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Enhancing Coral Habitat for the Benefit of the Tourist and Subsistence Fisheris

Sectors
Stennett, M., Quinn, N. J,, Gayle, P.M. H., Bowden-Kerby, A
Introduction

Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the marine realm. The beauf and
biodiversity of its plants ard animals attracts snorkelers, and divers from home and abroad,
thereby helping to support the tourist indusfiy. The reefs also provide habitat and shelter that
support fish populations which provide a livelihood for fishermen. The shoreline itself is
protected from the action of waves from the physical presence of the reef. The reefbuilds and
regenemtes the beaches, utrich agalrL supports the tourist industry. The Jamaican coral reef is
an active ecosystem, which despite experiencing major damage is still functional and
beautiful. The major culprits of local coral reef decline are hurricmres, pollution, disease,
chronic over-fishing and bleaching episodes. ln 1980, Hurricane Allen produced 40 foot
waves wltich slammed into the coral reefs at several areas along Jamaica's North Coast
including Discovery Bay east fore reef. The branching Staghorn coral - Acropara
cervieornis- was reduced to 4Yoof its original aerial cover (Woodley et al. as cited by Kjerve,
1986). Eight years later when Gilbert struck Jamaica, the few recovering stands of Acropora
that had survived Allen were smashed again (Woodley, 1988). Jamaican reefs underwent
incidents of predation and disease which reduced the Acropora cervicornis levels to 2o/o of
their original levels (Kjerve, 1986). Waste runoff from land contributes to algal overgrowth
which competes with the corals for oxygen light and space and may actually prevent
settlement of coral larvae (Gayle and Woodley, 1998). In the Caribbean, chronic over fishing
is an ever increasing threat to coral reeft (Hughes, 1994). One effect of over fishing is to
promote algal overgrowth. For all these reasons, Acropora is facing possible Can"bbean wide
extirpation (Bowdor-Kerby, 2004).
Artificial reefs have bem used for centrrries for creating underwaterhabitat and increasing
biological activity (Duedal and Champ, 1991). Not all reefs can be restored and some corals
are more receptive to restoration than others (Kojis and Quinn, 1981). Due to the high
expenses involved in restoration actions and the vaiety of practices that could be used, we
need innovative but general models that will guide us in restoring damaged habitats. The
gardening of coral reefs with sexual and asexual recnrits after their mariculture in situ within
special nursery areas may serve as such a framework for developing restoration protocols
suitable for sharing through a network of Marine Protected Areas throughout Jamaica.
Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML) and Counterpart International (CI) are
working with local stakeholders including the Montego Bay Mmine Pmlq Negril Coral Reef
Preservation Trust and Northern Jamaica Conservation Association to help restore the
biomass of Acropora cervicorni.s on certain reefs sites on the north coast. In Tobago,
Acropora cervicornis tansplantation has been done by laydoo (1996). He reported
survivabiliry of 3A-35o/o eight months after transplantation. Bowden-Kerby {2004) believes
that depending on the Spe of corals used they can be touched and moved successfirlly. ,4.
cemicornis is suitable as a transplanted coral because it grows relativety quickly: 0.6 - 3.6cm
a year (Laydoo, 1996), and transplanted corals have been shorvn to enhance fish abundance
and diversity (Lindahl et al. as cited by Lindahl2003).
The aims ofthe project are:
1. Secrne the few rernaining A certicornis populations in project sites, helping to create
pockets of greater reef health
2. lncrease biomass of A. cervicorrls through shallow water propagation of rapidly
growing juvenile sized colonies

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3. Increase the number of healthy reefs with high densitr of A. cemicorris corals in a
network of marine protected areas around Jamaica.

Methad
Experimental transplanting of Acropora cervicorni,s began in Jrure 20A4 at five sites in
Discovery Bay. Dead ",4. cervicomis rubble at these sites suggested that they once had a large,
healthy population of the species. As well, the sites are situated in the lagoon and are
protected from large waves. Divers collected live, healtlry fragments of A- cerviconl.r from a
large population at Dairy Bull and transported back to the laboratory. Three experimental
methods were tried and monitored for growth and survivorship.

. "A" Frarne Method (Fig l)


o Coral Cookie Method (Fig 2)
o Line culhne

Fig 1. Workshop participants assembling "A" frame coral

Fig.2. Dr. Austin Bowden-Kerby preparing to ransport "coral cookie" experiment to reef.

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Resulh

Growth
The most successfii growth occurred on the 'A" frame experiment. There is variation at
different locations in the gowth of the transplanted corals. The fastest growing coral
increased a very impressive 73.8yo (Fig. 3). Other sites had lower growth rates.

Fig 3. Graph showing percentage new growth of "A" Frame Corals at Columbus Park (CP),
East Back Reef @BR), West Fore Reef {WFR), Canoe Channel (CC), and Blue Hole
(BH), 4 months after transplantation.

Sites

Survivorship
Four months after transplantation the greatest suwivorship occurred on the "A" frames
ranged from 47o/o to 89% (Fig. a). Survivorship on the "coral cookie" experiment was 46.7Yo
and the line culture 0%. Additional experiments are being done with the line culture.

Fig. 4. Percentage survivorship of transplanted "4. cervicornis at different sites.

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Discussion

The preliminary results of the project suggest it is possible to increase reef biomass
through artificial propagation of Acropora cervicomis. An increase in biomass, through the
construction of artificial reefs, should increase the numbers of animals, especially fish, which
live at, or visit these reefs. This increase in both reef habitat and fish abundance will have a
two fold effect: the reefs will have a greater biodiversig, which enhances the food web, and
the aesthetic value of the reefs will increase.
Arrificial reefs have traditionally been used for environmental enhancement and as
mitigation for damages to natural reef areas. The transplantation of healthy,live coral to areas
that are currently under populated with the species can help rehabilitate damaged reefs. In the
case of the tourist industry artificial reefs can enhance a snorkelling mil or dive site. As a
result, increased number of water sports staffin the hotels will needed to not only transport
$rests to these sites, but to provide other facilities such as diving and snorkelling lessons.
With the success of the coral restoration project and our parhrers in the hospitality industry
we will be creating snorkel trails surrounded by transplanted corals. The trails will include
trail markers which will contain educational information about the reef and the restoration
project. Other markers will discuss reef etiquette that advises snorkelers on the mles and
reasoils for the etiquette. The establislunent of trails will serve to reduce impacts on other
areas of the reef and to provide the visitor with more on site information. These facilities will
generate positive publicity for the hotels and the country, which in turn encourages visitations
from reef and non reef enthusiasts.
Just as natural reefs can provide calm areas in their lee that are protected from wave attack
and beach erosion, atificial reefs can be used for shoreline stabilization. A submerged reef
struchre would help to dissipate wave enerry which causes beach erosion on beaches at
Negril. The Reef Ball design has been very sucressfirl at wave attenuation and shoreline
stabilization at the Gran Dominicus Resort on the Caribbean coast ofthe Dominican Republic
(Harris 2001).
As mentioned, an increase in reef complexity encourages tlre presence of fish which seek
shelter there. If flre areas in which these reefs are located are marine protected, so that fishing
is not allowed for a few years, the fish in these areas will be able to grow to a considerable
size. Therefore in a few years, the numbers of fish available will be increased, as well as the
size of the fish caught, firis will mean greater and more sustainable income for fishermen and
their families.
At this stage, tlre formation of parhrerships is crucial to the success of the project. To
encourage the formation of partnerships, a workshop was held in June at the Discovery Bay
Marine Laboratory. It was attended by a vmiety of stafffrom tlre hotels of the North Coast,
including Sandals Dunn's River, Sandals Ocho Rios, Beaches, and Sandals Royal Caribbean.
Representatives from other organizations, such as Montego Bay Marine Parh Friends of the
Sea, Caribbean Coastal Area Managemert, and Negril Coral Preservation Society also
attended. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Austin Bowden Kerby from Counterpart
Intemational and trained the participants in a low-tectr, low cost, hands on technique of coral
reef restoration. 'Open Days' were held at the Lab in October and November, where the
retuming participants had a chance to revisit the sites they helped to construct; and new
participants were introduced to the techniques.
The future consists of branching out into the community, assisting the interested parties in
seffing up their own pilot sites, and increasing public awareness, especially in the subsistence
fishing community.

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LiteratureCitd
Bowden-Kerby, L 2004. Acropora Restoration Plan. A Subproject of the Coral gardens
Initiative. June 2 004 : I -2. unpublished manuscript.
Duedall, L and Champ, M. 1991. Artificial reefs: emerging science and technology. Oceanus
34(1):94-101.
Gayle, P.H. and Woodley, J.D. 1998. Dscovery Bay, Jamaica. CARICOMP- Caribbean
Coral reef, Seagra.rs and Mangrove Sites (edited by B. Kjerfve), pp.l7-33.
Harris, L.E. 2001. Submerged reef structures for babitat enhancement and shoreline erosion
abatement. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CHETN. pp. 3-14.
Hughes, T.P. 1994. Catastrophes, Phase Shifts, and Large Scale Degradation of a Cmibbean
Coral Reef. Science 2652 1547-1551.
Kjerfoe, 8., Magill, K.E., Porter, J.W., and Woodle,y, J.D. 1986. Hindcasting of hurricane
characteristics and observed storm damage on a fringing reel Jamaica, West Indies.
.loumal of Marine Research 44: I 19-148.
Kojis, B.L. and N.J. Quinn. 1981. Factors to consider in transporting coral to accelerate
regeneration of darnaged coral reefs. Proc. Ewironmental Engineering (|onf., l98l .$-rc
July, Townsville, Queensland. In,stitute of Engineers Publication 8/81, pp. 183-187.
Laydoo, RS. 1996. Coral transplantation in reef managernent at Bucco Ree{, south-west
Tobago. C.arihb. Mar. Stud. 5:67 -77.
Lindahl, U. 2003. Coral reef rehabilitation through transplantation of staghorn corals: effects
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Maragos, J.E., Crosby, M.P., McManus, J. W. 1996. Coral Reefs and Biodiversiff: ACritical
And Threatened Relationship. Oceanopyaphy 9 (1): 83-90.
Woodley, J.D. 1988. The effects of Hurricane Gilbert on Coral reefs At Discovery Bay,
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the primary financial assistance provided by USAID through the
CWIP2 progrcrn and for the use of the facilities of the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory,
University of the West lndies. Ms. K.Goldson, T. Edwards and D. Martin deserve particular
recognition for their assistance. This publication was made possible through support provided
by the National Institutes of Health through the Universiry of Mississippi under the terms of
agreement No. R21 TW006645 funded by the Fogarty Intemational Center and the National
Institute for Research Resources for the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Institutes of Health or the Universig of Mississippi. This is DBML publication
#701.

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