garden eel (credit: Conservation International/Gerald Allen)
During an assessment of coral reefs around Bali researchers from Conservation International and partner organisations believe they may discovered nine new species. The new finds are made up of eight new species of fish and one new species of coral. The reef surveys were done in readiness for the designation of 25 new Marine Protection Areas (MPA).
Bali reefs are improving in condition.
Conservation International (CI) were called in by the Bali regional government to undertake an assessment of the areas and recommend a management plan for the proposed MPA’s. Overall the scientist assessed that the coral reefs around the island were in better condition than they were 12 years ago.
The waters around the island of Bali in the Indonesian archipelago has a wide diversity of marine life. The researchers have recorded 953 species of fish and 397 species of coral during their surveys over the last few years.
New reef species discovered.
The new species are believed to comprise of:
- two types of cardinalfish,
- two varieties of dottybacks,
- a garden eel,
- a sand perch,
- a fang blenny,
- a new species of goby,
- a previously unknown Euphyllia bubble coral.
“We carried out this present survey in 33 sites around Bali, nearly completing a circle around it, and were impressed by much of what we saw” said Dr. Mark Erdmann, senior advisor for the CI Indonesia marine program. “There was a tremendous variety of habitats, surprisingly high levels of diversity and the coral reefs appeared to be in an active stage of recovery from bleaching, destructive fishing and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks in the 1990′s.”
Acting Executive Director for CI-Indonesia Ketut Sarjana Putra added, “Compared to twelve years ago, we observed an increase in healthy coral reef cover in the area surveyed, indicating a recovery phase. That is why it needs serious protection and management, to complete the revitalization.”
Good news for reefs but some concerns remain.
Overall the news is good for the reefs of Bali but there were some notable concerns. one of the concerns was the lack of important commercial fishes such as reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse. These large fish were exceptionally low in numbers when compared to other reef systems. It was also noted that there was encroachment by fishermen into the designated no-take areas of West Bali National Park. The researchers also noted the widespread pollution of plastic waste caught up in the reef system.
Coral reefs are important for tourism in Bali.
For local businesses and tourists though the news that the reef system is now well on the way to recovery from recent bleaching events has to be good. The islands of Indonesia offers some exceptional diving experiences ( we are offering a diving holiday in the region later this year) and the designation of these new protected marine areas will cement Bali as one of the worlds leading dive destinations.
While this latest survey seems to be good news for the reefs of Bali sadly other reefs of Indonesia seems to be having a harder time. Particular cause for concern seem to be reefs around Sumatra and Sulawesi where upto 75% of reefs have bleached.
While the full details of the process of coral bleaching is not fully understood it does appear to be connected with changing sea temperatures. This year some reefs in Indonesia have also been impacted by La Nina ocean currents which have brought colder sea temperatures to the region.
