Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs in the Eastern Caribbean
STATUS OF CORAL REEF BENTHOS
Antigua and Barbuda
There has been a recent trend of deterioration as reports from 1986 described the reefs as
exceptional in their variety, beauty and health. In 1998, overall reef condition was
considered generally poor, with live coral cover averaging 20% or less at all sites examined
except the north of Barbuda. For both islands, the offshore reefs have higher coral species
richness and abundance than the inshore sites. Turbidity of inshore water and elevated algal
cover on reefs are linked to the impacts of coastal development, with sedimentation being
a major influence on reef condition. Hurricane Luis in September, 1995 followed by Marilyn
two weeks later caused additional stress and damage. Coral bleaching during the 1998-
bleaching event was relatively mild.
Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
No recent information was available.
St. Lucia
Live coral cover in 1999 ranged from 31% to 50% at 4 Reef Check sites established in the
Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA). Bleaching was common in 1998 but did not
result in high levels of mortality, however, in November 1999, the unusual track of Hurricane
Lenny resulted in severe wave action on the leeward coast of the island, severely damaging
coastal infrastructure. A Reef Check survey in Malgretoute in June and December 1999
showed live coral cover had declined from 50% to 25% at 3m depth, and from 35% to
17% at 10m. The site was previously characterised by a high density of the urchin Diadema
antillarum and low algal abundance at 3m, but the Hurricane resulted in a decline from 1.4
to 0.1 urchins per m 2 and a proliferation of filamentous algae. Recently there has been an
unusually high incidence of white band disease on reefs in the SMMA, resulting in a living
coral loss of over 3% between 1997 and 1998. Data from west coast reefs indicate live
coral cover frequently greater than 50% prior to the series of storms, beginning with
Tropical Storm Debbie in 1994. Sedimentation from that storm reduced coral cover by 50%
at some sites, particularly near large river mouths.
Grenada
During the 1980s many shallow reefs around Grenada and the Grenadines were degraded
and became overgrown with algae, presumably resulting from a combination of sewage
and agrochemical pollution and sedimentation from coastal development. No recent
quantitative data are available on reef status.
Montserrat
A survey of species richness conducted in 1995 and 1996 identified 37 hard coral species,
17 octocorals, 87 other invertebrates, 3 seagrasses, 67 fish and 37 algae. Live coral cover
ranged from 20 to 45%.
BVI
Overall reef condition remains relatively good, with localised deterioration associated with
areas of high population, shoreline development, and rapid growth of marine activities
such as yachting, snorkeling and diving. The passage of numerous storms since 1995, and
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