Why should we care about coral reefs? The importance of restoring Caribbean coral reefs

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“We are really excited that Dive Centre Scuba Do has embraced coral restoration and is now investing in the valuable work we’re doing. Not only are we able to increase the amount of corals that are being restored back to the reef, but we are also able to educate more tourists and members of the public about the benefit of healthy coral reef systems.” ~ Katie Leeper, (CRFC Coordinator)

When we think about coral reefs, we think, blue waters, beautiful fish, and deep sea diving. What many of us don’t realize is the importance that the coral reef has to our ecosystem. According to Waitt Institute (2017) reefs provide huge monetary value through fisheries harvest and tourism revenues. Presently, a kilometre of healthy Caribbean reef is estimated to generate about $1.5M annually (as found in Waitt Institute, 2017). Assessed, Caraçao’s coral reef is worth about $445 million, and strongly supports the tourism and fishing industries. Their monetary value is important, but it is not everything; coral also provides indirect non-consumptive value as well; coral reefs provide protection against storm surges and flooding, as well as a habitat for commercial and other fish species.

Unfortunately, coral reefs in the Caribbean are degrading rapidly; in just four decades, our water ecosystem has lost about 50% of its reef, and this is due to a combination of natural and human impacts including: runoff, pollution, tourism overuse, and destructive fishing (Waitt Institute, 2017). If this present decline continues, in the next thirty years, researchers claim that we will lose 60% of Caribbean coral reefs.

Thankfully, there are individuals who are uneasy with the way the coral reefs are being treated; the non-profit organization Coral Restoration Caraçao, and Dive Centre Scuba Do have partnered together to help restore the depleting coral reefs in Caraçao. A new coral nursery has been installed at Dive Centre Scuba Do’s house reef located at Jan Thiel Bay. The six coral trees planted will hold 360 coral fragments, and the nursery provides optimum conditions for these coral to grow and mature. The partners (CRFC and Dive Centre Scuba Do) will maintain these fragments for the purpose of out planting them onto the reef surrounding the nursery. The planted corals will not only improve the health of the reef, but also increase the local fish populations for the area.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was able to get a direct quote from Jan Geerings, Managing Director of Dive Centre Scuba Do, “As a responsible dive operator here on Curaçao, I believe it is critical that we re-invest in our natural resources to ensure a sustainable outcome for future generations. The fact is, we are incredibly grateful to have access to such unbelievable biodiversity today here on Curaçao, but to assume that without care and attention that our environment can sustain itself would be naïve. We must do our very best every day to restore what we as humans have damaged or even destroyed over the years.”

To learn more about CRFC you can visit them at https://coralrestorationcuracao.org/. They dedicate their time to educating the community on the significance of the oceans, and while engaging over 150 students; they have out planted over 7,300 corals to seven locations. They are thankful to their sponsors: Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB), Ocean Encounters, Scubacao, Avila Beach Hotel, Baoase Luxury Resort, Kontiki Beach Resort and Lions Dive Beach Resort.

It is great to know that there are groups of individuals who are taking care of our oceans and our sea life here on planet earth; we are thankful to these groups for stepping up and creating a safe place for life to grow.

References

Waitt Institute. (2017). The State of Caraçao Coral Reef. Retrieved from http://www.researchstationcarmabi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Waitt-2017-Status-of-Curacaoan-reefs_Low-Res-1.pdf