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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN
offshore reefs that are less impacted by anthropogenic effects. These include the
Montecristi barrier reef and the Silver Banks with mean coral cover approximating 40-50%.
Haiti
There is virtually no monitoring due to the political impasse between the Haitian
government and the international community about funding activities, including
environmental activities. Presumably the reefs have suffered from the recent Caribbeanwide
mortalities from coral bleaching and disease, as well as the effects of extreme
deforestation, over-fishing and local pollution. Over-fishing continues unchecked and the
lack of herbivores means macroalgal growth is not controlled and smothers corals. There
is obvious damage from urban runoff from Port-au-Prince.
Jamaica
The reefs continue to show symptoms of stress. Low coral cover and dominance by
macroalgae is clearly evident, particularly on shallow reefs, where coral cover ranges from
2 - 20%. However, deeper reefs are in better condition. A CARICOMP monitoring site in
Discovery Bay at 8m, shows a slight increase in coral cover from 9% to 12-14% in 10
years. Parallel ReefCheck surveys suggest slightly higher cover. Densities of the sea urchin
(Diadema antillarum) increased until 1999, but have since declined. There are, however,
encouraging signs of some recovery, with good coral recruitment on shallow reefs. In the
Negril Marine Park, reefs have remained stable over the past 5 years and are generally in
poor condition. Recovery is impeded by seasonal storms, constant fishing (including spear
fishing, pot fishing and seine net fishing), heavy algal cover, frequent diving and
snorkelling by tourists and locals, and sedimentation. The biggest problem is
eutrophication and data from the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society (NCRPS) confirm
that macroalgal biomass on the reefs in Negril is at critical levels, particularly on
reefs near the mouth of the South Negril River. Sewage and land run-off carrying
agricultural fertilisers contribute to high nutrient loadings around Negril. Live coral cover
remains low, between 5 and 12% in 2000 as does coral recruitment. There are, however,
some reefs outside most of the coastal stresses that are in reasonably good condition. Reef
Check surveys in Bloody Bay Negril suggest 30-40% coral cover, with many healthy
gorgonians, but very few fish were seen confirming that over-fishing continues to be a
major problem. Beach erosion in Negril continues without any immediate solution, and
in future, the rapid deterioration of the reefs in the Negril Marine Park may reduce their
ability to protect the shoreline from erosion.
South coast reefs, particularly those near high population centres, are similarly stressed e.g.
coral cover near Kingston Harbour varied from 7.3% at South East Cay to 21.4% at
Rackhams Cay (average 15%). Density of coral recruits ranged from 1 to 6.4 individuals per
m 2 , and the incidence of coral bleaching was 1.9 to 16.7%. There were signs of slow recovery
of Diadema antillarum populations. Reefs around the offshore islands in the Portland Bight
Protected Area are in better condition, though impacted by siltation and some algal
overgrowth. Visual estimates of coral cover at Pigeon Island in 2001 and 2002 were >20% and
coral recruits of different species e.g. Agaricia, Siderastrea and Acropora (cervicornis) were
observed. There were low levels of disease (1.4%) and bleaching (1.4%). Again, fishes were
small and scarce with no large predators. The offshore reefs at the Morant and Pedro Cays are
relatively inaccessible and less impacted than inshore reefs, but there are no recent data.
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