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Research Details

Research Title Coral Reef Ecosystems Assessment, Monitoring and Management in Ilocos Norte
Researcher(s) Facundo Asia, Edna Pascua, Pilar Carolyn Pascual, Ronald Sanguir
Research Category Project
Research Status not conducted
Duration Jan 01, 2014 to Dec 31, 2016
Commodity Fisheries
Research Site(s) Coastal municipalities of Ilocos Norte
Source of Fund(s)
Brief Description
This project will serve to strengthen knowledge and understanding of coral reef ecosystems in Ilocos Norte including the established fish sanctuaries in the coastal municipalities and to provide a sound basis for the rehabilitation of the resources and the proper implementation and management of the established fish sanctuaries.

The project shall compose five component studies to be undertaken in the coastal municipalities of Badoc, Currimao, Pasuquin, Burgos and Pagudpud as follows:

Study 1. Fishery resource assessment on coral reef areas in Ilocos Norte

Objectives:

  1. Determine the species composition, relative abundance, distribution and seasonality of reef fishes caught by fishing gears used in the reef fishery in the locality
  2. Assess the catch effort of the different fishing gears used in the reef fishery
  3. Determine the sexual maturity, length-weight, gonadal index, feeding characteristics and other biological characteristics of dominant species in the reef fishery in the locality
Methodology:
  1. Weekly monitoring and record keeping of catch and effort data
  2. Monthly sampling of dominant species of reef fishes caught for biological parameters (sexual maturity, length-weight, gonadal index, feeding characteristics, etc.)
Study 2. Reef fish community inventory and assessment in Ilocos Norte
 
Objectives:
  1. Determine the species composition of fishes on coral reefs in the locality
  2. Assess temporal variability in the distribution and abundance of reef fishes and its causes with particular emphasis on sub-annual (tidal, lunar and seasonal) and inter-annual variability and on recruitment as a mechanism of change
  3. Determine the spatial patterns of species richness in the reef fish assemblages.
Methodology:
  1. Visual census surveys of reef fish along a transect line
  2. Fish populations will be censured according to trophic category (Jennings et al., 1995)
  3. Fish within 5 m on each side of a 50 m transect line (5 m interval along the transect) will be identified as much as possible to species level, number of individuals counted and sizes (cm) estimated in situ (English et al., 1997)
Study 3. Corals and associated communities inventory and assessment in Ilocos Norte
 
Objectives:
  1. To determine the species composition and abundance of the coral and associated communities
  2. To assess their distribution patterns and species diversity
Methodology:
  1. Rapid ecological assessment of coral reef resources in the locality 
    • Meetings and interviews with concerned government officials/leaders in the locality
  2.  
    • Thorough review of literature of all previous studies of coral reef resources in the locality
  3.  
    • Interpretation and mapping of ecological areas
  4.  
    • Interviews with knowledgeable or interested or local residents including the fishing community
  5.  
    • Field work including shoreline and underwater surveys
  6.  
  7. Broad scale surveys (Manta tow surveys around entire reef perimeter)
  8. SCUBA and skin diving through a transect line. A 50 m transect line will be laid parallel the shore along 5 and 10 m depth contours with replication. Live coral cover will be categorized as excellent (75-100%), good (50-75%), fair (25-50%) and poor (0-25%). Abundance will be determined on the basis of functional group life-forms comprising the benthic community where appropriate. An underwater digital camera will be used to record changes.
Study 4. Monitoring and assessment of established fish sanctuaries along the coasts of Ilocos Norte
 
Objectives:
  1. Determine temporal and spatial changes in community structure within the established fish sanctuaries
  2. Determine the viability of fish sanctuaries in the management of coral reef communities and resources in the locality
  3. Assess the effect of fish sanctuaries on the structure and dynamics of coral reef communities
  4. To evaluate the overall impact of fish sanctuaries on the reef fish assemblages in the locality
Methodology:
  1. Visual census surveys of reef fish along a transect line
  2. Fish populations will be censured according to trophic category (Jennings et al., 1995)
  3. Fish within 5 m on each side of a 50 m transect line (5 m interval along the transect) will be identified as much as possible to species level, no. of individuals counted and sizes (cm) estimated in situ (English et al., 1997).
  4. SCUBA and skin diving through a transect line. A 50 m transect line will be laid parallel the shore along 5 and 10 m depth contours with replication. Live coral cover will be categorized as excellent (75-100%), good (50-75%), fair (25-50%) and poor (0-25%). Abundance will be determined on the basis of functional group life-forms comprising the benthic community where appropriate. An underwater digital camera will be used to record changes.
Study 5. Socioeconomic impact assessment of fish sanctuaries in Ilocos Norte
 
Objectives:
  1. Determine the impact of temporal and spatial changes in community structure within the established fish sanctuaries
  2. Determine the viability of fish sanctuaries in the management of coral reef communities and resources in the locality
  3. Assess the effect of fish sanctuaries on the structure and dynamics of coral reef communities
  4. Evaluate the overall impact of fish sanctuaries on the reef fish assemblages in the locality
  5. Recommend management options of coral reef resources based on findings of the project
Methodology:
  1. Visual census surveys of reef fish along a transect line
  2. Fish populations will be censured according to trophic category (Jennings et al., 1995)
  3. Fish within 5 m on each side of a 50 m transect line (5 m interval along the transect) will be identified as much as possible to species level, no. of individuals counted and sizes (cm) estimated in situ (English et al., 1997)
  4. SCUBA and skin diving through a transect line. A 50 m transect line will be laid parallel the shore along 5 and 10 m depth contours with replication. Live coral cover will be categorized as excellent (75-100%), good (50-75%), fair (25-50%) and poor (0-25%). Abundance will be determined on the basis of functional group life-forms comprising the benthic community where appropriate. An underwater digital camera will be used to record changes
  5. Alternative livelihood identification, development and introduction to lessen fishing pressure on coral reef resources
Expected Output
  • Ecological and biological data on established fish sanctuaries
  • Environmental impacts of established fish sanctuaries
  • Socio-economic impacts of established fish sanctuaries
Above data and information are necessary in formulating appropriate management guidelines and policies in the operation and management of the fish sanctuaries.
Abstract Not Available