Coral reefs anthropogenic impact bio-indicators in the Northern part of the Persian Gulf.

Potential and efficiency of coral reef bio-indicators proposed by Reef Check for coral reef monitoring in the Persian Gulf were studied as anthropogenic impact bio-indicators. Data were collected from the coral reefs in the northern part of the Persian Gulf in 2007 using Reef Cheek standard methodology and analyzed using Redundancy Analysis and Indicator Species Analysis. Similar data collected in 2002 and 2003 were also incorporated into our data. According to the results short-spine sea urchin ( Echinometra mathaei ) showed consistent positive correlation with commercial fishing and high indicator value for commercial fishing areas and could be pointed out as a weak bio-indicator of over- fishing. Also Arabian butterfly fish ( Chaetodon melapterus ), showed negative correlation with commercial fishing and high significant indicator values for none to low fishing areas in 2003 and 2007 and could be considered as indicator of low fishing pressure in the region. None of Fin fishes proposed as indicators of over-fishing, and also other proposed species showed consistent correlation or consistent significant indicator values for any anthropogenic impacts and are not recognized as anthropogenic impact bio-indicators. It is concluded that a much shorter and more efficient list of bio-indicators could be used for monitoring coral reefs in this region.