Reef fish assemblages in artificial reefs at Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Semporna, Sabah

• Main Author: Elvin Michael Bavoh
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: QL614-639.8 Fishes
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38897/1/24%20PAGES.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38897/2/FULLTEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38897/

Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) located in the heart of Malaysia’s Coral Triangle – a region well-known for its outstanding marine biodiversity. Active coral reef restoration and rehabilitation efforts using the coral frame method have been in place by the park management authority since 2011. However, information on the reef fish assemblages on the artificial reefs are lacking. Thus, this study was carried out 1) to establish the diversity of the major groups of reef fish and non-major but endangered, threaten and protected (ETP) species in Malaysia (i.e., sharks and rays) in coral reef restoration sites 2) to estimate the abundance and biomass of four families of large indicator coral reef fishes (Serranidae, Labridae, Lethrinidae and Haemulidae) 3) to determine the correlation of hard coral cover on artificial reef towards the reef fish’s diversity and abundance. Baited remote underwater video system (BRUVS), which captured approximately one-hour footage were annotated and analysed. Photos of corals on the artificial reef were analysed using Coral Point Count with Excel, CPCe (version 4.1) software to determine percentage of substrate type cover. Findings showed that species richness had a significant difference for both study sites (p<0.05) with a total of 105 species (26 families) and 102 species (25 families) at Site 1 and 2, respectively. There was a slight difference in the abundance between both sites where a total of 3,208 individuals were observed (1,209 in Site 1 and 1,999 in Site 2) where Caesionidae family was the highest abundance. In terms of species, Moon Wrasse, Thalassoma lunare was the most common species with highest count. The results indicated that fish swimming near the artificial reefs but not close enough to have direct contact with the structures (categorized as 'Ecological Type B fish'), was the dominating Type for both sites. Despite the artificial reefs on both sites being deployed at different locations and times, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) for reef fish diversity (Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index). Biomass of the Moon Wrasse recorded the highest in the artificial reefs since it has high abundance which is estimated 309.59g/m3. A positive correlation is shown in Site 1 (r=0.441, p=0.151) conversely, a negative correlation shown in Site 2 (r= -0.004, p=0.990). The presence of elasmobranch particularly those listed as endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species, showed that the restored reef areas have created a sanctuary for these vulnerable species. This shows that the restored reefs are important sites for these species of rays. Despite this, it is concluded that active coral reef restoration and rehabilitation efforts are important in accelerating the re-colonization of the damaged coral reefs by coral reef inhabitants, particularly by juvenile coral reef fishes. Lessons learned from this study may help park managers to refine the technique of coral reef restoration and tailor-make coral frames based on the profile of the damaged reef.