CORAL REEFS

A coral reef is a limestone rock made up of the skeletons of tiny marine organisms called

coral polyps. Corals are formed by tiny marine creatures which are confined to tropical and

subtropical waters between latitudes 30N and 3 S.

Types

1. Barrier reefs – These are reefs separated from the mainland by a deep channel of a
hundred feet or more. They consist of coral canyons, ridges and tunnels. The largest
barrier reef is off the eastern coast of Australia and the one off Belize is the 2nd largest in
the world. Another one in the Caribbean is off the island of Andros [Bahamas].
2. Fringing reefs – these are the most common in the Caribbean; these reefs are built by
corals growing on shallow rocks near the shore and extend gradually seaward eg. Buccoo
Reef off Tobago.
3. Atoll reefs – These are roughly oval shaped and they enclose a lagoon eg. Lighthouse
Reef off Belize.
4. Patch reefs – these are small outcrops of coral reef surrounded by sand or sea grass bed
eg. cays off the south coast of Jamaica.

Benefits

PROTECT COASTLINE: A well-developed fringing reef is a self-constructed, self-repairing

breakwater, which protects the coastline and beaches from erosion. Waves lose much of their
erosive power when they break on the reef. When the coast is protected it allows ports and
settlements along with fishermen to enjoy calm sea. Also, much of the sand like on west coast
Barbados is derived from corals which help to protect the coastline.

1. Fishing Industry: coral reefs provide a habitat for marine life, including fish and shellfish.
Species such as conch and lobster are important resources for the fishing and associated
tourism industry.

2. Recreation and tourism: tourists are attracted to the reefs and observe them in glass
bottomed boats, snorkeling or scuba diving. White sandy beaches are a result of waves
smashing coral fragments to powder.

3. Heritage: Buccoo reef, Tobago part of the island’s pride.

4. Science and research: marine parks created to educate the public about the corals and to do
scientific research in the area under protection.
5. Medicine: organisms surrounding reefs produce different chemicals for self protection,
which are being researched by scientists for their medical benefits for HIV/AIDS, cancer and
arthritis.

Economic impact

1)ecosystem Tourism

2)Employment opportunities

Social benefit

1)Employment opportunities(reduction in poverty)

2)Food security through fishing

3)protection of coastal area/coastal community

Impact on culture

1)Coral is used for medicinal purposes and people depend on them .It is a way of life for those
people and they depend on it

2)Fishfolk culture

Threats to reefs

● Natural threats such as the ENSO event of 1997-1998 generated higher than normal sea
surface temperatures and this led to the bleaching of corals in the Caribbean.Bleaching
occurs when the warm temperatures kill the algea living in coral polyp,causing the polyp
itself to weaken ,whiten and die. Bleaching of the reefs caused by hurricane activities; in
2004 this was reported to have occurred in Tobago, Cayman and Jamaica. Another
phenomenon that is occurring is global warming and in the long term will result in higher
sea surface temperatures and the likelihood of bleaching causing further destruction to
our coral reefs.

● Physical damage or destruction to corals is a major threat to them.Tourism

contributes to the physical destruction of the reef when tourist trample on it during
sightseeing expeditions.Boats carrying tourist indiscriminately drop anchor ,again
destroying the reef structure .Where the tourist trade is well developed ,local people rob
 the reef to make jewellery ,handicrafts and trinkets from corals .Shells of all kinds too,are
speciality item. Removing corals – coral mining and harvesting destroys reefs and
reduces the effect of the protection from storms that corals provide.As well as hinder
economic,social and other aspects of development
● Bad fishing practices of dynamiting, drag nets, over-fishing and fishing out of
season has disrupted the ecosystem, causing corals and palatable species of fish to die.
This happened in a small fishing village in Port Maria; currently there are no corals,
fish, fishing or tourism activities. Destructive fishing methods physically destroy the
reef and reef species when explosives are used to kill fish.Cyanide is used to poison
and stun fish so that they can be captured live-often for pet trade.It also succeeds in
killing corals and other fish species.Fish traps set for larger fish also kills younger fish
and thus lessens the amount of future fish that could get the algae to prevent
blockage of the sunlight .Also it endangers the food supply for the following years
● Overfishing,especially of ‘target fish’,depletes certain species.People tend to develop a
taste for certain fish,which then becomes the target fish and are caught in such large
numbers that they are endangered.This is also the case for speciality fish for the pet
trade such as aquarium fish. Fishing above sustainable levels affects coral reefs by
altering the ecological balance of the reef. The removal of herbivorous fish, which
consume algae, facilitates algal overgrowth of corals. Declines in coral cover and
increases in algal cover have been observed across the region. Therefore blocking
corals reefs from sunlight and killing them .Apart from killing corals ,overfishing
threatens the sustainability of the fishing industry .This can be seen in Jamaicas reefs
especially those to the north of the island,where the heaviest tourist presence,have
become degraded largely because of overfishing.

● Inland activities such as blasting hillsides and deforestation have led to an increase in
the sediment load brought down by rivers,increasing the turbidity of the coastal
water.The silt smothers the corals preventing sunlight from reaching the algae with in
the coral polyp.Deforestation and agricultural activities have resulted in soil and
fertilizer smothering the corals when they are transported by rivers such as the Rio
Cobre and Hope River.Eutrophication – this is nutrient overload from sewage
outflows; though corals need nutrients to survive, too many can cause algae
overgrowth that suffocates the corals.
● Improper sewage treatment for coastal settlements ,particularly large hotels,allow raw
or partially treated sewage to flow into the sea.This nutrient-rich and algae grow in
abundance,covering the reef and choking corals.Poorly planned or unplanned coastal
settlements especially in Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti put garbage and
sewage stress on coral

Sustainability efforts

1. Laws to control behaviour of owners and operators of factories, construction sites and
hotels
2. Make reefs marine parks or reserve, thus making them protected areas
3. Have workshops, public awareness campaigns
Alleviation/mitigation methods to prevents threats to coral reefs

Organizations to protect coral reefs-( The Nature Conservancy)

1)Minimize use of fertilizers.

● The overuse of fertilizers on lawns harm water quality because nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorus) from the fertilizer are washed into waterways
and eventually end up in oceans. These nutrients pollute the water and can
harm coral reefs.
Minimize the use of fertilizers
2)Practise safe and responsible diving and snorkeling.Avoid buying souvenirs made from
corals.Fines for tourist and locals who break off corals for souvenirs or to be sold

3)Education and public awareness programmes

4)Laws and fine to prevent pollution on beach as both individual and companies
5)Laws to encourage proper fishing practise8)Minimise or stop consumption of parrotfish which
protect coral reefs by
removing algae that can stifle and kill corals.Also,coral provides and for our
beaches.

6)Clean up campaigns on the beaches

7)Fines for tourist and locals who break off corals for souvenirs or to be sold
8)Minimise or stop consumption of parrotfish which protect coral reefs by
removing algae that can stifle and kill corals.Also,coral provides and for our
beaches.
9)Practise proper disposal of waste: Waste should be disposed of in receptacles
And not gullies,via which the garbage may end up in the sea.
10)Avoid buying souvenirs made from corals.

Coral reefs questions

-Describe the ways in which coral reefs have contributed to social and cultural life in the
caribbean?
-Describe the importance of coral reefs to the culture and society of the Caribbean. (20 marks)
-Describe the value of coral reefs to Caribbean society and culture. (20 marks) 2005
-Examine FOUR factors which have caused coral reefs in the Caribbean to be threatened with
extinction. Include examples in your response. (20 marks) 2013
-Examine THREE measures that Caribbean countries can implement to minimize the danger
posed to coral reefs in the region. (20 marks) 2009