In 2002, 10 survey Sites were monitored within 6 geographic sectors - 3 around Moheli (Itsamia, Nioumachoi, Fomboni) and 3 on Grande Comores (Mitsamiouli, Itsandra, Comotel). There is a general trend for strong regeneration of corals following the 1998 bleaching event that caused the death of more than half of the corals. The recovery was better at sites remote from intense human pressures like Moheli, as well as those protected from the ‘Kussi’ southern trade winds. Other sites like Candzoni and Itsandra had moderate coral recovery, whereas on Grande Comoros, there was slow regeneration and coral growth.

Mitsamiouli is the main tourist area, where the local population actively conserves the reefs by prohibiting sand and coral mining, and attempts to manage fishing damage, which is the main economic activity. Coral cover on the reef flat has shown a slight decrease from 46.8% in 1998 to 36.5% in 2002. Most of the corals are sub-massive or massive, possibly because these corals are more resistant to bleaching. The corals on the reef slope have been extensively degraded by destructive fishing (dynamite, anchors, small mesh nets) and the study site shows a drop in cover from 75% in 1998 to 24% in 2002, and few fishes. Groupers and other predatory fish are small probably due to strong fishing pressure. Coral recovery after the 1998 coral bleaching has been slow, although the reef flats appear more stable. Human pressures have increased following the closure of the Galawa Hotel, which had previously provided protection to adjacent areas. There is a similar trend on reef flat areas at the Itsandra site, however the outer slopes (12m depth) have shown some slight growth in the last two years (37% cover in 2002), like many of the outer slopes of Grande Comoros.

There is clear damage to the coral reefs in front of the Itsamia River which dumps excess sediment, leaving only massive and opportunistic corals on the reef flat (5% cover). Live coral cover on the reef-slope is 38% (no change since 2000) and 22% cover of algae, with the genus Halimeda dominant. Rock and rubble cover has increased since 2000 (13% to 35% in 2002) which is probably linked to the reef flat degradation. The Nioumachoua sector contains a series of islets in the centre of the Moheli Marine Park (Candzoni, Mea, Ouenefou), and more monitoring stations because this is a key location for conservation. The remote Candzoni islet has been severely damaged by blast fishing and trampling by fishermen over the reef flat, with coral cover down to 20% and 67% dead coral cover, mostly Acropora, which died in 1998. The protected outer-slope has 41% coral cover, which is an encouraging increase over the 20% cover after 1998. The recovery is a mix of stressed corals regrowing and strong recruitment of new corals. There is evidence, however, of poaching of turtles and blast fishing.

The remote Mea sites receive less human pressure and are protected from the southern ‘Kussi’ Trade Winds. The reefs are in good condition with more than 50% live coral cover, and a diversity of species, including many branching forms (12% branching Acropora, 11% table Acropora). This, and the strong recovery at the Candzoni site, indicates good potential for coral regeneration in the Moheli MPA. There have been no significant changes in coral cover on the reef flats of the 3 other Nioumachoua islets (Mea 20%, Candzoni 22%), and coral cover on the outer slopes is also good (Table 1).