Caribbean Reefs in Peril

By J.R. Pegg

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2004 (ENS) - Two-thirds of coral reefs in the Caribbean are threatened by human activities, conservationists are warning.

The reefs are suffering from runoff of pollution and sediments from the land as well as from overfishing, according to a new report by scientists with the World Resources Institute (WRI).

These threats are adding to the stress coral reefs face from coral bleaching caused by warming waters, coral disease from new pathogens and damage from hurricanes and tropical storms.

The Washington, DC based research group's report, "Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean," says the declining health of the reefs could cost Caribbean nations millions of dollars.

It estimates that Caribbean coral reefs provided goods and services with an annual net economic value in 2000 between $3.1 billion and $4.6 billion.

Net annual revenues from dive tourism contributed an estimated $2.1 billion of this total.

Many coastal Caribbean communities rely heavily on coral reefs, but human activities are putting these fragile ecosystems at risk. (Photo by Jon Maidens courtesy WRI)

In addition to serving as a key tourist attraction, the reefs help protect coastal communities from severe storms and hurricanes because of their ability to dissipate wave and storm energy.

The authors estimate shoreline protection from natural Caribbean reefs saves between $700 million and $2.2 billion per year.

"Reefs can recover from these storms, but not necessarily, and they are less likely to recover with all the added stress from other sources," said Jon Maidens, co-author of the report. "When reefs get knocked down, the cost to people is dramatic. If coral reefs are lost, replacing such natural protection by artificial means would cost coastal communities millions of dollars."

The report uses geographic information system data to analyze the state of coral reefs throughout the 35 Caribbean countries and territories - an area of more than 10,000 square miles.

The authors determined reef degradation from four primary sources: coastal developments such as sewage discharge, water-based sediment and pollution from agricultural fertilizers, marine pollution such as cruise ship discharges, and overfishing.

The report finds more than 30 percent of Caribbean reefs are threatened by coastal development as well as sediment and pollution from inland sources.

Marine threats are widespread and some 60 percent of Caribbean reefs face overfishing, which is changing the ecological balance of reef environments.

Thousands of marine species depend on coral reefs. (Photo by Krishna Desai courtesy WRI)

"Actions to reverse the threats to Caribbean coral reefs can often be undertaken at very low cost, with very high financial and societal returns, even in the short term," Maidens said.

The report recommends a broad effort to raise awareness of the importance, value and fragility of coral reefs along with improved protection from the identified threats.

Consumers have a key role to play in reef conservation, said lead author Lauretta Burke.

"When tourists are diving and kicking, they are not paying attention to the reefs - it is important for them to voice their concerns when they see something wrong being done by others," she said.

"Properly managed marine protected areas offer some protection for coral reefs, but at present, governments are not investing enough in these areas," Burke said. "Our analysis points to the high value of these resources, and what will be lost if they are not better protected."

The 285 marine protected areas that have been declared in the Caribbean cover 20 percent of the region's reefs.

Coral reefs are among the world's most complex and colorful ecosystems. (Photo by Krishna Desai courtesy WRI)

The study adds to the growing concern about the state and future of coral reefs across the world.

A 2003 WRI report found 88 percent of coral reefs in Southeast Asia threatened.

Although the findings for the Caribbean at not so bleak, Burke said that the WRI model does not include the threat of disease, which "is greater in the Caribbean."

Burke and Maidens will present their report on September 29 in Montego Bay, Jamaica at a United Nations sponsored meeting that will be attended by government officials and scientists.