Coral reef fishes in the marine area of Ba Mun Island, Quang Ninh Province

A total of 68 species belonging to 38 genera in 21 families have been identified in the marine area of Ba Mun Island (Bai Tu Long National Park). Coral reef fishes in the area are represented for a subtropical ichthyofauna characterized by lacking of some typical families found in tropical reefs. The distribution of the species among the surveyed transects is characterized by non-equivalent in the number of species. Among the surveyed transects, transect MC5 has the highest number of species (19 species, occupies 27.9% of the total recognized species), followed by MC6 (16 species-23.5%), MC1 (13 species-19.1%), and MC3 (10 species-14.7%). The transect site containing the smallest number of species is MC12 (5 species-7.4%). The monsoon regime does not seem to have much influence on changes in reef fish species composition in the study area, but strongly affects the individual counts of reef fishes. Although species richness of the Ba Mun Island sites is low compared to neighbouring reef sites (the northwest islands of the Tonkin Gulf), the potential values of reef fish resources in this area are significant as sources of seafood, ornamental fish and rare genetic resources. The destructive fishing methods employed by local fishermen can be considered the main threats to the preservation of reef fish resources. In addition to the emerging necessity of enhancing public awareness about nature conservation in the Bai Tu Long Bay area, local people should also be involved in the current and future establishment and management of the Bai Tu Long National Park