It is not known the extent to which the moratorium has been successful in protecting these animals in Fiji. The diversity of life at both sites of corals and fish was impressive to see. David managed to collect considerable information on the diversity of coral species present at the two sites, the habitat characteristics and the level of bleaching. Some of the corals such as Pocillopora spp . There were some interesting areas where large volumes of coral rubble had accumulated.
Rubble forms a very important part of coral reef ecosystems.
Rubble provides shelter and habitat for numerous families of fish and invertebrates. In fact, some species have juvenile phases that use the rubble as a home until they become adult. We dived the southern barrier reef of Vanua Levu today in Bligh Waters. As we proceeded down into deeper and colder water along a shallow grade, we discovered a field of foliaceous and delicate branching hard corals - you could not put your foot down for fear of damaging the delicate corals all intermingled with each other. In between the corals were more brightly coloured zooanthids.