Natural variations in water temperature, in its transparency
(which may be impeded by the presence of sediments near estuaries), and in its salinity (which may be modified by
the huge intromission of fresh water near estuaries or following torrential rains) can limit or even interrupt
the development of coral reefs.
Irreparable damage to this delicate ecosystem is linked to human activities such
as intensive fishing (shark, reef fish, seahorses and sea cucumbers for the food market and Chinese pharmacopeia,
lobsters for the tourist industry, shrimp for export), excessive coral removal (for industrial uses), the
injection of polluting substances (related to mining operations, transport of toxic substances, cyanide fishing
for the aquarium market, liquid sewage disposal from population centers), and fishing with poison and explosives
(practiced throughout southeast Asia).
Unfortunately, all of this is going on more or less unchecked in many of
the places visited over the past eighteen years by the authors. More recently, the danger posed to coral reefs
by the irrefutable and often catastrophic climate changes taking place in our world and by ever-growing
industrial carbon dioxide immissions in the atmosphere has become even more evident. Though many governments have
officially undertaken the protection and conservation of the reef environment, the damage is ever more evident
and occasionally irreparable. Luckily, more and more voices are being heard all over the world asking to protect
this extraordinarily beautiful and important ecosystem before it’s too late.
AN ECOSYSTEM IN DANGER
The reef ecosystem is found along the coastal
strip of at least 109 countries in the world, yet it has been calculated that the coral reef in
at least 93 of these has already been gravely damaged or even destroyed. Because of a series of
diverse reasons, the coral reefs distributed over 60 percent of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, 25
percent of the Pacific Ocean, and 15 percent of the Caribbean now risk disappearance. They would
take with them an incalculable number of species including—in the last analysis—humans.
We describe here some of the geographic regions where the reef is most threatened, but at the same
time we offer a few suggestions - which travelers should follow scrupulously - that are meant to
protect the reef and minimize traumas to an ecosystem which is as complex as it is delicate.
Remember, divers can do a lot to protect what they love most – we can and do make a difference!
SOME REEF AREAS AT RISK
SRI LANKA
The construction of immense shrimp
farms has brought about the ruin of coastal mangroves that are an essential habitat for
many kinds of immature reef fauna. The destruction of mangrove thickets is a serious
problem throughout southeast Asia.
Good points: this predominantly Buddhist country has a long
history – both cultural and religious - in habitat protection.
OKINAWA, Japan
Huge quantities of coral are pulverized
to make a “medicine” with supposedly miraculous therapeutic qualities.
Naturally, the drug has no effect whatsoever, but extraction continues.
Good points: the Japanese diver
community is slowly getting more pro-active and vocal about the environment; whale
sharks are being protected in some areas.
INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES
Intensive fisheries provide shopkeepers with live reef fish for aquariums and more recently for Chinese restaurants throughout southeast Asia. Massive doses of cyanide are scattered in the water to harvest less than 1 percent of the organisms present (the poison kills the other 99 percent). Turtles are actively hunted and butchered to furnish tourist restaurants. Everywhere, fishing with explosives devastates the reef.
Good points: the local governments are becoming more pro-active towards the environment, often working with the private sector; the diving industry provides jobs and income to many; new protected areas are being declared everywhere.
WESTERN PAPUA and PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Black coral and the giant clams are prey for Japanese and Taiwanese fishermen, while the reef is seriously threatened by waste and hypersedimentation caused by the brutal deforestation taking place on shore. Turtles are overfished and fishing with explosives is common.
Good points: deforestation is not widespread everywhere yet; dive operators are very pro-active in defending the environment; visiting divers from abroad are more and more a source of income for many locals.
GREAT BARRIER REEF, Australia
Even though more than 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) along the coast have been declared a national park, the reef still suffers from the indiscriminate use of anchors, fishing and collecting of shells. Tourism has not always proved positive; in some areas, the visitors’ habit of walking on corals has reduced the reef by 80 percent.
Good points: many Australians are extremely active in defending the environment; the diving industry is a major source of income; reef protection is implemented seriously.
ISLA DEL COCO, Costa Rica
Coral colonies are almost all dead following increased water temperatures related to the El Niño phenomenon and the Greenhouse Effect. This is true for a long stretch of Central America’s Pacific coast (which has no typical coral reefs, but still features sparse madreporic formations). Existing shoals of sharks are decimated to supply the manufacturers of a “drug” whose supposed anti-malignancy qualities have no scientific foundation.
Good points: liveaboard trips will hopefully be able to increase protection of sharks.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador
Uncontrolled fishing of sea cucumbers to supply Chinese merchants and restaurants around the world has caused the ecosystem serious damage. Arson fires have been set on several islands in retaliation against National Park authorities. Sharks are being illegally fished in the hundreds.
Good points: again, tourism is the only hope – but the future looks bleak.
THE CARIBBEAN
The reef is often threatened by urban waste, tourist infrastructure and uncontrolled fishing that supplies restaurants.
Good points: the diving industry is a major source of income for the local economies; shark sightings are increasing, especially along the coasts of Florida; habitat and species protection is seriously implemented in most areas.
Natural variations in water temperature, in its transparency
(which may be impeded by the presence of sediments near estuaries), and in its salinity (which may be modified by
the huge intromission of fresh water near estuaries or following torrential rains) can limit or even interrupt
the development of coral reefs.
Irreparable damage to this delicate ecosystem is linked to human activities such
as intensive fishing (shark, reef fish, seahorses and sea cucumbers for the food market and Chinese pharmacopeia,
lobsters for the tourist industry, shrimp for export), excessive coral removal (for industrial uses), the
injection of polluting substances (related to mining operations, transport of toxic substances, cyanide fishing
for the aquarium market, liquid sewage disposal from population centers), and fishing with poison and explosives
(practiced throughout southeast Asia).
