Indications of Enhancement of Reef Fish Community Richness at Selected Coral Rehabilitation Sites in the Philippines

Abstract

 Reef deterioration is a chronic issue that has persisted over the past decades. Much effort has been invested into research and development of reef rehabilitation technologies. Reef rehabilitation via coral fragment transplantation was initiated in 2012 at selected areas across the country. Assessments of its impacts on the diversity of reef fishes in Batangas, Tawi-Tawi, Aklan and Bohol in the Philippines using the fish visual census technique were conducted in 2017, five years after coral transplantation. Significant positive results were found at the treatment sites in Mabini, Batangas and in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Mean fish species richness were 56 and 43 species 250 m-2 at the treatment and control sites in Batangas, respectively, and 74 and 48 species 250 m-2 at Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. In contrast, the numbers of fish species at the control sites in Aklan and Bohol were slightly higher, but these were not statistically significant. Coral transplantation can potentially enhance fish diversity; but the effects of coral transplantation on fish communities may be difficult to demonstrate and detect. Sound scientific design and efficient application of the technology are needed to unambiguously present their potential benefits. Issues, challenges, and recommendations to advance the conduct of such reef enhancement initiatives are discussed.

Keywords: coral transplantation, reef fish, diversity