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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
although some poaching of eggs still occurs and 1-2 adults are taken annually for
traditional purposes.
St. Maarten has 30 fishermen who mostly use fish traps and other artisanal practices. Fish
populations are still reasonable although big groupers are not common and conch
populations have been depleted.
There is limited fishing around Saba. Over 200 species of fish have been observed in the
Saba National Marine Park and populations are considered healthy, but still recovering
from historical over-fishing. Grouper and snapper biomass continues to increase after the
establishment of the Marine Park.
The Saba Bank is fished by about 50 fishermen (mostly from Saba) who concentrate on
the lobster trap and red snapper fishery. Data suggest that the lobster fishery is still
sustainable. By-catch includes Queen triggerfish, small groupers (predominantly
Graysbies and Red Hinds) and larger grunts. The red snapper fishery uses lines and fish
traps in deep water. There was an intensive grouper fishery until the populations were
depleted. Large numbers of conchs were taken from the Bank until 1995 when fishery
regulations were effectively enforced and the fishery ceased to exist. The present status of
the population is unknown.
Trinidad and Tobago
Fishing is the mainstay of many coastal villages in Tobago and there are 840 registered
fishermen in Tobago operating 275 fishing vessels. These are mostly small, open-deck
vessels, operating inshore. Fishing activities on some reefs are increasing.
ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS TO CORAL REEF BIODIVERSITY
There is a similar set of anthropogenic threats and impacts on most of the islands. These
threats include: increased sedimentation from poorly planned development, especially
construction of tourist resorts, roads and ports and through the clearance of mangroves
and upland forests as well as over-grazing by feral goats; eutrophication from agricultural
fertilizers and sewage, which is one of the biggest problems in Barbados; physical damage
from yacht anchors and divers, although many mooring buoys have been installed; overfishing;
and climate change, which has resulted in more frequent and intense storms,
high sea surface temperatures and coral bleaching.
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Many countries are involved in the ‘Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change
(CPACC)’ program to assist in developing policies to cope with issues like sea level rise.
Specific activities include establishing a sea level and climate monitoring network and
databases, resource inventories, vulnerability and risk assessments, and policy formulation.
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