Nearly two-thirds of coral reefs in the Caribbean are threatened by human activities, according to a report released by scientists at the World Resources Institute (WRI). The report indicates that the reefs in the Dominican Republic are under high potential threat.
“We estimate that two-thirds of the region’s reefs are threatened from direct human pressures. Also, many reefs are subject to threats such as over-fishing, runoff of pollution and sediments from the land, and the ravages of storms and save millions of dollars by helping protect coastal communities from hurricanes,” said Lauretta Burke, lead author of “Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean.” “The very important overarching threats of coral bleaching from warming oceans, coral disease from new pathogens, and perhaps increased hurricane frequency are additional threats that put even more reefs at risk.”
Scientists at the World Resources Institute focus on the continuing degradation of the Caribbean’s region’s coral reefs. Coral reefs in the Caribbean are estimated at 10,000 square miles (26,000 sq kilometers) and protect the countries from hurricanes by dissipating waves and storm energy. The authors of the new report estimate that shoreline protection from natural Caribbean reefs saves between US$700 million and US$2.2 billion per year. Likewise, reefs are key to the region’s dive tourism ? which provided an estimated US$2.1 billion in 2000. The report focuses on ways all consumers can preserve reefs.
“When tourists are diving and kicking, they’re not paying attention to the reefs. It’s important for them to voice their concerns when they see something wrong being done by others,” Burke said. “Properly managed areas offer some protection for coral reefs, but at present, governments are not investing enough in these areas. Our analysis points to the high value of these resources, and what will be lost if they are not better protected.”
The report is available in English and Spanish.
For more information, see http://reefsatrisk.wri.org/
In the Dominican Republic, there is starting to be an awareness of the importance of preserving the corals. Punta Cana Resort & Club has become the first entity to begin a coral reef restoration program with the assistance of Counterpart International.