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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
There is also relatively high fishing pressure on fish resources in most areas. Unregulated
fishing has reduced reef fish populations, and illegal harvesting of black corals continues.
Reef dive tourism is not well managed with considerable anchor and diver damage in the
intensely visited locations.
The major problem in the Dominican Republic occurs through increasing human
populations (estimated >9 million), economic development with associated
sedimentation, sewage and other terrestrial pollution from agriculture, mining, industry,
shipping and tourism. Large areas of the coast have been destroyed for tourism, including
reconditioning of beaches, which causes more sediment damage. The development of
transhipment ports will result in more reef destruction. Over-fishing of reef resources
continues to be a major problem.
Similarly on Haiti, populations are growing (estimated 8.2 million) with few economic
alternatives other than artisanal activities. There are increasing threats from road
construction, sedimentation from deforestation and soil erosion, pollution and overfishing,
especially near Port-au-Prince. Illegal exploitation of corals for export under the
guise of ‘harvesting live rock’ is increasing, with apparent indifference by government
officials. Similarly officials ignore destruction of coral reefs for private boat access.
The population of Jamaica has been estimated at 2.6 million (2002). Where coastal
development is concentrated due to tourism or high local populations, threats to reefs are
highest. Continued threats to reefs include pollution from farming and sewage,
sedimentation from soil erosion due to deforestation, and habitat destruction to
accommodate development. The nearshore reefs on the north coast are all severely
overfished and increasingly impacted by the activities of 1.5 million tourists per year.
Rapid growth and new industrial development have resulted in more terrestrial runoff and
dredging of reefs for ports outside of Kingston Harbour (See Box).
On the Turks and Caicos Islands, tourism development is increasing rapidly (120,898 in
1999 to 151,372 in 2000) threatening the relatively healthy reef system, particularly the
remote cays where tourists dive. The major threats to the reefs around Providenciales are
pollution from sewage and anti-fouling paints in marinas, coastal development, fish
processing plants, conch aquaculture, coral breakage by divers and anchors, boat
groundings and construction of tourism infrastructure. Several large developments and
the likely introduction of cruise ships to Providenciales, Grand Turk, West Caicos, East
Caicos and South Caicos threaten the viability of the National Parks, Nature Reserves and
Sanctuaries adjacent to these areas. Fishing pressures are substantial in limited areas, in
particular in the South Caicos, Grand Turk and Providenciales region.
POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS AND RESPONSES
One of the major indications of climate change is the increase in sea surface temperatures
and the increases in coral bleaching events throughout the world. The Caribbean region
has experienced significant coral bleaching events in the past 2 decades and more are
anticipated as sea surface temperatures continue to rise. Since the major coral bleaching
event of 1998 there have been no significant bleaching events in the Caribbean, but
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