Caribbean has lost 80% of its coral reefs in recent years
Caribbean has lost 80% of its coral reefs in recent years
Comprehensive survey of the Caribbean's reefs is expected to act as a warning of problems besetting the world's coral
Fiona Harvey
theguardian.com, Thursday 1 August 2013 02.00 EDT
A major survey of the coral reefs of the Caribbean is expected to reveal the extent to which one of the world's biggest and most important reserves of coral has been degraded by climate change, pollution, overfishing and degradation.
The Catlin scientific survey will undertake the most comprehensive survey yet of the state of the region's reefs, starting in Belize and moving on to Mexico, Anguilla, Barbuda, St Lucia, Turks & Caicos, Florida and Bermuda.
The Catlin scientists said the state of the regions' reefs would act as an early warning of problems besetting all of the world's coral. As much as 80% of Caribbean coral is reckoned to have been lost in recent years, but the survey should give a more accurate picture of where the losses have had most effect and on the causes.
Loss of reefs is also a serious economic problem in the Caribbean, where large populations depend on fishing and tourism. Coral reefs provide a vital home for marine creatures, acting as a nursery for fish and a food resource for higher food chain predators such as sharks and whales.
More:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/01/caribbean-coral-reef-loss
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