marine research and conservation update

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1 Achievement Summary Report GVI Fiji, Yasawa Hub August 2012 Marine Research and Conservation Update Global Vision International (GVI) and Vinaka Fiji’s Marine Research and Conservation Project aims to conduct research that will facilitate long term benefits for the local communities of the Yasawas and help guarantee food security for future generations. The program is designed to empower communities by providing education and assistance through the facilitation of locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) whilst also enabling communities to gain official national recognition of these MPAs. GVI’s survey team, comprised of international volunteers, has been collecting data on benthic life forms, targeted invertebrate and fish species. The targeted species list represents a combination of commercially valuable species and species targeted for subsistence fishing. The study of benthic life forms provide a percentage of hard coral cover and can show bleaching events and algae blooms which are indicative of reef health. There are three types of survey methodologies used to collect data; Line Intercept Transect (LIT), Invertebrate Belt Transect (IBT) and Underwater Visual Census (UVC). All surveys are completed at four different depth profiles: 0-5m, 5-10m, 10-15m & 15-20m. LIT and IBT surveys are completed together, each transect is 10 metres long (diagram 1). A tape measure is placed over the reef and the benthic life forms directly underneath the tape measure are recorded. At each point where the benthic life form changes, the observer records the transition point in centimetres and the new life form. Data collected from LIT surveys can identify seasonal and spatial trends of reef over time. IBT surveys provide a rapid assessment of the abundance of targeted invertebrate species. A diver recording invertebrates swims in a zigzag slowly along the line, using the tape as central point in a 2m wide transect. Diagram 1. LIT and IBT survey methodology UVC surveys count individual targeted fish species to estimate the targeted fish species total abundance, which can determine the standing stock of the targeted fish population. The survey is approximately 30 meters long using a timed swim method, a speed of 6metres per minute is used, and therefore each survey is 5 minutes long. The observer swims close to the reef as they rotate LIT IBT

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Fiji Marine Research and Conservation Achievement Report - August 2012

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    Achievement Summary Report

    GVI Fiji, Yasawa Hub

    August 2012

    Marine Research and Conservation Update

    Global Vision International (GVI) and Vinaka Fijis Marine Research and Conservation Project aims to conduct research that will facilitate long term benefits for the local communities of the Yasawas and help guarantee food security for future generations. The program is designed to empower communities by providing education and assistance through the facilitation of locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) whilst also enabling communities to gain official national recognition of these MPAs. GVIs survey team, comprised of international volunteers, has been collecting data on benthic life forms, targeted invertebrate and fish species. The targeted species list represents a combination of commercially valuable species and species targeted for subsistence fishing. The study of benthic life forms provide a percentage of hard coral cover and can show bleaching events and algae blooms which are indicative of reef health. There are three types of survey methodologies used to collect data; Line Intercept Transect (LIT), Invertebrate Belt Transect (IBT) and Underwater Visual Census (UVC). All surveys are completed at four different depth profiles: 0-5m, 5-10m, 10-15m & 15-20m. LIT and IBT surveys are completed together, each transect is 10 metres long (diagram 1). A tape measure is placed over the reef and the benthic life forms directly underneath the tape measure are recorded. At each point where the benthic life form changes, the observer records the transition point in centimetres and the new life form. Data collected from LIT surveys can identify seasonal and spatial trends of reef over time. IBT surveys provide a rapid assessment of the abundance of targeted invertebrate species. A diver

    recording invertebrates swims in a zigzag slowly along the line, using the tape as central point in a

    2m wide transect.

    Diagram 1. LIT and IBT survey methodology

    UVC surveys count individual targeted fish species to estimate the targeted fish species total

    abundance, which can determine the standing stock of the targeted fish population. The survey is

    approximately 30 meters long using a timed swim method, a speed of 6metres per minute is used,

    and therefore each survey is 5 minutes long. The observer swims close to the reef as they rotate

    LIT

    IBT

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    their head steadily from side to side observing an estimated 3 dimensional, 5 metre volume box

    (diagram 2) recording any targeted fish species within the boundaries.

    Diagram 2. UVC survey methodology

    Volunteers are trained in species identification with informative, visual lectures and in-water point out dives. Before volunteers are entrusted to survey they must complete both computer and in-water identification tests and receive a 100% pass mark. The data collected is used either to identify suitable areas for the placement of tabu areas (no fishing zones) or to monitor existing tabu areas. All information will then be presented to communities in a comprehensive manner to facilitate informed decision making. Survey and Awareness Campaigns

    GVI has completed awareness evenings in Naisisili, Vuaki, Navatua and Enadala villages, introducing

    GVI and the concept of Locally Managed Marine Area Networks (FLMMA) to the communities.

    Previous and existing marine management plans have been discussed with these communities in

    order to see what had been achieved and what had failed. The principles of marine management

    were explained to refresh and inspire community involvement. In each of the communities the

    concept of the spill-over effect was understood and questions were asked about reef health, the

    effects of farming, nutrient loading, sedimentation and coastal development. Each of the

    aforementioned villages asked for GVI and the Yasawa Trust Foundations assistance in reforming or

    creating a marine management plan. In response, GVI and YTF plan to facilitate a fish warden

    training workshop and a marine resource management workshop with the goal of initiating village

    environment committees which in turn could collaboratively form the Nacula District Yaubula

    Management Support Team (YMST). The YMST will be trained in biological monitoring and socio-

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    economic surveying. GVI propose the same awareness evenings for Nacula, Malakati, Matacawalevu,

    and Yaqeta villages.

    Marine awareness evening in Enadala village

    The boundaries of traditional fishing grounds (qoliqoli) have been mapped by the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission and recorded on the Register of Native Fishing Rights. A person who holds traditional fishing rights over an qoliqoli (resource owner) may fish for subsistence purposes (not for trade or business) in the qoliqoli without a permit or licence. Any person (including a resource owner) who wishes to fish for trade or business must apply to the Department of Fisheries for a fishing licence. A licence is not required to fish with a line from the shore or with a spear. The Fisheries Department will not issue a license to fish within a registered qoliqoli unless the applicant has obtained a written letter of consent from the chief of the relevant resource owning group. Licenses may be granted subject to conditions, for example prohibiting fishing in particular areas, restricting fishing at particular times, prohibiting the use of particular fishing gear, or prohibiting the taking of particular species. It is a criminal offence to fish for trade or business without a license, or to breach the conditions of a fishing license. The maximum penalty is 3 months prison and/or a $500 fine. Licences are valid for up to 12 months, and expire on 31st December each year. Licence conditions can be used to protect community declared tabu areas. In Macuata, for example, the high chief issues letters of consent on the condition that the licence will prohibit fishing in tabu areas. Maps of the tabu areas are attached to each license. Currently the program survey schedule has nearly been completed on reefs surrounding Nanuya Lai Lai (figure 1). The community of Enadala have agreed upon an area to be declared as tabu and have asked for GVIs assistance in mapping the tabu area and gaining official recognition by the fisheries department. The community of Navotua have also requested assistance in gaining official recognition of their current existing tabu area by having the area mapped on the fishing license by the Fisheries Department. GVI plans to help facilitate this by compiling the relevant documentation

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    and presenting it to the Fisheries Department and the Provincial Office. GVI will survey Navatua and Enadala tabu areas biannually.

    Figure 1. Completed Nanuya Lai Lai survey sites

    GVI staff participated in a FLMMA leadership and management workshop for the Nacula District and base line surveying has begun on reefs surrounding Nacula (figure 2).

    Figure 2. Completed Nacula survey sites

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    Marine and Environmental Awareness, Education Program

    GVIs Marine and Environmental Awareness, School Education Program aims to teach the key concepts in marine conservation and environmental good practice. The program is currently running in Ratu Meli Memorial School and Nasomolevu Catholic School, alternating weekly. The program is taught with a variety of creative techniques including hands-on, interactive lessons which include such activities as snorkelling trips, drawing, role play, beach cleans, debates, brainstorming and games. The Marine and Environmental Awareness School Education Program hopes to instil a sense of pride in pupils for their marine environment and encourage conservation for future generations to come. Topics covered so far include; threats to the marine environment, destructive fishing gear, mangroves, sharks, plastic pollution, climate change, sea cumbers and turtles.

    Pupils from Nasomolevu Catholic School with their Threats to the Marine Environment posters

    Cathedral Reef

    Cathedral Reef is a dive site in the centre of The Yasawa Group, where two dive operations run a shark feeding dive. There are regular sightings of bull, lemon, tawny nurse, grey reef, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks and occasional sightings of zebra, tiger and great hammerhead sharks. Recently dive operators have reported the presence of commercial fishing vessels in the area. This is a cause for concern, as sharks are threatened worldwide due to unsustainable levels of fishing.

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    Sharks are apex predators found at the top of the marine ecosystem food chain and their presence helps to maintain a balance within the environment. If large, predatory sharks are removed from the food chain the equilibrium of the ecosystem is disturbed, which can have adverse effects on prey species. This can lead to the degradation of the entire ecosystem. It is believed that in the last 20 years, some species of coastal sharks have declined by between 50 and 80 percent. Accounting for local, regional, and global threats to sharks, GVI hope to increase the amount of shark research and conservation in Fiji. There is a lack of basic knowledge about nearly all locally occurring sharks. GVI hope to address the fundamental questions related to understanding the ecology and life history of a variety of locally occurring sharks by collecting baseline data on the different species, size estimates and sex. Using dorsal fin identification and body markings individual sharks can be identified and the data can be used for site fidelity and migration studies in shark ecology. The shark diving industry plays an important socio-economic role generating jobs and revenue to local communities. Given the significance of sharks to Fiji and the greater South Pacific region, there is a need to gather research so that the information obtained can be used to increase the capacity for Fijian policy makers to make informed choices relating to the conservation and management of their marine resources. Working in conjunction with the support of the local community and dive operators, GVI hope to implement a tabu area at Cathedral Reef that is recognised by the fisheries department. By retaining traditional ownership of the reef it is hoped the area will be protected, GVI propose training local dive instructors and divemasters as fish wardens so that the reef is policed consistently. Letters of support from village headmen within the Nacula District have been received and the

    required 50% of village signatures supporting the tabu area are being collected. Tui Drola (Yasawan high chief) has agreed to fully support the declaration of the proposed tabu area at Cathedral Reef.

    A Lemon Shark at Cathedral Reef with a hook in its mouth

    Local dive operators have agreed to log all training, shark feeding and fun dives; and record any opportunistic sightings of shark, ray and turtle species. It is important to record opportunistic sightings of endangered species because it provides information on the whereabouts of these

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    species which can in tern be used to develop conservation management strategies that will assist in protecting them. The data collected will provide estimates of the economic revenue generated by diving in the Northern Yasawas and the distribution of these revenues to the principle local stakeholders involved with the industry, including businesses, government and local community. These figures can be used to demonstrate to key stakeholders why it is important to maintain and protect the biodiversity of the marine ecosystems as there is a direct link to the income generated by tourism and diving industry. The recording of opportunistic shark sightings and the number of shark species at feeding dives will facilitate an estimation of the socio-economic value of a live individual shark comparatively to the value of a shark fin, which can be used to inspire and support shark conservation by local key stakeholders. Quarterly Goals

    Complete baseline surveying around Nanuya Lai Lai.

    Complete awareness evenings for all villages in the Nacula District.

    Complete all supporting documentation and protocols for proposed tabu areas in Enadala, Navatua and Cathedral Reef.

    Present documentation to the Fisheries Department and the Provincial Office. End of 2012 Goals

    Complete fish warden training workshop for the Nacula District.

    Complete Nacula District YMST workshop.

    Gain official recognition of Enadala tabu area, Navatua tabu area and Cathedral Reef tabu area on fishing permit license.

    GVI FIJI MARINE CONSERVATION In Partnership with

    The YASAWA TRUST FOUNDATION 12th September 2012

    [email protected]