Visual Census of the Reef Fishes in the Natural Reserve of the Glorieuses Islands (Western Indian Ocean)

Abstract

Keywords: visual census, reef fishes, natural reserve, Glorieuses Islands, western Indian Ocean
This paper constitutes the first qualitative study of coral reef fish populations in the archipelago of the Glorieuses Islands (northern Mozambique Channel). Sampling by visual census techniques, at depths between 0 and 15 meters, was carried out at 30 stations spread over the whole reef. Three hundred and thirty-two (332) fish species belonging to 57 families were registered in this way. These relatively high numbers show that isolated coral reef formations, even of small size, can be endowed with a great specific richness of reef ichthyofauna. These results may be explained by an oceanic flow that favours recruitment, a diversified habitat, and low anthropogenic impact.
Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 95-104