Pre-departure Orientation and Networking Event

Analysis of the Resilience of West Sumatra Coral Reefs After the 1997 Massive Coral Die off

Ofri Johan Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia

Norman J. Quinn J.W Fulbright Fellow AMINEF THIRD ASIA PACIFIC CORAL REEF SYMPOSIUM KENTING, TAIWAN 25 JUNE 2014

West Sumatra coral reef surveys began in 1994. Surveys were initiated by Bung Hatta University and Andreas Kunzmann in a cooperative program with the Indonesian government and ZMT.

The initial purpose was: 1. to build coral reef monitoring skills through training at Bung Hatta University, Padang, and

2. increase knowledge of marine communities and their utilization.

Reef degradation was documented in the 1990’s from destructive fishing practices, especially the use of bombs to catch fish. Photos courtesy A. Kunzmann and Jan Henning Steffen

Nutrient loading from increased sediment input from the rivers stimulated algal growth and especially affected inshore reefs.

This stimulated algal growth smothered coral.

Six sampling sites off Padang, West Sumatra

In 1994, live coral cover at the six sampling sites ranged 14.7-76.6%

The best coverage was at Pieh Island: • Average = 76.6 %

Photos courtesy A. Kunzmann

In late 1997 a major upwelling occurred cooling the waters off West Sumatra.

Surface water temperature dropped > 7oC

In mid 1997 increased demand for land suitable for palm oil cultivation in eastern West Sumatra lead to large areas of slash and burning of the eastern West Sumatra rain forest.

The resultant smoke covered much of southern West Sumatra. In December 1997 a massive red tide occurred and lasted for at least three months.

sites.duke.edu

A massive die off of corals were observed on the West Sumatran reefs.

biolum.eemb.ucsb.edu

forum.prisonplanet.com

Current Project Goals:  Address

fundamental questions about the resilience of West Sumatran coral reef communities after natural and anthropogenic events in 1997 that reduced live coral cover to 10 IN 2014 WERE NOT RECORDED IN 1996

2. Forcipiger longirostrus - Ranked 6

1. Chaetodon kleinii - Ranked 3 in 2014

3. Heniochus singularus – Ranked 4

2000

1600

Fish abundance

After coral mortality even, the abundance of Chaetodontidae (Indicator fish) and target (commercial fishery) fish increased except on Air PR, and major fish mostly decrease on all sites

Pisang Isl Air PR Pieh Isl. Pandan Isl.

1800

1400

1200 1000 800 600

400 200 0 2001

2007

2014

Indicator Reef Fish

2001

2007

2014

Target Fish

2001

2007

2014

Mayor Fish

Reef fish abundance from 2001 to 2014 in permanent transect in Padang Waters, West Sumatea.

CONCLUSION PRELIMINARY RESULTS INDICATE THAT CORAL COVER IS RETURNING TO 1994 LEVELS ON MOST REEFS, EXCEPT PIEH ISLAND FISH POPULATIONS WERE NOT GREATLY IMPACTED BY THE RED TIDE, BUT OWING TO THE MORTALITY OF THE CORAL, REEF FISH POPULATIONS DECREASED. THE ABUNDANCE AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF REEF FISH APPEARS TO VARY OVER TIME, INDICATED BY THE SPECIES COMPOSITION OF THE CHAETODONTIDAE.

Good fish populations are important to the livelihood for many West Sumatra people

No evidence of the use of explosives was observed, although in a MPA spearfishing is still occurs. Neither hookah nor SCUBA equipment was used by fishers

The survival of healthy diverse coral reef communities for future generations will require better coastal zone management, and a reduction of the global warming trend.

The Field Team Rear: Hendri Guswanto, Yennafri, Zanel, Ofri Johan, Nikki, Norman Quinn, Riswanto, Front: Barbara Kojis, Amran Syam Terima Kasih

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AMERICAN INDONESIAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION, MINANG BAHARI FOUNDATION, MINISTRY OF MARINE AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES AND TROPICAL DISCOVERIES FUND,

US STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDED, CIES IS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR NJ. QUINN YENAFRI ASSISTED WITH THE CORAL SURVEY HENDRI GUSWANTO, BARBARA KOJIS HELPED WITH THE FISH SURVEY ANDREAS KUZMANN IS GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED FOR HIS ASSISTANCE