Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
CONCLUSIONS
• High water temperatures associated with the 1998 El Niño event caused widespread
coral bleaching in the South Asia region and destroyed many of the shallow water
corals (to 10m depth). Bleaching impacts were less severe in Gulf of Kutch and
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Surveys and observations since the 1998 bleaching
indicate that recovery is slow, with patchy recruitment observed at many locations.
• Coral reefs continue to be degraded by human impacts associated with growing
populations and coastal development and specifically related to uncontrolled
resource exploitation, coral mining and the effects of sedimentation and
pollution. Natural impacts also play a part in coral reef degradation with reefs
threatened by crown-of-thorns starfish and impacts related to climate change,
such as coral bleaching and cyclones.
• The capacity to monitor reef resources has improved with training activities
undertaken by the GCRMN Node for India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Advances in
biophysical monitoring are particularly apparent in India, with continued training
undertaken with support from ICRMN. However, the capacity for routine
socioeconomic monitoring of reef resources is still lacking and there is limited
application of monitoring information in management.
• Management of coral reef resources is lacking, such that coral reefs within
designated marine protected areas continue to degrade. Weak management is
linked to the absence of infrastructure or capacity for management, combined
with a lack of funds and awareness.
• Support for further training in socioeconomic monitoring and for demonstration
monitoring projects is being provided by the GCRMN Node and the CORDIO
programme. National coral reef databases are also being developed through the
GCRMN Node, to facilitate the application of socioeconomic and biophysical
data for management.
REGIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Strengthen socioeconomic monitoring of reef resources to provide information
appropriate for coral reef management;
• Improve evaluation of reef fisheries and identify and develop viable alternative
livelihoods for those dependent on threatened reef resources;
• Strengthen infrastructure and capacity for resource management, primarily
targeting marine protected areas;
• Strengthen the capacity to develop and implement regulations relating to
resource extraction;
• Create mechanisms to link monitoring information to management, through
improved dialogue between government institutions and agencies;
• Undertake awareness raising activities to highlight the reef ecosystem and its
interdependence with surrounding coastal ecosystems, threats to the reef and
the options available for the future. Awareness should target all levels, including
government ministers and departments, primary resource users, and schools,
colleges and local groups; and
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