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Global Vision International 2010 Report Series No.

004

GVI Mexico
Pez Maya Marine Expedition Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

Quarterly Report 104 October December 2010


GVI Mexico, Pez Maya Expedition Report 104

Global Vision International 2010 Report Series No. 004

Submitted in whole to GVI Amigos de Sian Kaan Comisin Nacional de reas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) Produced by Vicki Bush Base manager Edward Houlcroft Science and dive officer Nicola Weeden Science officer Martin Stelfox Science and Dive officer Jack Fazey Science and Dive Officer Sarah Davies Science Officer And
Henry Lancaster Lucy Rossiter Joel Deurloo Katie Hewitt Kellie Marks Cameron Vazehgoo Mark Herring James Fisher Kerry Patterson Dylan Speight Charnele Peat Maria Fredriksson Caroline Smith Barbie Clabots Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Catherine Beehler Amanda Bergkvist Tommy Torrades Miguel Galindo Amadeo Marin Andy North Helena Kohen Todd Palmer Max Odlander Amy Smith Emily Ross Thomas Nuttall-Smith Katrin Thommes Ivan Klein Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer NSP NSP Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer

Edited by Vicki Bush Stuart Fulton Daniel Ponce-Taylor GVI Mexico, Pez Maya Email: mexico@gviworld.com Web page: http://www.gvi.co.uk and http://www.gviusa.com

1. Executive Summary
The 30th ten week phase of GVI Mexico, Pez Maya expedition has now been completed. During the phase we continued working towards our primary aims of gathering important scientific data on the status of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef within the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, working with our local partners and building on our relationships with the local community by offering English and environmental education lessons. The following projects have been run during Phase 104 (October-December 2010): Continuation of the MBRS Synoptic Monitoring Programme (SMP) for the strategic sites within the northern Sian Kaan Biosphere, providing regional decision makers with up to date information on the ecological condition of the reef Daily bird monitoring Training of volunteers in the MBRS methodology including fish, hard coral, and algae identification. Incidental sightings program Continuation of weekly beach cleans within the reserve, monitoring waste composition and trends Marine Turtle Monitoring Programme along the Pez Maya beach English language and environmental education classes with the children of Punta Allen Continuation of the National Scholarship Programme at Pez Maya, whereby GVI Pez Maya accepts Mexican nationals on a scholarship basis into the expedition Continuation of the recycling Project Punta Allen Verde Continuation of the Mayan Farm Project, Nuevo Durango Organic farm, assisting a local Mayan community to establish and develop a composting programme.

Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................iii List of Figures............................................................................................................................vi List of Tables.............................................................................................................................vi 1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................7 2. Synoptic Monitoring Programmes........................................................................................8 2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................8 2.2 Aims...............................................................................................................................10 2.3 Methodology..................................................................................................................10 2.4 Results...........................................................................................................................12 2.5 Discussion .............................................................................................................14

3. Community Programme......................................................................................................17 3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................17 3.2 Objectives .....................................................................................................................17 3.3 Activities and achievements...........................................................................................18 3.4 Review...........................................................................................................................19 4. Incidental Sightings Programme.........................................................................................20 4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................20 4.2 Aims...............................................................................................................................20 4.3 Methodology..................................................................................................................20 4.4 Results...........................................................................................................................21 4.5 Discussion ....................................................................................................................21 5. Marine Litter Monitoring Programme..................................................................................24 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................24 5.2 Aims...............................................................................................................................24 5.3 Methodology..................................................................................................................24 5.4 Results ..........................................................................................................................25 5.5 Discussion .....................................................................................................................26 6. Bird Monitoring Programme................................................................................................27

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6.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................27 6.2 Aims...............................................................................................................................27 6.3 Methodology..................................................................................................................28 6.4 Results...........................................................................................................................28 6.5 Discussion .....................................................................................................................29 7. References............................................................................................................................31 8. Appendices...........................................................................................................................33 Appendix I SMP Methodology Outlines............................................................................33 Appendix II - Adult Fish Indicator Species List....................................................................37 Appendix III - Juvenile Fish Indicator Species List..............................................................37 Appendix IV Coral Species List ......................................................................................39 0.0.1 Appendix V - Fish Species List...................................................................................40 Appendix VI Bird Species List..........................................................................................42

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List of Figures
Figure 2-3-1 Map of the permanent monitoring sites for GVI Pez Maya (Courtesy of JuniperGIS) Figure 2-4-1 Percentage of corals presenting different diseases, across all sites Figure 2-4-2 Breakdown of percentage coral cover observed this phase, by site Figure 2-4-3 Total number of individuals recorded within each family for each monitoring site Figure 5-4-1 Total Weight Collected in phase each phase from 2003 to 2010 (Kg) Figure 6-4-1 Bird sightings by status during 104

List of Tables
Table 2-3-1 Name, depth and GPS points of the permanent (SMP) monitoring sites for the GVI Pez Maya programme during phases 2 and 4. GPS points recorded in WGS84 Table 2-4-1 Total number of individuals recorded for each monitoring site and the average number of individuals recorded per transect for adult and juvenile fish. Table 4-4-1 Number of sightings for each incidental category during phase 104 Table 5-4-1 Summary in kg of materials collected along the 300m transect for 2010. Table 6-4-1 Total Species Composition of phase 104

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1. Introduction
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) extends from Isla Contoy at the North of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, to the Bay Islands of Honduras through Belize and Guatemala and is the second largest barrier reef in the world. The GVI Marine Programme was initiated within Mexico with the setup of its first base, Pez Maya, in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve in 2003. Since then the programme has flourished, with a sister site being set up in the south of Quintana Roo at Punta Gruesa. The current project at GVI Pez Maya is assisting Amigos de Sian Kaan (ASK) and Comisin Nacional de reas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) to obtain baseline data for the reefs of the north Sian Kaan by conducting marine surveys, to ascertain areas of high species diversity, areas of high algal mass, fish species and abundance amongst other reef health indicators. Using this data, ASK and its partners can begin to focus on the areas needing immediate environmental regulation, implementing management protection plans as and when required. Surveys using the same methodology are being conducted by a number of bodies through the entire Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala, coordinated by the MBRS project group. With the continuing development of the Riviera Maya, effective monitoring is becoming ever-more important. Inadvertent environmental degradation can be prevented if the appropriate measures are taken to advocate long-term, sustainable ecotourism. Continual assessment of Sian Kaans reef health can support and develop management strategies for the area, the work outlined in this report forming a key part of that assessment. This report will focus primarily on diversity of both fish and coral, analysis of fish and algal assemblages and coral health. The report also summarises the other work completed this phase in GVI Pez Mayas science and community projects.

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2. Synoptic Monitoring Programmes


2.1 Introduction The Synoptic Monitoring Programme looks to evaluate the overall health of the reef by looking at three main areas: Benthic cover, fish populations and physical parameters. Benthic Cover Caribbean reefs were once dominated by hard coral, with huge Acropora palmata stands on the reef crests and Acropora cervicornis and Montastraea annularis dominating the fore reef. Today, many reefs in the Caribbean have been overrun by macro algae during a phase shift which is thought to have been brought about by numerous factors including a decrease in herbivory from fishing and other pressures, eutrophication from land-based activities and disease (McClanahan & Muthiga, 1998). Benthic transects record the abundance of all benthic species as well as looking at coral health. The presence of coral on the reef is in itself an indicator of health, not only because of the reefs current state, but also for its importance to fish populations (Spalding & Jarvis, 2002). Coral health is not only impacted by increased nutrients and algal growth, but by other factors, both naturally occurring and anthropogenically introduced. A report produced by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in 2004 stated that nearly 66% of Caribbean reefs are at risk from anthropogenic activities, with over 40% of reefs at high to very high risk (UNEP-WCMC, 2006). Through monitoring the abundances of hard corals, algae and various other key benthic species, as well as numbers of Diadema urchin encountered, we aim to determine not only the current health of the local reefs but also to track any shifts in phase state over time. Fish Populations Fish surveys are focused on specific species that play an important role in the ecology of the reef as herbivores, carnivores, commercially important fish or those likely to be affected by human activities (AGRRA, 2000).

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For more in depth rationale of the importance of each of the key fish families please see previous GVI Pez Maya reports. All reef fish play an important role in maintaining the health and balance of a reef community. Fishing typically removes larger predatory fish from the reef, which not only alters the size structure of the reef fish communities, but with the reduction in predation pressure, the abundance of fish further down the food chain is now determined through competition for resources (AGRRA, 2000). Although each fish is important, the removal of herbivores can have a considerable impact on the health of the reef, particularly in an algal dominated state, which without their presence has little chance of returning to coral dominance. Through the monitoring of these fish and by estimating their size, the current condition of the reef at each site can be assessed, any trends or changes can be tracked and improvements or deteriorations determined. The monitoring of juvenile fish concentrates on a few specific species. The presence and number of larvae at different sites can be used as an indication of potential future population size and diversity. Due to the extensive distribution of larvae, however, numbers cannot be used to determine the spawning potential of a specific reef. The removal of fish from a population as a result of fishing, however, may influence spawning potential and affect larval recruitment on far away reefs. The removal of juvenile predators through fishing may also alter the number of recruits surviving to spawn themselves (AGRRA, 2000). Together with the information collected about adult fish a balanced picture of the reef fish communities at different sites can be obtained. Physical Parameters For the optimum health and growth of coral communities certain factors need to remain relatively stable. Measurements of turbidity, water temperature, salinity, cloud cover, and sea state are taken during survey dives. Temperature increases or decreases can negatively influence coral health and survival. As different species have different optimum temperature ranges, changes can also influence species richness. Corals also require

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clear waters to allow for optimum photosynthesis. The turbidity of the water can be influenced by weather, storms or high winds stirring up the sediment, or anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and coastal construction. Increased turbidity reduces light levels and can result in stress to the coral. Any increase in coral stress levels can result in them becoming susceptible to disease or result in a bleaching event. In the near future, GVI Pez Maya hopes to be able to use this data for analysis of temporal and seasonal changes and try to correlate any coral health issues with sudden or prolonged irregularities within these physical parameters. 2.2 Aims The projects at Pez Maya and Punta Gruesa aim to identify species and their resilience to environmental stressors. The projects also aim to ascertain areas of high species diversity, areas of high algal mass, fish species and abundance. 2.3 Methodology The methods employed for the underwater visual census work are those outlined in the MBRS manual (Almada-Villela et al., 2003), but to summarize, GVI use three separate methods for buddy pairs: Buddy method 1: Surveys of corals, algae and other sessile organisms Buddy method 2: Belt transect counts for coral reef fish Buddy Method 3: Coral Rover and Fish Rover diver The separate buddy pair systems are outlined in detail in Appendix I. The monitoring program that takes place every expedition at Pez Maya replicates a similar study conducted over 15 years ago (Padilla et al. 1992), concentrating monitoring efforts on the reefs in the northern area of the Sian Kaan Biosphere. The current project run by GVI uses similar methods implemented during this earlier study (Almada-Villela et al., 2003 and Woods-Ballard et al., 2005). Table 2-3-1 details the name, depth and GPS points of the monitoring sites. Figure 2-3-1 shows the locations of the monitoring sites.

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Figure 2-3-1. Map of the permanent monitoring sites for GVI Pez Maya (Courtesy of JuniperGIS)

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Location Paso Campechen Pedro Paila Punta San Juan Punta Yuyum San Miguel de Ruiz

Site ID PC05 PC10 PP05 PP10 PSJ05 PSJ10 PSJ20 PY20 SMDR05 SMDR10 SMDR20

Depth (m) 6.3 10 4.9 10.3 4.7 10.9 21.1 18.9 2 9.1 19.1

Latitude 20.10035 N 20.09945 N 20.03995 N 20.03753 N 19.88328 N 19.88317 N 19.88048 N 19.97288 N 19.96697 N 19.96670 N 19.96825 N

Longitude 087.46380 W 087.46245 W 087.46965 W 087.46615 W 087.42607 W 087.41752 W 087.41197 W 087.45280 W 087.46080 W 087.45312 W 087.45165 W

Table 2-3-1. Name, depth and GPS points of the permanent (SMP) monitoring sites for the GVI Pez Maya programme during phases 2 and 4

2.4 Results Benthic Data A total of 332 corals were monitored for coral community studies, sighting 45 incidences of disease. Yellow-blotch disease was the most prevalent, accounting for 68.89% of the diseases seen; approximately 84% of the yellow-blotch recorded was found on corals of the genus Montastraea, with M. annularis presenting most commonly. Other diseases noted were white plague, black band, patchy necrosis, dark spot disease and hyperplasms (Figure 2-4-1). Bleaching was recorded on 23.8% of all corals monitored; 15.19% of which were partially bleached and 84.81% pale bleached. No corals were recorded as totally bleached. The majority of pale bleaching (51.9%) was seen on Siderastrea siderea. Encrusting gorgonians and sponges were the most common forms of predation recorded, each accounting for 37.5% of coral colonies predated upon. Other forms of predation included short coral snails, damselfish and parrotfish predation, zoanthids, Millepora sp. predation and coralline algae overgrowth. The point intercept data showed average hermatypic coral coverage to be 7.97% across all the sites, fitting with the Caribbean average of 10%, with macroalgae coverage of 56.36%. The remaining 43.64% is made up of smaller and less abundant reef creatures, such as bryozoans, corallimorphs, coralline algae, gorgonians, sponges, tunicates and zoanthids. Of the 287 corals monitored along the PI transects, Agaricia agaricites was the most commonly seen, accounting for 17.07%. The next two most abundant corals were

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Siderastrea siderea and Montastrea annularis, with percentage abundances of 16.38 and 16.03, respectively. SMDR05 showed the highest percentage coral cover with 10.38%, whereas SMDR20 had the least coral cover with just 2.5% (Figure 2-4-2).

Figure 2-4-1. Percentage of corals presenting different diseases, across all sites

Figure 2-4-2. Breakdown of percentage coral cover observed this phase, by site

Fish Populations 686 adult target fish were recorded over 48 transects at six monitoring sites. The average number of fish recorded per transect ranged from 9.75 (SMDR10) to 22.25 (PP05) (Figure. 2-4-3). The most commonly record family was Acanthuridae, making up 54.2% of the total number of adult fish recorded, followed by Haemulidae with 23.62%.

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Figure 2-4-3. Total number of individuals recorded within each family for each monitoring site

Total number of adult individuals Average number of adult fish per transect Total number of juvenile individuals Average number of juveniles per transect

PP05 178 22.25

PP10 97 12.13

PY20 112 14

SMDR05 114 14.25

SMDR10 78 9.75

SMDR20 107 13.38

56 7

70 8.75

53 6.63

48 6

40 5

15 1.88

Table 2-4-1. Total number of individuals recorded for each monitoring site and the average number of individuals recorded per transect for adult and juvenile fish

282 juvenile fish were recorded covering four families. The most commonly recorded juvenile family was Labridae, with the three most common species recorded being; Thalassoma bifasciatum (Bluehead Wrasse), Halichoeres garnoti (Yellowhead Wrasse) and Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Redband Parrotfish). 2.5 Discussion

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Benthic Cover Macroalgae is consistently the dominant benthic species recorded at Pez Maya. This is in line with benthic cover in the rest of the Caribbean, since a recent phase shift from coral to algal dominance. The variation in percentage coral cover across all sites could be attributable to the differences in location, which will allow for variation in currents and therefore nutrient cycling, along with variation in growth factors such as salinity, temperature and turbidity. SMDR05 is a shallow site with a maximum depth of approximately 5 metres, therefore the corals growing here will be exposed to greater levels of light. This will allow zooxanthellae (algal symbionts living in coral polyps) to photosynthesise much more readily, encouraging coral growth. Siderastrea siderea was recorded as the second most abundant coral this phase this species tends to be particularly susceptible to bleaching, which could explain the high percentage of pale bleached corals recorded. Coral bleaching can occur through an increase in water temperature, which causes the zooxanthellae to die and be expelled by the coral. When this happens, the coral can no longer photosynthesise, the flesh loses its colour which is usually created by the zooxanthellae, and the colony becomes bleached. Zooxanthellae are dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium, of which there are several clades, or groups. Sampayo et al. (2008) found that each clade has fine-scale differences, which allows some to be more thermally tolerant than others. Some coral species can harbour more than one clade, whereas others may be restricted to only one. Agaricia agaricites was the most commonly recorded coral. This coral grows in a number different forms: carinata (grows in thick, bifacial plates with upright projections); purpurea (grows in flat plates, ridges are sharp and tall with long, continuous valleys running parallel to each other); form danai (grows in thick, bifacial blades) and agaricites (has the ability to encrust, displays discontinuous ridges and valleys) (Humann & DeLoach, 2008). It is therefore expected that this species was recorded most commonly, as it is able to inhabit a wider range of areas than most other corals. Yellow-blotch disease was the most prevalent disease recorded this phase. Yellow-blotch was most frequently seen on Montastraea spp., particularly M. annularis, which are widely known to be particularly susceptible to this disease (Cervino et al., 2004; Humann &

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DeLoach, 2008). M. annularis was the third most commonly recorded coral; perhaps this could explain the high percentage of yellow-blotch observed. Fish Populations Six sites were successful completed this phase. However, due to rough sea conditions the site the greatest distances from base; Paso Campechen and Punta San Juan were not monitored. Acanthuridae was once again the dominant family recorded during this phase making up over half of all adult fish sightings. The high percentage of this family can in part be explained by the large number of individuals of Acanthurus bahianus and A.coeruleus recorded at the PP05 (57 and 70 respectively). With the reefs around Pez Maya being dominated by algae, food sources for this family of grazers are in high abundance. The large differences seen in the average number of adult fish observed on the reef may well be due to the different habitats and conditions found within these areas. PP05 showed the largest number of fish sightings during phase 104. PP05 is a shallow 5m site; these sites offer protection for juvenile and young fish to grow and develop before moving out on to the deep reef and are common areas to find large numbered groups of Acanthuridae. The average number of juvenile fish per transect (2.54) for the whole phase showed an increase from the same phases for the previous two years (1.56, 1.6 respectively). This in part could be due to the high number of juvenile fish recorded during phase 103. The smaller individuals from phase 103 still being within the size range to be recorded during this phase. 2010 has shown an increase in the number of juvenile fish being recorded. If this trend continues throughout the following phases, this could be a promising sign of an increase in fish biomass within the northern Sian Kaan.

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3. Community Programme
3.1 Introduction Working within the local community is a key aspect of GVIs work. GVI Pez Maya has been collaborating closely with two local communities: Punta Allen and Nuevo Durango. In Punta Allen, two different programmes are supported: English lessons with environmental education and the recycling project Punta Allen Verde (PAVER). PAVER is a recycling project that has several objectives: to create a solid waste separation programme, to encourage people to participate and separate household solid waste with which a proportion of the profits will support financially the recycling centre, and to establish Punta Allen as an exemplary community for the region. With the dual role as a community based inside the reserve as well as a fishing village, educational programmes are very important to provide tools that can help the local residents develop the area in a sustainable manner, improving and diversifying work opportunities whilst protecting the region for the future. GVI has been supporting Punta Allen for over 6 years with plans to continue this involvement in order to reinforce and strengthen the lessons learned, and to continually involve young generations in conservation and education. In Nuevo Durango, GVI works with a Mayan community that has been developing a new way of producing organic vegetables. Even though the Yucatan peninsula has a limestone base, which makes it difficult to grow vegetables, the community at Nuevo Durango has developed a composting system that makes the land fertile enough to produce a range of organic vegetables. 3.2 Objectives The objectives of the community programme in Pez Maya are: 1. To raise awareness about the importance of the ecosystems surrounding the communities of Punta Allen and Nuevo Durango, providing local community members with information about those ecosystems and organizing activities to reinforce the information provided.

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2. To provide locals with English lessons, a necessary skill in order to communicate with the increasing number of visitors arriving to the communities. 3. To participate in the different activities that are organized by the community and provide help when needed. 3.3 Activities and achievements Nuevo Durango Due to the soil composition, amount of rocks and lack of nutrients found within the thin soil of the Yucatn Peninsula, growing crops can be a challenging business. During the weekly visits to Nuevo Durango, staff and volunteers worked on farms collecting soil and cutting vegetation, in preparation for setting up a compost pit; each week a different family was helped. The compost produced is used by local families to grow a range of organic crops that can be sold locally. In order to expose volunteers to the way of life in Nuevo Durango, each week, the host family prepared lunch for the volunteers, allowing the group to exchange experiences and learn about each others life and culture. Pez Maya also supports the Mayan farmers by purchasing some of the weekly fruit and vegetable supply from the host families. Punta Allen Volunteers visited the village once a week during this phase. English lessons for children were carried out during school hours to ensure the maximum number of children benefit from the curricula. Three different educational levels were targeted: Kinder garden, Primary and Secondary school. Volunteers are in charge of preparing lesson plans, including English language topics and fun activities, such as games, song and painting. Often an environmental theme was included in the lessons. Following the delivery of the classes, volunteers participate in a range of activities at the recycling centre, for example plastic collection around town, tidying up the centre, making containers for the recycling. The activities vary depending on what have the people in the village needing doing.

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3.4 Review Punta Allen During the weekly visits to Punta Allen, English lessons to Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools were carried out successfully. Kindergarten children were introduced to colours, shapes and human body parts through games, interactive displays, drawing and colouring. Primary and Secondary school children were aided during English lessons, organizing and creating fun and engaging ways to help the students learn their English curriculum. PAVER is a recycling project that has several objectives: to create a solid waste separation programme, to encourage people to participate and separate household solid waste with which a proportion of the profits will support financially the recycling centre, and to establish Punta Allen as and exemplary community for the region. During this phase staff and volunteers helped with the preparation of the recycling centre area, making it an inviting area for local community members to use on a regular basis. Nuevo Durango From October to December, a total of eight families were helped. Compost was laid out in areas worked by previous volunteers. The compost is also a result of the work carried out by volunteers during previous phases. Families will now plant in their new fields and we look forward to seeing the results in coming months. As in previous phases, GVI Pez Maya continued to purchase as many vegetables as possible from Nuevo Durango, supporting local business and increasing the percentage of organic products used on base. Volunteers found this community interaction very rewarding, both from a cultural exchange and knowing that local families were producing organic vegetables thanks to their support and help.

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4. Incidental Sightings Programme


4.1 Introduction Pez Maya implemented an incidental sightings program in 2003. Species that make up the incidental sightings list are: Sharks and Rays Eels Turtles Marine Mammals Snakes and Crocodiles Terrestrial Mammals Lionfish

These species are not included in the MBRS monitoring programme that is implemented at Pez Maya, but they are good indicators of reef health and provide early warnings of changes, therefore it is useful to continue keeping long-term records of which species are around. The groups are identified to species level where possible and added to the data collected by the Ocean Biogeographic Information Systems Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP) database. An interactive online archive for marine mammal, seabird and turtle data, OBIS-SEAMAP aims to improve understanding of the distribution and ecology of marine mega fauna by quantifying global patterns of biodiversity, undertaking comparative studies, and monitoring the status of and impacts on threatened species. 4.2 Aims The aim of the project is to record all megafauna sightings in the vicinity of Pez Maya and to keep track of the population numbers and spread of lionfish. 4.3 Methodology For each incidental sighting seen not only the species is identified, but date, time, location, depth observed, number of individuals and their size are all recorded

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Since phase 093, GVI Pez Maya has also been recording lionfish sightings. Over the past decade the Pacific Lionfish (Pterois volitans) has established itself along the Atlantic coast as a result of multiple releases (intentional or otherwise) from private aquaria. This invasive species, lacking in natural predators, has adapted well to the warm waters of the Caribbean, and is currently spreading its geographical range along the Mesoamerican coastline. 4.4 Results During Phase 104 a total of 172 incidental sightings were recorded, 90 of these being lionfish sightings.
Category Lionfish Rays Marine Mammals Eels Snakes and Crocodiles Turtles Sharks Total Number of Sightings 90 23 21 17 10 9 2

Table 4-4-1. Number of sightings for each incidental category during phase 104

4.5 Discussion Incidental sightings of large marine creatures are often good indicators of how healthy an ecosystem is. The number of sightings and species recorded varies from phase to phase, with few obvious trends. These species are highly mobile animals and therefore their movements depend on a range of external factors. Phase 101 had the greatest total number of recorded incidental sightings since the implementation of the programme. However, variation in recorded numbers could be a reflection of the amount of diving that occurred during the 3-month phase. Over the past two years there has been a steady increase in the number of sightings, suggesting an increase in reef health. In 073 (August 2007), Hurricane Dean hit the coast of Mexico and greatly affected the reef and animals that live in and around it. The number of incidental sightings recorded during phase 101 shows a return to similar numbers before the hurricane hit, suggesting reef recovery. Turtles were one of the least recorded species with a total of 9 individual sightings (1 Green, 1 Hawksbill, 2 Loggerheads and 5 unidentified), this is a dramatic decrease when compared to Phase 102. This was an expected result and seems to follow a predictable

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pattern. Nesting season for all turtle species found in the Yucatan runs between May and September, which coincides with the 02 phases of each year. Phase 104 would be well after the season and subsequently would show reduced numbers of turtle sightings. This is encouraging information and shows a relatively stable population of turtle species in Pez Mayas region. With the exception of phase 101, phase 104 follows the trend of rays being the most commonly sighted species with a total of 23 sightings. This could be for a number of reasons; rays tend to lay stationary on sandy bottoms in open water and would therefore be more easily spotted. They are also frequently seen close to the shore whilst observers are swimming or snorkelling and this too could explain the slightly higher numbers recorded. Since the project began, there is a clear trend that sightings of Southern Stingrays are slowly on the rise, a thriving species could be the reason for the incline, however this doesnt appear to be a seasonal trend and could simply be improvements in what is now a well-established incidental sightings program. The lower numbers of eel and shark sightings could be due to the lifestyle of the species. Eels hide in rocky crevices away from passing predators or prey and are therefore more difficult to spot. Sharks are generally mobile and pelagic, and sightings would subsequently not be as common. Previously seen species (Blacktip, Bull shark, Reef shark and Hammerhead) were not seen this phase, the exception being the nurse shark. Nurse sharks are reef dwellers and are able to remain in one place without having to move to breathe; therefore they are most likely to be spotted on Pez Maya sites. On occasions sharks have also been observed in the shallows near the lagoon mouth; however exact numbers and species can often be mistaken. Marine mammal sightings have been increasing in the last four phases. The majority of mammals seen were dolphins and there was one manatee sighting. It should be noted however that all dolphin sightings occurred during one boat trip. Marine mammals are difficult to monitor as they generally inhabit deeper pelagic waters. In addition dolphins are mostly observed from the surface by boat, therefore exact numbers can be difficult to determine. Manatees generally prefer the calmer waters of the mangrove lagoons than the ocean.

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Phase 104 saw a much lower number of sightings of snakes and crocodiles than the previous phase. Since phase 101, sightings have been steadily increasing with the majority being snake sightings. Mangroves are the likely place to encounter crocodiles which involves a walk to the bridge in the early morning or early evening. This would suggest that in previous phases more people are actively seeking to look for crocodiles, and results would therefore depend on the volunteers we have on base. Snakes are coldblooded and tend to hibernate during the winter months; this could also indicate why the number of sightings was lower during phase 104. It could be thought that some categories or species (e.g. snakes and land mammals) may be under-represented, as observers tend to concentrate on known target species and forget to record other species. The staggering increase in lionfish sightings poses a potentially large problem for the reefs at Pez Maya. This phase recorded almost double the previous phase (55) and the problem will only increase unless more efforts are made to keep the population in check. In general, sightings are on the increase, which not only indicates an improvement in the quality of data collection and recording, but is also a good indicator of reef health in the area.

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5. Marine Litter Monitoring Programme


5.1 Introduction Pez Mayas location on the Yucatan Peninsula means that it faces the Caribbean current. This is a circular current that, combined with the Loop and Yucatan currents, transports a significant amount of water north-westerly through the Caribbean Sea. The main source is from the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Due to the volume of water that is transported and both the nature and origin of said currents, it is possible that the litter being found is from quite far afield. Marine litter is prevalent along the Caribbean coast and is not only unsightly but a health hazard to marine life and humans alike. In order to collect more data on this issue a beach clean is conducted weekly every phase on a fixed transect. 5.2 Aims To collect data that quantifies the extent of marine litter, which will help to conserve terrestrial and marine fauna threatened by litter. Improve beach aesthetics and to create and use methodology suitable for continuing in future expeditions. As well, to create a monitoring programme that can be implemented in other locations within the reserve. 5.3 Methodology The beach clean takes place weekly along the same 300 metre stretch of beach. The beach transect is cleaned one week prior to the beginning of data collection so that only the weekly accumulation of marine debris is recorded. Marine debris is collected from the tidemark to the vegetation line to eliminate waste created by inland sources. The waste is sorted into categories and then weighed and recorded by category. The litter is categorised as follows: o o o o o Fabrics Glass Plastics Polystyrene Metals o o o o o Natural materials Medical waste Rubber Rope Other

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5.4 Results A total of 106.65kg of marine litter was collected this phase. Plastic accounted for 44.7% of the total weight collected. Even though polystyrene was one of the smallest categories in terms of weight, in volume it was one of the most numerous and in reality accounts for a large proportion of litter on the transect.
PHASE 102 0.00 6.45 0.05 0.07 0.25 11.45 56.10 3.90 7.95 2.20 88.42

Fabric Glass Medical waste Metal Natural Material Other Plastic Polystyrene Rope Rubber Total

101 0.00 5.08 0.09 0.31 11.40 9.94 65.31 2.80 4.59 0.00 99.24

103 0.00 5.50 1.70 8.15 3.10 26.10 61.68 4.91 19.60 0.00 130.74

104 0 14.65 0.05 0.5 1 38.6 47.7 3.95 0.2 0 106.65

Table 5-4-1. Summary in kg of materials collected along the 300m transect for 2010

Figure 5-4-1. Total Weight Collected in phase each phase from 2003 to 2010 (Kg)

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5.5 Discussion As has been the case for the majority of the phases, plastics have again constituted the largest volume of all the categories this phase. This could be due to its light weight making it easy to transport and its robustness against degradation. The fact that the level of plastic found is consistently high from phase to phase is a worrying trend. When plastics such as Polythene, found in plastic bags, breaks down it forms smaller plastic particles that can contaminate the food web and be passed on through the trophic levels. Plastic debris can act like a sponge soaking up toxic chemical compounds. Once these are ingested into the food chain the high concentrations will be spread from organism to organism until the levels become fatal. Even though the data shows a large volume of rubbish being collected from a relatively small section of beach, the results do not do justice to the actual problem at hand. Plastic bottles collected may not necessarily be washed up by the sea, but could be deposited on land by visitors. In addition, heavier materials such as metals and water logged fabrics are likely to sink to the sea bed. Subsequently they would not get washed up on our shorelines and as such would not be included in the monitoring transects.

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6. Bird Monitoring Programme


6.1 Introduction The bird survey programme continues to study the diversity of species present around Pez Maya. The survey also highlights the importance of the area as a corridor for migrating species and those that overwinter in the Yucatan. The Yucatan Peninsula lies on the Atlantic slope and is geographically very different from the rest of Mexico: It is a low-level limestone shelf on the east coast extending north into the Caribbean. The vegetation ranges from rainforest in the south to arid scrub environments in the north. The coastlines are predominantly sandy beaches but also include extensive networks of mangroves and lagoons, providing a wide variety of habitats capable of supporting large resident populations of birds. Due to the location of the Yucatan peninsula, its population of resident breeders is significantly enlarged by seasonal migrants. There are four different types of migratory birds: winter visitors migrate south from North America during the winter (August to May), summer residents live and breed in Mexico but migrate to South America for the winter months, transient migrants are birds that breed in North America and migrate to South America in the winter but stop or pass through Mexico, and Pelagic visitors are birds that live offshore but stop or pass through the region. 6.2 Aims The aims of the bird monitoring programme are to develop a species list for the area in order to gain an idea of the abundance and diversity of bird species. Long-term bird data gathered over a sustained period could highlight trends not noticeable to short-term surveys. It also aims to educate the volunteers in bird identification techniques, expanding on their general identification skills. The birding project also provides a good opportunity to obtain a better understanding of area diversity and the ecosystem as a whole.

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6.3 Methodology A member of staff accompanied by volunteers monitor the transects daily between 6 and 8am. There are five transects - Beach, Bridge, Road, Base and Mangrove. These transects were selected to cover a range of habitats, including coastline, mangroves, secondary growth and scrub. The transects are completed in approximately 30 minutes to allow for consistency of data. To reduce duplication of data, recordings are taken in one direction only which also helps to avoid double-counting where individuals are very active or numerous. Birds are identified using binoculars, cameras and a range of identification books. Identification of calls is also possible for a limited number of species by experienced observers. If the individual species cannot be identified then birds are recorded to family level. Each survey records the following information; location, date, start time, end time, name of recorders and number of each species seen. Wind and cloud cover have also been recorded to allow consideration of physical parameters. 6.4 Results 40 transects were carried out this phase, 8 at each of the transect areas Base, Beach, Bridge, Mangrove and Road sites. A total of 1224 individuals were recorded, 1055 of which were identified to species level and 169 to genus level.

Figure 6-4-1 Bird sightings by status during 104

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Figure 6-4-1 indicates the percentage of birds sited during the phase grouped by their status. The majority of the birds around Pez Maya make up a population of Resident Breeders, with 53% of sightings being birds of this status during phase 103. Phase 104 has also seen the non-breeding winter visitors arrive, making up 30%. Table 6-4-1 indicates identified species that contribute more than 1% of sightings. The Great Tailed Grackle was seen the most this phase with almost twice as many sightings as Ruddy Turnstone which came in third. The Magnificent Frigatebird was the second most common in terms of number of individuals sighted.
Common name Great-tailed grackle Magnificent frigatebird Ruddy turnstone Royal tern Tropical mockingbird Brown pelican Sanderling Yellow warbler Osprey Black catbird White Ibis Turkey vulture Hooded Oriole Snowy egret Bananaquit Golden-fronted Woodpecker Great blue heron Yellow-throated warbler Species Quiscalus mexicanus Fregata magnificens Arenaria interpres Sterna m. maxima Mimus gilvus Pelecanus occidentalis Calidris alba Dendroica petechia Pandion haliaetus Dumetella glabrirostris Eudocimus albus Cathartes aura Icterus cucullatus Egretta thula Coereba flaveola Centurus aurifrons Ardea herodias Dendroica dominica Totals 193 117 104 84 70 64 53 45 41 39 38 34 21 20 15 14 13 12 Percentage 18.3 11.1 9.9 8.0 6.6 6.1 5.0 4.3 3.9 3.7 3.6 3.2 2.0 1.9 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1

Table 6-4-1 Total Species Composition of phase 104

6.5 Discussion The 104 phase has been interesting from a birding perspective as many species arrive in the area to over-winter and were never recorded during the summer phase of 103. A comparison of each phase during the year will be provided in the end of year science report. The most commonly sighted bird in phase 104, the Great-tailed Grackle, is likely to be a small resident population in the area. A number of Grackles have established themselves around base as the winter has progressed. These can be seen throughout the day and

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cross all transect areas which would explain the high numbers. As always, Magnificent Frigate birds have been sighted frequently, and are seen on all transects due to their behaviour of flying above the treelines along the coastline for extended periods. This means they are easily identifiable from any transect area.

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7. References
Almada-Villela P.C., Sale P.F., Gold-Bouchot G., Kjerfve B. 2003. Manual of Methods for the MBRS Synoptic Monitoring System: Selected Methods for Monitoring Physical and Biological Parameters for Use in the Mesoamerican Region. Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project (MBRS). http://www.mbrs.org.bz.

Cervino, J. M., Hayes, R. L., Polson, S. W., Polson, S. C., Goreau, T.J., Martinez, R. J. & Smith, G. W. 2004. Relationship of the Vibrio species infection and elevated temperatures to yellow blotch/band disease in Caribbean corals. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 70(11): 6855-6864.

Global Visions International Annual Report, 2006. www.gvimexico.blogspot.com

McClanahan, T.R., Muthiga, N.A. (1998) An ecological shift in a remote coral atoll of Belize over 25 years. Environmental Conservation 25: 122-130.

Padilla C., Gutierrez D. Lara M., Garcia C. 1992. Coral Reefs of the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Kaan, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Proceedings of the International Coral Reef Symposium, Guam. 2, 986-992.

Sampayo, E. M., Ridgeway, T., Bongaerts, P. & Hoegh-Goldberg, O. 2008. Bleaching susceptibility and mortality of corals are determined by fine-scale differences in symbiont tipe. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 105: 1044-10449

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Spalding, M.D., Jarvis, G.E. (2002). The impact of the 1998 coral mortality on reef fish communities in the Seychelles. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44: 309-321.

UNEP-WCMC (2006). In the front line: shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK.

Woods-Ballard A.J., Rix C.E., Gwenin S.R. (Eds). 2005. Global Vision International, Pez Maya, Annual Report. In Collaboration with Amigos de Sian Ka'an and Comisin Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas. Global Vision International, Mexico Report Series No. 002 ISSN 1748-9369.

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8. Appendices
Appendix I SMP Methodology Outlines Buddy method 1: Surveys of corals, algae and other sessile organisms At each monitoring site five replicate 30m transect lines are deployed randomly within 100m of the GPS point. The transect line is laid across the reef surface at a constant depth, either perpendicular to the reef edge or along coral spurs. The first diver of this monitoring buddy pair collects data on the characterisation of the coral community under the transect line. Swimming along the transect line the diver identifies, to species level, each hermatypic coral directly underneath the transect that is at least 10cm at its widest point and in the original growth position. If a colony has been knocked or has fallen over, it is only recorded if it has become reattached to the substratum. In addition to identifying the coral to species level, the diver also records the water depth at the top of the corals, at the beginning and end of each transect. In cases where bottom topography is very irregular, or the size of the individual corals is very variable, water depth is recorded at the top of each coral beneath the transect line at any major change in depth (greater than 1m). The diver then identifies the colony boundaries based on verifiable connective or common skeleton. Using a measuring pole, the colonies projected diameter (live plus dead areas) in plan view and maximum height (live plus dead areas) from the base of the colonies substratum are measured. From plane view perspective, the percentage of coral that is not healthy (separated into old dead and recent dead) is also estimated. The first diver also notes any cause of mortality including diseases and/or predation and any bleached tissue present. categories: The diseases are characterised using the following ten

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Black band disease White band disease White plague Yellow blotch disease Dark spot disease

Red band disease Hyperplasm and Neoplasm (irregular growths) Predation and type Bleaching and type Unknown

Furthermore, bleaching is characterised as a percentage and any other features of note are also recorded. Areas of mortality (old and recent), disease, predation and bleaching are summed to provide an estimate of unhealthy coral. This final value will be used with GIS software and future reporting. The second diver measures the percentage cover of sessile organisms and substrate along the 30m transect, recording the nature of the substrate or organism directly every 25cm along the transect. Organisms are classified into the following groups: Coralline algae - crusts or finely branched algae that are hard (calcareous) and extend no more than 2cm above the substratum Turf algae - may look fleshy and/or filamentous but do not rise more than 1cm above the substrate Macroalgae - include fleshy and calcareous algae whose fronds are projected more than 1cm above the substrate. Three of these are further classified into additional groups which include Halimeda, Dictyota, and Lobophora Gorgonians Hermatypic corals - to species level, where possible Bare rock, sand and rubble Any other sessile organisms e.g. sponges, tunicates, zoanthids, hydroids and crinoids. Where possible, these are recorded to order or family. Buddy method 2: Belt transect counts for coral reef fish At each monitoring site 8 replicate 30m transects lines are deployed randomly within 100m of the GPS point. The transect line is laid just above the reef surface at a constant depth, usually perpendicular to the reef slope. The first diver is responsible for swimming slowly along the transect line identifying, counting and estimating the sizes of specific indicator fish species in their adult phase. The diver visually estimates a two metre by two metre

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corridor and carries a one meter T-bar divided into 10cm graduations to aid the accuracy of the size estimation of the fish identified. The fish are assigned to the following size categories: 0-5cm 5-10cm 10-20cm 20-30cm 30-40cm >40cm (with size specified)

The buddy pair then waits for three minutes at a short distance from the end of the transect line before proceeding. This allows juvenile fish to return to their original positions before they were potentially scared off by the divers during the adult transect. The second diver swims slowly back along the transect surveying a one metre by one metre corridor and identifying and counting the presence of newly settled fish of the target species. In addition, it is also this divers responsibility to identify and count the Banded Shrimp, Stenopus hispidus. This is a collaborative effort with UNAM to track this species as their population is slowly dwindling due to their direct removal for the aquarium trade. The juvenile diver also counts any Diadema antillarum individuals found on their transects. This is aimed at tracking the slow come back of these urchins. Buddy Method 3: Coral & Fish Rover divers At each monitoring site the third buddy pair completes a thirty minute survey of the site in an expanding square pattern, with one diver recording all adult fish species observed. The approximate density of each fish species is categorised using the following numerations: Single Few Many Abundant (1 fish) (2-10 fish) (11-100 fish) (>100 fish)

The second diver swims alongside the Fish Rover diver and records, to species level, all coral communities observed, regardless of size. The approximate density of each coral species is then categorised using similar ranges to those for fish:

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Single Few Many Abundant

(1 community) (2-10 communities) (11-50 communities) (>50 communities).

Analyzing the rover data gives us a broader view of additional organisms that may constitute the reef site but that may not be represented from the randomly placed transect lies. In the case of fish data, the rover data aids in collecting population size information of target species that may keep away from a transect line due to the intimidating and possibly invasive nature of unnatural objects and divers on the reef.

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Appendix II - Adult Fish Indicator Species List The following list includes only the adult fish species that are surveyed during monitoring dives. Appendix III - Juvenile Fish Indicator Species List
Scientific Name Acanthurus coeruleus, Acanthurus bahianus, Acanthurus chirurgus, Chaetodon striatus, Chaetodon capistratus, Chaetodon ocellatus, Chaetodon aculeatus, Haemulon flavolineatum Haemulon striatum Haemulon plumierii Haemulon sciurus Haemulon carbonarium Haemulon chrysargyreum Haemulon aurolineatum Haemulon melanurum Haemulon macrostomum Haemulon parra Haemulon album Anisotremus virginicus Anisotremus surinamensis Lutjanus analis Lutjanus griseus Lutjanus cyanopterus Lutjanus jocu Lutjanus mahogoni Lutjanus apodus Lutjanus synagris Ocyurus chrysurus Holacanthus ciliaris Pomacanthus paru Pomacanthus arcuatus Holacanthus tricolour Scarus coeruleus Scarus coelestinus Common Name Blue Tang Ocean Surgeonfish Doctorfish Banded Butterflyfish Four Eye Butterflyfish Spotfin Butterflyfish Longsnout Butterflyfish French Grunt Striped Grunt White Grunt Bluestriped Grunt Caesar Grunt Smallmouth Grunt Tomtate Cottonwick Spanish Grunt Sailors Choice White Margate Porkfish Black Margate Mutton Snapper Gray Snapper Cubera Snapper Dog Snapper Mahaogany Snapper Schoolmaster Lane Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Queen Angelfish French Angelfish Grey Angelfish Rock Beauty Blue Parrotfish Midnight Parrotfish Scientific Name Scarus guacamaia Scarus vetula Sparisoma viride Scarus taeniopterus Scarus iserti Sparisoma aurofrenatum Sparisoma chrysopterum Sparisoma rubripinne Sparisoma atomarium Sparisoma radians Epinephelus itajara Epinephelus striatus Mycteroperca venenosa Mycteroperca bonaci Mycteroperca tigris Mycteroperca interstitialis Epinephelus guttatus Epinephelus adscensionis Cephalopholis cruentatus Cephalopholis fulvus Balistes vetula Balistes capriscus Canthidermis sufflamen Xanithichthys ringens Melichthys niger Aluterus scriptus Cantherhines pullus Cantherhines macrocerus Bodianus rufus Lachnolaimus maximus Caranx rubber Microspathodon chrysurus Sphyraena barracuda Common Name Rainbow Parrotfish Queen Parrotfish Stoplight Parrotfish Princess Parrotfish Striped Parrotfish Redband Parrotfish Redtail Parrotfish Yellowtail Parrotfish Greenblotch Parrotfish Bucktooth Parrotfish Goliath Grouper Nassau Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Black Grouper Tiger Grouper Yellowmouth Grouper Red Hind Rock Hind Graysby Coney Queen Triggerfish Gray Triggerfish Ocean Triggerfish Sargassum Triggerfish Black Durgon Scrawled Filefish Orangespotted Filefish Whitespotted Filefish Spanish Hogfish Hogfish Bar Jack Yellowtail Damselfish Great Barracuda

The subsequent list specifies the juvenile fish species and their maximum target length that are recorded during monitoring dives

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Scientific Name Acanthurus bahianus Acanthurus coeruleus Chaetodon capistratus Chaetodon striatus Gramma loreto Bodianus rufus Halichoeres bivittatus Halichoeres garnoti Halichoeres maculipinna Thalassoma bifasciatum Halichoeres pictus Chromis cyanea Stegastes adustus Stegastes diencaeus Stegastes leucostictus Stegastes partitus Stegastes planifrons Stegastes variabilis Scarus iserti Scarus taeniopterus Sparisoma atomarium Sparisoma aurofrenatum Sparisoma viride

Common Name Ocean surgeonfish Blue tang Foureye butterflyfish Banded butterflyfish Fairy basslet Spanish hogfish Slipperydick Yellowhead wrasse Clown wrasse Bluehead wrasse Rainbow wrasse Blue chromis Dusky damselfish Longfin damselfish Beaugregory Bicolour damselfish Threespot damselfish Cocoa damselfish Striped parrotfish Princess parrotfish Greenblotch parrotfish Redband parrotfish Stoplight parrotfish

Max. target length (cm) 5 5 2 2 3 3.5 3 3 3 3 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

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Appendix IV Coral Species List

Family
Acroporidae Acroporidae Acroporidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Agariciidae Antipatharia Astrocoeniidae Caryophylliidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae Faviidae

Genus
Acropora Acropora Acropora Agaricia Agaricia Agaricia Agaricia Agaricia Agaricia Helioceris Cirrhipathes Stephanocoenia Eusmilia Colpophyllia Diploria Diploria Diploria Favia Manicina Montastraea Montastraea Montastraea Montastraea Solenastrea Solenastrea

Species
cervicornis palmata prolifera agaricites fragilis grahamae lamarcki tenuifolia undata cucullata leutkeni intersepts fastigiana natans clivosa labrynthiformis strigosa fragum areolata annularis cavernosa faveolata franksi bournoni hyades

Family
Meandrinidae Meandrinidae Meandrinidae Milliporidae Milliporidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Mussidae Pocilloporidae Pocilloporidae Pocilloporidae Pocilloporidae Poritidae Poritidae Poritidae Poritidae Siderastridae Siderastridae Stylasteridae

Genus
Dendrogyra Dichocoenia Meandrina Millepora Millepora Isophyllastrea Isophyllia Mussa Mycetophyllia Mycetophyllia Mycetophyllia Mycetophyllia Scolymia Madracis Madracis Madracis Madracis Porites Porites Porites Porites Siderastrea Siderastrea Stylaster

Species
cylindrus stokesii meandrites alcicornis complanata rigida sinuosa angulosa aliciae ferox lamarckiana reesi sp. decactis formosa mirabilis pharensis astreoides divaricata furcata porites radians sidereal roseus

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0.0.1

Appendix V - Fish Species List

This list was begun for Pez Maya in 2003. This list is compiled from the Adult and Rover diver surveys.

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Family Genus Acanthuridae Acanthurus Acanthuridae Acanthurus Acanthuridae Acanthurus Atherinidae, Clupeidae, Engraulididae Aulostomidae Aulostomus Balistidae Balistes Balistidae Balistes Balistidae Canthidermis Balistidae Melichthys Balistidae Xanithichthys Bothidae Bothus Carangidae Caranx Carangidae Caranx Carangidae Caranx Carangidae Trachinotus Centropomidae Centropomus Chaenopsidae Lucayablennius Chaetodontidae Chaetodon Chaetodontidae Chaetodon Chaetodontidae Chaetodon Chaetodontidae Chaetodontidae Cirrhitidae Congridae Dasyatidae Diodontidae Elopidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Gobiidae Grammatidae Family Grammatidae Grammatidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Haemulidae Holocentridae Holocentridae Holocentridae Holocentridae Holocentridae Holocentridae GVI 2010 Holocentridae Kyphosidae Labridae Chaetodon Chaetodon Amblycirrhitus Heteroconger Dasyatis Diodon Megalops Coryphopterus Coryphopterus Coryphopterus Coryphopterus Gnatholepis Gobiosoma Gobiosoma Gramma Genus Gymnothorax Gymnothorax Anisotremus Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Haemulon Anisotremus Haemulon Holocentrus Holocentrus Myripristis Neoniphon Sargocentron Sargocentron Sargocentron Kyphosus Bodianus

Species Common Names Bahianus Ocean surgeonfish Chirurgus Doctorfish Coeruleus Blue tang Silversides, Herrings, Anchovies Maculates Trumpetfish Capriscus Gray triggerfish Vetula Queen triggerfish Sufflamen Ocean triggerfish Niger Black durgon Ringens Sargassum triggerfish Lunatus Peacock flounder Bartholomaei Yellow jack Crysos Blue runner Ruber Bar jack Falcatus Permit Undecimalis Common snook Zingaro Arrow blenny Aculeatus Longsnout butterflyfish Capistratus Foureye butterflyfish Ocellatus Spotfin butterflyfish Sedentarius Striatus Pinos Longissimus Americana Holocanthus Atlanticus Eidolon Glaucofraenum Lipernes personatus/hyalinus Thompsoni Oceanops Prochilos Loreto Species Funebris Moringa Virginicus Album Aurolineatum Carbonarium Flavolineatum Macrostomum Plumierii Sciurus Striatum Surinamensis Parra Adscensionis Rufus Jacobus Marianus Bullisi Coruscum Vexillarium sectatrix/incisor Rufus Reef butterflyfish Banded butterflyfish Red spotted hawkfish Brown garden eel Southern stingray Balloonfish Tarpon Palid Goby Bridled goby Peppermint goby Masked/glass goby Goldspot goby Neon goby. Broadstripe goby Fairy basslet Common Names Green moray Spotted moray Porkfish White margate Tomtate Ceaser Grunt French grunt Spanish grunt White grunt Bluestriped grunt Striped grunt Black margate Sailors choice Squirrelfish Longspine squirrelfish Blackbar soldierfish Longjaw squirrelfish Deepwater squirrelfish Reef squirrelfish Page 41 Dusky squirrelfish Chub Spanish hogfish

Appendix VI Bird Species List


Scientific Name
Fregata magnificens Eudocimus albus Dives dives Mimus gilvus Quiscalus mexicanus Pelecanus occidentalis Cathartes aura Arenaria interpres Pandion haliaetus Ardea herodias Sterna m. maxima Sterna antillarum Icterus cucullatus Larus atricilla Zenaida asiatica Egretta alba egretta Tigrisoma mexicanum Buteogallus anthracinus Pitangus sulphuratus

Common Name
Swallow sp (not mangrove) Magnificent frigatebird White Ibis Melodious blackbird Tropical mockingbird Great-tailed grackle Brown pelican Tyrranus Kingbird sp. Turkey vulture Ruddy turnstone Nighthawk sp. Osprey Great blue heron Royal tern Vulture sp Least tern* Hooded Oriole Flycatcher sp. Laughing gull White-winged dove Heron sp. Great Egret Bare-throated Tiger heron Common black-hawk Tern sp

Scientific Name
Coragyps atratus Coereba flaveola Dumetella glabrirostris Calidris alba Egretta tricolor Vireo m. magister Cathartes b. burrovianus Egretta caerulea

Common Name
Great Kiskadee Kingfisher sp. Black vulture Dove sp. Bananaquit Black catbird Sanderling Tricolored heron Yucatan Vireo Woodpecker sp. Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Little Blue Heron

Butorides virescens Ortalis vetula Columbina talpacoti Egretta thula Dendroica erithachorides Egretta rufescens Sterna sandvicensis Sporophila torqueola Nycticorax violaceus Centurus pygmaeus

Oriole sp Warbler sp. Green heron Plain Chachalaca Ruddy ground-dove Snowy egret Mangrove warbler Reddish Egret Sandwich tern White-collared Seedeater Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Yucatan Woodpecker

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