Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) is a privately managed no-take marine conservation area in Sabah, Malaysia. The aim of the study was to document population structure of reef fishes within SIMCA in terms of species composition, reef abundance and estimated total biomass. Modified Reef Check’s belt-transect survey was used to record fish abundance, while reef fishes were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and the sizes were estimated to the nearest 5cm. The surveys were conducted at 34 sites over 3 years (2015-2017). A total of 101 species of fishes belonging to 37 genera were identified and recorded. An average of 8,484.3 individuals (or 249.5 individuals/500m2) were recorded in the 3-year surveys. The family Pomacanthidae showed significant difference in abundance (X2(2, N=102) = 6.079, p<0.05) and estimated total biomass (X2(2, N=102) = 8.151, p<0.05) over the years, while Scaridae showed significant difference in estimated total biomass across the years, X2(2, N=102) = 15.258, p<0.05. Amongst the commercially-important reef fish families, Caesionidae held as the highest abundance, with an average of 173.6 individuals/500m2, SD = 304.62, followed by Lutjanidae (38.5 indviduals/500m2, SD = 61.99) and Serranidae (7.3 individuals/500m2, SD = 5.64). As for the estimated total biomass, the family Caesionidae topped the list with an average of 9.1kg/500m2, SD = 15.21, followed by Lutjanidae (3.2kg/500m2, SD = 4.68), and Serranidae (2.4kg/500m2, SD = 2.65). Continuous monitoring effort is necessary in clarifying reef fish population dynamics, and assessing how SIMCA is performing in the conservation of the reef fish population.
Topics: Conservation and management of tropical marine ecosystems
