Black teatfish Pentard Bohadschia Actinopyga Yellow Surfish Stichopus Prickly Redfish Flowerfish Royal Edible Sea Cucumber Common Reef Octopus Spiny Lobster Slipper Lobster

60