Coral and reef fish communities in Negros Oriental [Philippines]
1998
Vogt, H.P. | Schirm, B. | Montebon, A.R. | Alcala, M. | Cruz, E. | Waltemath, M. (CEMRINO Inc., 109 San Jose Ext., 6200 Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (Philippines))
In September 1994, CEMRINO Inc. commenced extensive fieldwork in order to select suitable reef sites to become marine reserves. This poster highlights the main findings of almost two years of coral reef surveys and studies on reef fishes and fisheries in Negros Oriental. Broad-scale surveys covering the entire province were conducted using the manta tow technique and aerial photogrammetry. The results showed that the estimated 300 km coastline of Negros Oriental has 186 km of coral reefs and coral communities. These cover an area of about 26.5 sq.km. suggesting an average reef width of about 143 m. Underwater video transects were recorded in 17 proposed and established marine reserve sites in Negros Oriental. The video images were analyzed by identifying coral genera and their growth forms, as well as estimates of percentage cover. To date, a total distance of 13.7 km with an average of 0.3 km has been covered. The information gathered has been used to recommend healthy reefs as potential marine reserves. Protective management of small marine reserves can have a positive effect. A small scale fish catch monitoring programme was introduced to nine fishing villages. Visual fish counts were conducted in 21 proposed and established marine reserves. So far, only preliminary results are available. However, 379 fish species from 48 families were already identified. A checklist including 500 local fish names was prepared to facilitate data collection by the fishing communities. In addition, the fish count data sets were used to investigate the chaetodontid fish and their spatial distribution along the entire coastline of Negros Oriental. Data analysis showed a distinct north-south pattern of chaetodontid fish distribution. A more comprehensive description of the project's major results is in preparation
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