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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 effort have declined, fish are now smaller, and there have been failures in recruitment. The loss of herbivores (i.e. parrotfishes) and large predatory fish has stimulated a proliferation of small fish like damselfish (Stegastes planifrons). This adds to the problems for the reefs, because these fish bite and kill coral polyps to promote algal growth for their young. A NOAA fish monitoring program from 2000 has collected fish abundance, distribution, size-class structure, and micro-scale habitat data at more than 1000 sites throughout the US Caribbean (500 sites for St. Croix, 350 for PR, and 200 for St. John). Of particular concern is that among 50,000 fish counted and measured, only 0.6% of these were more than 30cm fork length. Even worse, of the 8,000 snappers, groupers, and grunts counted, less than 0.4% were larger than 30cm fork length. This means that most are below effective breeding size. Spiny lobster populations are declining due to persistent and increasing fishing pressure, with an unwanted side effect. Coral-eating molluscs, which are a favourite food of the lobsters are increasing and causing more damage to the corals. Populations of the major grazing sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) remain at about 10% of their pre-1983 abundance. U.S. Virgin Islands There are no new fisheries data since the 2000 Status Report. Habitat losses on the coasts, clearing of mangroves, destruction of seagrass beds and losses of coral cover have all impacted on fish populations. However, the major problem continues to be over-fishing. Regulations exist to protect fish stocks, but these are not enforced and the populations of groupers and snappers continue to decline. Similar to elsewhere in the Caribbean, the excessive use of fish traps continues and many traps are lost and continue ‘fishing’. Queen conchs and lobsters were once abundant, but over-fishing and loss of seagrass beds are causing major population declines. This will continue until management reduces fishing effort and prevents losses of critical habitats. The prominent sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) are recovering very slowly around the USVI, but remain at less than 10% of their original levels. Conch populations are decreasing and there is no difference in conch density inside MPAs compared to areas outside. There has also been an apparent decrease in the size and abundance of lobsters e.g. 19.4 per hectare at 89 sites around St. John in 1970, compared to 5 per ha for 4 sites in 1996. Navassa Surveys counted 36 to 41 fish species per site around Navassa, with 97-140 fishes per 60m 2 . Density of snapper + grouper was 2.5 fish per 60 m 2 , whereas surgeonfishes + parrotfishes was 15.9 fish/60m 2 . The sign of a reasonably healthy fish population was that 92% of snapper and 23% of parrotfishes were longer than 40cm. These fish, however are attracting more artisinal trap and hook and line fishers from Haiti, which is adding new stresses to Navassa reefs. 260
Status of Coral Reefs in the US Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico ANTHOPOGENIC THREATS TO CORAL REEFS Florida East Coast There are varied and chronic stresses from this extremely urbanised coast. Dredging for beach renourishment, channel deepening and maintenance have significantly reduced water quality, smothered corals and other invertebrates and lowered productivity e.g. Boca Raton and Sunny Isles. Recreational usage can be extreme especially in warmer months, with clear evidence of fishing gear impact and anchor damage. Shipping from the large ports (Miami, Port Everglades, and Palm Beach) means that ships frequently run aground or anchor on reefs. Ocean outfalls pour large volumes of secondary treated sewage into the coastal waters. Florida Keys The major threats to the coral reefs stem from over 4 million annual visitors and 80,000 residents in the Florida Keys. Growth of the population in Monroe County is limited by a rate-of-growth ordinance, and was only 2% between the 1990 and 2000 censuses. Similarly, the number of registered private boats has increased 6 fold since 1965. Most visible damage in the last 20 years has been from direct human impacts such as grounding of boats in coral, seagrasses, or hard bottom areas, breaking and anchor damage, destructive fishing, and divers and snorkellers standing on corals. Boat propellers have permanently damaged over 12,000ha of seagrasses, and over 500 small boat groundings are reported annually in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Large ships have been responsible for damaging or destroying over 10ha of coral reef habitat. Indirect human impacts are significantly affecting the coral reefs with eutrophication in nearshore waters a major problem. Wastewater and stormwater treatment, and solid waste disposal facilities are inadequate in the Keys, but improvements are being made. In IMO AND FLOWER GARDENS BANK The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) took a historic step in 2000 by creating a new measure under international law for the establishment of ‘No Anchoring Areas’. This measure allows any country to request the IMO to designate a ‘no anchoring area’ where anchoring is hazardous to a ship or could result in unacceptable damage to the marine environment. At the same time, the IMO approved the adoption of 3 mandatory no anchoring areas to protect the fragile coral reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) and later in the Tortugas. Coral reef communities such as those in the FGBNMS and the Tortugas may take thousands of years to develop, but an anchor can destabilise the reef structure and create loose rubble that causes further damage to sensitive species. Even if conditions for regeneration are optimal, it could take hundreds of years for the reef to return to its former condition. The shipping industry will also benefit from the IMO adoption of ‘no anchoring areas’, as this measure ensures that all countries produce charts for international navigation with such areas marked clearly. This informs the mariner of potentially hazardous areas, whilst also increasing compliance with the prohibition. ‘No anchoring areas’ focus on prevention, rather than enforcement and liability for damage to the resources. 261
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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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7. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CORAL R
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Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reef
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN EAST AN
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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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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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Status of Coral Reefs in Southern T
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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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