Scientists from the Indian Ocean nation of the Seychelles are working to explain how vital seabirds are to the health of coral reefs.
Coral reefs are key to the archipelago’s economy: on-reef tourism is estimated to earn $51.5 million a year and the Seychelles is one of the highest fish-consuming countries per capita in the world. But a bleaching event in 1998 decreased live coral cover by up to 97% in some areas and another in 2016 reduced the national coral coverage by 30%.
Camilla Labonte, a Masters by Research student in marine ecology at Lancaster University has recently returned from fieldwork supporting a project focused on reef fish that are commercially valuable for the small-scale fisheries in Seychelles.
“My project investigates the broader implications of island restoration techniques on micronutrient concentrations in coral reef-associated fishes in Seychelles,” she says.
Labonte explains that previous studies (including those by her supervisors, Nicholas Graham and Casey Benkwitt) found that bringing back seabird populations to Indian Ocean islands had a positive effect on fish and coral reefs because the nutrients from bird waste (guano) entered the food chain.
“These subsidized reefs also exhibit enhanced coral growth, elevated reef fish biomass, and accelerated growth rates in herbivorous fishes and algae,” she says, adding this has been confirmed by the elevation of nitrogen stable isotope values recorded in macroalgae.
“However, a gap remains in quantifying the quality of reef fish in terms of micronutrient concentration, indicating a need for further investigation,” she says, “We are interested in investigating whether island restoration actions , especially rat eradication helps in bolstering the nutrients available for reef fish adjacent rat-free islands given that micronutrients have several human health benefits.”
Labonte explains that she conducted her data collection at three islands in the Seychelles that she’d not previously visited: Fregate Island, Cousine Island, and Felicite.
“I also had the opportunity to collaborate with a local fisherman to efficiently target and catch the fish species needed for the research,” she says, “This collaboration not only facilitated the practical aspects of the project but also fostered a sense of community engagement and partnership in marine research and conservation efforts.”
Surrounded By Sea In The Seychelles
Labonte grew up in the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, “surrounded by the rhythmic sound of the Indian Ocean’s waves and the vibrant sights of colorful fishes along the reefs,” which she says instilled a “profound appreciation for the marine environment.”
“Though I didn’t have a singular “Eureka” moment, my formative years exploring the seas around Seychelles fueled my passion for marine research and conservation,” she says.
Labonte is currently pursuing a Master of Research programme in Marine Ecology at Lancaster University, having previously volunteered on a voyage to collect data at Saya de Malha – a submerged ocean bank in the western Indian Ocean and working as a science officer at the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) including fieldwork on the UNESCO-listed Aldabra Atoll.
“As a first-generation university goer from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) entering a field where women of color are a minority, I aim to bring a unique viewpoint to scientific research,” she says, “Through my journey, I aspire to inspire more young people, particularly females, to pursue careers in marine research.”
Labonte explains that Global South scientists have strong community ties, facilitating meaningful engagement with local stakeholders.
“This collaborative approach ensures that research is conducted in partnership with those most affected by the issues at hand, leading to solutions that are responsive to community needs and priorities,” she says.
Bikini Atoll
In another archipelago under threat of coral bleaching, Bryant Jeffery Zebedy, a researcher and officer of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority under the Protected Areas Network office, joined a 2023 research tour by the Pristine Seas project, to the waters of Kiribati, Tongareva, Niue, and the Republic of Marshall Islands.
A marine expedition, including Zebedy, visited Bikini atoll, and collectively, the team traveled 3,500 miles (5,632 kilometers); completed 645 dives; gathered terabytes of film, including footage of Humpback whales with their newly-born calves.
These remote atolls are earmarked by the government for protection and researchers from Pristine Seas are partnering with the local government and regional leaders to find out more about these safe harbors for whales, sharks, turtles and countless fish—as well as birds—with an eye toward protecting them.
One of those local agencies is the MIMRA–PAN, which Zebedy explains is aiming to help local communities on establishing new areas of protection, assist with monitoring of important natural resources and developing beneficial socioeconomic activities related to protected areas for local communities.
“The work we do contributes to a broader framework called the Reimaanlok (which means “looking towards the future”) and it ensures that each community in the Marshall Islands gets an atoll profile based on results of assessments that would encourage locals to secure their resource management plans,” Zebedy says.