This blog is about our project on fish communities around the coral reefs, and will be lead by Fraser!
Coral reef ecosystems provide many goods and services to the people that live close to them and attract people worldwide to visit and see the vibrant communities they uphold. Many widespread human impacts are now known to negatively affect these reefs, leading to their destruction. The tourism industry built around these reefs has increased the number of scuba and snorkel divers among them, which has the potential to damage the reefs and their ability to cope and recover from increasing disturbances such as rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching. Dive boats that bring divers close to the reefs can damage them through the anchors they throw off, as well as the engine noise which can alter fish behaviour and the species present around the reef. In areas with loud engine noise herbivorous fish that feed on the reefs cannot react as fast to threats such as predators, and spend less time feeding on the reef as they scurry away to hide. Herbivorous fish are important to coral reefs as they feed on the algae which grows on corals. If these algae reach certain levels it can out-compete and kill the corals by taking up nutrients and blocking them from sunlight. Divers themselves often damage the reef through mistake, leading to their large fins breaking off bits of coral. Damage is not only caused by direct touching of the corals, but also by the dirt and sand in the sediment kicked up, which covers the corals inhibiting their ability to acquire energy and leads to their death. In very popular areas such as Phuket, the sheer number of divers and boats the reefs encounter could well lead to rapid reef decline.
As part of my research project, we will be studying the coral and fish communities, and sedimentation between sites with varying dive frequency to determine the severity and effect these divers have on the ecosystem. The number of divers at each site will be sourced from the many dive centres around Phuket, and populations within the reef community will be recorded. Me and Shion will be diving along 20m transect lines to capture photographs to determine the populations of fish and corals present at these communities, The data collected will allow us to infer differences between high and low density sites and the effect divers have, which can then help determine regulations and limits on the industry for the protection of these reefs. I will be looking at the fish communities in particular, and it will be interesting to find out the effect diving is having on them. Many dive sites have restricted or banned fishing to protect the fish present however intensive diving may also have harmful consequences.
I have never been scuba diving before, so I am very excited to learn new skills – hopefully not out of my depth. I am very grateful for the ability to travel and do my honours project abroad as part of the University and Expedition Society, and develop many insights on marine life first-hand.
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