Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2010

The declining status odf our marine resopurces brought the establishment of marine protected areas (MPA) for fish stocks recovery, protection of threathened or endangered species and improvement of the overall health of the marine ecosystem. In this study, nine commercially important reef fish families namely: Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes), Balistidae (triggerfishes), Caesionide (fusiliers), Labridae (wrasses), Lutjanidae(snappers), Mullidae (gaotfishes), Nemeipteridae (threadfin breams), Scaridae (parrotfishes) and Serranidae (groupers) were investigated. Three MPAs, Aundanao MPA, Coral Garden MPA and Sanipaan MPA, were surveyed. Benthic classification and fish viaula census surveys were conducted in these areas both inside and outside the MPA boundary. The surveys were conducted during the weak Easterlies (April), southeastmonsoon (August) and notrheast monsoon (November and December). In Aundanao, survey was conducted in December of 2008 and 2009; in Coral garden during April, August and November 2009; Sanipaan MPA during August and November 2009. SAhnnon-Wiener Index of Diversity was used to determine the species richness of each site. Higher fish density and biomass estimates were observed inside the MPAs than outside 9e.g. Aundanao MPA). There was no significant difference of fish density and biomass estimates between inside and outside sites of Coral Garden MPA while Sanipaan MPA had the least fish density and estimated biomass due to poor coral condition and probable ineffective protection. The extensive coral cover outside the bounderies of Coral Garden MPAmay serve as refuge area for small fishes as seen by their higher density . Among the MPAs surveyed , Aundanao MPA was the most effective reserve due to good coral cover and higher fish biomass estimates of food fish (e.g. surgeonfishes are herbivorous fishes that prefer presence of high algal cover) inside than outside the MPA.