Final Report: Study on the Health of the Coral Reef in Bahía Samaná with the Reef Check Methodology

The study used the Reef Check methodology to assess the health of coral reefs in five zones, each with 1-3 sub-zones or study sites. The results showed a low abundance of fish species indicative of coral reef health, with the exception of parrotfish, which were found in moderate densities. The study also found a lack of commercially important invertebrates, such as lobsters, and a high abundance of black sea urchins, which may indicate a certain level of recovery after the regional mortality of the 1980s. The type of seafloor dominant in the area was characterized by rocks without any living cover, followed by soft coral, algae, and finally, living coral. These results are characteristic of sites under high anthropogenic impacts, such as overfishing, pollution, and sedimentation, which are evident in the Bahía de Samaná over long periods of time. More recently, the use of anchors by large vessels, such as cruise ships, has increased the impact on the seafloor, causing total destruction of the seafloor ecosystem. The overfishing has direct impacts on fish and invertebrates, leading to a decrease in these species. The elimination of these species will have effects on the coral reef community as a whole through the alteration of the existing coral reef food chain, the change in the natural balance of the ecosystem, and the loss of biodiversity. The Reef Check RD Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources worked together to develop a management structure that can be adopted by local authorities or communities for the recovery of areas like the Bahía de Samaná. This structure includes co-management of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the local ONG or user group, the creation of a local financing system for the self-sustainability of the MPA management program, and the evaluation and monitoring of the health of natural ecosystems within the MPA. The study also recommends the implementation of zoning, the development of economic alternatives and community participation to replace extractive activities with non-extractive alternatives, and the development and implementation of a management system for hydrographic basins. Additionally, the study suggests the implementation of a series of restoration measures and the development and implementation of marketing programs to promote sustainable activities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the MPA.