Highlights AIMS helps tsunami recovery AIMS’ expertise in mangrove and coral reef assessment and management was enlisted to assist the Maldives and Thailand after the tsunami of December 2004. As part of Australia’s response, three AIMS researchers visited the Republic of the Maldives to conduct rapid assessment of reef health following the tsunami, and assessed its impact on the geology of some islands and on shallow-water bait fisheries. It found that the tsunami had limited impact on the reefs or bait fishery. The most important reef effect of the tsunami may be to retard the ongoing recovery from the severe coral bleaching experienced in the Maldives in 1998; fine sand deposited on the recovering reefs could bury and kill recently established coral colonies and make areas of rock unsuitable for coral settlement. AIMS’ researcher Dr Clive Wilkinson, at the request of the Prime Minister of Thailand, was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme to assess reef damage and provide advice on rehabilitation, with a focus on tourism and fishing. As coordinator of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), Dr Wilkinson will take a leading role in the preparation of an addendum to the December 2004 Status of Coral Reefs of the Word: 2004 on the impacts of the tsunami (see below). This will include advice on rehabilitation and management. A member of the team examines the state of the coral reef at Mulaku Atoll near Kolhu Fushi. Photo: W. Salter / AusAID   More information Status of coral reefs in tsunami affected countries: 2005 Status of coral reefs of the world: 2004

November 20, 2005