Corals of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea (Marine RAP survey II)

In 2000, coral diversity at 57 sites in Milne Bay Province was assessed during the Marine RAP survey. This was the second Marine RAP survey to be conducted in Milne Bay Province and focused on sites not previously visited in the 1997 survey. The list of sites includes 16 sites on the mainland in the Milne Bay area, 5 sites in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, 7 sites in the Amphlett Island Group, 26 sites in the Louisiade/ Conflict Islands and 3 sites in the vicinity of the Engineer Group and Basilaki-Sideia islands.

Sites surveyed included a diverse range of habitats encompassing reefs and sediments within and around reefs. Habitats included sandy areas, walls, overhangs, slopes and shallow reef areas. The survey method consisted of direct underwater observation of corals, usually during a single 70 minute dive at each site. Corals were recorded on a slow ascent from the base of the reef, along a zigzag path to the shallowest part of the reef.

The primary group of corals surveyed were the zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. In addition, a small number of other coral taxa, which also contribute to the reef matrix were recorded. These include zooxanthellate non-scleractinian corals (Heliopora, Tubipora and Millepora), azooxanthellate scleractinian corals (Tubastrea, Dendrophyllia and Rhizopsammia) and azooxanthellate non-scleractinian corals (Distichopora and Stylaster).

Corals that could not be identified in the field were photographed in situ and representative samples were collected and labelled for later identification.