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

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
Hawaiian Islands continue to suffer from over-fishing, sediment pollution and tourism
pressures from the islands. Fish populations are greater in reserves than heavily fished areas
nearby, but efforts to create new no-take reserves are resisted. They are an urgent priority.
The American Caribbean
There has been a major increase in funding for the U.S. Caribbean, resulting in improved
mapping, monitoring, and management of coral reefs. There is now more understanding
of the status of these coral reefs, but many of the problems remain, with major losses of
corals in Florida, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Monitoring in the Florida Keys shows
that fishes in no-take reserves are larger and more abundant than in fished areas, which is
improving public support for increases in management of the reefs. Despite the increases
in conservation activities, much remains to be done to ensure the recovery of many of the
coral reefs in this region.
Northern Caribbean and Western Atlantic
There is a continuing decline in coral reefs in easily accessible areas, although the rate of
decline may have slowed. More isolated reefs of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba
are still relatively healthy, as are reefs of the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, although
impacts are increasing. The reefs of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica have low
coral cover and few fish. The deterioration of these reefs is due to nutrient and sediment
pollution, coral disease, over-fishing, anchor damage, destructive fishing and tourism
pressures. Coral reef tourism, a critical component of the economies, is severely
threatened by these losses. Many countries have MPAs but many remain as ‘paper parks’.
Central or Mesoamerica
The status of the coral reefs appears to be stabilising following considerable damage from
coral bleaching, a series of hurricanes and human stresses. Prior to these events, reefs on
the Caribbean side were considered in good condition, but hurricanes in 2000, 2001 and
2002 destroyed up to 75% of corals in some parts of Belize. There are intense fishing
pressures and sediments and nutrients flowing onto the reefs because of poor land-use
practices and unregulated coastal development. These threats are being addressed in a
World Bank/GEF project to conserve the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System in
partnership with WWF Ecoregional Conservation Program in Belize, Guatemala,
Honduras and Mexico, and other agencies. Efforts include ecosystem monitoring,
environmental information systems, strengthening MPA management and raising
national capacity and regional cooperation to tackle trans-boundary issues.
The Eastern Antilles
These islands face the same threats to their coral reefs as described in 2000: increased
sedimentation and pollution from coastal development; anchor and tourism diver damage;
overfishing due to increased demand; coral bleaching; and severe storms from climate
change. Most shallow reefs in the eastern Caribbean have degraded, whereas deeper reefs are
less affected. Some islands have established effective management and monitoring programs
supported by funds gathered from tourists, however, others are hampered by inadequate
legislation, poor enforcement, and insufficient human and financial resources. Reef Check
methodology appears most appropriate for monitoring in many areas, and the values of
monitoring and protecting areas should be demonstrated to national and local governments.
28