#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 The major threats to the coral reefs in coastal Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka are high levels of destructive fishing, industrial, agricultural and domestic pollution, sedimentation and coral mining. This is combined with major changes to coastal habitats from human settlements and increased industrial development. There are two main categories of fishing activities that occur within the coastal waters of South Asia, industrial and artisanal, each posing threats to the coral reefs of a different type and magnitude. In the Gulf of Mannar, bottom trawling by semi-industrial vessels is a major threat to the reefs. In a sector which is characterised as labour intensive with low mechanical sophistication, the artisanal fishermen of South Asia receive a wide range of benefits from the coral reef resources. The proliferation of damaging gears and crude fishing techniques (bamboo traps, set nets and blast fishing) in India and Sri Lanka are, however, posing serious threats to the sustainability of the resources. There is also widespread collecting for the aquarium trade and harvesting of molluscs, as well as turtles and dugongs, which are all seriously endangered. Coral and sand collection for building, making of lime and curios continues to damage coastal reefs. Industrial and domestic pollution continues to be a significant threat, particularly in the Gulf of Kutch, where industrial growth is having a severe impact on the coral reefs. The more remote Indian reefs on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are being impacted by increased sediment flows to the nearshore reefs due largely to unregulated logging and encroachment into the forestry reserves by settlers. Some damage has occurred through coral mining, dredging and blasting of corals for navigational channels. Fishing activity is increasing on these reefs as well as on the Lakshadweep Islands where fishing in the lagoons for live bait for tuna is increasing. There are some minor examples of pollution from untreated sewage. Bleaching on the Lakshadweeps was severe in 1998 with major losses of corals. Most reefs in the Maldives are better protected, mainly because of their isolation from human activity. The main damage to reefs occurs around the heavily populated islands e.g. the capital Male and nearby islands. Coral mining, dredging of channels for boats and coastal construction have resulted in extensive damage to the reef flats around some of these islands or major changes in sand distribution and erosion. Reef fisheries are increasing, and the extensive grouper fishery may already be affecting the grouper stocks. Infestation by crown-of-thorns starfish has also impacted on the reefs in the past (1980s) but no major incidences have been reported recently. Damage during the 1998 El Niño bleaching event was severe on both populated and remote reefs. The only threats to the Chagos reefs are through coral bleaching and more recently through illegal fishing, including the collection of sea cucumbers, shark and possibly live fish for the restaurant trade in East Asia. The fisheries protection vessel now appears to be deterring the shark fishing. CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPACTS The areas which are vulnerable to sea level rises are the low-lying parts of atolls and coastal regions, whereas the coral reefs themselves will be only minimally affected provided they still contain healthy coral populations. There has been coastal erosion, and saline intrusion into fresh groundwaters along the western and southern coasts of Sri 110
Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia Lanka and a possible increase in cyclone activity in the Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh and India) will cause greater erosion and loss of economic activities. Awareness by governments increased radically with dramatic rises in seawater temperatures in the Indian Ocean during the first half of 1998, accompanied by widespread coral bleaching and destruction of coral reefs in Chagos, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and western Indian regions. Average sea surface temperatures have risen by 0.12 to 0.16°C per decade during the last 50 years and a continuation will have major impacts on the coral reefs. STATUS AND GAPS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS), MONITORING AND CAPACITY The need for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering coral reefs has been recognised by all governments, but commitments to the management of existing MPAs and the planning for new areas are still inadequate to ensure conservation of the coral reef resources. However, monitoring capacity has improved greatly in South Asia, particularly in India following activities of the GCRMN South Asia Node, funded by the UK Government. Monitoring and area protection increased significantly recently on Chagos. India has 36 MPAs of which 20 are entirely coastal areas (intertidal, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, estuaries, beaches), and 13 have major marine ecosystem components. These include 3 Man and the Biosphere reserves. There are 5 coral reef MPAs in India: Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve 10,500km 2 which includes Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (Ramathapuram to Tuticorin, 1980, 6.23 km 2 ); Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park - 400km 2 (includes Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Kachchh, 1980, 295.03 km 2 ); Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park/Wandoor Marine National Park in Andamans - SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES CORAL REEF FORUMS The GCRMN South Asia has initiated coral reef forums in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to build communication networks. These forums brought many of the coral reef stakeholders together to share ideas and information, and to suggest new ways of tackling the highly complex issues facing coral reefs. Representatives from a diverse range of organisations and institutions including User Group Associations, NGOs, Universities, Government Ministries, Government Agencies, Divisional Secretaries, Donor Projects and International Initiatives, discussed issues relevant to the long term future of their coral reefs. As the forums develop, it is hoped that they will encourage a more coordinated and coherent approach to coral reef management and permit the exchange of ideas, information and best practice. A positive start has been made in Sri Lanka where CORDIO and SACEP are working with the Sri Lanka Coral Reef Forum to review past alternative livelihoods initiatives within Sri Lanka and produce recommendations for future initiatives. For further information see: www.ioc.unesco.org/gcrmn or contact the GCRMN national coordinators -National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (Arjan Rajasuriya arjan@nara.ac.lk) Maldives: The Marine Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources (Hussein Zahir - marine@fishagri.gov.mv) 111
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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FOREWORD Our two governments have r
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CONTENTS Countries, States and Terr
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories S
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INTRODUCTION We are pleased to endo
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Introduction Some of the larger fou
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Introduction Coral reefs are coming
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON A
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Executive Summary This report, howe
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Executive Summary GLOBAL AND REGION
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Executive Summary There is clear ev
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Executive Summary Key sites chosen
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Executive Summary • Europa and Sc
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Executive Summary CORAL REEF TARGET
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Executive Summary ICRI OPERATING UN
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Executive Summary COLLAPSE OF CORAL
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Executive Summary Prognosis for the
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Executive Summary concern is an out
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Executive Summary Southern Tropical
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Executive Summary Achievements in E
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Status of Coral Reefs in East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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12. STATUS OF THE CORAL REEFS IN MI
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Status of the Coral Reefs in Micron
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13. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE HA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Hawaii
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14. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE U.
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Status of Coral Reefs in the US Car
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15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NO
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16. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF MESOAM
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Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoameric
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17. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE EA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Easter
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18. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTHE
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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