Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

13. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE
HAWAIIAN ARCHIPELAGO
DAVID GULKO, JAMES MARAGOS, ALAN FRIEDLANDER,
CYNTHIA HUNTER AND RUSSELL BRAINARD
ABSTRACT
Approximately 85% of all US coral reefs occur within the Hawaiian Archipelago. The reefs
that make up this region stretch over 2,000km and contain a majority of the reef types seen
across the Pacific. They are characterised by their isolation from other Pacific reefs and high
endemism across most phyla. The Archipelago consists of two distinct regions: the Main
Hawaiian Islands (MHI) made up of populated, high, volcanic islands with non-structural
reef communities and fringing reefs abutting the shore, and the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands (NWHI) consisting of mostly uninhabited atolls and banks accounting for the
majority (69%) of US reefs. The differences in anthropogenic impacts on these two regions
are striking. The MHI are urbanised with extensive coastal development and associated
runoff; overfishing for food and marine ornamentals, alien species invasions, and marine
debris are each of increasing concern. The NWHI coral reefs are affected primarily by
marine debris and the impacts from lobster and bottom fisheries. Concerns exist over
current and proposed ecotourism activities and new fisheries. Recent coral reef
management initiatives include new forms of MPAs related to marine ornamental collection
and tourism, as well as assessment and long-term monitoring programmes involving active
partnerships between scientists, community groups and management agencies.
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