Using Remote Video Systems to Measure Effectiveness of Small Scale MPAs in Saipipi, Samoa

Authors

Calvin Quigley, Brigham Young University
Dr. Richard Gill, Brigham Young University

Keywords

remote video systems, MPA, Samoa

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Coral reefs represent an invaluable natural, providing $30 billion dollars of fishing and recreational profits worldwide, and housing nearly a quarter of the oceans species [1, 2]. However, threats such as climate change, ocean acidification, coastal development and overharvesting have destroyed more than a fifth of the worlds coral reefs in recent decades[3]. One of the most common management plans that has been implemented to help protect and restore coral reefs is the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs)[4]. MPAs have been proven to be effective in helping restore fish populations and coral cover, however the majority of MPAs are large, covering multiple square kilometers[5]. In Saipipi, a small village in Samoa, the people have reserved a small MPA of approximately 300 square meters. My project sought to study the impact of this extremely small-scale MPA, and determine if it was effective in conserving and restoring reef fish populations on the reef in Saipipi.

Recommended Citation

Quigley, Calvin and Gill, Dr. Richard (2019) "Using Remote Video Systems to Measure Effectiveness of Small Scale MPAs in Saipipi, Samoa," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2019: Iss. 2019, Article 101.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2019/iss2019/101