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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 FLORIDA KEYS CORAL REEFS: IN DECLINE, BUT NOT BEYOND HOPE The coral reefs of the Florida Keys have declined in health and vitality at an incredible rate over the past 20 years. Even the declaration of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 1990 as an American underwater treasure has apparently not reversed the decline, but now many government, academic and private partners are collaborating to tackle the complex range of problems. The evidence is clear: long-time residents report that the reefs are disappearing before their eyes; and scientists are documenting the decline and pointing fingers at the causes. The coral reefs of the Florida Keys grow at the northern limits for reef growth, often with severe fluctuations in water temperatures, but they also face an amazing range of human impacts. The evidence for decline comes from unparalleled research and monitoring efforts over these 20 years. The Coral Reef Monitoring Project has shown that 35% of living corals have died on most shallow reefs since 1996. These are not isolated examples, but come from over 120 stations at 43 fixed monitoring sites along the whole reef tract. The decline of the prominent elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), is a stunning example. Elkhorn cover was once dominant on shallow reefs, but has declined by 86%, suggesting that it may be a candidate for endangered species status. The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) has declined by more than 300% and the bladed fire coral (Millepora complanata) declined by more than 200%. The number of coral species has also declined, with two-thirds of sites reporting missing species, and much of the remaining coral is threatened by disease. The Sanctuary’s long-term Water Quality Protection Program has shown that water quality at all sites continues to decline, with increases in nutrient pollution from sewage, agriculture and industry. Local residents are concerned that their thriving tourism and commercial fishing industries are threatened; the Keys receive more than 3 million visitors each year, with most going snorkelling and scuba diving expecting to see clear water with flourishing, colourful corals and abundant fish populations. These visitors spend US$1.2 billion in Florida. Commercial fishermen land US$70 million worth of seafood every year, and 6 million people call South Florida ‘home’. However, these same industries result in damage to the coral reefs. More than 7,000 cesspits, 900 shallow-injection wells and 25,000 septic tanks release nutrients that percolate through the porous rock out to the near-shore waters. Heavy rains also wash animal waste and petroleum pollutants from roads directly into the ocean. Careless tourists run boats aground, cut through seagrass beds or destroy fragile corals. Inexperienced snorkellers break corals by standing on or kicking them, and anchors still damage corals, despite an extensive system of mooring buoys. Key target fish, lobsters and conchs have been reduced below sustainable levels, which disrupt coral reef food chains and clean up mechanisms. Reduced and channelised freshwater flows into Florida Bay has affected the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water entering the Bay. Either the quantity of freshwater is limited during droughts, or catastrophic releases occur during storms. This has resulted in increased plankton blooms, and sponge, seagrass and fish kills. But the Bay is a critical nursery and juvenile habitat for many reef species. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan aims to return freshwater flows back to 268
Status of Coral Reefs in the US Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico natural levels by managing activities upstream in the Everglades. A disturbing sign has been the increase in coral diseases, with more than 10 reported so far. Another worrying sign for managers is that increasing warm waters from global climate change is causing coral bleaching and may exacerbate diseases. Coral bleaching in the Florida Keys has increased in frequency and duration over these 20 years, with 1997 and 1998 being the worst on record. These are the problems facing resource managers for the Florida Keys: to reduce the local, regional and global threats to the valuable resources; while at the same time permitting tourism and fishing industries to continue on or near the reefs, and without undue disruption of agriculture, industry or domestic activities. Wastewater and stormwater treatment must be accelerated and no-take ecological reserves implemented to conserve biodiversity and prevent the collapse of fish stocks. The Western Sambo and Tortugas Ecological Reserves are examples of how no-take areas can conserve and protect Sanctuary marine life. Above all, managers must involve all stakeholders and bring the public along through aggressive education programs and vigilant enforcement of protected areas. If the public support the Sanctuary management plans, including using mooring buoys and marked channels, some stresses can be minimised. In the wider region, it is essential that all people in the catchment understand that the health of the Florida Keys depends on what happens upstream in the Everglades, and in cities and towns. Restoration of natural freshwater flows and effective treatment of wastewaters is essential to reduce nutrient excesses on the reefs. The goals of the managers, and the whole community, are to give the Florida Keys reefs a fighting chance to survive and remains as a heritage for our children. From: Billy Causey and Cheva Heck, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Billy.Causey@noaa.gov Red Hind spawning site. In November 1999 the closed area (41km 2 ) was designated a marine reserve with all fishing and anchoring prohibited. Average length of spawning red hind have increased from 29.5cm in 1988 to 38.8cm in 2000, and the number of spawning fish increased from 5 to 25 fish/100m 2 . The USVI Government has also designated Marine Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries (Salt River, Cas Cay/Mangrove Lagoon and St. James) where fishing is allowed only with handlines or for baitfish with a permit (St. James). Navassa This island is part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge. A Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the entire Caribbean Islands Refuge is being developed in 2002. GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION Florida Management strategies for the FKNMS are largely non-regulatory. Instead, they aim to educate citizens and visitors, use volunteers to build stewardship for marine resources, mark channels and waterways, install and maintain mooring buoys, survey submerged cultural resources, and protect water quality. Five types of marine zones reduce pressures 269
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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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