People around the world enjoy coral reefs as places of recreation and wonder.
But few appreciate that reefs are also an economic pillar for many countries.
Take, for example, the Caribbean nation of Belize. A recent analysis by several
of my colleagues concluded that the country’s coral reefs contribute the
equivalent to 10 to 15 per cent of the nation’s GDP, primarily through
tourism and fisheries. Likewise, the avoided damage to buildings and
infrastructure that reefs provide by serving as a “speed bump” for tropical
storms equates to the same GDP percentage.
Belize is not alone. At least 94 countries and territories benefit from the
tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection provided by reefs. In nearly
two dozen of these, reef tourism accounts for more than 15 per cent of GDP.
Coral reefs, it appears, are both natural wonders and economic foundations.
But reefs are at risk. In our new, comprehensive analysis, Reefs at Risk Revisited,
the World Resources Institute and our partners found that about 75 per cent
of the world’s coral reefs are under threat. The most immediate and direct
pressures arise from local sources, with overfishing and destructive fishing
techniques affecting about 55 per cent of the world’s reef area. Other local
threats include coastal development, sediment run-off and pollution.
Coral reefs are also facing the threat of climate change. As sea temperatures
rise, many corals bleach and die. Vast reef areas in south-east Asia are
experiencing severe bleaching, weakening these fragile ecosystems.
Furthermore, as carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other
sources increase globally, the oceans are becoming more acidic. Ocean
acidification makes it difficult for reefs to build and maintain their complex
skeletons – resulting in an “osteoporosis of the reef”.
By nature, coral reefs are resilient. They can bounce back from the effects of
any one particular threat. But these local threats combined with climate
change pose a devastating one-two from which many reefs may be unable to recover.
The state of the world’s reefs is not just an ecological crisis, but also an
economic one. Industries such as tourism, real estate, insurance and fisheries
all face daunting prospects as one of their economic pillars disintegrates.
Economic ministers and chambers of commerce should be concerned and
raise their voices in support of policies to save coral reefs.
Governments have taken extraordinary steps to salvage collapsing industries
during the global economic meltdown. The United States, for instance,
rescued its automotive manufacturing industry that accounts for about
four per cent of its national GDP. With reefs underpinning a greater share
of GDP for many countries, will governments now take similar extraordinary
steps to protect them?
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions has to be a global, collective effort
in order to be effective, individual nations have it within their power to reduce
or even eliminate local threats to coral reefs.
Important steps include:
● Adequately finance and sufficiently enforce existing marine protected areas
● Create new marine protected areas or “fish banks” to reduce fishing pressure
on coral reefs. Creating such no-fishing reserves can increase fish yields outside
of the reserve, a boon for both conservationists and fishers
● Eliminate destructive fishing practices such as dynamite and cyanide fishing
● Enforce coastal development regulations such as building setbacks, sewage
treatment, run-off controls, and retention of mangroves and seagrass
● Prevent erosion from inland farms, and deforestation along rivers that lead
to coasts where reefs grow
● Reduce marine-based pollution from ships and offshore oil operations
● Route shipping lanes away from coral reefs and prohibit ships from anchoring
in or near reefs.
Through these and related actions, countries just might be able to rescue the
reefs, and the economies, currently at risk.
• Craig Hanson is director of the People & Ecosystems programme at the
World Resources Institute
