Unity needed to save world's coral reefs

Unity needed to save world's coral reefs

DUMAGUETE, Philippines (AFP): The world's coral reefs could be lost in the next century unless urgent remedial measures, requiring international cooperation, are adopted, delegates at an international conference here said last Friday.

The workshop, bringing together delegates from 36 countries to the Silliman University, a major national marine research center, discussed the need to preserve coral reefs as well as various ways to protect them.

Penelope Wensley, chairwoman of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) workshop conducted last week in this central Philippine city, said conference delegates had quickly agreed that "management of reefs means management of people."

She said that while there was still a need for scientific research on reefs, their protection required better "management of human resources."

Philippine Environment Secretary Angel Alcala said at the ICRI closing ceremony that "we know a significant portion of this global heritage may be irretrievably lost."

The ICRI delegates, in a closing statement, said that as much as 10 percent of the world's reefs were "already seriously degraded, and that all the reefs could be lost by the next century."

Although coral reefs are damaged by natural causes, the ICRI delegates noted that the main causes of damage are manmade.

"Human activities are the major cause of coral reef degradation, therefore managing coral reefs means managing human activities," the ICRI said

"Individuals whose decisions and actions affect coral reefs -- from board rooms to beaches-- need to become aware of, and committed to the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and related ecosystems," the ICRI document said.

Among the main problems are destructive fishing methods like blast fishing and the use of poison to stun fish. Pollution, mining and siltation are also contributory factors.

But ICRI also noted that land-based activities played a major part as well, such as pollution from industrial, residential or mining sources being poured into the sea or agricultural chemicals being washed down by rains.

Silt from degraded land, which was also being washed down into the sea, was another cause of the corals' destruction.

ICRI called on governments to take special measures to protect these marine environments, including prevention of illegal fishing measures, management of tourism and "sound land use practice," such as zoning activities which may cause damage to coral reefs.

However, ICRI also admitted that protecting the reefs meant ensuring that the needs of coastal communities are met in a manner less harmful to the reefs.

Although ICRI did not specifically give alternatives to the destructive practices of some coastal communities, it called for involvement of the local communities, particularly the "stakeholders," whose livelihoods depend on the marine resources," in devising solutions.

ICRI also called for increased community awareness, particularly among children.

It also called for more training for "managers" of the reef, such as the stake-holders, professionals, field and community workers and even the private sector, which it encouraged to develop "better environmental operating standards," and appropriate technologies.

ICRI, which plans to hold regional conferences in the near future, also said it would work for a "Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network," although it did not specify how this network would be set up.

Alcala, who convened the workshop, called for an international partnership among regional nations including the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, since coral and fish larvae from one country often end up in another.

Coral, which grows in tropical regions, is a valuable breeding ground for fish and other marine life, and damage to reefs has been linked to a fall in fish catches.

Ecotourism

Earlier on Tuesday, experts said ecotourism, specifically the promotion of dive tours, can play an important role in encouraging the protection of the world's dwindling coral reefs.

But Stephen Colwell, executive director of the Coral Reef Alliance, a U.S.-based group of divers working for coral protection, also said eco-tourism was not a universal panacea.

The potential of eco-tourism was discussed at the International Coral Reef Initiative, a worldwide gathering of experts and officials looking into ways to protect coral reefs from environmental degradation.

Coral reefs are known for the vast variety of life they host and they play a key role in propagating the fish population.

But experts warn that within 20 years, half of all coral reefs could be destroyed due to harmful fishing methods, dumping of sewage and siltation caused by deforestation.

Rebecca Hawkins, of the United Kingdom-based World Travel and Tourism Center, said that "tourism (is) one of the ways that reduce pressure on the reef" by providing alternative, less harmful ways of exploiting it.

Hawkins said eco-tourism involves protecting natural resources like coral reefs while integrating the tourism industry, conservationists and local communities.

Eco-tourism, through the establishment of protected areas, can aid other activities such as fisheries, agriculture and the environment, Hawkins said.

Colwell noted that marine reserves set up for divers also increased the fish catch of the surrounding areas by giving fish a place to breed unmolested.

The two said eco-tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism market. Colwell said the dive tour industry, which he estimated at about US$1 billion, was expanding by about 15 percent a year.

Colwell said surveys showed that divers were more concerned with the dive experience itself and not with accommodations or facilities, making it easier for poorer communities to get into the dive industry.

He also noted that several dive tour industries in the Caribbean and Australia had led to better management of marine resources.

In one case -- in Bay Island, Honduras -- fish poachers were convinced to become marine park guards to help the dive industry.

But Colwell admitted that "you cannot say dive tourism is going to save everything.

"It doesn't mean that all the people who are blast fishing are going to turn into tour guides," he warned.

Experts also cited several cases of tourism harming the environment, such as when careless divers step on coral reefs or when boats anchor or crash into the reef.

Colwell said the effect of divers on the reef could be kept to a minimum if they are properly educated.