Marine National Park Research Articles

Balancing sustainability in two pioneering marine national parks in Scandinavia

Even though marine protected areas (MPAs) have become central instruments in the endeavour towards sustainable development, our knowledge on how different institutional designs influence outcomes is limited. Using a comparative case study design, this paper explores the interplay between institutional arrangements and management outcomes in two adjacent yet institutionally slightly differing MPAs, encompassing a shared marine trench and a partially inhabited archipelago landscape – namely the Koster Sea National Park in Sweden and the Outer Hvaler National Park in Norway. How can differences in the institutional designs governing the two parks, be linked to differences in sustainability outcomes? What lessons can be learnt for the design of MPAs? The study shows that institutional design influences management outcomes in some respects but not in others. Differences in overall management systems had no noticeable effects on sustainability outcomes and how they were perceived, while the differing objectives of the parks and how they are made operational seem to have affected the outcomes. But they have also influenced actors' expectations and their assessment of outcomes. According to this study, conservation arrangements can be broadened beyond mere nature protection. However, the study also underlines the challenges of locally adapted and participatory institutional designs and emphasises the importance of taking users’ varying expectations related to social and economic values into account throughout the whole process. The establishment of national parks is no guarantee for broader sustainable development per se; this also requires resources and proper embedding and integration with relevant sectors and tiers in the overall management system.

Discovery of a new species of hermit crab of the genus Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 from the Caribbean: "den commensal" or "cleaner"? (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae).

A new secretive, yet brightly colored hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n., is fully described based on specimens from the reefs of Bonaire, Lesser Antilles, southern Caribbean Sea. Populations of this new species were discovered and photographed in the Bonaire National Marine Park under a large coral ledge, at a depth of 13.7 m, living in crevices known by scuba divers to serve as den to a pair of “flaming reef lobsters” Enoplometopus antillensis, or a “broad banded moray” Channomuraena vittata. This new species is only the second species of Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 known from the western Atlantic, the 20th named worldwide, and belongs in the teevana group of species of the genus. It is remarkably similar, and herein considered geminate, to the tropical eastern Pacific congener, Pylopaguropsis teevana (Boone, 1932), the two being characterized and uniquely different from all other species of the genus, by the striking and deeply excavated, scoop-like ventral surface of the chela of the right cheliped. Minor differences separate this new species from Pylopaguropsis teevana in the relative length of the antennal acicles (exceeding the corneas versus not exceeding the corneas in Pylopaguropsis teevana); dorsal armature of the right chela (smooth or with scattered minute tubercles versus with numerous small tubercles in Pylopaguropsis teevana); surface shape of the lateral face of the dactyl of right pereopod 3 (evenly convex versus flattened in Pylopaguropsis teevana); and coloration (red bright red stripes versus brown stripes in Pylopaguropsis teevana). The highly visible color pattern of bright red stripes on white background typical of decapods known to have cleaning symbioses with fish, dense setation on the flagella of the antennae, and preference for a crevicular habitat, combined with brief in situ nocturnal observations, suggests the possibility that Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n. engages in “cleaner” activities or functions as a “den commensal” with moray eels. The morphology and possible meaning of the observed behavior is discussed. A tabular summary of the distribution, habitat, and published information on all species of Pylopaguropsis is presented. Supplemental photographs and a video of live Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n. are included.

Symbiodinium spp. associated with scleractinian corals from Dongsha Atoll (Pratas), Taiwan, in the South China Sea.

Dongsha Atoll (also known as Pratas) in Taiwan is the northernmost atoll in the South China Sea and a designated marine national park since 2007. The marine park’s scope of protection covers the bio-resources of its waters in addition to uplands, so it is important to have data logging information and analyses of marine flora and fauna, including their physiology, ecology, and genetics. As part of this effort, we investigated Symbiodinium associations in scleractinian corals from Dongsha Atoll through surveys carried out at two depth ranges (shallow, 1–5 m; and deep, 10–15 m) in 2009 and during a bleaching event in 2010. Symbiodinium composition was assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of 28S nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nlsrDNA). Our results showed that the 796 coral samples from seven families and 20 genera collected in 2009 and 132 coral samples from seven families and 12 genera collected in 2010 were associated with Symbiodinium C, D and C+D. Occurrence of clade D in shallow water (24.5%) was higher compared to deep (14.9%). Due to a bleaching event in 2010, up to 80% of coral species associated with Symbiodinium C underwent moderate to severe bleaching. Using the fine resolution technique of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) in 175 randomly selected coral samples, from 2009 and 2010, eight Symbiodinium C types and two Symbiodinium D types were detected. This study is the first baseline survey on Symbiodinium associations in the corals of Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea, and it shows the dominance of Symbiodinium clade C in the population.

Ghost crab burrow density at Watamu Marine National Park: An indicator of the impact of urbanisation and associated disturbance?

Ghost crab (Ocypode species) burrow densities have previously been used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact. This study aimed to assess the burrow density of Ocypode species (O. ryderi and O. cordimanus) at four sites across Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya. Two sites were in front of hotel complexes (denoting a high degree of urbanisation), and two were in front of residential housing among coastal scrub (denoting a low degree of urbanisation). The findings reveal significantly higher burrow densities at sites in front of residential housing, which was the less developed area. This provides further evidence that Ocypode burrow densities can be used, where other methods would be impractical, to estimate the impact of some human activities along beach fronts, such as at Watamu Marine National Park.

Evaluation of Sediment Transport in the Naiband Gulf Area Using Mike21

Naiband Gulf is part of Naiband National Park known as Iran’s first marine national park. It is Iran’s most important habitats in the northern Persian Gulf due to mangrove forests, coral community, and community of marine animals. The study examines the sediment transport in the Naiband Gulf and around it, where to achieve this. First, the required data including coastline information, sediment profile, and bathymetry information and waves are obtained. Then by Mike21, 2011 Version models, it was attempted to simulate waves and currents due to it in the coastal zone to determine the rate and direction of sediment transport in the Naiband Gulf area. The results obtained in this study indicate that the majority of sediment transport directions on both sides of the gulf have been internal. The existence of structures in the north and south of the Gulf has reduced alongshore sediment flows and sedimentation, especially in the south of the gulf that is a serious threat to corals.

America's first century of marine national park stewardship

ABSTRACT A review of coastal national park stewardship reveals a rich history that provides evidence of how nature and human history shaped current conditions along America's coasts. Case studies of Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park in Florida, and Channel Islands National Park in California exemplify how such experiences can help identify future directions and challenges for protecting coastal areas. Discoveries include (1) ecological and political borders are often incompatible because shorelines are ineffective ecological boundaries, (2) scales of protection are critical for management efficacy, (3) forging effective management solutions requires strategic, innovative public involvement, and (4) misperceptions of connectivity, sustainability, and relevance impair effective coastal conservation. This history and these stewardship experiences also demonstrated the potential power of protected areas to halt shifting ecological and moral baselines, thereby defining realistic imagination and hope for the future. Learning from national park experiences how to understand ecosystems, how to repair damage to their integrity, how to protect and mitigate human stresses to them, and how to better connect people to these special places has not only improved the condition of nature and human heritage in parks, but also has enhanced society's capacity to improve the human condition more broadly with small, but critical success stories.

Has the land hermit crab Coenobita purpureus settled in Taiwan?

The land hermit crab, Coenobita purpureus Stimpson, 1858 (Anomura, Coenobitidae), is endemic to Japan. However, for the first time one light blue male land hermit crab, with a shield length of 1.51 cm, was collected on Dongji Island, South Penghu Marine National Park, in Taiwan. This paper describes the morphological characteristics of the collected individual and provides colour illustrations and photographs of the specimen. Because dispersal is one of the fundamental traits of all species, we herein also discuss hypotheses on the possible dispersal of C. purpureus to Dongji Island. Finally, this record is notably the southernmost report in the known global distribution of C. purpureus.

Seagrass species distribution, density and coverage at Panggang Island, Jakarta

This study aimed to assess species distribution, density and coverage of seagrass in Panggang Island, within Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park, northern Jakarta. Seagrass sampling was conducted between March to April 2016 at three observation stations in the West, East, and South of Panggang Island. A total of 6 seagrass species was recorded during sampling period, including Cymodocea rotundata, C. serulata, Halodule uninervis, Syiringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides, and Thalassia hempricii. All species were observed in the South station, while in the West and East station found only three species (C. rotundata, E. acoroides, and T. hemprichii). While, C. rotundata and T. hemprichii were observed at all station. The highest density was observed for C. rotundata (520 ind/m2) and for T. hempricii (619 ind/m2) in the West station and South Station, respectively. The lowest density was observed in South Station for C. serulata (18 ind/m2), Halodule uninervis (20 ind/m2), and Syiringodium isoetifolium (15 ind/m2). Seagrass coverage of Thalassia hempricii was the highest (43.60%) and the lowest observed at Syiringodium isoetifolium (0.40%). This could be basic information for the management of seagrass ecosystem in the Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park.

PLANT DIVERSITY IN PARI ISLAND MARINE RESEARCH STATION OF INDONESIA SOUTH CHINA SEA: RARE PLANTS AND THEIR CONSERVATION

The zones surrounding Seribu Islands Marine National Park (SMNP) are the sites of many conflicts between SMNP managers and local populations. The Pari Island represents a buffer zone of the SMNP, and their peoples have authority to utilize the island as the inalienable village lands. The flora of the island was re-enumerated in 2005 for their rare status of species present and may be considered as the entity for IBSAP (Indonesia Bio-diversity Strategy and Action Plans) 2003-2020. A 2-times check list inventory (2001 and 2005) of the island documented 174 rare plants or the biodiversity status of the small island. A checklist of 174 rare plants in the Pari Island can be used to support management purposes of SMNP. Most of the rare plants have low local density and low frequency of occurrence of spatial distributional range, and have been used to characterize rarity (A-D). A brief comment on rare plants is described and discussed in the context of the biological diversity of the island.Keywords: Botanical Exploration, Edible plants, Rare and Endangered Species, Conservation, Small Island, Indonesia.

Relationship of Cover Percentage Coral Reef and Fish Abundance in The National Marine Park of Wakatobi

Coral reef ecosystem is a marine resources that have some important role in supporting the life of a variety of aquatic organisms, such as shelter, feeding ground, and breeding ground for a large marine biota. This research was conducted in February - May 2015 in the conservation area National Marine Park of Wakatobi. This study to determine of percentage of live coral covering, fish abundance with coral reefs associated, to know the environmental factors to the lives of aquatic biota, as well as to analyze the relationship between the percentage of live coral cover with an abundance of reef fish in the waters of Kapota Island, which is included in the National Marine Park of Wakatobi. The results showed that the average value of live coral cover in the waters of the research area of 47.77% (enter the category of medium) with an average abundance of reef fish as many as 195 individuals / 250 m2. Relationship of life coral and reef fish abundance are positive symbioses with 0.0184 value determinant (R2).

Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Abstract Pigeon islands National Park (PINP) is one of the three Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka with coral reefs being the major habitat protected. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the challenges encountered and opportunities available for managing the park addressing both coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, formal and informal group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilized. Despise the impose of an entrance fee in May 2011, 146,375 tourists visited the 471 ha park within 40 month period indicating that one hectare of coral reefs can earn more revenue than larger terrestrial parks with charismatic species such as elephants. Foreign tourist arrivals had increased from 11.9% in 2011 to 25.13% by 2014. Visitor reviews indicates that their experience was either excellent (46%) or very good (30%) due to abundance of marine life, while12% had either a poor or a terrible visitor experience at the site owing to overcrowding, reef damage and high price. With only 21% of live coral cover in 2013, it is evident that the reef is being degraded, indicating that a Protected Area which emphasizes on collecting user-fee revenues can lose sight of its primary conservation objectives and is not undertaking sustainable tourism. Park management effectiveness is not at desirable level (43%), mainly due to non- implementation of a scientifically based management plan. A continuous monitoring programme to check the health of the reef is need, while the introduction of a multi-tiered user fee structures can enhance the economic reruns. Incorporating PINP into wider Seascape/landscape management through utilizing Special Area Management approach needed to be promoted. Key Words: Coral Reefs; Pigeon Island National Park; Management Effectiveness; Sustainable Tourism; Stakeholders

COMMUNITY STRUCTURE ECHINODERMS (ASTEROIDEA, OPHIUROIDEA, ECHINOIDEA AND HOLOTHUROIDEA) IN THE MARINE NATIONAL PARK EAST SULAWESI WAKATOBI

A study on Echinoderms community structure in marine national parks of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi was conducted in six locations, i.e., Waha Beach, Coastal Sombo, Beach Houses, Beach Kapota, Banakawa beach, and Umala beach in October 2013. All of the six parks were located the Wakatobi territorial waters with coordinates of 5°06'25" S and 123°124'10 E. The results showed of 18 species of echinoderms representing six different types of Asteroidea, two types of Ophiuroidea, six types of Echinoidea, and four types of Holothuroidea. Group of starfish or Asteroidea was the most prominent on seagrass area. Based on the six transects sites, it turned out that the group of starfish (Asteridea) occupied a relatively high level of species richness. From the quantitative analysis values, we obtained diversity index (H) of 1.105 in Sombu, the highest evenness index (J) of 0.989 was found in Umala, and the highest species richness index values (D) of 0.132 was obtained in kapota. It seemed that all echinoderm groups were generally like seagrass microhabitat (12 types). While, sand and dead coral habitats were only occupied by 8 (eight) echinoderm groups. Keywords: echinoderms, diversity, Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi

COMMUNITY STRUCTURE ECHINODERMS (ASTEROIDEA, OPHIUROIDEA, ECHINOIDEA AND HOLOTHUROIDEA) IN THE MARINE NATIONAL PARK EAST SULAWESI WAKATOBI

<p><em>A study on Echinoderms community structure in marine national parks of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi was conducted in six locations, i.e., Waha Beach, Coastal Sombo, Beach Houses, Beach Kapota, Banakawa beach, and Umala beach in October 2013. All of the six parks were located the Wakatobi territorial waters with coordinates of 5°06'25" S and 12</em><em>3</em><em>°124'10 E. The results showed of 18 species of echinoderms representing six different types of Asteroidea, two types of Ophiuroidea, six types of Echinoidea, and four types of Holothuroidea. Group of starfish or Asteroidea was the most prominent on seagrass area. Based on the six transects sites, it turned out that the group of starfish (Asteridea) occupied a relatively high level of species richness. From the quantitative analysis values, we obtained diversity index (H) of 1.105 in Sombu, the highest evenness index (J) of 0.989 was found in Umala, and the highest species richness index values (D) of 0.132 was obtained in kapota. It seemed that all echinoderm groups were generally like seagrass microhabitat (12 types). While, sand and dead coral habitats were only occupied by 8 (eight) echinoderm groups. </em><em></em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>: echinoderms, diversity, Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi</em><em></em></p>

Studies on survival and growth rate of transplanted Acroporidae in Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, India

Fragments of live colonies of scleractinian coral Acropora sp. and Montipora sp. under the family Acroporiidae were collected from Gulf of Mannar and transplanted in Pirotan, Narara and Mithapur reefs of Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park. All the transplanted corals survived one complete season and it was observed that 87 nubbins out of the total 110 samples survived in Narara reef and 70 nubbins out of 102 samples stayed alive in Pirotan Island. Growth rate was measured for four months period, and it was found maximum in Narara reef, while minimum in Pirotan Island. The rate of sedimentation was higher during monsoon and low in winter season. Present study showed that species of Acropora and Montipora are suitable for transplantation in Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park, Gujarat, India.

Community structure of reef fishes in shallow waters of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago: effects of different levels of environmental protection

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important tools for the evaluation of the biodiversity and status of marine systems. However, not all MPAs are equal in their design and management; therefore, it is important to understand how different levels of protection affect the fish communities. In the present study, the shallow reef-area fishes of seven areas in Fernando de Noronha archipelago (north-eastern Brazil) with dissimilar habitat characteristics and different levels of environmental protection (no-take MPA and MPA) were compared. In total, 140 visual censuses were performed, in which 12958 fishes of 27 families and 50 species were recorded. Differences were recorded between no-take MPAs and MPAs in the benthic composition, abiotic data and fish-community structure and composition. These differences were associated with a higher diversity, richness, density of larger fishes and top target fish families, and biomass per census (nearly 2-fold higher in the no-take MPA). Our findings suggested that the differences in the ichthyofauna were probably more related to the different levels of protection than to dissimilarities in the habitat structure among areas, and that the local no-take MPA (National Marine Park of Fernando de Noronha) is effective in maintaining the shallow reef-area fish communities healthy and diverse.

Study of mangrove communities in Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, by fusing RISAT-1 SAR and Resourcesat-2 LISS-IV images

ABSTRACTIn this study, RISAT-1 (Radar Imaging Satellite-1) HH image has been fused with Resourcesat 2 LISS-IV (Linear Imaging Self Scanning-IV) image to study the mangrove communities of Jindra-Chhad island complex, in Marine National Park and Sanctuary (MNP&S), Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. Three different methods were used to fuse RISAT-1 and LISS-IV images. In one case, the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data was simply integrated as an additional band to the three bands of LISS-IV data, whereas in the other, Intensity-Hue-Saturation method was used to merge the two data sets. In yet another exercise, the vegetative and sedimentary parts were separated from the optical data by computing normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and by averaging the Red and Green bands, respectively. These two layers, viz., NDVI and the average of Red and Green bands, were then integrated with the SAR data. All the merged products were put to supervised classification using maximum likelihood algorithm into following seven classes: mangrove communities (Avicennia Dense, Avicennia Sparse, Rhizophora-Ceriops Dense), Intertidal Mudflat, Hightidal Mudflat, Sand and Sea. The class separability analysis indicated that the separability obtained among the classes in the case of fused products was higher than that obtained when both the data sets were classified individually.

Model Bisnis Ekowisata di Taman Nasional Laut Bunaken dengan Pendekatan Business Model Canvas

The role of tourism sector increasingly important in line with the development of Indonesian economic structure leading to services sector. Business modelling approach is one of the critical factor to the success of an organization. Bunaken National Marine Park in North Celebes is a representative of the tropical water ecosystem in Indonesia that consists of mangrove, seagrass, coral reefs and coastal. The objective of this research were to identify the business modelling of Bunaken and to analyze its improvements using descriptive-qualitative method. Business modelling method were analyzed by business model canvas 9 building block. Increasing of the value proposition, costumer segment, costumer relationship would be affected to revenue stream organization. Supporting the value proposition needed key activities, key resources and key partnership. The management of Bunaken should have the appropriate human resources to apply this modelling.

Shrinking of Vann Island, Gulf of Mannar, SE coast of India: assessing the impacts

Vaan Island, which is one of 21 islands in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, is chosen as study area which is formed above the coral reef by sedimentation and deposition of tidal and current activities. By using Landsat images, the area (Vann Island) was calculated from the year 1973–2015 with analyzing tools of Qgis and Saga Gis. Multispectral Landsat images were processed to extract and delineate the interface line of island surface and seawater. The area of each year polygon vector is calculated using the Qgis field calculator tool. During the 1973, the area of Vaan Island is about 265,479 m2 and at present the area is calculated as 40,733 m2. About 84 % of the island area is reduced and inundated by the seawater due to sea level rise and anthropogenic activities such as coral sand mining, local tourism and fishing activities. At this rate of submergence, it can be predicted that by 2022 Vaan Island will completely submerge into the sea. From this study, it is concluded that geospatial techniques are one of the successful and reliable techniques to map this type of low-lying island to conserve and manage the resources that affected by the geogenic and anthropogenic processes.

PROFIL RUMAH TANGGA MASYARAKAT PESISIR DI KAWASAN TAMAN NASIONAL PERAIRAN LAUT SAWU

Savu Sea Marine National Park (SSMNP) was declared by Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) of the Republic of Indonesia, on 2014 with total area more than 3.35 Million Ha, which considered as the largest marine national park in the coral triangle region. The management unit and related key stakeholders has developed the programs to measure the level of effective management of SSMNP, which one of the criteria of the effectiveness will be shown from how the park can contribute to the economic benefit of the coastal community inside and surrounding the park. One important aspect as baseline for SSMNP program development is coastal community profile. This assessment was held on July – December 2015 using MMAF tool regarding coastal community perception for MPA development. The study results shown that houses of coastal communities in Savu Sea MNP constructed of cement/brick (52.30%), but the majority (42.82%) are still without electricity. Most households (90.52%) have no fresh water facilities. Means of communication used are mobile phone, television and radio. In generally, they used a canoe to support seaweed farming and fishing in coastal areas. The main livelihoods is farming, seaweed cultivation, self-employed and employees. Household income varies widely, between IDR. 250,000 to IDR 5,000,000 per month for primary income. Most people declared their income dependent on agricultural activity or fishing season. Key word : Conservation, Savu Sea, Marine National Park, coastal community.

Foraging behaviour and prey consumption by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)—spatial and trophic overlaps with fisheries in a marine protected area

The roles of the marine national park of the Iroise Sea (France) are to maintain marine biodiversity, including the southernmost grey seal colony in the Eastern Atlantic, whilst managing sustainable human activities. This study compares the fish biomass taken by local seals and the landings by man in the Iroise Sea. Sixteen seals were satellite tracked from 1999 and 2003, providing location and behavioural (diving) data from which foraging locations were estimated. One individual spent a third of its foraging time in direct, long distance trips (200–350 km) across the English Channel, but most seals spent the majority (68.5%) of their foraging time in the Iroise Sea, making return trips within 30 km of their departure haulout sites. The energetic consumption of the seal colony, taking sex and age classes into account, was assessed and combined with seal abundance estimates and dietary data to assess the total prey consumption by seals, for each prey species. We estimated that during the study period, the grey seal colony in the Iroise Sea consumed around 115 tons of fish per year. The main source of uncertainty of this calculation came from the confidence intervals in total seal abundance estimates. This consumption comprised 13.6 tons of sea bass, 4.3 tons of pollack and 2.7 tons of sole, representing 16.4, 1.8, and 5.2% of landings in the same areas for these three fish species, respectively. Within the four ICES rectangles where grey seals foraged, overlap between seals and fisheries was greatest in rectangle 25E5 (72.7% of all foraging dives), where grey seals haul out, and less in rectangles 25E4 (11.7%), 26E5 (10.8%), and 26E4 (4.8%).