Countries with the Greatest Length of Coral Reefs

Philippines- 22,450 km

• 50% is still alive however only 10% is in good condition 

Indonesia- 17,500 km

Fiji-  5,360 km 

Benefits of Coral Reefs and Conservation

Benefits of Coral Reefs

●       The coral reefs are an important source of income for millions of local small-scale fishers. These small-scale fishers contribute up to 1 billion US dollars annually to the country’s economy.

●       Provides the growing population with a source of food. Coral reefs can provide up to 35 t/km^2/yr of edible fish.

●       Great tourist attraction, which will bring revenue to local places where these coral reefs exists, allowing for these places to develop.

●       Provides a natural protection to the shoreline from waves and storms.

Protected Areas

●       Sumilon Marine Reserve

●       Apo Island Reserve

●       Tubbataha Reefs

Status

●       Sumilon Marine Reserve- Phillipine’s first marine protected area under the guidance of Siliman University. From 1974 on, 25% of the Sulimon’s coral reefs were protected, allowing fish yields to improve. However protection beginning in 1985 decreased, and in a span of three years, local fisherman over-fished the reserve causing fish yields to decrease. Also, live coral in reserve were also destroyed by the fishermen. The benefits of the protection quickly diminished, but the protection showed that coral reefs could be restored.

●       Apo Island Reserve- Coral reef protection began in 1982, creating a sanctuary where all fishing was banned. It was met by resistance by locals at first, but then the locals began to protect the area once they saw the results. They saw an increase in fish catch in less fishing time. There was also an increase in large predatory fish, and and biomass and specie diversity have also increased.

●       Tubbataha Reefs- The 33,200-hectare area is the only national marine park in the Philippines. Fishing is banned from this area, and the area is being patrolled by the navy to prevent illegal fishing. The condition of the coral reefs improved dramatically and the fish biomass doubled yearly from 166 to 318 metric tonnes per square kilometer.

Extinction of Coral Reefs?

Future

Although the government and a few local communities are taking steps in protecting some of the coral reefs, many are still in danger. People in poor communities continue to abuse the coral reefs by over fishing by dynamite fishing destroying live coral. At this rate, a majority of the coral reef will be destroyed. The government has to find a way to educate the locals on maintaining the coral reefs.

Coral Reefs help shield shorelines against waves, storms, floods, and many other things. If we keep destroying them soon we will be left without their protection and we could lose lives, property and more damaged would be caused by floods and other factors.  

With the death of the Coral Reefs a lot of sea animals that depend on them will die with them. Then this would cause many impact on our economy because the supply and demand of many of these sea animals would not be met. Our economy can be badly hurt if we do not act soon and start protecting coral reefs as we should. 

Human Impact In the Coral Reef Ecosystem

Fishing 

• Dynamite Fishing: Is a common way of fishing in which explosives are used for easy collection. 
• The expositions made underwater that are meant to catch fish can sometimes catch the Coral Reefs as well. 
• This fishing method damages Coral Reefs structure and sometimes beyond repair.
• Cyanide Fishing: Is a common way of fishing used to catch live pet fishes using Cyanide.
• Even though it is illegal in many countries it is still widely used in the Philippines.
• In many cases the fish tend to hide with in the corals because it feels in danger, which causes the fisher man to tear them apart in order to get to sunned fishes. 

Sediment Run-off

• Sediment run-off from farms, construction and deforestation can kill corals by clogging their mouths or by blocking sun light.

Coral Bleaching: 

• Coral bleaching is something that happens when the coral loses its color and turns white.
• Corals are very sensitive and even the smallest change in water temperature can cause this to happen. 

Tourism

• Careless tourism is in many times very dangerous to the coral reef ecosystem.
• Many people do not know the first thing about a coral reef and therefore they tend to be careless about what they do around them 
• In many circumstances people are not aware that they are causing damage to the ecosystem. 
• Tourism on the other hand can be good because it is the number one revenue generating business in the world, the money that is brought in will then be put to use into coral conservation.