CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs are large strips of wave resistant coral rocks built up by carbonate organisms
(coral polyps) lying close to the surface of the sea, cemented together to form a physical
structure.

Types of Coral Reefs 

 In the Caribbean, there are three basic types of coral reefs such as:

 The Fringing reefs: This type tends to grow in shallow areas very close to the
shoreline and is separated by a shallow lagoon.
 Barrier reef: This type of reef lies parallel to the shoreline and is separated by a very
wide lagoon. The barrier reef extends itself outwards and covers a large area more
than the fringing reef.
 Belize Atolls reef: This type of reef is commonly called a 'horseshoe reef'. Atolls were
once small islands or islets that became submerged. 

Roles or Contributions of Reefs 

Economic Roles 
 Jobs are generated: tour guides, fisher folk and scientists all find employment derived
from the coral reef.

 Coral reefs attract tourists: when tourists come to visit the reefs, they bring valuable
foreign exchange that government can use to build infrastructure. If there is a
booming tourism sector, international hotel chains invest.

 Promotes ecotourism, tourists come to the Caribbean to experience and enjoy the
natural aspects of Caribbean society. E.g., Bucco Reef in Trinidad and the Coral
Gardens in Dominica.

 The reef provides a sort of sport: People visit the reef for Fishing competitions which
attract several sports personalities globally.
Social Impacts 

 Reefs form a part of recreational activities.

 If a reef is in a country's borders, the country gets international recognition which
can. 
promote patriotism or even boost tourism. 
 Medicinal value – anti-cancer drug and anti-biotics, bone implants

Political/Legal Impacts 

 To protect the reef, government will enact laws. 

 Countries will sign international treaties to declare these areas as environmentally
sensitive or protected areas for example, the International Ramsar Treaty 

Environment Impacts 
 Coral reefs protect the shoreline from coastal erosion. 
 Reefs can protect seaside developments from small tsunamis or storm surges. Protects
coastal villages, coastal lowlands, and hotels from marine destruction.
 Coral reefs provide a home for many aquatic species. 
 Feeding ground for fishes – This enhances fishing in the Caribbean and ensures a rich
supply of seafood. Coral reefs ensure that there is a great number of fishes in the
Caribbean Sea because fishes feed on the corals. E.g., parrot fish
Threats to Coral Reefs
 Oil spills i.e., from cruise ships or the result of drilling for oil
 Coastal development such as hotels by the sea or even growing cities, Hotels may
dump their sewage into the ocean or if there is a deepening of the harbour, reefs may
be destroyed in the process.
 Dropping of anchors i.e., when vessels drop the anchors, they drag on the oceans
floor, thus breaking up the coral. 
 Climate change – rising tides. The ice in southern and northern region are melting so
rising which results in the Caribbean Sea tides rising. This results in corals being
chipped away with time.
 Tourism – snorkelling, deep diving etc. – when tourist walk and take samples of the
coral reefs they up.
 Fisheries - overfishing
 Excessive soil erosion may cause soil to run off depriving the reef of any nutrients or
even some light needed to survive.
 Global warming i.e., when the temperature of the water increases, there will be
bleaching and the coral dies.
 The issue of Eutrophication i.e., nutrient rich water such as water filled with fertilizer
may cause organisms to grow using up most of the oxygen and starving the reef.
 Human walking and recreation where people break off pieces of the reef.
 Storm surges and hurricanes i.e., large waves batter the reef lionfish. 
Conservation Techniques 

 Enacting laws and sanctions to punish people who damage the reef.
 Having the coast guards patrol regularly to monitor tourists.
 Proper coastal development and the promotion of eco-tourism such as
environmentally sensitive hotels (solar powered).
 Training of tour guides to protect the reef.
 Education campaigns on the importance of the reef and all stakeholders should be
involved for example, students, tourists, tour guides, hoteliers and even fisher folk.
 A limit on the number of tourists who visit the reefs.
 Creation of artificial reefs for example, in Chaguaramas, the CDA in conjunction with
other ministries have started an artificial reef program by utilizing used tires and the
wrecks of саrs.