- Expeditions
- Why are we here?
Introduction
"Nearly 500 million people depend on coral reefs for food, coastal protection, cultural items and tourism income; probably 30 million of the poorest people depend entirely on coral reefs for food. Unfortunately most coral reefs around the world are over-exploited and damaged by pollution, excess sediment and inappropriate development.”
“...there is an essential need for comprehensive reliable and accessible data on the status of coral reefs and the goods and services they provide for people to achieve the goals of sustainable development outlined in international forums. Coral reefs around the world continue to decline from increasing human pressures; poor land management practises are releasing more sediment, nutrients and other pollutants that stress reefs.”
“Over-fishing and particularly fishing with destructive methods are: threatening the normal functioning of coral reef ecosystems; reducing populations of key reef organisms; lowering coral reef productivity; and, along with pollution, shift the advantage towards macro-algae by removing grazing pressure. These algae smother and out-compete corals.”
“...20% of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery.”
“...24% of the world’s reefs are under immanent risk of collapse through human pressures; and a further 26% are under a long term threat of collapse.”
The South Western Indian Ocean
“The South Western Indian Ocean is described as a biodiversity ‘hot-spot’, with a large number of endemic species. Some exceptional sites [in the area] are proving to be highly resilient to the bleaching damage, while at other sites, anthropogenic stresses including excessive sedimentation, pollution and trampling are compounding the effects of natural disturbances, such as cyclones, and increasing reef degradation.
If management [in the area] does not improve and there are repeats of recent climate-related stresses, it is predicted that most reefs in the region will have less than 20% live coral cover by 2014. Many species of corals and fish will be locally extinct due to losses from coral bleaching and over-exploitation of some fish and invertebrate species.
Coral reef fishing is one of the main uses of coral reefs in the region. Fishing usually involves hooks and lines, and a diversity of traps, which differ from country to country. There is also an active sea cucumber fishery in some states, which has expanded over the past 10 years. This fishery is collapsing in Madagascar and there are hatchery trials to replenish reef stocks. The octopus fishery is well developed in Madagascar, and there is some collection of shells and corals for the curio trade.”
ReefDoctor is one of the NGOs working in Madagascar to help monitor coral reef health and to work with local communities to improve coastal and marine management and community development initiatives.
The above extracts were taken from Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2004 Volume 1
