Coral bleaching

Provides guidance for local stakeholder, managers and policy makers on appropriate management approaches for coral reefs that have been severely degraded through bleaching or other causes. The widespread bleaching event in the western Indian Ocean in 1998-9 provides a general case study that will result in recommendations of value to reef managers in all regions

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems, providing a source of income, food and coastal protection for millions of people. Pollution, habitat destruction, disease and unsustainable fishing have led to declines in reef condition throughout the world. Added to this, the threat of mass coral bleaching has recently emerged, causing extensive coral mortality to nearly every coral reef region.

Vast changes in the seas are destroying the world’s precious coral reefs at an unprecedented rate and scale. Burgeoning populations, destructive fishing practices, coastal development, sedimentation from forest clearing and unsound agricultural practices, expanding tourism, and increasing pollution are the primary agents of human impact.

Since the 1998 coral bleaching and mortality, which affected reefs throughout the tropics, a number of projects dealing with research, monitoring and management of coral reefs have been conducted. A number of these projects have been carried out under the CORDIO Program in the Indian Ocean where coral reefs have been severely impacted by bleaching related mortality and other anthropogenic influences.

Since the 1998 coral bleaching and mortality, which affected reefs throughout the tropics, a number of projects dealing with research, monitoring and management of coral reefs have been conducted. A number of these projects have been carried out under the CORDIO Program in the Indian Ocean where coral reefs have been severely impacted by bleaching related mortality and other anthropogenic influences.