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

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 Honduras There are at least 294 reef fish species in Honduras and 226 in Cayos Cochinos Biological Reserve, and there is some evidence of over-fishing by small-scale local fisherman and industrial fishing fleets. Around 78% of all households in the northern region have a family member involved in fishing, either industrial or artisanal; 29% of the households are involved in artisanal fishing and only 10% are completely dependent on industrial fishing for their livelihoods. Occasional fishing occurs continuously by many industrial fishers outside the main fishing seasons. A ban on lobster fishing using scuba gear was recently enacted within the Cayos Cochinos Natural Monument, after the fishermen participated in a WWF coordinated exchange program with the managed lobster fishery in the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. As in many other countries, it is difficult to separate fin fish and aquaculture catch statistics from the industrial catches. Nicaragua Much less is known about the reef fishes in Nicaragua, although the species composition is probably similar to reefs in adjacent Caribbean countries. Fish are important for local and domestic consumption, and fish stocks continue to be under serious pressure. Lobsters are the most valuable product, but there are also fisheries for fish, shrimp and aquarium species. Many turtles are harvested for local consumption and sale. El Salvador There are commercial and artisanal fisheries on the reefs, and the total annual landings registered between 1991 and 2000 were greater than 13,000 tons; 72% of which was from artisanal fishers. The net value of the fisheries production for 2000 was US$29 million. A marked increase in the exploitation of coastal resources out to 100m depth, has stimulated the development of a new legal framework to incorporate appropriate management measures for these resources. These include new models of participatory management and the establishment of conservation measures. There are 552 marine fish species in Salvadorian marine and coastal waters, of which 128 are reef associated species. However, the proportion of reef fish in the catch is unknown. The shrimp fishery continues to be the most important revenue earner, with most of them exported to the USA, and there are indications that the stocks are being over exploited. Summary of the known status of the marine and reef-associated fish species in Mesoamerican countries from FishBase and IUCN sources. Country Marine Reef Associated Threatened Threatened Under Treaties & Marine Conventions Mexico 1725 353 114 35 28 Belize 554 237 21 20 14 Guatemala 763 218 16 15 22 Honduras 924 286 14 14 15 Nicaragua 1013 260 19 19 18 El Salvador 552 128 4 4 15 312
Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoamerica ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS TO CORAL REEF BIODIVERSITY The greatest threats to coral reef biodiversity are derived from human activities, compounded by natural disturbances. This was emphasised in 1998, when there was a mass climate change bleaching event and Hurricane Mitch, which severely damaged the reefs. The impacts of the Hurricane were exacerbated due to massive loads of sediment flowing into coastal waters from poor land-use practices. The long-term recovery of these reefs will depend predominantly on the ability of governments and managers to reduce the level of anthropogenic disturbances, otherwise there will be severe ecological and socioeconomic consequences. The GEF/World Bank MBRS Initiative identified the main threats to the coral reefs of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico as: 1) inappropriate coastal/island development and unsustainable tourism; 2) inappropriate inland resource and land use and industrial development; 3) over-fishing and inappropriate aquaculture; 4) inappropriate port management, shipping and navigation practices; and 5) natural oceanographic and climate meteorological phenomena. The process also identified locations of significant trans-boundary hot spots that threaten the shared reef resources of these countries, which is now a special focus for remediation. The main threats along the Pacific coastlines are excessive sedimentation from deforestation, anchor and other diver-related damages, and illegal fishing. The remote Caribbean coast of Nicaragua has limited development, except by the indigenous communities, although there is some over-fishing, coral extraction, oil pollution, deforestation, soil erosion and sedimentation, and water pollution. Untreated sewage, fish processing and industrial activities have resulted in poor water quality around coastal communities and inhabited cays. Sedimentation and eutrophication from deforestation in Honduras are damaging the Miskito Coast Marine Reserve, and there is intense foreign fishing for lobster, fish and turtles, especially from nearby Honduras. There are similar threats in El Salvador e.g. deforestation and soil erosion, water pollution, soil and water contamination from toxic wastes, and frequent earthquake and volcanic activity. POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON CORAL REEFS The major signal of potential climate change threats occurred during the 1990s which was the warmest decade with a series of extreme El Niño events. These resulted in considerable coral bleaching and mortality in the region with major alterations to the composition and structure of the coral reefs. Added to this were several major Hurricanes, including Mitch, which was the most severe on recent record. The predictions for future increases in global temperatures, added to the additional anthropogenic stresses indicate that recovery from these acute disturbances may be delayed, and major shifts in community structure, including losses of live coral cover, can be anticipated. CURRENT MPAS, MONITORING PROGRAMS AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT CAPACITY The awareness for conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs is increasing in the region and programs or regulations are being developed for improved land use and control of coastal development, sustainable fisheries exploitation, pollution control, and sustainable tourism. Mexico and Belize have developed conservation programs for coral 313
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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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13. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE HA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Hawaii
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14. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE U.
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Status of Coral Reefs in the US Car
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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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