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

Executive Summary
Prognosis for the future of the top 21 countries of the world that have 1% or more of the
total area of coral on reefs. The list, area and proportion of the world total area are from the
UNEP-WCMC World Atlas of Coral Reefs (2001) but the prognosis is a subjective assessment
by the editor based on country reports and the level of political will for conservation.
Rank Country and locations Coral Area km 2 World total % Prognosis for the Future
1 Indonesia 51,020 17.95% Mostly poor, some fair/good
2 Australia 48,960 17.22% Good, bleaching only threat
3 Philippines 25,060 8.81% Mostly poor, very few good
4 France (3 oceans) 14,280 5.02% Good, bleaching threat
5 Papua New Guinea 13,840 4.87% Good, many threats looming
6 Fiji 10,020 3.52% Good/fair, bleaching threat
7 Maldives 8,920 3.14% Good, bleaching big threat
8 Saudi Arabia 6,660 2.34% Good, bleaching threat
9 Marshall Islands 6,110 2.15% Good, bleaching threat
10 India 5,790 2.04% Some good, many very poor
11 Solomon Islands 5,750 2.02% Good, bleaching threat
12 United Kingdom (3 oceans) 5,510 1.94% Good, bleaching threat
13 Micronesia, Fed. States of 4,340 1.53% Good, bleaching threat
14 Vanuatu 4,110 1.45% Good, bleaching threat
15 Egypt 3,800 1.34% Good/Fair, bleaching threat
16 United States of America 3,770 1.33% Good to poor, improving
17 Malaysia 3,600 1.27% Fair to poor & threatened
18 Tanzania 3,580 1.26% Fair to poor & threatened
19 Eritrea 3,260 1.15% Good, bleaching threat
20 Bahamas 3,150 1.11% Good to Fair, bleaching threat
21 Cuba 3,020 1.06% Good, bleaching threat
STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF THE WORLD BY REGIONS
Arabian Region
Reefs in the Red Sea remain in relatively good health with anthropogenic threats
increasing slightly. There has only been minimal recovery of near-shore reefs in the
Arabian/Persian Gulf, these were virtually destroyed by severe coral bleaching in 1996 and
1998. Offshore reefs still have some healthy corals. Tourism is the major force for
conservation of reefs in the Red Sea. Monitoring and management capacity is developing
through regional cooperation programs, but these countries still lag behind many others
in the world for monitoring capacity and political will for conservation. There are very few
effective protected areas.
Eastern Africa
The reefs continue to be threatened by many human disturbances from the African
continent. Increasing levels of sediment runoff; nutrient pollution; and major overexploitation
of reef resources from growing populations threaten the reefs. There are
encouraging signs that governments and communities are collaborating to develop
sustainable practices for reef use including many small ecotourism ventures. Many efforts,
however, were set back by massive coral bleaching and mortality during the El Niño event
of 1998. Many reefs lost up to 80% of their live corals (especially Kenya and Tanzania).
Coral recovery is occurring at a worryingly slow pace, particularly on reefs threatened by
direct human pressures. More human and financial resources are required to build local
and national capacity to manage reef resources.
25