A new field study conducted by researchers from Graduate School, Universitas Padjadjaran, assessed coral reef health and fish populations across seven islands in Karimun District, Riau Archipelago. Using Point Intercept Transect (PIT) methods to measure coral cover and Underwater Visual Census (UVC) to chart reef fish abundance, the study found that coral cover spanned from moderate to good across 10 observation sites. Reef fish abundance varied accordingly, ranging from lower-density to high-density zones. Quantitative analysis revealed a weak positive correlation (r ≈ 0.192) between coral cover and fish numbers, indicating that, while there is a link, reef fish abundance may also be influenced by other environmental or anthropogenic factors.

This research directly informs several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 14 (Life Below Water) — by improving understanding of coral–fish ecosystem dynamics, which is vital for marine conservation and habitat protection.

SDG 15 (Life on Land) — considering the interdependence of coastal and marine ecosystems, supporting biodiversity resilience in the face of sedimentation and sand mining pressures.

SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) — through local-scale evidence that can guide smarter regional environmental management, sustainable tourism, and community-based conservation strategies.

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