Apo Reef Marine Natural Park (ARMNP)

The coral cover of ARMNP was estimated to be between 33-46 percent. The common genera noted were Montipora, Acropora, and Porites. A total of 19 scleractinian species and seven species of non-scleractinian reef building corals were reported on the lee side of the reef (Ross 1981).

Nearly 380 species of fishes have been identified in the area, representing a part of the total reef fish community (BFAR Annual Report 1983). Fish inhabiting the reef include: damsel fishes, wrasses, butterfly fishes, groupers, gobi's, angel fishes, blankness, parrot fishes, cardinal fishes, snappers and spinechecks, trigger fishes, fusiliers, siganids, squirrel fishes, jacks and crevalles. Four species of sharks are commonly seen in deeper waters (white tip, black tip, hammerhead and gray reef). Sting rays, mantas, giant bumphead parrot fishes and wrasses are found in the reef crest and drop-off areas.

Invertebrates commonly found include various species of starfishes, holothurians, sea urchins, crinoids, sea squirts, brittle stars, worms, sponges, snails, nudibranches, clams, rare shells, octopi and squids. These are found in habitats like the tidepools, reef flats, reef walls of drop-offs, and on sandy and rocky shores.

Twenty four species of birds including four species of terns, three species of pigeons and two species of kingfishers, egrets, sea eagles and frigate birds are found in the area (BFAR, 1983; IUCN /UNEP 1988). Other wildlife species observed in the area were the hawksbill turtle, green sea turtle and the Nicobar pigeon.