Scientists call for action to save coral reefs

Corals [Photo: Reuters]

By Linda Bach, in Cairns, Australia

Top marine researchers who are gathered this week in Australia for the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium have called for concerted efforts to conserve coral reefs which are in rapid decline.

Close to 2,600 scientists from around the world on Monday (July 9) released their Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs.

The consensus statement urges all governments to protect coral reefs, through global action to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It also calls for measures to address the escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land.

Stephen Palumbi, Director of Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, said governments must make stronger commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Research has shown that coral reefs are more resilient to climate change and recover faster from bleaching events. Positive local actions include rebuilding fish stocks, reducing harmful runoff and pollution, preventing habitat destruction and establishing more marine protected areas.

Prof Terry Hughes, convener of the symposium and Director of the Australian Research Council, said: “There is a window of opportunity for the world to act on climate change but the window is closing rapidly.”

Jeremy Jackson, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution and the 2012 recipient of the Darwin Medal said that reefs globally have seen declines in coral cover over the last several decades.

“In the Caribbean for example, 75-85 per cent of the coral reef cover has been lost in the last 35 years. But even the Great Barrier Reef, the best-protected reef ecosystem on the planet, has seen 50 per cent decline in coral cover in the last 50 years,” he said.

According to Jackson, climate change is exacerbating that rapid decline and on its own calls for immediate action. But climate change is also causing increased droughts, agricultural failure and sea level rise.

“That means what’s good for the reefs is also critically important for people and we should wake up to that fact. The future of coral reefs isn’t a marine version of tree—hugging but a central problem for humanity.”

The Great Barrier Reef in Cairns Australia is the world’s largest reef system. It is composed of more than 2,900 individual reefs and boasts 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Tourism to the reef generates approximately AU$4-5 billion per year.

In the Kenyan case, research has shown that numerous factors have made management of Kiunga.

National Research in Kenya challenging. Due to its proximity to the Somali border, it is difficult to patrol the area, and have the community appreciate sustainable resource exploitation in an area of constant lawlessness.

Climate change, El Nino and human causes such as over-fishing are also a threat to this area. What this means is that a lot more still needs to be done for the country to see the kind of benefit Australia enjoys from the Great Barrier Reef.

The International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) is held every four years. Close to 2,000 delegates from 80 countries are attending this year’s from July 9-13 in Cairns, Australia. The meeting’s objective is to help to raise awareness of how coral reefs can be better managed to ensure that they remain vibrant in the future.

“These ICRS gatherings are critically important opportunities for advancing coral reef science, management and conservation, and certainly the need to improve our understanding and management of coral reefs grows ever urgent,” said Hughes.

Coral reefs provide food and livelihood for many tens of millions of people annually, generate revenues through tourism and serve as natural breakwater for waves and storms.