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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 Turks and Caicos Islands These reefs are similar to those of the Bahamas with a deep fore-reef dominated by gorgonians and boulder coral Montastrea annularis. Green algae are abundant on the fore reef, especially Laurencia, Microdictyon and Lobophora. The majority of the coral reefs are still healthy, with diverse and abundant corals. Adverse human activity is slight with the major damage to fore-reef corals coming from intense dive tourism, especially near Providenciales, West Caicos and the western drop-off on Grand Turk. Massive construction on East and South Caicos with direct destruction of reef habitat, and increased sedimentation, is threatening the reefs. It is unlikely that conservation measures and enforcement will be able to keep up with the likely negative impacts of these activities, unless additional resources are diverted to the protection and enhancement of the marine resources. There is intense fishing for lobster on the large patch reefs in the shallow, sheltered waters of the Turks and Caicos Banks, but the direct impacts are relatively limited, although chlorine bleach is sometimes used. Most of the Caicos Bank is covered by sand, algae, and sea-grasses, and is an important nursery ground for conch and lobster, but threats are minimal. The reefs have changed little since AGRRA surveys in 1999 and levels of coral mortality remain low, while coral diversity and cover remain relatively high (>30% at several locations). The School for Field Studies, Centre for Marine Resources Studies showed average coral cover of 18% (range 8-33%) on South Caicos in 1999 Coral disease and bleaching are rare, and a wide variety of target fish species, such as groupers is evident. There are low levels of bleaching in South Caicos. STATUS OF CORAL REEF FISHERIES For many countries coral reef fisheries are extremely important in socio-economic terms, providing valuable employment and food for local consumption as well as to support the tourism industry. Exports of main species such as the spiny lobster and queen conch provide valuable foreign exchange for countries such as Jamaica, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Many coral reef food fishes aggregate in large numbers at specific locations, seasons and moon phases in order to spawn. Such fishes include groupers, snappers, jacks, mullets, bonefish and others. A variety of such species will often spawn at common sites. These aggregations are prime targets for fishers, who often take large catches from them. In consequence, a number of them have been wiped out, along with the fisheries they supported. In the western Atlantic, grouper aggregations with a known history of heavy fishing pressure include Bermuda, Cayman and the Dominican Republic. Bahamas The fisheries sector contributed 2.3- 2.5% of GDP to the Bahamian economy between 1994 and 1996 (similar to insurance, and more than banking). Most are in New Providence, however the lobster fishery is particularly important in Eleuthera and Abaco. The 1995 Fisheries Census lists 4,050 Bahamian commercial fishing vessels employing 9,300 fishermen (6.8% of the workforce). The most valuable fisheries are lobster, conch, grouper, snapper, and jacks. Fisheries exports were US$74.1 million in 1999 (95% was lobster) and Bahamian landings of lobster are 4th in the world (after Australia, Brazil and 284
Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN Cuba). There is an 8 month lobster season - August to March 31. Populations of grouper and conch show clear evidence of over-fishing, and action is essential to prevent the possible collapse of these populations, e.g. by establishing a closed season to prevent the depletion of Nassau grouper spawning aggregations. The Government of the Bahamas has developed a system of fisheries reserves, declaring 6 areas for the protection of lobster, conch and Nassau Grouper. The government has a commitment to the sustainable and profitable use of Bahamian marine resources, with a goal of promoting under-used seafood products. There are shrimp hatcheries in Nassau, and on Grand Bahama Island. Bermuda Surveys by the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) indicate that reef fish populations are showing slow signs of increase, especially scarids, acanthurids and some serranids, such as the Black Grouper, suggesting that more time is required for recovery from over-fishing. Cayman Islands AGRRA and the Reef Environmental Education Foundation surveys from 1994 to 2001 showed relatively diverse and abundant fish populations on the Caymans. This richness probably results from high habitat diversity, a significant (34%) area of coastal reserves, and generally healthy reefs. There were 276 fish species recorded in these surveys. There is more fishing pressure on Grand Cayman than on Little Cayman, reflected by more and larger groupers, parrotfishes and snappers as well as more frequent sightings of large groupers on Little Cayman. The average abundance of most fishes was higher on Little Cayman, suggesting that coastal development and water pollution may effect fish communities on Grand Cayman. Five spawning aggregation sites of the Nassau grouper were heavily harvested during 2002 on Grand Cayman, and 4 have been depleted. Fish pots (Antillean Z-traps) represent the biggest threat to fish populations, and 500 locals hold licenses to use spear-guns with a snorkel. Cuba The coral reef fishery is probably in better condition than other Caribbean countries (higher species richness, biomass and average size), with about 40% of the total commercial catch coming from the reefs. The lobster export is worth US$100 million annually, however, recent declines in the catch of most species are attributed to overfishing and the use of inappropriate fishing gear e.g. nets and heavy fishing of spawning aggregations. Commercial catches of the Nassau grouper have declined. Dominican Republic Artisanal over-fishing is one of the major problems affecting the recovery of the Dominican reefs, with all commercially important species depleted. There is also harvesting of black corals, hermit crabs, ornamental reef fishes, starfish, sea urchins etc. for the souvenir industry. In some cases chemical poisons such as bleach are used, which affect the corals and other non-target species. Haiti There is a complete disregard for fishing regulations, due to the extensive poverty. All areas are subject to strong fishing pressures from spear fishing, use of hookah, light 285
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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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12. STATUS OF THE CORAL REEFS IN MI
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Status of the Coral Reefs in Micron
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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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