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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN
predictions are for increases in the number and intensity of such events. With more
intense bleaching events the possibility of permanent damage to reefs increases. Coral
reefs protect coastlines from storm damage, erosion and flooding by reducing wave action
approaching a coastline. The protection they offer also enables the formation of associated
ecosystems (e.g. sea grass beds and mangroves) and allows the development of essential
habitats, fisheries and livelihoods. The cost of losing coral reefs would run into the 100s of
billions of dollars each year. The estimated cost of losing 58% of the world’s coral reefs
has been given at US$140 billion per annum in lost tourism alone. Predicted sea-level
rises could cause severe erosion of beaches and losses of mangroves, particularly as
populations of the major shallow-water reef building coral, Acropora palmata, have been
markedly reduced due to diseases. Beach erosion is already a problem in the Negril area of
Jamaica. Low coastal towns will suffer and damage to the predominantly coral islands of
Bahamas and Turks and Caicos is likely. While the low island countries of Bahamas,
Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos are more vulnerable to the effects of
rising sea level, the high islands will also be vulnerable, as most have very high levels of
coastal development, with the majority of the population concentrated in the coastal zone.
Coral reefs that are in good condition and are suffering from fewer anthropogenic impacts
(land-based sources of pollution, physical damage, overfishing etc.) are more likely to
recover from coral bleaching. Conditions should be created to maximise the potential for
resilience and recovery of coral reefs. Creating and managing MPAs effectively, reducing
land-based sources of pollution, creating ‘no-take’ zones or fish sanctuaries and reducing
physical damage to reefs from tourism-related activities are some measures that have been
shown to improve coral reef condition.
Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) is the regional
organisation that has been responding to the issues of global climate change. As well,
many national governments are exploring the issues associated with global climate
change and are conducting vulnerability assessment, safety and security of water
resources as well as planning for adaptation to these predicted changes.
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS) AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY
A survey by a UK resource management company (MRAG Ltd.), in association with the
Natural Resource Management Programme of the University of the West Indies (Barbados)
and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) identified 75 MPAs in 17 island
countries and territories of the Lesser Antillean and Central Caribbean, as well as Belize
and the Turks and Caicos Islands. All countries and territories have at least one MPA with
the exception of Haiti (one proposed in the 1990s but never established).
Management varies from reasonably strong in the Caymans, Bermuda and the Bahamas,
to weak management in Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos.
Less than half of the region’s MPAs have more than a low level of management and
approximately 25% have no management at all. In most cases the level of management
seems to be related directly to the availability of financial resources. Most of the MPAs
cited as having high levels of management, functional user fee systems were used to cover
all or most management costs (e.g. Cayman Islands marine park system). Importantly,
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