Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the Southern Indian Ocean
only occur if tourist operators are convinced that this is in their direct interest, and they
should carefully consider tourist attitudes which are strongly towards environmental quality.
La Reunion Island
Pollution into the island lagoons is increasing in line with population growth, increased
water consumption, and the proliferation of wastewater discharges. Urban developments
on the coast, the sealing of lands for roads and other uses, and flood mitigation have lead
to an increase in water runoff. Considerable efforts have been made since 1985 to improve
urban sewage treatment, but problems still arise, including overflows from treatment works
during peak tourist periods and heavy rains. This has resulted in bacterial pollution in the
lagoons. Industrial wastes are generally discharged without treatment and are carried onto
the reefs by ambient currents. Rainwater runoff carries fertilisers, heavy metals,
hydrocarbons and sediments, particularly during cyclones, causing pollution to reef waters,
particularly during the first rains of the rainy season. Eutrophication and adverse changes to
coral communities have increased with increases in irrigation and the use of fertilisers and
pesticides. La Reunion is a recent volcanic island and the reefs grow close to the shore,
therefore, there is significant natural erosion of the land and coastline due to cyclones. This
is now exacerbated by the high rate of development. Tourism is the major industry with
over 300,000 visitors in 1995, and a target of 500,000 in the next few years, which makes La
Reunion the second tourist destination, behind Mauritius. This concentration of tourists
around limited reef resources is resulting in environmental damage, particularly through
coral trampling and recreational fishing.
Fishing on the reefs was originally practised by a few professional fishing families, but it has
increased greatly. Intensive fishing pressure on offshore stocks in the 1980s has undermined
this economic activity, which was considered marginal despite having 1,600 to 3,200
fishermen, including 800 registered boats. In order to reduce pressures on reef fish stocks,
FADs have been installed successfully and fishers encouraged to target deep sea pelagic
stocks, and seek employment with the longline fishing fleet. Parallel to this shift in
professional fishing towards pelagic stocks, there has been an increase in subsistence level
fishing associated with a 40% rate of unemployment. These fishers are targeting shore and
reef fish using low cost hook and line and net fishing. Regulations have been introduced,
but poaching is prevalent and decreases in reef fish stocks are clearly apparent.
Seychelles
Intensive exploitation of reef resources is not a major problem in the Seychelles, because of
the large areas of reef and oceanic waters for a relatively small population that favours pelagic
fish over reef species. A reduction in biodiversity in the Saint Anne Marine Park, which is only
a few kilometres off major industrial and domestic pollution sources from the capital, Victoria
indicates that coastal pollution may be damaging the reefs. These are also impacted by
increased sediment runoff from development in the adjacent catchment area. Relatively high
concentrations of tourists in the bays of the main island result in acute pollution problems
with some localised damage to nearshore reefs. Tourism, however, is the largest economic
sector in the Seychelles, with 120,700 tourists in 1995 generating 70% of the foreign revenue.
There are 4,430 rooms in 122 coastal resorts, including 19 large complexes.
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