Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>and</strong> enforcing adequate coastal setbacks. Impermeable structures erected too close to the shoreline<br />
disrupt the natural cycle of accretion <strong>and</strong> erosion of s<strong>and</strong>y beaches, <strong>and</strong> accelerate the rate of erosion of<br />
s<strong>and</strong>. This not only makes beaches less attractive, but is also costly <strong>and</strong> dangerous because reduced beach<br />
width allows waves to break further inshore <strong>and</strong> wear away at the foundation of homes, resorts <strong>and</strong><br />
condominiums. Run-off from construction sites contributes to the degradation of coral reefs which are an<br />
important source of beach s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> play a role in the dynamics of s<strong>and</strong> movement. Coastal development<br />
impacts on beach ecosystems in yet another way: artificial lighting at nights interferes with nesting of adult<br />
turtles <strong>and</strong> disorients hatchlings as they attempt to make their way to the sea. As a result thous<strong>and</strong>s of<br />
hatchlings may die annually <strong>and</strong> this is a significant conservation problem.<br />
Status of coral reefs<br />
Coral reefs are a significant feature of TCI’s marine environment <strong>and</strong> provide a range of ecosystem services.<br />
They provide white s<strong>and</strong> for its famous beaches, habitat for a wide diversity of marine species <strong>and</strong> critically<br />
important coastal defences for the low-lying isl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> cays. Gr<strong>and</strong> Turk has a well-earned reputation as<br />
one of the finest diving destinations in the world with an outst<strong>and</strong>ing protected coral reef that drops to<br />
7,000 feet along the west side of the isl<strong>and</strong> (Gr<strong>and</strong> Turk Cruise Center, 2011). Reefs of TCI are extensive <strong>and</strong><br />
diverse with an estimated area of almost 1,200 km 2 of bank <strong>and</strong> fringing reefs comprised of about 30<br />
different coral species.<br />
Figure 4.5.3: Location of coral reefs of the <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
73<br />
(Source: UNEP, 1988)<br />
According to the World Resource Institute, TCI possesses some of the least threatened coral reefs in the<br />
Caribbean region. The Reefs at Risk analysis determined that about 50% of the coral reefs are under a<br />
medium threat from overfishing, <strong>and</strong> this is the only threat identified in most areas. An estimated 13% of<br />
coral reefs are under threat of coastal development <strong>and</strong> other threats were considered to be low or
Change language