To ensure a sound scientific assessment and monitoring of coral reefs and marine aquarium stocks, the SEASMART program carries out a baseline resource survey of the coastal waters of PNG. Consolidated survey data report is produced at the end of each assessment to summarize the status of marine aquarium organism stocks and associated coral reef ecosystem of PNG. The resource assessment survey report also contains Total Allowable Catch (TAC) figures for the species found during the survey. To date, an estimated 750 fish and 500 invertebrate globally traded species have been identified.
The Resource Assessment & Management Division will also evaluate the effectiveness of management by monitoring coral reefs and populations of exploited organisms and 'control areas' to determine if there are effects on reef health or target species' populations from aquarium fishing, and if these effects are ecologically significant compared to natural spatial and temporal variation.
RAM surveys involve recording the numbers and sizes of marine aquarium species using belt transects. All currently traded and potential marine aquarium species and their abundance are recorded during these surveys. Belt transects are deployed mainly for marine aquarium invertebrate species at a maximum 5 meters depth. Belt transects are in fixed areas of reef that are surveyed for all fish and invertebrates, while recording coral species cover and type of substrates. Coral reef health is also indicated from surveys of fish and invertebrate indicators recorded during belt transect surveys.
Fish Replenishment Areas (FRA) is established for each FMA to ensure the sustainability of the marine aquarium fishery. Every Fishery Managed Area (FMA) will have at least one FRA to all aquarium fishing to act as a replenishment area for the Fishery Managed Area. The location and the size of the FRA will be determined based on the results of the RAM Survey and community consultations.
