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

Status of Coral Reefs in the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN
development. Conservation may depend on co-management with tourist operators and
better environmental education for stakeholders, communities and decision-makers. In
contrast, the coral reefs on the neighbouring island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic
and Haiti) are severely degraded and there is very little capacity for monitoring and
conservation. Existing MPAs are not well managed and formal training in marine sciences
and coastal management is limited. Major tourist centres have inadequate treatment of
sewage and solid wastes. On the large island of Jamaica, the government lacks monitoring
and enforcement capacity. Environmental education is critical to all levels of the community
to avoid current conflicts between tourism and fishery interests, and to inform of the benefits
of integrated coastal management. Similarly, conservation agencies on Turks and Caicos
Islands are under-staffed. Staff in management agencies lack the experience and equipment
to carry out daily operations. Inter-sectoral conflicts between agencies continue and there is a
need for key stakeholders and users to be involved in monitoring and conservation.
CONCLUSIONS
Bahamas
Isolated reef systems are still relatively healthy, and new MPAs have been declared almost
doubling the size of protected areas. Impacts from tourism-related and coastal
development, however, still pose a threat to reefs, particularly where development is
intensive and dive tourism is unregulated.
Bermuda
Coral reefs are relatively healthy, and fish populations are improving slowly as a result of
the protected ‘no-take’ areas.
Cayman Islands
Coral reefs are generally in good condition, though there are some obvious signs of
impacts, particularly on the more developed island of Grand Cayman. Reef fish
populations are still healthy, though showing some signs of increasing fishing pressure.
Cuba
Offshore reefs are still comparatively healthy and are considered to be some of the best in
the Caribbean. Northern reefs and those close to high population centres are more
impacted. With the expected increase in tourism, effective management of the MPAs is critical
to ensure that the negative effects of intensive coastal development do not damage reefs.
Dominican Republic
Deterioration of near-shore reefs continues particularly in areas where coastal
development is high, and where reefs are very accessible. Over fishing remains
widespread. Legislation exists to protect marine resources, but the required management
is lacking.
Haiti
The outlook remains bleak for coral reefs in Haiti. Unregulated harvesting of resources continues
to damage reefs, and there are still no MPAs. The political and economic situation in Haiti
remains unchanged so there is unlikely to be any change in the environment in the near future.
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