CORAL REEF CONSERVATION IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN


(Project 9L0714)

C


oral reefs, the marine equivalent of tropical rainforests, play a crucial role in maintaining biological diversity. Thirteen per cent of the world's coral reefs are found in the Caribbean Sea, accounting for up to 3,000 tropical marine species.

The reefs also play a key economic role in many countries. They support fisheries that provide snapper, lobster, parrotfish, and conch as well as ornamental fish for the international aquarium trade. Like the rainforests, they too shelter species with valuable medicinal properties. Chemicals from sea sponges are used for treating herpes and some cancers, and other reef-related species have been used in AIDS research, bone grafts, and for treating asthma and arthritis.

The coral reefs attract tourism, which is a big money-spinner in the Caribbean. An estimated 25 million tourists visit the Caribbean region every year, generating over US$7 billion. The reefs also act as a natural brake and helps prevent coastal erosion from waves and tropical storms.

Although these reefs have existed for over 500 million years, and rank among the world's oldest living ecosystems, they are delicate and survive only within a narrow range of temperature, nutrient, and light conditions. Today, coral reefs are threatened on several fronts. Global warming has led to a rise in sea temperature thereby increasing coral bleaching. Sedimentation from coastal soil erosion has stunted coral growth and could even destroy it. Oil spills and illegal dumping of oil are other dangers.

Uncontrolled fishing and use of destructive fishing methods has depleted reef fish stocks. In some places, the reef system itself is being damaged by the use of dynamite and chemicals such as cyanide and bleach used in collecting ornamental fish. Other threats include pollution (from domestic and industrial wastes, fertilizers, and pesticides), anchor damage caused by cruise ships and boats, and plunder by souvenir-hunters.

Scientists estimate that some 10 per cent of the world's coral reefs have already been destroyed by human activities. There are fears that a further 60 per cent could be lost over the next few decades unless reef resources are properly managed. WWF has responded to this challenge by launching the Coral Reef Conservation Initiative (CRI) throughout the Greater Caribbean region.

Its key elements include strengthening scientific institutions to help survey and monitor reefs and training non-scientists to carry out the surveys. The establishment of marine parks and protected areas and a public awareness campaign to encourage the involvement of local communities who live off the rich natural resources of coral reef systems also form part of this programme.<%0> In the Dominican Republic WWF has worked with El Centro de Investigaciones de Biologia Marina (CIBIMA), a marine biology research centre, to develop new survey methods. A manual has been produced, and teams of scientists and non-scientists have been trained to carry out the surveys.

In Haiti, WWF is helping establish Les Arcadins Marine Park and a fisheries project involving the local community of Luly. Les Arcadins is a group of small islands with offshore coral reefs which provide breeding and nursery area for marine species. These fisheries are heavily used by fishermen throughout the region and their stocks have been severely depleted, thus threatening the livelihoods of the local fishing community at Luly.

WWF is examining ways to modify fishing practices to ensure that fish stocks are used intelligently. It has suggested setting up a fish breeding reserve inside the marine park which would be off-limits to fishermen and tourists. In addition, WWF has provided start-up capital to small enterprises such as a soft drinks concession, candle making, and vegetable gardens in a bid to provide them with alternative sources of income.

The Coral Reef Initiative also includes plans for coral reef conservation projects in other islands of the Caribbean as well as in Mexico, Belize, and Nicaragua. Assistance in the development of a Land Based Pollution Protocol to the Cartagena Convention, the international convention covering the Caribbean, is also part of this programme.




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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature