50 percent

Despite their importance, warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction are killing coral reefs around the world. Genetics is also becoming a larger area of coral research, giving scientists hope they might one day restore reefs with more heat tolerant coral.

Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.

Threats to Coral Reefs

• Physical damage or destruction from coastal development, dredging, quarrying, destructive fishing practices and gear, boat anchors and groundings, and recreational misuse (touching or removing corals).
• Pollution that originates on land but finds its way into coastal waters.

Without reefs, billions of sea life species would suffer, millions of people would lose their most significant food source, and economies would take a major hit. But it’s not just about the jobs. Coral reefs attract tourists to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.

By 2030, estimates predict more than 90% of the world’s reefs will be threatened by local human activities, warming, and acidification, with nearly 60% facing high, very high, or critical threat levels.

Approximately 75% of coral reefs worldwide are currently threatened by a combination of local and global stressors. Coral reefs are experiencing higher ocean temperatures and acidity than ever before in the last 400,000 years. Over 60% of coral reefs worldwide are directly experiencing one or more local stresses.

They discovered that seemingly dead corals can in fact regrow in the wake of heat damage caused by climate change. To the eye the hard coral looks devoid of life. But given time these tiny polyps – the characteristic “tentacles” on coral – can regrow.

They released fish onto live and dead coral, and found that those on dead coral took more risks and moved further afield. And while the smell of an injured mate prompted fish on live coral to take cover, their counterparts didn’t react. The death rate was 75 per cent higher on dead coral.

Corals are fragile living creatures; therefore, do not touch, stand on, or kick them as this will cause damage and even death.

Even if you live far from coral reefs, you can have an impact on reef health and conservation. Here are some things YOU can do: Volunteer in local beach or reef cleanups. If you don’t live near the coast, get involved in protecting your watershed.

Functions of Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are important for many different reasons aside from supposedly containing the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They: protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms.

Healthy coral reefs support commercial and subsistence fisheries as well as jobs and businesses through tourism and recreation. Local economies also receive billions of dollars from visitors to reefs through diving tours, recreational fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses based near reef ecosystems.

the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 oversees activities in the marine park. Australia’s key national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, protects nationally significant matters including the Great Barrier Reef World and National Heritage areas.

In a budget announcement on April 28, the Australian government said it set aside A$500 million to help protect corals. The money will be spent on reducing water pollution from agriculture, fighting coral-killing crown-of-thorns starfish, community engagement, reef monitoring, and research on climate adaptation.

The growing combination of rising water temperatures, poorer water quality from sediment run-off and pollution, as well as more severe cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, are just some of the threats creating a perfect storm for our Reef and the marine life that depends on it.

Here’s some tips from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority about how we can all help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our “carbon footprint”:

1. Switch to ‘green’ electricity produced from renewable sources by contacting your energy provider.
2. Use energy efficient lights.
3. Choose energy efficient products.

Rising sea temperatures mean the Reef is at greater risk of heat stress and mass coral bleaching, decreasing the capacity for corals to build skeletons—which act as key habitats for the Reef’s irreplaceable marine life.

Warmer water temperatures can result in coral bleaching. When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching.

Keep gutters, sinks and drains free of chemicals and rubbish as what washes down sinks and drains could end up on the Reef. Minimise water runoff by planting trees, garden beds and ground cover around your home. Use re-useable shopping bags rather than plastic bags. Take your rubbish home with you.

In some instances corals can recover from bleaching. If conditions return to normal, and stay that way corals can regain their algae, return to their bright colours and survive. However prolonged warmer temperatures and other stressors, like poor water quality, can leave the living coral in a weakened state.