Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA)

Coral Reef Monitoring: finding hope

In October, project activities included monitoring the coral reef habitats within the Vava’u Archipelago, with this the 5th consecutive year following on from the “Rapid Assessment of Biodiversity of Vava’u (BioRAP)” in 2014 through Government of Tonga and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP).

Coral reefs worldwide are under immense threats and pressures to survive and provide the critical habitats for biodiversity and the resource benefits that humans gain. Long term impacts from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and climate change need to be addressed both globally and locally, of which the team here can advocate and expand upon through communities and supporting management and policy activities.

The team of marine researchers from the Department of Environment (DoE) and VEPA are currently identifying and monitoring ongoing changes to the near-shore coral reef habitats. The replicated sites include inner harbour, channel islands and reefs and outer islands, 7 sites are from the BioRAp in 2014.

Sweets (Tu’amelie Fusimalohi) from DoE records coral recruitment

Vava’u was once known for its pristine reefs and abundance of reef fish and invertebrates however has taken a downward spiral in coral reef health and species dynamics over the last 30-40 years impacting upon biodiversity and livelihood security.

Why? A common question about the reef status but the answer is not an easy statement or clear single issue, in fact its decades of compounded issues from coastal development to fishing pressure, unsustainable practices to climate change, Crown of Thorns (‘Alamea), pollution and sedimentation (see there is sadly a lot going on!) but which one occurred when and which is having the biggest ongoing impact.

  • Coral providing refuge and food for reef fish
  • Lomu! Yeah!
  • ‘Alamea
  • Surgeonfish with parasites

Looking to the future and resilience of the coral reef habitats is important, identifying on going impacts that adaptable management can undertake and reduce is one step to seeing how the reefs will survive and the hope that they thrive in the future.

Management programs such as marine protected areas and special management areas (community based fisheries management areas) play a vital role in the future of marine habitats and marine biodiversity and the outcomes of developing shared monitoring and governance roles will also aim to ensure ownership is transferred and beneficial to multiple sectors and stakeholders.

The research team reviews data and reflections on the week Photo © Lahaina Tatafu, DoE Intern and Deep Blue Diving

Yet, the photo above is one that gives VEPA great hope for the future, the growth of researchers in country, committed not just through research but the very core of ensuring that ownership is passed between generations.

The 2020 annual research and monitoring was supported by the Strengthening Protected Area Management (SPAM), Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea under Department of Environment (MEIDECC).

One response to “Coral Reef Monitoring: finding hope”

  1. Raymond Buckley Avatar
    Raymond Buckley

    VEPA and the Department of Environment are absolutely ‘right-on target’ in establishing a community-based program to identify, monitor and evaluate the increasing impacts to the nearshore habitats in Vava’u. The ability of VEPA to work with local governmental agencies and community groups to implement continuing programs that merge traditional knowledge and values with current environmental needs, is a major factor in preserving, protecting and perpetuating the fragile marine ecosystem in Vava’u. The current threats to coral reef habitats in the archipelago have a strong component resulting from global environmental changes that too often appear to be beyond any local capabilities to mitigate the outcome. This program correctly targets the changes that result from local sources of habitat and marine resource degradation (overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution) that decrease the health of the local ecosystem, and thereby weaken the natural ability of nearshore habitats in Vava’u to resist pressures caused by climate changes. The adverse practices causing this degradation can only be reduced, or better yet eliminated, by local ownership of the urgent need enact environmentally positive resource and land-use practices. There is clearly no better way to develop community recognition of the need for these actions than to develop a cadre of in-country researchers to identify and monitor changes that are happening to their nearshore ecosystem. This will empower community development and support of adaptive management approaches that will continue healthy reef ecosystems for future generations. Well done all!

    Raymond Buckley, University of Washington, College of the Environment

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