Scientists discover new reef species in Solomons
AFP for Yahoo
June 23, 2004
SYDNEY (AFP) - Scientist have found that waters off the troubled Solomon Islands shelter one of the world's most diverse coral reef systems, including two previously undiscovered species of tropical fish.
A group of 15 marine scientists has been conducting the first detailed examination of Solomons waters after previously avoiding the area because of widespread civil unrest.
With the Solomons now relatively peaceful following last year's deployment of an Australian-led intervention force, Nature Conservancy's Asia Pacific marine science coordinator Alison Green said the country's underwater treasures could now be studied properly.
She said the scientists had discovered unexpected diversity in the Solomons' reef, including what they believe to be nine new species of coral and two new species of fish.
"The Solomon Islands have long been suspected of being an important area for biodiversity, but because of all the problems no one's been there," Green said on Wednesday.
Kennedy Island (front) sits atop its own reef in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. (AFP photo by Torsten Blackwood)
Green said the survey revelation shattered previously-held beliefs that the most diverse coral regions on the globe were found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Nature Conservancy group found 485 species of coral and 284 different fish types.
The survey results will be formally announced in a presentation next week to the International Coral Reef Symposium in Okinawa, Japan.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...fp/20040623/sc_afp/solomons_reef_040623170925
AFP for Yahoo
June 23, 2004
SYDNEY (AFP) - Scientist have found that waters off the troubled Solomon Islands shelter one of the world's most diverse coral reef systems, including two previously undiscovered species of tropical fish.
A group of 15 marine scientists has been conducting the first detailed examination of Solomons waters after previously avoiding the area because of widespread civil unrest.
With the Solomons now relatively peaceful following last year's deployment of an Australian-led intervention force, Nature Conservancy's Asia Pacific marine science coordinator Alison Green said the country's underwater treasures could now be studied properly.
She said the scientists had discovered unexpected diversity in the Solomons' reef, including what they believe to be nine new species of coral and two new species of fish.
"The Solomon Islands have long been suspected of being an important area for biodiversity, but because of all the problems no one's been there," Green said on Wednesday.
Kennedy Island (front) sits atop its own reef in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. (AFP photo by Torsten Blackwood)
Green said the survey revelation shattered previously-held beliefs that the most diverse coral regions on the globe were found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Nature Conservancy group found 485 species of coral and 284 different fish types.
The survey results will be formally announced in a presentation next week to the International Coral Reef Symposium in Okinawa, Japan.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...fp/20040623/sc_afp/solomons_reef_040623170925
