Where's the Reef?

Coral reefs suffer from proximity to humans, says study

Posted at 4:26 PM on 09 Jan 2008

The main factor contributing to declines in coral-reef health is proximity to human populations, says new research in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. A study of 322 reef sites in the Caribbean found that many suffered significant damage from overfishing and agricultural runoff. Author Camilo Mora estimates that reefs in the region provide some $4 billion in economic benefits due to fishing, tourism, and coastal protection, but warns, "The expected increase of the world's human population from 6 billion today to 9 billion for the year 2050 suggests that coral reefs are likely to witness a significant ecological crisis in the coming half century if effective conservation strategies, including policies on population planning, are not implemented soon." One might say we've got a coral obligation to do so.

sources: The Guardian, SPX, Reuters

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Comments: (4 comments)

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Population Planning.

I like that.

It's politically correct code for "Stop having so many kids, you overconsuming mother@#$!!ers!"

by Pathos at 5:47 PM on 09 Jan 2008

The Plague

"Coral reefs suffer from proximity to humans." So does everything else.

by Wolverine at 12:53 PM on 10 Jan 2008

Well, no, not everything.

Some critters really need us. Mostly we hold them in contempt: e.g., rats, cockroaches, pigeons, body lice. Others we sometimes favor with our affection, but we can very often treat them with a great deal of cruelty too: e.g., dogs, cats.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 1:44 PM on 10 Jan 2008

Coral Reef Destruction

In 1990, I snorkeled on coral reefs off the Florida Keys. They were all alive, their color magnificent, and the numbers and variety of colors of fish incredible. In 1995, I snorkeled on reefs in Tahiti, Moorea (about 15 miles from Tahiti), and Oahu. Those reefs were about 95% bleached and had few fish, though there were some and it was nice to see. I don't know the reasons that the reefs off the Keys were in so much better shape than the ones in French Polynesia and Hawaii, but I'll be one reason is that the reefs off the Keys had Fish & Wildlife boats there enforcing environmental regulations, like no dropping anchors (tie up to a mooring ball instead).

by Wolverine at 7:41 PM on 11 Jan 2008

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