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

15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NORTHERN
CARIBBEAN AND ATLANTIC NODE OF THE GCRMN
DULCIE LINTON, ROBBIE SMITH, PEDRO ALCOLADO,
CARL HANSON, PETER EDWARDS, REYNALDO ESTRADA,
TATUM FISHER, RAUL GOMEZ FERNANDEZ, FRANCISCO GERALDES,
CROY MCCOY, DUNCAN VAUGHAN, VINCENT VOEGELI,
GEORGE WARNER AND JEAN WIENER
ABSTRACT
The general pattern is one of continued decline of coral reef resources, although the rate
of decline may have slowed. The decline is particularly acute where island shelves are
narrow and easily accessible, and where reefs are relatively close to high population areas.
Some of the more isolated reefs of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Cuba are still
considered relatively healthy. Reefs of the Cayman Islands and Bermuda are generally
healthy, although impacts are increasing, while reef systems of the Dominican Republic,
Haiti and Jamaica are highly impacted, with low coral cover on most shallow reefs. In
most cases, the deterioration of the reefs is related to nutrient and sediment pollution
from on-shore sources, such as sewage and agriculture (causing algae to over-grow reefs),
disease, over-fishing, anchor damage, destructive fishing (dynamite and bleach) and high
diving/snorkeling pressures. All of the countries are dependent on tourism to some extent
to support their economies, but in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Haiti and
Jamaica, where economic development is heavily dependent on the marine environment,
the deterioration of the reef system is greater, due to rapid coastal development and
resultant habitat destruction. The situation in these countries is exacerbated by high
fishing pressure on coral reef fishes. Where legislation and effective management of
marine resources are given fairly high priority (Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman), some of the
negative stresses have been removed and reef systems appear more stable. However, where
MPAs have not been declared (Haiti) or where they remain little more than ‘paper parks’
(Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica) coral reefs continue to be under stress.
INTRODUCTION
The Northern Caribbean and Atlantic region contains the 3 largest islands in the
Caribbean; Cuba, (110,000 km 2 ), Hispaniola (divided into Dominican Republic and Haiti;
76,000 km 2 ) and Jamaica, (10,991 km 2 ), as well as the small, low islands of Bermuda and
Cayman, and the archipelagic islands of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos with their
extensive banks. Reef systems are well developed in all countries, mostly as fringing reefs
along island shelves and offshore banks. The islanders are heavily dependent on coral reef
systems for their livelihood, providing major sources of income and resources through
tourism, fishing, and coastal protection. Most of the countries have limited opportunities
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