Fantastic Report. About the marine bio diversity I read this report which might explain something about those areas.
Epicenter of ocean diversity found
POSTED: 11:53 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2006
OSLO, Norway (Reuters) -- Scientists said on Monday they found two
types of shark, exotic "flasher" fish and corals among 52 new
species in seas off Indonesia, confirming the western Pacific as the
richest marine habitat on earth.
They urged more protection for seas around the Bird's Head peninsula
at the western end of New Guinea island from threats including
mining and dynamite fishing that can smash coral reefs.
"We feel very confident that this is the epicenter of marine
biodiversity" in the world, said Mark Erdmann, a U.S. scientist at
Conservation International who led two surveys this year.
The scientists found 24 new species of fish, including two types of
epaulette shark, slim and spotty growing up to about 1.2 meters (4
ft) long. Among other finds were 20 new species of coral and eight
previously unknown types of shrimp.
"It's especially stunning to find sharks -- these are higher level
creatures, not bacteria or worms," Erdmann told Reuters. The sharks
get their name from markings on their sides like epaulettes --
decorations on the shoulders of military uniforms.
The researchers also found new species of "flasher" wrasse fish. The
males, which keep harems of several females, suddenly "flash" bright
yellows, blues, pinks or other colors on their bodies, apparently as
part of a sex ritual.
Erdmann said the region, covering about 18,000 sq km (6,950 sq
miles), had a greater concentration of species than Australia's
Great Barrier Reef.
He said a new type of fusilier fish, also known as yellowtail, was
the only species that could be used for human food found in the two
surveys, lasting a total of about six weeks.
"But there's a concern that some might become targets as aquarium
fish," he said.
Protected areas
He said Indonesia's Fisheries Ministry wanted to increase the number
of marine protected areas, currently covering only 11 percent of the
area around the peninsula.
"We are very concerned about the potential impact of planned
commercial fisheries expansion in the region," said Paulus Boli, a
State University of Papua researcher.
Threats include human migration to the little-developed region that
could put pressure on the healthy reefs. Any logging or mining on
the steep coastal hillsides might spur runoff of muddy sediments
that can choke corals.
Erdmann said the area surveyed was the center of a "Coral Triangle" -
- between Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the
Solomon Islands. Around the Bird's Head peninsula there were 1,223
species of fish and 600 types of corals.
The Great Barrier Reef, covering an area 10 times bigger, has
slightly more types of fish -- 1,464 species -- but just 405 species
of coral. And the bigger Caribbean Sea has fewer than 1,000 species
of fish and just 58 types of coral.
