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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN
the University of Miami, identified a total of 18 species of major reef building corals
throughout all sites, with elkhorn coral Acropora palmata the most abundant in shallow
areas (3m) and boulder star coral Montastrea annularis most abundant in deeper waters
(10m). Coral colony frequency and coral cover was generally high at both depth zones
surveyed and coral mortality was low to moderate. Sites in North and Central Andros
seem to be healthiest based on lower coral mortality, lower abundance of macroalgae and
higher abundance and diversity of fish. The reefs are considered to be in good condition
overall, probably because of low levels of human impacts. Some areas to the south
however, show obvious anthropogenic impacts, with high algal cover, a likely result of
inadequate waste treatment and fertilizer runoff, and lower fish abundance and diversity
probably due to greater fishing pressure. Coral disease, particularly white band disease of
the main Acropora species, has been widespread. Coral reef decline is more pronounced
where they are in close proximity to development, on the islands of New Providence and
San Salvador. At San Salvador, monitoring by the Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity
Program (CARICOMP) since 1994 shows a change in coral cover at 10m depth of 9.6% to
4% in 2001, while macroalgae predominates (~40%).
Bermuda
There has been little change in reef status since 2000. Reefs are still fairly healthy with few
declines in coral cover since the early 90s, and corals are relatively free from disease and
bleaching. Average coral cover is 30-35% and as high as 50% on the outer terrace, but
only about 9% on inshore reefs. Coral cover at the CARICOMP monitoring sites have
remained relatively stable over 9 years, changing from 23% in 1993 to 18% in 2001.
Cayman Island
Coral reefs are generally in good condition, although the reefs of Little and Grand Cayman
vary considerably. AGRRA surveys in 1999 showed coral cover ranges of 14.7 to 37.7% for
Little Cayman, and 12.7 to 24.3% for Grand Cayman. Lower values are possibly due to
increased impacts from coastal development and water pollution. Little Cayman is more
remote and relatively undeveloped and less likely to be impacted. Data from the
Department of Environment, Protection and Conservation Unit show coral cover on six
reefs at 8 - 33 m in Little Cayman declining from an average of 22.2% in 1997 to an
average of 19% in 1999 and 16% in 2001. On Grand Cayman average coral cover declined
from 25.6% (ranges 13.8 to 35%) at 9 sites in 1997, to 15.7% in 2001. Coral cover on
Cayman Brac averaged 15.6% in 2000. Acropora species have been severely damaged by
white-band disease, although isolated healthy stands exist. Most reefs have recovered from
the 1998 bleaching event, with corals that had partial mortality growing back over the
dead surfaces, but in some cases corals have not recovered.
Cuba
These reefs are among the best in the Caribbean, probably due to minimal coastal
development on the north and south coasts and the fact that many reefs are offshore and
outside the influence of land-based sources of pollution. Southern Cuba’s coral
archipelagos including Los Canarreos Archipelago through Punta Guanahacabibes, and
Archipélago Jardines de la Reina (‘Gardens of the Queen’) are healthy, and considered
among the least damaged areas of the Caribbean. This area has high biodiversity (45 coral
species, 23 gorgonians, 137 sponges, 212 polychaetes, 108 molluscs, 63 crabs, 28
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