3. RESULTS OF THE CORAL REEF SURVEY

3.1 The coral reefs studied
3.2 Reef profiles

3.1 The coral reefs studied

A total of 7 coral reef areas were studied, 6 of which are popular dive sites of the Pulau Payar Marine Park. These are,

(a) Marine Park Centre House Reef;
(b) Langkawi Coral Pontoon House Reef;
(c) Coral Garden;
(d) Pulau Kaca;
(e) Lembu Rocks; and
(f) Pulau Segantang.

These reefs were studied as they are all fairly heavily used by divers and are promoted as dive sites by dive operators. They are thus more likely to be the first to show any adverse impacts from tourism.

The 7th reef area studied was located at the northern tip of Pulau Payar and was used as a control site. It was selected as it is fairly representative of the fringing reefs around Pulau Payar and it is not a dive site utilised and promoted by dive operators.

A general profile was compiled for each site to add to their coral composition data. The results of coral cover and hard coral composition are summarised in Map 2 and Map 3 respectively.

3.2 Reef profiles

(a) MARINE PARK CENTRE HOUSE REEF

POSITION:

N 6°03.811'
E 100°02.506'

DISTANCE FROM THE TRANSECT DEPTH:

7 m

MARINE PARK CENTRE:

100 m from the shore

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

NE/SW with tidal stream.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

The reef flat consists predominantly of isolated patches of stunted Porites spp. boulders, interspersed by a sandy bottom. The reef flat gradually slopes down to a narrow fore reef which continues at a steeper gradient to a sandy sea bottom. Massive corals such as Porites spp. and branching staghorn corals (Acropora spp.) form the bulk of the fore reef and reef slope areas, along with tabulate forms of Montipora spp..

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Snorkeller and boat propeller damage, especially at low tide. Jetty construction on Pulau Payar has lead to sedimentation and construction waste on and amongst the reef along with litter. Bleaching of Acropora spp. and Porites spp. is also noticeable, the cause of which has yet to be established.

ATTRACTIONS:

Accessibility, especially for the indiscriminate visitor and snorkeller. Introductory dives are carried out here by dive operators for unqualified tourists who want to experience using SCUBA equipment while having the opportunity to view the reef environment up close. Abundant fish (reef and commercial) and large groupers. Fish feeding is a very popular activity, especially for the many juvenile black tip reef sharks that frequent the reef.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

6

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Only reef accessible to non-diving visitors to the Marine Park Centre. Under high pressure from damaging snorkelling activities, present construction of a jetty and boardwalk on the island and possible sewage pollution from the Marine Park Centre.

CORAL COVER

LIVE HARD CORAL

DEAD CORAL

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

75.7%

16.5%

7.8%

MARINE PARK CENTRE HOUSE REEF: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

BRANCHING

MASSIVE

ENCRUSTING

FOLIOSE

MUSHROOM

51.4%

41.3%

5.3%

1.1%

0.9%

MARINE PARK CENTRE HOUSE REEF: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(b) LANGKAWI CORAL PONTOON HOUSE REEF

POSITION:

N 6°03.907'
E 100°02.592'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

7 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

0.1 nautical miles (nm)

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

NE/SW depending on the tidal stream.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

The reef flat consists predominantly of isolated patches of stunted Porites spp. boulders, interspersed by a sandy bottom. The reef flat gradually slopes down to a narrow fore reef which continues at a steeper gradient to a sandy sea bottom. Massive corals such as Porites spp. and branching staghorn corals (Acropora spp.) form the bulk of the fore reef and reef slope areas.

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Snorkeller damage, especially at low tide. Construction damage and debris, probably from the jetty and the boardwalk construction. The shadowing effect of the pontoon seems to have reduced the photosynthetic activity of the coral-associated zooxanthellae and decreased the overall health of the reef in the shaded area.

ATTRACTIONS:

Accessibility, especially for the indiscriminate visitor and snorkeller. Introductory dives are carried out here by East Marine, the dive operator that operates from the pontoon, for unqualified tourists who want to experience using SCUBA equipment while having the opportunity to view the reef environment up close. Large groupers and moray eels. Fish feeding is also a popular activity.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

4

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Only reef accessible to non-diving visitors from the Langkawi Coral Pontoon. Under high pressure from damaging snorkelling activities although there is some control from lifeguards. Visible from the underwater observatory on the pontoon.

CORAL COVER

LIVE HARD CORAL

DEAD CORAL

OTHERS

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

48.2%

46.2%

4.1%

1.5%

LANGKAWI CORAL PONTOON HOUSE REEF: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

MASSIVE

BRANCHING

ENCRUSTING

MUSHROOM

FOLIOSE

56.6%

29.3%

8.3%

5.0%

0.8%

LANGKAWI CORAL PONTOON HOUSE REEF: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(c) CORAL GARDEN

POSITION:

N 6°03.439'
E 100°02.240'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

10 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

0.6 nm

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

Fairly strong as Coral Garden is on an exposed tip of the island. Currents predominantly move in a 180° direction.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

Rocky outcrop on southwest tip of Pulau Payar. Underwater rock face extends from the surface to the sandy seabed at approximately 15 metres. Rock face is very irregular being predominately made up of large boulders interspersed with rubble, and with steep gullies, ravines and crevices. The general aspect of the rocky slope is facing 90° with an angle of approximately 45°. Colourful soft coral, predominantly Dendronephthya sp. can be found on the rock wall down to the bed.

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Limited, due to the natural physical tolerance of the coral lifeforms that make up the reef.

ATTRACTIONS:

Accessibility, but unfortunately in an area of strong currents. Different from the other dive sites at Pulau Payar Marine Park due to the presence of colourful soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.). Large schools of reef and commercial fish, including barracuda. Moray eels, large groupers and porcupinefish are regularly sighted.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

1

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Most popular dive site at Pulau Payar Marine Park due to the colourful soft corals; all dive operators bring divers here. Some tour operators bring snorkellers as well, especially when the tide is too low at the Marine Park Centre House Reef for boats to disembark passengers or during calm days.

CORAL COVER

SOFT CORAL

LIVE HARD CORAL

OTHERS

DEAD HARD CORAL

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

32.7%

30.7%

21.1%

13.9%

1.6%

CORAL GARDEN: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

ENCRUSTING

MASSIVE

FOLIOSE

BRANCHING

TABLE

77.5%

17.9%

2.9%

1.0%

0.7%

CORAL GARDEN: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(d) PULAU KACA

POSITION:

N 6°04.374'
E 100°03.140'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

8 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

0.75 nm

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

Strong, from 210°.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

Transects were laid at the north and northwest facing side of the island, with the general aspect of the slope at 300° to 360° The slope angle was between 15° and 35°. The shoreline is rocky, and slopes to a diverse population of corals which descends to a depth of about 9 m until reaching a sandy bottom. Common coral species found here include Acropora spp., Porites spp. and Montipora spp.. Also found are the dark green tree-like hard coral Dendrophyllia micranthus, and at the northeast side of the island, the soft coral Sacrophyton sp..

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Limited.

ATTRACTIONS:

Easily accessible but in an area of strong currents. The corals are highly diverse and intermixed. Large schools of fish including barracuda. Also black tip reef sharks, abundant anemones and their commensal complements of the clownfish, butterflyfish and the chance to see whale sharks. Opportunity for a wreck dive.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

0

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Popular dive site, all dive operators bring divers to Pulau Kaca. More interesting dive site than the others due to the diversity of coral and the abundant amounts offish present; most dive operators also include the wrecks as part of the dive.

CORAL COVER

LIVE HARD CORAL

DEAD HARD CORAL

OTHERS

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

SOFT CORAL

61.0%

15.7%

9.0%

7.8%

6.5%

PULAU KACA: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

BRANCHING

MASSIVE

ENCRUSTING

FOLIOSE

TABLE

67.2%

18.9%

12.3%

0.8%

0.8%

PULAU KACA: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(e) LEMBU ROCKS

POSITION:

N 6°04.628'
E 100°03.409'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

8 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

0.9 nm

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

Predominantly strong, from 240°.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

The majority of the transect was across a slope of between 15° and 30°, leading up to dried out rocks at the surface and down to the sandy bed at 12 metres, however there were areas along the transect where the slope was as low as 5°. Slope aspect was 35° to 38° approximately. There was little hard coral here, mainly boulders ranging in size from 0.5 metres to 5 metres plus in diameter with areas of sand and rubble in between. A lot of the rock boulders are covered with sea anemones and the anemone-like false corals (Actinodiscidae).

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Fairly limited due to the low levels of hard coral present.

ATTRACTIONS:

Accessibility, gullies in the high elevation, large schools offish, large triggerfish, butterflyfish, emperor angelfish, barrel sponges and anemones.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

0

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Not that utilised as a dive site.

CORAL COVER

OTHERS

LIVE HARD CORAL

DEAD HARD CORAL

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

67.7%

18.2%

13.6%

0.5%

LEMBU ROCKS: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

MASSIVE

ENCRUSTING

BRANCHING

TABLE

FOLIOSE

41.2%

38.0%

12.5%

5.5%

2.8%

LEMBU ROCKS: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(f) PULAU SEGANTANG

POSITION:

N 6°02.376'
E 99°55.691'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

10 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

7.2 nm

PREVAILING CURRENT:

Strong surge current.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

The transect was laid on the southeastern side of the island. Here, the rock face drops almost vertically down to a depth of about 10 m, beyond which it slopes gently to reach the sandy sea bottom. The rock fact; is predominantly covered with the anemone-like false coral (Actinodiscidae). Hard coral here is mostly in the encrusting form, although there are also massive Porites spp. present.

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Limited. There have been as yet unconfirmed reports of fishing nets on other parts of the reef.

ATTRACTIONS:

Opportunity for deep dives and wall dives. Possible chance of seeing leopard sharks and whale sharks. Large schools of fish, both reef and commercial, including juveniles.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

0

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Popular dive site, but not all dive operators take divers here as it is not as accessible as the other dive sites. In addition, the sea here is quite often rough, with strong currents.

CORAL COVER

DEAD HARD CORAL

LIVE HARD CORAL

OTHERS

79.9%

12.0%

8.1%

PULAU SEGANTANG: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

ENCRUSTING

MASSIVE

BRANCHING

42.0%

42.0%

16.0%

PULAU SEGANTANG: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

(g) CONTROL SITE (NORTHEASTERN TIP OF PULAU PAYAR)

POSITION:

N 6°04.161'
E 100°02.617'

TRANSECT DEPTH:

10 m

DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:

0.3 nm

PREVAILING CURRENTS:

Strong, from 300° along the reef.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:

Rocky shoreline. The reef occurs on a gentle slope of between 15° and 30° with an aspect of 330°. The slope then steepens down to a sandy bed at approximately 15 metres. Predominantly branching Acropora spp. coral, although there is quite a high diversity of coral lifeforms present.

VISIBLE DAMAGE:

Minimal physical damage; has relatively high live coral cover.

ATTRACTIONS:

Accessibility. Black tip reef sharks, triggerfish, pufferfish, large schools of reef fish.

NUMBER OF MOORINGS:

0

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Not utilized as a dive site. Since the reef here is fairly typical of the reefs around Pulau Payar Marine Park and it is not under any tourism pressure, it has been selected as a control site.

CORAL COVER

LIVE HARD CORAL

DEAD HARD CORAL

OTHERS

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

73.6%

19.3%

4.9%

2.2%

CONTROL SITE: CORAL COVER

HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

BRANCHING

MASSIVE

ENCRUSTING

TABLE

FOLIOSE

74.1%

15.6%

7.9%

1.2%

1.2%

CONTROL SITE: HARD CORAL COMPOSITION

MAP 2: Coral Cover of Reefs in Pulau Payar Marine Park

MAP 3: Coral Composition of Reefs in Pulau Payar Marine Park

POSITION:	N 6°03.811' E 100°02.506'
DISTANCE FROM THE TRANSECT DEPTH:	7 m
MARINE PARK CENTRE:	100 m from the shore
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	NE/SW with tidal stream.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	The reef flat consists predominantly of isolated patches of stunted Porites spp. boulders, interspersed by a sandy bottom. The reef flat gradually slopes down to a narrow fore reef which continues at a steeper gradient to a sandy sea bottom. Massive corals such as Porites spp. and branching staghorn corals (Acropora spp.) form the bulk of the fore reef and reef slope areas, along with tabulate forms of Montipora spp..
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Snorkeller and boat propeller damage, especially at low tide. Jetty construction on Pulau Payar has lead to sedimentation and construction waste on and amongst the reef along with litter. Bleaching of Acropora spp. and Porites spp. is also noticeable, the cause of which has yet to be established.
ATTRACTIONS:	Accessibility, especially for the indiscriminate visitor and snorkeller. Introductory dives are carried out here by dive operators for unqualified tourists who want to experience using SCUBA equipment while having the opportunity to view the reef environment up close. Abundant fish (reef and commercial) and large groupers. Fish feeding is a very popular activity, especially for the many juvenile black tip reef sharks that frequent the reef.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	6
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Only reef accessible to non-diving visitors to the Marine Park Centre. Under high pressure from damaging snorkelling activities, present construction of a jetty and boardwalk on the island and possible sewage pollution from the Marine Park Centre.

LIVE HARD CORAL	DEAD CORAL	ABIOTIC COMPONENT
75.7%	16.5%	7.8%

BRANCHING	MASSIVE	ENCRUSTING	FOLIOSE	MUSHROOM
51.4%	41.3%	5.3%	1.1%	0.9%

POSITION:	N 6°03.907' E 100°02.592'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	7 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	0.1 nautical miles (nm)
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	NE/SW depending on the tidal stream.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	The reef flat consists predominantly of isolated patches of stunted Porites spp. boulders, interspersed by a sandy bottom. The reef flat gradually slopes down to a narrow fore reef which continues at a steeper gradient to a sandy sea bottom. Massive corals such as Porites spp. and branching staghorn corals (Acropora spp.) form the bulk of the fore reef and reef slope areas.
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Snorkeller damage, especially at low tide. Construction damage and debris, probably from the jetty and the boardwalk construction. The shadowing effect of the pontoon seems to have reduced the photosynthetic activity of the coral-associated zooxanthellae and decreased the overall health of the reef in the shaded area.
ATTRACTIONS:	Accessibility, especially for the indiscriminate visitor and snorkeller. Introductory dives are carried out here by East Marine, the dive operator that operates from the pontoon, for unqualified tourists who want to experience using SCUBA equipment while having the opportunity to view the reef environment up close. Large groupers and moray eels. Fish feeding is also a popular activity.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	4
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Only reef accessible to non-diving visitors from the Langkawi Coral Pontoon. Under high pressure from damaging snorkelling activities although there is some control from lifeguards. Visible from the underwater observatory on the pontoon.

LIVE HARD CORAL	DEAD CORAL	OTHERS	ABIOTIC COMPONENT
48.2%	46.2%	4.1%	1.5%

POSITION:	N 6°03.439' E 100°02.240'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	10 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	0.6 nm
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	Fairly strong as Coral Garden is on an exposed tip of the island. Currents predominantly move in a 180° direction.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	Rocky outcrop on southwest tip of Pulau Payar. Underwater rock face extends from the surface to the sandy seabed at approximately 15 metres. Rock face is very irregular being predominately made up of large boulders interspersed with rubble, and with steep gullies, ravines and crevices. The general aspect of the rocky slope is facing 90° with an angle of approximately 45°. Colourful soft coral, predominantly Dendronephthya sp. can be found on the rock wall down to the bed.
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Limited, due to the natural physical tolerance of the coral lifeforms that make up the reef.
ATTRACTIONS:	Accessibility, but unfortunately in an area of strong currents. Different from the other dive sites at Pulau Payar Marine Park due to the presence of colourful soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.). Large schools of reef and commercial fish, including barracuda. Moray eels, large groupers and porcupinefish are regularly sighted.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	1
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Most popular dive site at Pulau Payar Marine Park due to the colourful soft corals; all dive operators bring divers here. Some tour operators bring snorkellers as well, especially when the tide is too low at the Marine Park Centre House Reef for boats to disembark passengers or during calm days.

SOFT CORAL	LIVE HARD CORAL	OTHERS	DEAD HARD CORAL	ABIOTIC COMPONENT
32.7%	30.7%	21.1%	13.9%	1.6%

POSITION:	N 6°04.374' E 100°03.140'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	8 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	0.75 nm
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	Strong, from 210°.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	Transects were laid at the north and northwest facing side of the island, with the general aspect of the slope at 300° to 360° The slope angle was between 15° and 35°. The shoreline is rocky, and slopes to a diverse population of corals which descends to a depth of about 9 m until reaching a sandy bottom. Common coral species found here include Acropora spp., Porites spp. and Montipora spp.. Also found are the dark green tree-like hard coral Dendrophyllia micranthus, and at the northeast side of the island, the soft coral Sacrophyton sp..
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Limited.
ATTRACTIONS:	Easily accessible but in an area of strong currents. The corals are highly diverse and intermixed. Large schools of fish including barracuda. Also black tip reef sharks, abundant anemones and their commensal complements of the clownfish, butterflyfish and the chance to see whale sharks. Opportunity for a wreck dive.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	0
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Popular dive site, all dive operators bring divers to Pulau Kaca. More interesting dive site than the others due to the diversity of coral and the abundant amounts offish present; most dive operators also include the wrecks as part of the dive.

POSITION:	N 6°04.628' E 100°03.409'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	8 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	0.9 nm
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	Predominantly strong, from 240°.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	The majority of the transect was across a slope of between 15° and 30°, leading up to dried out rocks at the surface and down to the sandy bed at 12 metres, however there were areas along the transect where the slope was as low as 5°. Slope aspect was 35° to 38° approximately. There was little hard coral here, mainly boulders ranging in size from 0.5 metres to 5 metres plus in diameter with areas of sand and rubble in between. A lot of the rock boulders are covered with sea anemones and the anemone-like false corals (Actinodiscidae).
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Fairly limited due to the low levels of hard coral present.
ATTRACTIONS:	Accessibility, gullies in the high elevation, large schools offish, large triggerfish, butterflyfish, emperor angelfish, barrel sponges and anemones.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	0
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Not that utilised as a dive site.

POSITION:	N 6°02.376' E 99°55.691'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	10 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	7.2 nm
PREVAILING CURRENT:	Strong surge current.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	The transect was laid on the southeastern side of the island. Here, the rock face drops almost vertically down to a depth of about 10 m, beyond which it slopes gently to reach the sandy sea bottom. The rock fact; is predominantly covered with the anemone-like false coral (Actinodiscidae). Hard coral here is mostly in the encrusting form, although there are also massive Porites spp. present.
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Limited. There have been as yet unconfirmed reports of fishing nets on other parts of the reef.
ATTRACTIONS:	Opportunity for deep dives and wall dives. Possible chance of seeing leopard sharks and whale sharks. Large schools of fish, both reef and commercial, including juveniles.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	0
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Popular dive site, but not all dive operators take divers here as it is not as accessible as the other dive sites. In addition, the sea here is quite often rough, with strong currents.

POSITION:	N 6°04.161' E 100°02.617'
TRANSECT DEPTH:	10 m
DISTANCE FROM THE MARINE PARK CENTRE:	0.3 nm
PREVAILING CURRENTS:	Strong, from 300° along the reef.
GENERAL MORPHOLOGY:	Rocky shoreline. The reef occurs on a gentle slope of between 15° and 30° with an aspect of 330°. The slope then steepens down to a sandy bed at approximately 15 metres. Predominantly branching Acropora spp. coral, although there is quite a high diversity of coral lifeforms present.
VISIBLE DAMAGE:	Minimal physical damage; has relatively high live coral cover.
ATTRACTIONS:	Accessibility. Black tip reef sharks, triggerfish, pufferfish, large schools of reef fish.
NUMBER OF MOORINGS:	0
GENERAL COMMENTS:	Not utilized as a dive site. Since the reef here is fairly typical of the reefs around Pulau Payar Marine Park and it is not under any tourism pressure, it has been selected as a control site.