Consolidating Coral Reef Monitoring in the Comoros – 2026
JOSHUA RAMBAHINIARISON
WIO Islands Lead
As part of our ongoing engagement in the R-POC programme (Renforcement de la protection des océans aux Comores), CORDIO continues to work toward improving the quality and consistency of coral reef monitoring across priority Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries.
Mohéli National Park hosts some of the largest coral reef ecosystems in the Comoros, providing critical habitat for marine biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods through fisheries and ecotourism. Protecting these ecosystems requires reliable, long-term scientific data. Because coral reefs are dynamic systems constantly responding to environmental pressures, climate variability, and human impacts, long-term monitoring allows scientists and park managers to detect changes and track trends over time, enabling informed management decisions.
Our Monitoring in 2026
CORDIO has maintained a long-standing mandate to support science-based marine conservation throughout the WIO. In Comoros, CORDIO has been supporting coral reef monitoring since the late 90’s, and in Mohéli National Park several sites have been monitored since 2010, creating valuable time-series datasets.
Early this year, CORDIO Director Melita Samoilys, RPOC programme manager Housseni Houssoyni (WildOceans) and held several high-level meetings with partner institutions such as AIDE, the CNDRS, Comoros National Parks (Ministry of Environment, in charge of Tourism), the Directorate General of Aquatic Resources (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Handicrafts), and the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques – University of Comoros. These visits aimed to discuss the institutions’ key marine research and conservation priorities, and the most effective ways to collaborate with Comorian institutions.
More importantly, Melita and I, and Mohéli National Park Ecoguards Abacar Hamavouna and Adifaon Mchinda, monitored three sites within the park. The sites included areas located in and out of established no-take zones in order to allow an assessment of the effectiveness of coral reef management measures in both protected areas and unprotected ones. In this regard, our team recorded coral reef species abundance (across 11 fish families) and collected photo-quadrats to assess substrate cover (corals, algae, rubbles, etc), essential components for tracking reef condition.
Looking Ahead
Beyond data collection, the surveys also aimed at strengthening technical skills, in particular around photo-quadrat techniques, a standard tool for assessing benthic habitats. But learning how to capture high-quality images is only the first step. The next phase will involve training in photo-quadrat analysis, enabling park technicians to independently process and interpret the imagery collected during surveys.
Initially aiming to cover seven sites, a passing storm hindered our survey window, allowing us to only complete surveys at three sites. While fewer than planned, these surveys still contribute critical data to the park’s long-term ecological records.
Funded by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, this collaborative monitoring is central to building resilient monitoring programmes and ensuring that scientific capacity remains embedded within local institutions. It adds to a growing body of data and knowledge that supports adaptive management, conservation planning, and the long-term protection of Comoros’ reefs.