Evaluation de l’impact de l’activité de croisière sur l’habitat et les peuplements de poissons de la Baie d’Easo-Xepenehe, Lifou. Campagne de stations vidéo rotatives STAVIRO 2014

This study is conducted within the AMBIO project, focused on the biodiversity of New Caledonian lagoons. It aims at assessing the ecological impact of touristic cruises in the Baie du Santal at Lifou Island. A survey conducted in 2014 using the remote unbaited underwater video STAVIRO rotating technique, enabled to validate 133 stations, which were then analyzed to characterize the habitat surrounding each station, and fish communities, based on a list of 565 fish species. 15 indicators were computed and mapped (maps available on a Sextant server). They were analysed using the PAMPA computing tool. Outcomes were organized in a dashboard for each management objective (biodiversity conservation and fisheries management). 122 fish species (plus turtle and sea snake), belonging to 23 families were observed. Five families were observed at more than 60% of stations: triggerfish (90% of stations), butterflyfish, surgeonfish, goatfish and parrotfish. The fish assemblage is diversified, particularly in the Jinek area. In the mooring area, habitat is destroyed within a 200m radius, and degraded until a 400m distance. Degradation is higher than in 2009. Fish area directly impacted by habitat destruction. Indirect degradation is also observed. In the swimming area, coral reefs are moderately impacted, whereas fish assemblage is diversified, with species indicating a good ecological status. Overall, the status of fish resources is poor, and even bad for commercial species. It is recommended to : a) ensure that future developments of cruise activity will not increase impacts: b) definitively ban mooring in the second location where biodiversity is still preserved; c) limit the number of swimmers and supervise practices in Jinek; and d) to monitor and assess fishing activities.