Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
Development of Coastal Areas Near Coral Reefs
Construction of the airport on Ishigaki had raised public awareness about the need for coral
reef conservation and the impacts of development. However, large-scale land reclamation
has been performed on the coral reefs near Naha airport (Okinawa) and port and harbour
development throughout the islands with considerable damage to coral reefs. Ironically
land reclamation is planned on coral reefs to attract more tourists e.g. on Yoron Island
(Kagoshima prefecture) in the 1990s. A particular centre of interest is construction of a
military airport by the US Marine Corps on Henoko, Okinawa, near an area inhabited by
endangered dugongs.
Over-use of Coral Reefs
There are over 4 million tourists to the Ryukyu Islands every year and the marine leisure
industry is a major component of the local economy. However, insufficient rules and
management do not ensure that coral reefs conservation is sustained, even though it is
essential to the survival of the industry. Tourists on Miyako and Ishigaki Islands continue to
trample over live corals on the reef flat and there is no education or regulation to prevent
this damage. The increasing use of jet skies and underwater walking with helmets is creating
new threats. Scuba diving is particularly popular and high concentrations of divers at key
sites result in considerable damage to the corals. Diving instructors are aware of the
problems and educating tourism-oriented divers about the importance of coral reef
conservation. For example, diving locations are rotated to prevent overuse of some diving
spots. Nevertheless, there remains further need for regulation of leisure activities in the
Ryukyu Islands, and increased coordination between the tourism and fishery stakeholders.
Some cooperation in Yomitan-Son (Okinawa) and other areas has started between leisure
service providers and fishers to increase local tourism while preserving the reefs.
Collection of living resources such as reef fish, shells, octopus, cuttlefish, crabs and algae is
important as livelihoods for people from the Ryukyu Islands; yet, these resources have
decreased in quantity and quality through over-fishing and environmental degradation. The
Okinawa Prefecture Government operates some fishery projects for sustainable fishery such
as release of juveniles, establishing artificial reefs and fisheries management. These stories
are also applicable for China and Taiwan.
Conservation Efforts
Although various measures have been introduced to conserve the coral reefs, these are
insufficient, especially the lack of coordinated conservation of adjacent land and the sea
areas. Laws and plans for land use stipulate that the reefs be conserved, but these are only
general recommendations. Similarly, conservation of the natural environment is virtually
ignored outside of the protected areas, and development always has priority over
conservation. To improve conservation of coral reefs, it is essential to introduce the concept
of sustainable use of nature, and apply more regulations and zoning of the land. This will
require better environmental education for the whole community, especially local residents.
The Ryukyu Islands are densely populated and reefs are heavily exploited, however, there
were once traditional rules about sustainable use of the resources. These rules should be reintroduced
into the culture in order to conserve the coral reefs of the Ryukyu Islands.
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