Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
2000. Some reefs that are showing significant recovery were already severely impacted by
fishing and collecting, and occur in relatively marginal reef flat environments. This suggests
that pre-exposure to temperature and other stresses may be a positive adaptation and
result in faster recovery in some areas. However in others, damage to the reefs from overfishing
and overgrowth by fleshy algae may have been delaying coral and reef recovery.
Since these observations are based on reefs in early stages of succession no definitive
conclusions can be made.
Crown-of-thorns Starfish (COTS)
These starfish (Acanthaster planci) have been a major threat to the reefs throughout
Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa during the past decade. Damage to deeper reefs
in South Africa from COTS since 1990 appears to be shifting the balance towards soft
corals, because the starfish target the hard corals.
Fishing
Excessive and destructive fishing in East Africa was the major anthropogenic problem for
the reefs throughout the 1990s; only surpassed in impact by the El Niño bleaching event
took which took over as the major threat in this region. Damaging fishing practices include:
dynamite; pull-seine nets; poisons; over-exploitation of juveniles and small fish (direct
targets and by-catch); and local intensive harvesting of specific resources (octopus,
shellfish, and lobster). Sea cucumber populations have crashed following the introduction
of export fisheries. Since the last status report of 1998, fishing pressures have not
decreased in any country, yet there have been some specific improvements, notably:
• In Tanzania, increased public pressure by communities and NGOs has led to: a)
effective reduction of dynamite fishing in key areas (Tanga, Mafia, Songosongo),
and b) delayed implementation of a controversial aquaculture development
project in the Rufiji Delta with its ultimate collapse in 2000;
• In Mozambique, there has been a ministerial ban on aquarium fish collection pending
a study on the potential impacts and sustainable management of the trade; and
• There has been increasing efforts in all countries to involve and empower local
users in monitoring and management e.g. in Tanga and Misali (Tanzania), Kiunga
and Diani (Kenya), and Angoche (Mozambique).
Tourism
Coastal tourism in all the East African countries depends on healthy coral reefs as the
primary attraction, however, increasing development of tourist facilities is also threatening
the reefs. All countries are starting to promote ‘ecologically friendly’ and sustainable
tourism developments, which include smaller, more exclusive hotels and resorts, diving
and wilderness-oriented activities, as well as co-management of the reef resources
between communities, developers and government. Some studies on tourism impacts on
the physical, biological and socioeconomic status of coral reef areas have been
conducted, however there are large gaps in the coverage of studies and in implementation
of recommended actions.
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