PhysicalDamage

Physical Damage

Coral reefs face many threats. The physical damage done to reefs is significant. Blast fishing, cyanide fishing, warming waters, tourism along with a myriad of practices have harmed many reefs to point of no return. 30% of percent of coral reefs are in critical condition and may die within the next decade. By the year 2050 it is estimated that over 60% of reefs will have died off completely.

Damages to reefs can be either natural and anthropogenic (human-caused). Some examples of anthropogenic stresses can be coastal development, tourism, or fishing. Natural stresses could be anything from weather, such as hurricanes, cyclones, ocean acidification, and disease.

Resources of Damages

Tourism and Entertainment

File:Coral-Reefs-off-South-Caicos.jpg

Scuba divers visiting coral reefs

The tourism sector can be a major economic factor for the lands located near coral reefs. The tourism-related impacts have been great over the years to coral reefs. Tourism impacts can be either indirect or direct. Examples of direct impacts can be boating, snorkeling, diving. Fishing can lead to over-exploitation and destroy much of the reef’s wildlife. Indirect examples can be coastal development, such as resorts, marinas, airports, etc.

Damage from snorkelers and divers consists mostly of the breaking of branched corals. Many divers cause minimal damage, but there are a few that have caused massive damage. Even though the damage is small, it can add up at sites that are visited frequently by tourist. It can end up killing corals or leaving them susceptible to diseases. It is recommended that only 5000 to 6000 divers per year so that excess degradation may not occur. Training these divers to interact with the reef environment is a great way to minimize damage.

The damage caused by anchors can be heavy. The amount of damage usually depends on the size of the boats, the chain, and the traffic the site receives each year. Bigger anchors can harm even the most sturdy corals. The chains can scrape the sides of corals, which remove tissue or can wrap around the corals and snap them off as the boats floats with the ebb and flow of the tide. A solution to anchor damage is moorings. Moorings are permanent structures that boats can be secured to. These will help to keep anchors out of the water and the reef environment.

Mechanism

diving.

anchor.

boating.

etc.

Reference

Burke L., Maidens J. Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean. 2004. World Resources Institute: Washington, DC. Too many tourists make corals sick: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=4313 Causey BD. Biological assessments of damage to coral reefs following physical impacts resulting from various sources, including boat and ship groundings. 1990. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/9527 Tourism's Impact on Reefs:http://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Business/SectoralActivities/Tourism/Activities/WorkThematicAreas/EcosystemManagement/CoralReefs/TourismsImpactonReefs/tabid/78799/Default.aspx