Poruma Reef
Surveyed 25-Feb-2013 as part of the NERP-TE Project 2.3
There were no manta tow surveys at Poruma Island Reef in 2013 due to poor visibility.
The shallow reef flat areas at Poruma Island Reef were dominated by brown macroalgae. The reef slope was short and after 20-30 m the reef substrate transitioned to sand at around 6-9 m depth. Coral cover on the shallower part of the reef slope was patchy. Estimates of coral cover from Reef Health and Impact Surveys (RHIS) were from 7-24% for hard coral and from 9-38% for soft coral.
Benthos were sampled using photo transects on the reef slope and the lower reef slope at Poruma Island Reef. Hard coral cover was high in both habitats, but was higher (42%) on the slope than the lower slope (33%). The hard coral community was dominated by Poritidae (23-28%) with other families accounting for 6% or less of the benthic cover. Soft coral abundance was very low (<3%). Algal cover was higher on the lower slope (63%) than the slope (52%) and was composed almost entirely of turf algae.
Manta Tow:
Fish and Benthos Surveys:
RHIS surveys:
