It is not yet clear how effective herbivore protection might eventually be for the KHFMA's ultimate goal of coral recovery.
Strong evidence that changes in the KHFMA were a consequence of herbivore management are that (i) there were no changes in biomass of unprotected fish families within the KHFMA and that (ii) there were no similar changes in parrotfish or CCA at comparison sites around Maui. Nevertheless, coincident with greater biomass of herbivores within the KHFMA, cover of crustose coralline algae (CCA) has increased from ~2% before closure to ~ 15% in 2015, and macroalgal cover has remained low throughout the monitoring period. Most of those gains were of small-to-medium sized species, whereas large-bodied species have not recovered, likely due to low levels of poaching on what are preferred fishery targets in Hawaii. Mean parrotfish and surgeonfish biomass both increased within the KHFMA (by 139% and 28% respectively). As part of a multi-agency monitoring effort, we conducted surveys at KHFMA and comparison sites around Maui starting 19 months before closure, and over the six years since implementation of herbivore protection. Within the KHFMA, herbivorous fishes and sea urchins are protected, but other fishing is allowed. In response to concerns about declining coral cover and recurring macroalgal blooms, in 2009 the State of Hawaii established the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area (KHFMA).
0 kommentar(er)
