The environmental organisation said the expedition, which began on 27 March. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Geographic
Tokelau's coral reefs appear to be recovering following coral bleaching, according to a rapid assessment expedition led by Conservation International with New Zealand Geographic (NZ Geo).
The environmental organisation said the expedition, which began on 27 March in Atafu, continued through Nukunonu to Fakaofo, and concluded with final consultations with the Fakaofo Taupulega (Council of Elders).
The expedition team spent one week documenting what they say are encouraging signs of ecosystem recovery.
It said the comprehensive rapid assessment expedition is the most thorough environmental survey of Tokelau's ecosystems in nearly two decades.
Tokelau's Natural Resources and Environment department director Asi Pasilio told Pacific Waves that it is encouraging news.
Pasilio said coral bleaching is very common in Tokelau.
"We suspect that it is because of climate change and sea-level [rise]," she said, adding "the sea temperature is getting warmer."
"In Tokelau, a lot of our schools are having activities where they go out to the reefs and do coral planting because coral bleaching."
Pasilio said the full report is expected to be delivered to Tokelau's three village councils in July.
The multi-disciplinary team conducted surveys across all three atolls—Atafu, Nukononu, and Fakaofo—documenting marine biodiversity, lagoon health, invasive species presence, and bird populations while simultaneously training local community members in cutting-edge monitoring techniques. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Geographic
"These are reefs in recovery," Conservation International Aotearoa's Leausalilo Schannel van Dijken said.
"Despite evidence of a significant bleaching event in recent years, we are seeing promising signs of regeneration."
Van Dijken said the recovery has been possible due to healthy fish populations across all trophic levels, including the presence of apex predators such as sharks at each site.
"The traditional leadership of the Taupulega has clearly played a crucial role in maintaining reef health by effectively managing access to ocean-side fishing grounds."
Van Dijken said the expedition is "groundbreaking" because of "how we're integrating traditional approaches with cutting-edge technologies like 360 cameras, VR and photogrammetry".
"By training local community members in scientific techniques, we're building a network of citizen scientists who can continue monitoring these reefs after we leave.
"This blend of innovation and traditional stewardship creates a powerful model for sustainable marine conservation."
Coral and clams
Pasilio said the quality of clams, a Tokelau delicacy, is being affected, which she suspects is due to ocean acidification that causes coral bleaching.
"Some of our clams do not have the meat inside...[they] are not full like it was before, and the colour has changed. That is suspected to be an effect of this coral bleaching.
"We pride ourselves with our marine resources, and to see this being affected is very concerning."
She hopes this is another mystery the NZ Geo team can use their science to crack.
"When I made the request asking for help, that was one of the there was one of the main reason was because our elders will were concerned about the changing forms of these clams...[and] fish."
A Conservation International-led New Zealand Geographic (NZ Geo) rapid assessment expedition has found Tokelau's coral reefs appear to be recovering following coral bleaching. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Geographic
Pasilio said coral bleaching is very common in Tokelau. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Geographic
According to Conservation International, marine assessments revealed that each point around each atoll was a key biodiversity areas, due to the consistent presence of sharks, bumphead parrot fish, and coral cods, along with healthy stocks of the endangered humphead wrasse and turtles.
It said that lagoon surveys identified that there was less than 50 percent live coral cover, predominantly Porites - a stone coral species - with evidence of recovering from a bleaching event.
The non-profit said there was little algae due to abundant herbivorous fish keeping reefs clean for new coral recruitment, which was confirmed with offshore reefs.
The expedition team spent one week documenting what they say are encouraging signs of ecosystem recovery. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Geographic
A whole community kind of thing
Pasilio said another request from the community was for more information about the species in their waters,
This was a key component of the expedition team, which meant they had to train the local people.
"This is what they call citizen science. They trained some of our people here - our capable youth, and much matured ones - that they can do the science.
"They can take the equipment to the lagoon and use it there, and send the results to [NZ Geo], and they can do the science."
