Jackson2013-Status and Trendsof Caribbean Coral Reefs

Fig. 29.2 Average percent cover
of live corals (A) and macroalgae
(B), density of Diadema antillarum
(C), and parrotfishes and groupers
biomass (D) in St. Lucia. Dotted
line represents the average of
Caribbean data collected for this
report. (Codes same as in Table
29.1 and Figure 29.1)
Timeline
1955: Hurricane Janet
1950s-1970s: Reefs ecosystems, as well as mangroves and seagrass beds in a healthy state; coral diversity and cover
are high, with relatively few and low abundance of macroalgae; healthy populations of reef herbivores
such as sea urchins Diadema; well balanced food chain with wide size ranges in various fish species
and healthy levels of abundance of top predators (e.g., groupers; large snappers; barracuda’s etc.).
Fishing fleet focused mainly on near-shore fishing using wooden transoms and canoes propelled by sail,
oar and small outboard engines.
1960: Hurricane Abby
1963: Hurricane Edith
1975-1980: Transition from the traditional wooden canoe to the more stable, fiberglass pirogue (mostly 12–25 feet)
with outboard engines of 75–100 Hp.
1980: Hurricane Allen
1980s-1990s: Change of focus for fishing fleet from near-shore fishing to offshore fishing for migratory pelagic fishes
such as tunas, dolphinfish and wahoo (which started to contribute approximately 65-75% to the annual
catch).
1983: Mass mortality of Diadema antillarum on local reefs (over 65% mortality)
1980 – 1995: significant expansion of tourism (including cruise ship arrivals and mass water-based tourism in certain
locations) and banana cultivation; associated increased levels of and impacts from sedimentation in
coastal areas which led to significant reef decline in many coastal areas (particularly northwest to central
west coastal areas).
1984-1994: new fisheries laws enacted with mesh size restrictions for traps and nets; size limits and close seasons
for many species, e.g., lobster, conch, turtles and sea urchins; prohibitions on use of toxins and
dynamite; restrictions on use of spearguns, etc.
1986: a number of marine reserves established (many coral reefs; 2 turtle nesting beaches; several mangrove
areas) but no demarcation and little day-to-day management put in place following their declaration.
1990-2012: Fish Aggregating Devises tested and implemented as a means of attracting fishers away from reefs
which were becoming more stressed and degraded by a combination of increased sedimentation, poor
fishing practices; large–scale water-based tourism, other forms of coastal pollution and successive
severe weather impacts.
1992-1997: influx into the fisheries sector due to declines in the banana industry; resultant increasing fishing
pressure in coastal areas, particularly during the low season when migratory pelagic fish species are not
readily available (approximately July to December).
1994: Soufriere Marine Management Area is established: an 11km stretch of coastal marine space with
marine reserves, multiple use areas, yacht mooring zones and recreational zones created to bring about
integrated resource use and conflict resolution, sustainable resource use and reef recovery.
STATUS AND TRENDS OF CARIBBEAN CORAL REEFS: 1969-2012
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