Endemic and rare corals and reef fishes and environmental perception in Mauritius
Description
Quantitative data were collected to assess the occurrence, distribution, and abundance of endemic and rare coral and reef fish species in 65 shallow lagoons and 54 fore-reef edge dive sites around Mauritius which were completed by 2019. Data was also provided by interested marine scientists collaborators who focused their efforts on not frequently sampled by dive centers. This study focused on the evaluation of the status of a selected group of rare and endemic fish and coral species in the island of Mauritius. The field study of these species was also combined with an interview program to evaluate coastal community’s perceptions towards the environment in general and specifically to endemics. The two activities were combined to determine the general ability and interest in the citizenry and dive industry to evaluate the status of a selected group of species. This engagement was expected to promote public action and possibly develop policies and identify management actions needed to better manage these species.
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Steps to reproduce
The 10 regionally rare and endemic reef fishes targeted were the Mauritian gregory (Stegastes pelicieri), Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster), Blacklip damselfish (Pomacentrus pikei), Ebony gregory (Stegastes limbatus), Roughskin trunkfish (Ostracion trachys), Pearly sergeant (Abudefduf margariteus), Spotted tang (Zebrasoma gemmatum), Madagascar anemomefish (Amphiprion latifasciatus), Creole damselfish (Pomacentrus agassizii) and Mauritian damselfish (Plectroglyphidodon randalli). The 6 selected regionally endemic or rare coral species were Acropora branchi, Horastrea indica, Pocillopora indiania, Seriotopora hystrix, S. caliendrum, and Stylophora pistillata. There is a global conservation concern for some of these species. For example, the corals H. indica and P. indiania are listed in the IUCN RedList of threatened species (IUCN, 2020) as Vulnerable, S. pistillata is listed as Near threatened and A. branchi as Data deficient. Two of the fish species, the Pearly sergeant (A. margariteus) and Spotted tang (Z. gemmatum) are also listed as Data deficient indicating little is known of their abundances and distribution (Table 1). A waterproof underwater field guide slate was created as well as a training course that was given to interested dive centres (see Acknowledgments). The distribution and training started with a meeting of the Mauritian Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) in March 2018 where members were introduced to the concept and asked for their participation. Thereafter, follow-up meetings, trainings, and distribution of dive slates were undertaken between April 2018 and June 2019 to specific dive centres located around the island. The observers were asked to record the GPS locations and depth of their dives and their observation of the targeted species during each dive as well as the number of individuals of the above species per dive. These data were submitted to Reef Conservation, a Mauritian marine conservation Non-Governmental Organization. Data were compiled, mapped, and analysed for presence and abundance by national districts and marine management zones. Given that the aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of endemic and rare coral and reef fish species both in the shallow lagoon (depth <5m) and off reef (depth >5) around Mauritius, sites were selected all around the island which included the marine reserves and sites with no fishing restriction. Overall, 65 shallow lagoons and 54 reef edge diving sites were completed by 2019, which was largely from the dive community but also included data provided by collaborating interested and experienced marine scientists.