Overfished Reefs

The amount of seafood caught commercially in and around coral reefs pales in comparison to that harvested from the open oceans. Yet coral reef fisheries aren’t small potatoes for millions of people worldwide — both the fishermen who depend on the catch for their livelihood, and coastal communities where the food is an important protein source.

Coral reefs are generally considered to be overfished, however, and a new analysis shows just how bleak the situation is. The study, by Katie Newton of the University of East Anglia in England and colleagues, concludes that the majority of coral reef fisheries are unsustainable; fish, crustaceans and mollusks are being harvested at a faster rate than they are being replenished.

The researchers analyzed data for 49 small island countries and territories from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Bigger countries like Australia were excluded because it was more difficult to differentiate between reef catch and other sources of seafood.

Comparing the data with an estimated maximum sustainable annual yield of 13 metric tons per square mile of reef, the researchers found that 55 percent of the fisheries — including those in the Philippines, Madagascar and Jamaica — were unsustainable. The study will be published April 17 in Current Biology.

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New coral species found

TUTICORIN: Thirteen new coral species have been identified in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. But the gulf's existing coral reefs are deteriorating rapidly, with their area shrinking by 30 per cent over the last two decades. These are findings of a survey conducted by the Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) in the 560-sqkm park over the last four years.

The institute, affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, has brought out a comprehensive report on the distribution, diversity and current status of coral reefs in the gulf.

According to the report, 117 species of coral exist in the park.

Moreover, the SDMRI team has found that live coral is present only on a 78 square kilometre area in the park. That is 32 sq km less of the coral cover found 20 years ago.

"The degradation happened mainly because of destructive fishing and sewage disposal," said J. K. Patterson Edward, Director, SDMRI.

The report maps the exact geographical locations of the live coral in the park, surrounding 21 coral reef islands. "This would make monitoring and conservation easier," said V. Naganathan, Eco-Development officer, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust.

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