Negative Affects of fishing on Coral Reefs

Introduction

Coral reefs are massive and complex structures made of limestone that is deposited by living sea organisms. The reefs are mainly composed of the skeletons of tiny, fragile animals called coral. Although there are hundreds of different species of corals, they are generally classified as either “hard coral” or “soft coral.” Hard corals grow in colonies. Their skeletons are made out of calcium carbonate, which hardens and eventually becomes rock (i.e., coral reefs). Soft corals are nonreef building corals often resembling plants or trees. (Wilkinson, 89-102)

Coral reefs are found in over 100 countries and cover an estimated total area of 109,700 square miles (284,300 square kilometers) worldwide. Most reefs are located in oceans between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, but they are also found farther from the equator in places where warm currents flow out of the tropics (such as Florida and southern Japan). Corals prefer clear and shallow waters where sunlight filters through to their symbiotic algae. Other factors affecting their growth are salinity, turbulence, and the availability of food. (Guilcher, 18-26)

Discussion

Coral reefs are one of the most spectacular, complex, highly productive, fragile, and biologically diverse ecosystems on the earth. They cover less than 1 percent of the ocean floor but support around 25 percent of all marine life, including over 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other plants and animals. The reefs are useful to humans in several ways. The rich biological diversity of reefs is a natural treasure and a key part of the natural heritage of the world. The interlinked network of species supported by coral reefs has long been a significant source of food for millions of people living in tropical coastal areas and islands. Unique chemical compounds found in coral reef organisms have been used to produce several important drugs including AZT, a treatment for people with HIV infections. Coral reefs form natural breakwaters protecting the fertile coastal lands and human settlements of many island and continental nations from the pounding of ocean waves. The beauty of the coral reefs has long been a source of wonder to people. Many countries with coral reefs generate significant portions of their income through tourism. The reefs are also directly linked with traditional spiritual and cultural values of many people who live in reef areas. (Worrell, 63-70)

Most of the world's coral reefs are in trouble due mainly to direct human impacts, such as overfishing or destructive fishing, mining of coral and dredging of sand and gravel for construction and industrial use, soil erosion and use of pesticides for agriculture on lands draining into coastal coral reefs, intensive and ill-considered coastal development activities with hotels and infrastructure, discharge of sewage, collection of specimens by and for visitors, and international trade in ornamental corals and shells. It is estimated that around 20 percent of the reefs have been effectively destroyed beyond likelihood of recovery; 24 percent are under imminent risk of collapse; and a further 26 percent are ...