Estimation of coral reef fish biomass from fish video analysis

Abstract

The fish abundance, biomass and species diversity of coral reef fishes was surveyed in the Redang and Bidong [sland and the aspect of biomass and species diversity was highlighted more in this study. Recent data was focused more on the fish abundance and there is lack data on the fish biomass in the coral reef area. This study carried out to determine the fish biomass in the area and to obtain the CHI score on the fish biomass. Underwater video survey method was used to determine the length of fish so that it can be used into the formula of length weight relationship to obtain the fish biomass thus integrate it to get the CHI score. Later on the CHI score was used to determine the health of the coral reef ecosystem. The result shows Redang Island has the higher number of fish abundance, fish biomass and fish species diversity when compared to the Bidong Island. Fishing pressure and benthic cover is proven to be the important criteria that influence the fish abundance, fish biomass and fish diversity, highlighting the role of Marine Park Areas is vital to conserve and preserve the both corals and fishes in the ecosystem.