Abstract

Montecristi National Park in the northern coast of the Dominican Republic has an outstanding fringing coral reef system associated with extensive mangrove forests. Its remote geographic location and the lack of coastal/urban development made it a perfect area to implement a Marine Protected Area. Nevertheless, the lack of enforcement of the proposed zonation (1999), and the historical fishing pressure in the area, have driven the reef fish communities to a nearly-depletion and to a degraded trophic-network structure. The benthic components of the reef have been exposed to the same natural pressures of other reefs in the Caribbean and Northwestern Atlantic. To Montecristi’s advantage it still has a better than average condition but it will not prevail unless specific actions are taken towards the implementation of fishing exclusion zones and the protection of the adjacent coastal areas. This study presents an assessment of the biodiversity, habitat distribution and condition of the Montecristi Coral Reef towards the support of management decisions for the natural resources of the area, and the enhancement of the proposed MPA zonation.

PDF Preview