Etat de santé des habitats et peuplements de poissons des îles et récifs de l’Astrolabe, Pétrie et Walpole, Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail. Evaluation initiale par stations vidéo rotatives STAVIRO

- The AMBIO project conducted a comprehensive video-based baseline assessment of coral reef fish communities and associated habitats in the New Caledonian lagoons. The survey relies on remote unbaited underwater video observations, using the STAVIRO rotating technique. - The study pertains to the reefs of Astrolabe, Pétrie and Walpole Island, located within the Coral Sea Natural Park. The survey conducted in 2014 covers the entire area, and the sampling design was stratified according to reef type. 95 stations were validated. They were analyzed to characterize the habitat surrounding each station, and fish communities, based on a list of 565 fish species (cf. AMBIO/A/1). - 28 indicators were computed and mapped (maps available on a Sextant server). Indicators were analyzed using the PAMPA computing tool. Outcomes were organized in a dashboard for each management objective (biodiversity conservation and fisheries management). - 171 fish species (and one turtle species), belonging to 33 families were observed. Two families were observed on more than 95% of stations: surgeonfish and wrasses. Eight other families were observed on 50% to 95% of stations: parrotfish, groupers, triggerfish, snappers, butterflyfish, goatfish, emperors and angelfish. - Coral health status is good with high living coral covers (62% on average), mostly in Astrolabe, but branch coral was scarce. Sharks and giant wrasse were frequently observed, as well as jacks. - Fish communities are diversified and very abundant, particularly in the Living Coral habitat; and generally more abundant than on the rest of the sites, particularly at Astrolabe. All trophic groups were abundant on the area, except for planktivorous species. Piscivorous species were very abundant. - Most fisheries-related metrics indicate highly abundant resources, particularly at Astrolabe. - The health status of coral habitat and associated fish communities appears exceptional at Astrolabe, and generally good at Pétrie and Walpole.