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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
Reefs of the Capricorn Bunker group had high coral cover until 1988 when it is probable that a
storm removed most of the coral cover. After a lag of several years, the coral cover has increased
steadily from virtually zero to over 60% cover, which is mostly rapid growing table Acropora
species. This illustrates the value of long term observations.
Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs: These large atolls are particularly remote and there have
been no surveys since the 2000 report. They are remote from human impacts but exposed
to strong waves and storms.
Lord Howe Island: This is one of the most southern coral fringing reefs in the world
(31°40’S) and also a World Heritage Site. The reefs have low species diversity with mostly
tropical species mixed with more temperate species. Surveys between 1978 and 1993
showed significant differences in coral species, suggesting that the rare species may
become locally extinct after impacts of COTS, coral bleaching and storms. Replacement by
larvae from reefs to the north may be a very irregular event. A habitat mapping program is
in progress, but there is no regular monitoring.
Other Areas: There is coral growth on rocky reefs south of the GBR in southern
Queensland: the Gneering Shoals (26°S), Flinders Reefs (27°S) and northern New South
Wales (28°S 30’S) with populations up to 50% coral cover.
Western Australia
Ashmore and Cartier Reefs, Scott and Seringapatam Reefs and Rowley Shoals: These
remote oceanic and shelf-edge reefs receive no mainland influence, being at least 300km
of the Western Australian coast. Ashmore Reef is now a Marine Reserve and currently
closed to all exploitation except subsistence fishing by Indonesian fishermen. Scott and
Seringapatam Reefs (14°S) are fished by Indonesians for sea cucumbers, trochus and
sharkfin and is a prospective site for extraction of liquid natural gas. In 1998, elevated seasurface
temperatures caused massive coral mortality down to a depth of 30 metres. Since
1998, the corals on these reefs have recovered only slightly (see Chapter 1). Further south,
the three reefs of the Rowley Shoals (17°S) are protected as State and Commonwealth
marine parks. Anthropogenic impacts on the Rowley Shoals are minimal, with fishing for
most species banned. Coral communities at all reefs were in good condition through most
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