Divers and marine scientists carrying out a 2 year survey of coral reefs in Fiji have observed a direct link between fishing and the proliferation of 'Crown of Thorns' starfish, which can destroy coral reef.

A research team from Newcastle University led by Prof Nick Polunin carried out underwater surveys to measure the impact of fishing on the numbers of 'Crown of Thorns' starfish around 13 islands in Fiji. Where the numbers of larger fish were reduced by fishing activity, the starfish proliferated and damaged the reef.

The research was carried out by a PhD student and a post-doctoral scientist, supervising a number of trained volunteers; and was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

The research showed that even traditional-style fishing techniques can have a significantly negative impact on coral reef health. Divernet interviewed Prof Polunin to ask how best the needs of people and the preservation of the reefs could co-exist.

The need for marine reserves
Polunin believes that the best way to protect coral reef lies in establishing well-designed and managed marine reserves, where fishing is banned. However, simply establishing a reserve won't necessarily prevent the reef from being damaged by 'Crown of Thorns' starfish which can move in from outside the reserve in large numbers. The area designated must be sufficiently large and separate to avoid being overwhelmed, and in Fiji that would probably involve whole islands being designated as a marine reserve.

Establishing reserves where no fishing takes place would threaten the livelihoods of local people, who want to increase fishing and adopt more advanced fishing techniques to satisfy a growing demand for food. Without being able to offer communities a long-term alternative source of income, marine conservationists will find it impossible to implement the measures needed to protect coral reefs.

"Diving tourism provides a tremendous potential source of livelihood to people who may be disadvantaged by the establishment of marine reserves" Professor Nick Polunin told Divernet.

Previous research by Polunin on marine reserves in the Caribbean showed that the reserves produced

and an increasing presence of larger fish.
Fortunately, surveys of diving tourists showed that this was exactly what most divers were looking to experience on a dive.

"Diving tourism can fund nature conservation. Divers are looking for the type of marine life found on marine reserves, and when properly managed, diving tourism provides the financial benefits to replace income lost through the necessary restrictions on fishing that marine reserves entail" he said.

While some conservationists object to diving on marine reserves, it may be the presence of divers that enables the reserves to be established at all.


Related pages
Summary of research, Ecology Letters journal
Newcastle University School of Marine Science and Technology
Great Barrier Reef will be gone in 50 years
Rubble Trouble - destruction of coral reefs
Crown of thorns starfish - information page

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