TY - JOUR
T1 - Benthic status of near-shore fishing grounds in the central Philippines and associated seahorse densities
AU - Marcus, J.E.
AU - Samoilys, M.A.
AU - Meeuwig, Jessica
AU - Villongco, Z.A.D.
AU - Vincent, A.C.J.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Benthic status of 28 near-shore, artisanal, coral reef fishing grounds in the central Philippines was assessed (2000-2002) together with surveys of the seahorse, Hippocampus comes. Our measures of benthic quality and seahorse densities reveal some of the most degraded coral reefs in the world. Abiotic structure dominated the fishing grounds: 69% of the benthos comprised rubble (32%), sand/silt (28%) and dead coral (9%). Predominant biotic structure included live coral (12%) and Sargassum (11%). Rubble cover increased with increasing distance from municipal enforcement centers and coincided with substantial blast fishing in this region of the Philippines. Over 2 years, we measured a significant decrease in benthic 'heterogeneity' and a 16% increase in rubble cover. Poor benthic quality was concomitant with extremely low seahorse densities (524 fish per km(2)). Spatial management, such as marine reserves, may help to minimize habitat damage and to rebuild depleted populations of seahorses and other reef fauna. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - Benthic status of 28 near-shore, artisanal, coral reef fishing grounds in the central Philippines was assessed (2000-2002) together with surveys of the seahorse, Hippocampus comes. Our measures of benthic quality and seahorse densities reveal some of the most degraded coral reefs in the world. Abiotic structure dominated the fishing grounds: 69% of the benthos comprised rubble (32%), sand/silt (28%) and dead coral (9%). Predominant biotic structure included live coral (12%) and Sargassum (11%). Rubble cover increased with increasing distance from municipal enforcement centers and coincided with substantial blast fishing in this region of the Philippines. Over 2 years, we measured a significant decrease in benthic 'heterogeneity' and a 16% increase in rubble cover. Poor benthic quality was concomitant with extremely low seahorse densities (524 fish per km(2)). Spatial management, such as marine reserves, may help to minimize habitat damage and to rebuild depleted populations of seahorses and other reef fauna. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.04.011
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.04.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 17645896
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 54
SP - 1483
EP - 1494
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
IS - 9
ER -
