Assessing coral reefs condition for rehabilitation site selection using diver-towed survey in an island of Anambas Islands

Abstract

To select a rehabilitation area of coral reefs in Pahat Island within Anambas Islands, this study was conducted to asses coral reefs condition using diver-towed or manta tow surveys and underwater photo transects (UPT). The results of the manta tow surveys showed coral cover dominated by hard corals percentage ranged between 11% and 50% (categories 2 and 3) in the western, northern and southern parts of Pahat Island. Distribution of hard coral percentage with more than 50% (Category 4: 51% - 75% and 5: 76% -100%) was observed in the eastern part of Pahat Island. While results from UPT showed the hard coral percentage of 62.5%, 33.67% and 17% in the eastern, western and northern of Pahat Island, respectively. There are similarities in the results of coral reef cover Obtained by the manta tow and UPT methods. Conclusions, this study recommends western Pahat Island as a good alternative for a rehabilitation site as the coral coverage was in poor condition.

Enhancing reef fish diversity using artificial reef-building: A case study of coral reef rehabilitation on Nyamuk Island, Anambas Islands

“…Those marine ecosystem services could enhance reef fish diversity annually, besides the assistance from existing seagrass beds and mangroves forest as coastal marine ecosystems [37][38]. Anambas provides a healthy marine coastal ecosystem that could support the recently developed marine environment [3][4]. From the first deployment of artificial reef-building, most marine ecosystem functions are directly replaceable, mainly functioning to enhance the rugosity of the habitat.…”

“…For quite a long time, the marine environment surrounding Anambas island has been deeply impacted by the illegal fishers from adjacent countries. Anambas coral reefs are also damaged by coral mining and destructive fishing activities (e.g., potassium and bomb) [4].…”

“…Anambas Islands reefs have encountered some acute declination of coral reef-building, mainly affected by anthropogenic pressure, inclement fisheries management. However, due to a scant number of coral reefs ecosystem publications, detailed information is still fairly deficient [3][4][5][6]. Certain coral reef rehabilitation activities around Anambas Islands have been conducted to recover the acute losses of coral coverage [4][5]7].…”

“…However, due to a scant number of coral reefs ecosystem publications, detailed information is still fairly deficient [3][4][5][6]. Certain coral reef rehabilitation activities around Anambas Islands have been conducted to recover the acute losses of coral coverage [4][5]7]. CCMRS-IPB (Centre of Coastal and Marine Resources Study -IPB University) came to be one study center that contributed to coral reefs rehabilitation with sustainable monitoring.…”

The perspective of high coral growth rate on the artificial reef: what is causing enhancement of coral growth rate on Nyamuk Island, Anambas?

“…Nyamuk island administratively was a village on the coast of Bajau Island. Anambas near Malaysia experienced marine environmental defects caused by destructive fishing gear and coral mining conducted by non-Indonesian regulated fishermen [29]. The degradation and rehabilitation of marine habitats immediately become government concerns.…”