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Effectiveness of village-based marine reserves on reef invertebrates in Emau, Vanuatu

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2010

P. DUMAS ,
H. JIMENEZ ,
M. LÉOPOLD ,
G. PETRO  and
R. JIMMY
P. DUMAS*
Affiliation:
Centre IRD, BP A5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, Nouvelle-Calédonie
H. JIMENEZ
Affiliation:
Centre IRD, BP A5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, Nouvelle-Calédonie
M. LÉOPOLD
Affiliation:
Centre IRD, BP A5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, Nouvelle-Calédonie
G. PETRO
Affiliation:
Wan Smolbag Theatre, Port Vila, Vanuatu, PO Box 1024, Port Vila, Vanuatu
R. JIMMY
Affiliation:
Vanuatu Fisheries Department, PMB 045, Port Vila, Vanuatu
*
*Correspondence: Dr P. Dumas e-mail: pascal-paul.dumas@ird.fr
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Summary

Despite the current expansion of community-based marine conservation initiatives in the Pacific, few studies have specifically addressed their ecological efficiency to restore or enhance reef invertebrate resources. This paper investigated the effects of two very small (< 0.05 km2) recent village-based marine reserves (tabu areas) located along the shallow fringing reef of Emau island, Vanuatu. Surveys focused on heavily harvested species (namely trochus, giant clams and green snails) and involved both experienced scientists and local villagers. Abundance, density and individual size data were collected by snorkelling along random transect belts located inside and outside the tabu areas, using simple PVC measuring tools specifically developed for participative monitoring. Habitat was assessed using a photographic method to quantitatively describe varied reef substrata. Resource recovery varied between the areas as a result of species-specific responses to contrasted reserve characteristics and local management practices. Fast-growing mobile Trochus niloticus exhibited strong positive abundance and size responses only within the older larger tabu area through the combined effects of protection from harvesting and translocation actions by local fishers. Similar trends were observed to a lesser extent for sessile slow-growing giant clams (Tridacna spp.), but these were not significant after four years of closure. Despite historical evidence of their presence in the area, surveys emphasized the severe population collapse of the heavily targeted green snail (Turbo marmoratus). Under certain conditions, very small-scale reserves, such as those implemented by village-based conservation initiatives, can rapidly and efficiently enhance local reef invertebrate resources. It is still unclear whether the changes are sufficient to restore critical levels of spawning biomass at larger scale and reverse the severe depletion of invertebrate resources occurring in Vanuatu.

Keywords

coral reefsinvertebratescommunity-based managementPacific
Type
THEMATIC SECTION: Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM): designing the next generation (Part 2)
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 37 , Issue 3: Thematic section. Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM): Designing the next generation (Part 2) , September 2010 , pp. 364 - 372
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 2010

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