From March 17-29, an extensive survey was undertaken by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society - Marine Program, Indonesia and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (ARCCoERS). The aim was to assess the status of coral reefs in Pulau Simeulue and Pulau Banyak, siuated off the south-west coast of Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia (See map).  The survey was conducted at 35 sites (16 in Pulau Simeulue, 2 on west coast of Sumatra, and 17 in Kepulauan Banyak).

Pulau Simeulue and Kepulauan Banyak have coral assemblages that are unique and different to those in the northern Aceh region of Pulau Aceh and Pulau Weh.  Species of scleractinian coral that are rarely found in Pulau Weh and Pulau Aceh were abundant in Simeulue and Banyak, included Pectinia sp. and Stylophora sp.  The Simeulue and Banyak islands, located off the south-west coast of Aceh, has a higher coral species diversity compared to reefs in the northern region.

In terms of fish species found, this south-west region has many species commonly found in the Indian Ocean, while the northern region of Weh and Aceh islands has a fish fauna comparable to that found in the Andaman Sea.  Species of fish found in Simeulue and Banyak islands but not found in northern Aceh included Cheiloprion labiatus (damselfish), Cheilinus fasciatus and Choerodon anchorago (wrasses) and Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (angelfish).

We also recorded for the first time a fish never before seen in Indonesian waters – stay tuned for more press on this!

One of challenge for coral reef management in this region is there is no proper institution that working well.  In the other hand, low awareness of the locals also can be a serious threat for coral reefs in the region.

In past decade coral reefs in the region also get a major threat from destructive fishing activities, in particular bombing and cyanide fishing. This is confirmed by evidence found in the field during the survey.  Currently, cyanide fishing is still occurred especially in Simeulue for lobster fishery.