Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
Antigua and Barbuda
Reefs cover an estimated 25km 2 , with large bank reefs predominating, particularly off the
north and east coasts of Antigua, as well as Middle and Cades Reefs off the southwest
coast. Patch reefs build up from the lagoon floors in Barbuda from depths of 20m. Fringing
reefs occur close to the shore of both islands, most facing channels with high surf and
strong currents, such as those off Judge Bay, Halfmoon Bay and Rendezvous Bay.
Dominica
The island is characterised by steep topography, which limits the area available for reef
development. The most significant areas of coral community growth on the volcanic rock
are primarily in the north of the island, including Marigot, Woodford Hill, Calibishie, Pointe
Round, and lesser reefs in the south at Soufriere and Scott’s Head.
St. Lucia
The most extensive coral reefs are found on the south and east coasts, whereas the best
known reefs for tourism, research and monitoring are on the west coast and consist
primarily of veneers on volcanic rock.
Grenada
There are mostly patch or fringing reefs along the east and south coasts of Grenada, and at
Grande Anse and Moliniere on the west coast, and around the islands of the Grenadines.
Montserrat
There is a high-energy, erosion-prone coastline with volcanic beaches scattered along the
coast. There are series of small patch reefs interspersed with sand or sediment, most
relatively close to shore, and a few patch reefs in deeper water.
British Virgin Islands
The 60 small islands and rocks of the British Virgin Islands occupy just over 150km 2 of land
on a shelf of over 3,000km 2 . This archipelago sits on the eastern part of the Puerto Rican
Bank with average depths from 10m to 30m, with maximums just over 50m. While
mangrove and seagrass communities are found in sheltered bays of some islands, they
account for a small percentage of the marine habitats. Most of the Bank consists of sand
and numerous rock outcrops covered by coral reefs. These vary from small isolated
patches of a few square metres to the extensive Horseshoe Reef of Anegada covering
approximately 77km 2 .
Barbados
The island is surrounded by a narrow 2-3km wide shelf, with 5 distinct sections: west;
south-west; south-east; east; and north, each with particular characteristics. The total area
covered by bank reefs is 4.9km 2 , while fringing reefs cover 1.4km 2 . The west coast is
relatively calm with little or no surf and characterised by a sloping shelf on which fringing
reefs grow out to 300m from the beach and to a depth of 10m. Extending from these
reefs are the patch reefs, which terminate at 30m depth, and seaward of these patch reefs
are two bank-barrier reefs approximately parallel to the shore. The inner reef is 700-900m
offshore and the outer reef between 1300m and 1km. The south west coast is periodically
exposed to Atlantic swells, with a moderate surf which pounds the relict fringing reefs,
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