Shallow water fish surveys of the coral reefs of Vanuatu

The shallow water (Fish abundances were assessed using a visual census technique. Up to five non-overlapping replicate censuses were made at each location, depending on the ship's schedule. Surveys of other habitats were also made to extend the species checklist. These include locations on Efate and Ureparapara, as well as additional locations on Tanna, Aneityum and Santo.
The aims of this component of the survey were:1. to initiate a checklist of shallow water reef fish species2. to assess latitudinal variation in these communities throughout the length of the Republic3. to compare fish communities found on fringing reefs and those on platform reefs4. to compare the shallow water fish communities of Vanuatu with those on coral reefs elswhere in the South Pacific
This research was a component of a survey of Vanuatu marine resources conducted in March/April 1988 and was funded by the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau.The overall objectives of the survey were:1. to survey and describe the shallow water reef habitats from selected islands of Vanuatu, adequately covering geographical and environmental variation2. to survey and describe the marine habitats around the shores of Malakula, including offshore islands3. to derive a coastal management plan for Malakula and offshore islands which can serve as a basis for Coastal Zone Management plans for the rest of the country4. to train Ni-Vanuatu personnel in marine survey and marine conservation methods

浅海水域鱼类丰度采用目视普查法进行评估。根据科考船的日程安排，每个采样点最多开展5次不重叠的重复普查。为补充物种名录，研究团队还对其他生境开展了调查，涉及埃法特岛、乌拉帕拉帕拉岛，以及塔纳岛、安尼蒂乌姆岛和桑托岛的新增采样点。
本次调查子项目的目标如下：
1. 建立浅海礁栖鱼类物种名录
2. 评估瓦努阿图共和国全境范围内该鱼类群落的纬度分布差异
3. 对比岸礁与台礁上的鱼类群落组成差异
4. 将瓦努阿图浅海水域鱼类群落与南太平洋其他区域珊瑚礁上的鱼类群落进行对比

本研究为1988年3-4月开展的瓦努阿图海洋资源调查的子项目，资助方为澳大利亚国际发展援助局。本次调查的总体目标如下：
1. 对瓦努阿图部分选定岛屿的浅海礁栖生境开展调查与描述，充分覆盖区域地理与环境异质性
2. 对马拉库拉岛沿岸及周边离岸岛屿的海洋生境开展调查与描述
3. 为马拉库拉岛及其离岸岛屿制定海岸管理方案，作为该国其余地区海岸带管理计划的参考范本
4. 对瓦努阿图本土人员开展海洋调查与海洋保护方法的培训