Global Reef Expedition: Navassa March 25-31, 2012 Field Report

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) conducted a research mission to Navassa Island, as part of the Global Reef Expedition, between March 25-31, 2012. Research participants included AAUS certified scientific divers from the KSLOF, NOAAs Southeast Fishery Science Center, the University of Miami's RSMAS, Nova Southeastern University's National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Program (AGRRA), the Florida Aquarium, Island Conservation, and Foundation for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity (FoProBiM) (Appendix IV). All research was staged from the M/Y Golden Shadow, a 67 m motor yacht; small catamarans and tenders were used as diving platforms. The main focus of the work involved 1) demographic monitoring of shallow (1-5 m depth) Acropora palmata plots established in 2006; 2) evaluation of the status of reef fish populations; 3) characterization of benthic structure and species composition of reef habitats; 4) assessment of

the demography and health of reef building corals; and 5) socioeconomic assessment of reef fish fisheries. A total of 212 dives were completed within reef habitats, from 1-30 m depth.

The KSLOF AGRRA team assessed the coral reef community structure at 15 sites. At each site at least one 10 m X 1 m phototransect was taken. A subset of reef fish (approx. 70 species) were quantified (abundance and biomass) within 99 belt transects (each 30 m X 2 m). The size and condition of approximately 1500 corals was assessed within 31 belt transects (each 10 m X 1 m). Benthic assessments using a point count method were conducted on 104 transects (each 10 m in length; 100 points). The KSLOF AGRRA team completed 85 dives and a total bottom time of 71 hours. Additional data collected included 1) CTD deployments at each coral survey site; salinity and temperature profiles were obtained from the surface to the bottom; 2) continuous temperature recordings at the anchorage of the Golden Shadow (at 15 m depth); and 3) four days of current data, along with temperature, oxygen and turbidity using a Recording Doppler Current Profiler(RDCP) deployed at 15 m depth at the northwest end of Navassa.

The NOAA team completed demographic surveys of A. palmata within five 150m2 permanent plots established at two sites. In addition, all colonies of A. palmata located along 5.5km of coastline, from 1-5 m depth, were mapped and assessed. Stationary point counts for fish were made at 26 stratified random reef sites along the north and southwest coasts of Navassa and benthic photo-quadrats were collected to provide corresponding habitat information. Coral sizefrequency and condition data was collected for approximately 1800 colonies located within sites examined in 2002 and 2004, and in-situ point-intercept transects were completed at three long term sites. The team completed a total of 127 dives for a total bottom time of 85 hours. Island Conservation and FoProBiM worked with fishers from two fishing boats that were operating around Navassa during the research mission. In addition to interviews, they assessed the catch over the five day study.

The objective was to follow up previous (NOAA) sponsored expeditions in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2009.

Components of Cruise are:

Acropora Assessment

Reef Benthic Assessment

ReefFish Visual Census

Coral Demography and Species Composition

Cruise Report: Living Oceans Foundation Expedition to Navassa Island aboard the MV Golden Shadow, March 26-30, 2012