Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
mangrove forests and seagrass beds. Similarly, there is a greater urgency to conserve reefs
off the mainland of the USA, with an ambitious target of having 20% of these reef resources
managed as no-take reserves within the next few decades. The major threats to reefs off
Florida are pollution from massive agriculture in Florida and the growing populations of
people wanting to enjoy coral reefs, and over-fishing of key target species. There is now a
concerted programme to improve research and management on these reefs and all others
under US jurisdiction.
Northern Caribbean and Western Atlantic
There is similar reef deterioration in all countries, with over-fishing and direct pollution
being the most critical problem for reefs that are close to land (Jamaica, Haiti and the
Dominican Republic). Whereas, exploitation is much less over the broad shelves and fish
stocks are in better shape (Cuba, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands). Finally, tourists on
Bermuda and Cayman Islands are demanding healthy fish populations, which is resulting in
reduced fishing pressures. Coral cover on most of the islands has dropped because whiteband
disease killed off the large stands of Acropora spp., and reefs close to land still show
low cover e.g. coral cover in northern Jamaica dropped from 52% in the 70s to 3% in the
early 90s, but is gradually recovering (currently 10-15% now). Bleaching in 1998 was severe
in places, but there was little or no mortality. Much of the tourism development based on
the coral reefs is poorly planned and results in sediment run-off and nutrient pollution,
thereby damaging the reefs. While there is increasing awareness of the need for
conservation and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, there is little capacity or
planning for management or enforcement of conservation laws.
Central America
Many of the reefs in this region escaped the damage that was occurring in the rest of the
Caribbean until there was mass coral bleaching and mortality in 1995 and 1998, and
extensive damage from the intense Hurricane Mitch, also in 1998. These events impacted
heavily on reefs from the Mexican Yucatan to Nicaragua, causing losses in coral cover of 15-
20% across the region with some losses as high as 75% in parts of Belize. Throughout large
parts of the region there are intense fishing pressures (Honduras and Nicaragua, and
Veracruz and Campeche in Mexico), and major damage to reefs from sediment runoff
because of poor land-use and as a result of Hurricane Mitch. Capacity to monitor and
manage coral reefs varies enormously in the region, from advanced to virtually non-existent.
Now, countries of the region are cooperating to conserve and manage their reefs, and
resolve cross-boundary problems. This has a real sense of urgency following recent
damage to the reefs.
The Eastern Antilles
Many of these islands scattered over the eastern Caribbean face similar problems of overexploitation,
sedimentation and nutrient pollution damage to their narrow fringes of coral
reefs. They also suffer from having limited capacity to conserve and manage the reef
resources in the face of rising populations. Capacity is variable; some countries are well
advanced in implementing community-based, or tourism-funded, management and
monitoring, whereas others lag well behind. A common problem is a lack of trained staff to
monitor reefs, hence the introduction of basic methods like Reef Check have helped
expand the GCRMN network throughout the islands. This network is now assisting with reef
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