Coral Assemblage Structure in Mombasa Marine National Reserve in Kenya, East Africa: A comparison between unfished areas and areas exposed to traditional fishing.

Abstract

A study was carried out on a fringing reef in Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve (MMNP&R) situated on the Kenyan coast in East Africa. Assemblage structure of 15 species and genera of scleratinian corals were assessed in terms of coral cover and species/genera distribution and abundance. Observations were made along line transects in both the park area and in the reserve area. Both areas are protected from coral collection and the park is also protected from fishing. In the reserve, however, traditional fishing is allowed. Results show a clear difference in the measured parameters between the strictly protected, unfished marine park area and the adjacent less protected marine reserve area. Coral cover and species/genus distribution and abundance were greater in the park than in the reserve. In all sites Porites constituted a significant part of total coral cover. All species had lower abundance in the reserve than in the park. Possible factors affecting the observed patterns are discussed.