Fishing, Climate Change, Development Jeopardize U.S. Coral Reefs

WASHINGTON, DC, August 19, 2005 (ENS) - Coral reef ecosystems of the United States and associated Pacific Islands are still under pressure from overfishing, disease, pollution, coastal development, and climate change finds a new national assessment of the condition of U.S. shallow coral reef ecosystems.

The report, was authored by teams in 14 jurisdictions where the corals are found and was released Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

It marks the first attempt to bring together quantitative results of monitoring data and information collected by federal, state, territory, commonwealth, nongovernmental, private and academic partners to provide an overall status report on the condition of U.S. coral reef ecosystems.

Of particular concern was the impact of fishing on coral reef ecosystems. Experts in eight of the jurisdictions perceived fishing as a high threat to coral reef ecosystems, while the rest viewed it as a medium threat.

Adverse impacts of fishing include changes in the populations of marine organisms, and fish in particular, that "can have far-reaching cascade effects throughout the ecosystem," the report warns.

Lobstering in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The practice has been banned as lobsters were harvested too heavily, depriving the endangered Hawaiian monk seal of one of its favorite foods. (Photo courtesy Hawaii DLNR)

The removal of top level predators may have a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem by reducing overall ecosystem productivity and upsetting the balance of energy flow throughout the system with unknown consequences.

Abandoned fishing gear is also of major concern in some jurisdictions, as derelict traps and nets continue to capture fish, mammals, and turtles over time.

Significant declines, low abundance, or a conspicuous absence of largebodied species, specifically of species targeted by fisheries, were reported in many regions, even in relatively remote areas.

In view of these problems, reducing the adverse impacts of fishing is critical to reducing the overall threat to coral reef ecosystems, NOAA concludes.

The 522 page report was coordinated by the NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment in partnership with the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. It includes contributions from more than 160 scientists and managers working as part of a growing coral reef integrated observing system.

The report details coral reef conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Navassa, Florida, the Flower Garden Banks, the Main Hawaiian Islands, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, the Pacific Remote Island Areas, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the Republic of Palau.

Corals and reef fish at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands (Photo by Dr. James McVey courtesy NOAA)

The strategy was divided into two main themes - first, provide a better understanding of coral reef ecosystems, and second, reduce the adverse impacts of human activities.

The report shows that across all jurisdictions, four of 14 threat categories were perceived to have increased in severity since 2002 - fishing, climate change and coral bleaching, tropical storms, and diseases.

Eight of the threat categories were perceived to have decreased in severity since 2002 - coastal pollution; trade in coral and live reef species; marine debris; security training activities; and ships, boats, and groundings.

Across all jurisdictions, there was no net change in the perceived threat for oil and gas exploration or tourism and recreation.

Climate change was identified by 11 of the 14 jurisdictions as being a moderate or high threat to coral reef ecosystem resources.

Like these in the Florida Keys, corals throughout the Caribbean are bleaching by casting out their colored algae due to climate warming. (Photo by S. Miller courtesy OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP); University of North Carolina at Wilmington)

Coastal development was cited as a high threat in 8 of the jurisdictions and as a moderate threat in two others.

Coastal development and population growth, whether permanent or temporary, such as tourism, are correlated with the intensification of several threats. Development translates to increases in pollution entering the marine environment; sedimentation from construction, agriculture, and road-building activities; and physical damage from recreational users through trampling, vessel groundings, or the use of anchors in fragile habitats.

The report indicates that management actions are moving in the right direction. NOAA and federal, state, territory and local partners have begun to implement "local action strategies" to reduce key threats to reefs. The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the U.S. Ocean Action Plan called for this sort of action.

"Healthy shallow coral reef ecosystems are a key factor for robust marine ecosystems and the economic well-being of many coastal communities," said Conrad Lautenbacher, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

One positive development has been the removal of over 400 tons of marine debris, largely nets and fishing line, from the shallow reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In addition, many jurisdictions continue to install mooring buoys to help minimize anchor damage while facilitating access for recreational activities.

Management of the trade in aquarium fish has resulted in more protection for some U.S. coastal areas, and implementation of the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Federal Endangered Species Act extend protection to coral species, largely prohibiting their sale or exportation.

In addition, nine grounded, rusted-out fishing vessels were removed from a reef flat in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa.

"This report demonstrates the value of integrating monitoring efforts from local to regional and global scales and highlights the need to develop an integrated global earth observing system that would provide coastal managers the best possible information for ensuring the health of the world's coral reefs and other ocean ecosystems," Lautenbacher said.

When corals are damaged by vessel groundings it sometimes helps to physically repair the damage. Here a diver reattaches living coral fragments using wire ties. (Photo courtesy NOAA)

"The good news is that there are monitoring systems in place which will continue to strengthen the cooperative governance and stewardship of our coral ecosystems," said Timothy R. E. Keeney, deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere and co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.

Coral reef monitoring activities are now being conducted in the 14 jurisdictions, yielding data about water quality, corals and other organisms inhabiting the seafloor, as well as fish and other species that live in coral ecosystems.

"This report shows the effectiveness of collaboration by federal, state, territorial and private partners to help conserve coral reefs. It is a prime example of the coordinated efforts the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is fostering," said Craig Manson, assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks in the U.S. Department of the Interior and co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.

Investments in public outreach and education are increasing public awareness of coral reef ecology and conditions affecting reef ecosystems. Scientists have expanded digital mapping of shallow water coral reef ecosystems, and local managers have revised fishery laws to protect reef species and habitats, increased local coral reef management capacity, and established coral reef protected areas.

The report, "The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005," fulfills a goal of the U.S. National Coral Reef Action Strategy and will be highlighted at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in early November in the Republic of Palau.