Monitoring Coral Reefs for Better Management Schemes: UNEP EAS/RCU Small Grants Fund Program 2002-2003

The DIMRS Reef Monitoring Program was conducted in order to provide the following: • Information on the fish stocks and benthic life (corals and invertebrates) in the reserve to improve existing management options. • Data from fish catch and landing monitoring will be used to assess indirectly the impacts of the marine reserve upon the local fishing community. • Increased local manpower and knowledge by training the local fisher folk to conduct surveys for both underwater surveys and fish catch and landing monitoring. • Additional training of the Local Government Unit personnel and fisheries students in baseline survey and reef monitoring. • Packaged information on reef resources and fisheries for the community to use in planning their reserve and sanctuaries.