Download the issue of managing recession of coral reefs

Doha College Model United Nations VIII | 5th – 6th November 2015
Forum:
Environment Commission
Issue:
The Issue of managing recession of coral reefs
Student Officer: Sahar Qazi
Position:
Deputy Chair
Introduction
Coral reefs are an essential part of the ecosystem that maintain and regulate
underwater ecosystems for nearly 2 million species of marine organisms. These coral reefs
have sheltered and provided for nearly 25% of the ocean’s biodiversity. Through sheltering
these species, coral reefs have sustained many lives by preventing natural disasters.
Additionally, corals are used in medicines and they provide humans with fish that continue to
be a vital part of our daily diets. Not only do they individually aid humans, but they continue
to support economies of many nations through aquaculture by serving as nesting areas for
seafood species, further increasing the populations of fish.
Since 1998, global warming has played a massive role on the degradation of coral
reefs. Today, 10% of coral reefs in the world have been completely destroyed.
Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible and many other coral reefs across the globe are
heading towards this path of destruction. Much of this damage has been caused by human
activity whether it's through the indirect effect of global warming, coastal development or
fishing methods. Preventive measures must be taken in order to halt the recession of coral
reefs and preserve the benefits offered by coral reefs.
In the last two decades, international and national initiatives have been taken to
confront local fishing and agricultural malpractices. Large marine protected zones and
campaigns about fishing have been created so far. In order to combat this issue, it is
necessary that these efforts are accelerated. Coral reefs could potentially overcome the
issue of warming temperatures which have also been affecting it tremendously. The United
Nations Environmental Program- World Conservative Monitoring Centre has also teamed up
with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to tackle this issue.
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Definition of Key Terms
Coral Reefs
Marine ecosystems which are formed by tiny organisms that combine sediments
of corals in the marine waters and held together through a chemical compound
known as calcium carbonate. These coral reefs are homes to many marine
organisms.
MPA (Marine Protected Areas)
Oceanic zones which nations have agreed upon not to further degrade the
marine life through excessive human activity
Coral Aquaculture
Coral farming or coral agriculture to replace lost coral reefs
Ocean Acidification
Decrease in pH levels of oceans or increase in acidification due to the excess
amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere which is then absorbed
by the oceans
Dynamite Fishing
Usage of dynamite or homemade grenade like explosives in the water to arouse
fish in order to capture them quickly killing the reef homes in the process
Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs’ and algae’s dependency on each other for survival, or symbiotic
relationship, is deteriorated when water temperatures are irregular, forcing the
algae to abandon the coral reefs, leaving the reefs colorless
Background Information
Coral reefs bring advantages to the ecosystem and equally to humans in many ways.
With coral reefs, economies of many nations are benefited to a large extent by tourism,
fisheries, and shoreline protection. Tourism brings in large profits with the reefs’ beautiful
characteristics. Likewise, fisheries do the same when the fish are properly sustained in their
coral reef homes. Coral reefs also regulate environmental surroundings of water, making the
settings for species adaptable, and regulating oceanic biodiversity. The population of
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species is steady when these reefs provide shelter and protection to one-fourth of the
marine life.
However, much of human activity has harmed these reefs. Activities such as
dynamite fishing, coral mining, coastal development, and even global warming have been
the main sources of the recession of coral reefs. Unfortunately, 58% of the world’s coral
reefs are threatened by human activity. Destructive practices of fishing, the need for stonelike resources, and harmful methods of development have all contributed immensely to the
recession of coral reefs which have had an indirect impact on the decline of biodiversity in
the oceans.
Benefits of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are known to be homes to millions of marine lives. These ecosystems are
homes to 25% of the oceans biodiversity, nearly 2 million different species of fish,
crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, sea cucumbers, and seaweeds, forming the entire coral
reef ecosystem. The presence of coral reefs balances underwater sea temperatures to
stabilize habitats of fish and other species. Not only do coral reefs protect and shelter onefourth of the marine life, but they also provide food and protein to nearly 500 million people
through sheltering the fish in people’s daily diets. The annual value of coral reefs in
Southeast Asia alone is 2.4 billion USD through sheltering biodiversity and eventually
bringing profits to fisheries. Furthermore, coral reefs have prevented damage from natural
disasters such as strong tsunamis. These coral reefs also further aid economies through
eliminating the need for costly artificial barriers along shorelines from natural disasters such
as tsunamis. When coral reefs are situated at shorelines, they reduce energies of incoming
currents by 75-95%. For centuries, even vaccines and medicines contain compounds from
coral reefs to treat asthma, arthritis, act as supplements and many more.
Coral reefs bring equilibrium to all of the niches in the oceanic ecosystem through
their presence. In their symbiotic relationship with algae, coral reefs provide carbon dioxide
which is essential for photosynthesis. In return, the algae provide the reefs with nutrients
such as oxygen. In the oceanic ecosystem, algae play the role of the primary producer also
known as the plant, in which all other life is dependent upon. If the algae aren't given the
nutrients they need through the coral reefs, the ecosystem can have a rippling effect on the
rest of the ecological pyramid. The other niches above them are no longer able to sustain
themselves without the necessary nourishment. Therefore, the presence of coral reefs helps
to maintain the existence of all biodiversity in the ecosystem.
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Environmental Threats
The main threats and causes of the recession of coral reefs lie in human activity.
One of the main causes is dynamite fishing which has contributed plenty to the recession of
coral reefs; usage of the chemical cyanide to arouse the fish suddenly and capture them has
degraded the coral reefs themselves. This method of fishing leads to overfishing as well,
creating an imbalance in the ecosystem’s niches. Another human activity which has
contributed plenty is coral mining. Coral mining is used to gather certain rocks such as
limestone for resources and architecture, but it has further harmed them in the process.
Coral bleaching, global warming, and acidification all go hand in hand due to human activity
also. From 1876 to1979, only three bleaching events were recorded, whereas 60 were
recorded from 1980 to 1993. One-fifth of the world's coral reefs has already been
destroyed or lost. Because of global warming, the excess carbon dioxide ends up in oceans,
intensifying their acidity and eventually bleaching the color of coral reefs which give the reefs
their energy. Due to high acid levels in the ocean, algae leave the coral reefs, leaving them
colorless. Another major factor is coastal development whether it's through polluting waters,
constructing or land clearing, the industrialization of certain countries has had a far-reaching
effect on the ocean.
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
Indonesia
Indonesia is known to be home to 1/3 of the entire world’s coral reefs which are equal
to 85,000 square kilometers. It is a part of the Coral Triangle which is the center of marine
biodiversity. Indonesia has the most extensive marine life within the coral reefs. Although
Indonesia contains an abundance of coral reefs, much of degradation has occurred as well.
20 to 30 explosions occur a day, making the cost of damage nearly 500,000 USD. 70% of
the coral reefs in Indonesia have been completely destroyed and only 6% of the coral reefs
are left in excellent condition. Coral reefs provide 60% of the protein diet for Indonesians.
Indonesia has taken action through floating ranger stations and MPAs which are operated
with the funds of the organization Nature Conservancy.
Philippines
The Philippines is a part of the Coral Triangle along with other nations like Indonesia,
Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and the Solomon Islands that withhold the center for marine
biodiversity. The Philippines ranks second right after Indonesia in the abundance of coral
reefs. Only 5% of the coral reefs are in good condition in a 27,000 square kilometer
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distance. Indonesia and the Philippines combined hold 77% of the world’s coral reefs and
80% of the threatened species. The total economic value of the Philippines’ reefs is an
annual 1.1 billion USD. An estimated 10-15% of fisheries come from the coral reefs.
Population growth in the Philippines is evident which is predicted to further add to the
degradation of the reefs when coastal development and other forms of industrialization will
take place. Almost every Filipino lives within 45 miles from the shoreline. Current methods to
try to improve situations include working with the government to implement new MPAs which
will slow the loss of biodiversity. Raising awareness and through international media, public
exhibits, and programs is also another method of reducing the recession that the Philippines
has taken.
Australia
Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reefs, one of the largest areas of coral reefs in
the world. Regrettably, these reefs are endangered due to Australia’s industrial boom.
Modes of transportations that transfer shale gases and coal carry pollutants into the
waterways of the coral reef lagoons. The Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its biodiversity in
the last 20 years. The current numbers of biodiversity could half again by the year of 2022.
Recently, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) nearly
listed the Great Barrier Reefs as one of the endangered sites. Though it was not listed, it is
still an area in which organizations continue to look at as a site in terrible danger which
needs to be given attention to. Australia has taken industrialization to a higher degree, but
the current decline in water quality and coastal development caused this site to be at the
borderline of being listed as endangered once again. Currently, the Australian Marine
Conservation Society is taking measures with UNESCO to draft plans that will continue to
monitor the site.
Caribbean Region
The Caribbean has 38 countries and small island reefs such as Bermuda, Bahamas,
Belize, Bonaire, Cuba, and more that contain reefs which are vital to their economies. They
yield 3 billion USD annually. The Caribbean is home to 9% of the world’s coral reefs, and
only one-sixth of the original coral reefs remain. The Caribbean’s degradation of coral reefs
has been the worst thus far. In over 100 locations within the Caribbean, corals have declined
more than 50% since the 1970s. One reason for this may be the greater amount of invasive
species that threaten the existence of the coral reefs also. Other reasons include tourism,
global warming, and coastal development. Despite all this, there is chance that these reefs
may recover. For example in Bermuda, more effective laws and policies have proved that
the amount of coral living has doubled with more fish and clearer waters. If MPAs are
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properly managed, they could potentially improve current conditions of Caribbean coral
reefs. Nearly 285 MPAs have been implemented, but only 19% of them have been properly
managed.
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
The ICRI is an informal organization, established in 1994 that has teamed up with
many non-governmental and international organizations which focus specifically on further
improving the recent situations of the coral reefs. This organization has teamed up with the
United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the Worldwide Wildlife Fund (WWF) to
take initiatives and halt the degradation of coral reefs. Much of its work is cited in the UN’s
resolutions and international documents. When the ICRI was first established, it adopted the
documents, “Call to Action” and “Framework for Action” for its foundation. Through these
documents, the organization aims to raise awareness about the issue and set a basis for
creating sustainable preservation of coral reefs. Currently, it has form multilateral
agreements with fourteen conservatory organizations such as the Convention International
Trade in Endangered Species.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The NOAA is a federal agency run under the US Department of Commerce which
runs on science to “regulate, operate, and inform”. This agency specifically focuses on
environmental issues as well as other issues that pertain in waters and the air. It has several
branches under its name such as The National Weather Service, The National Marine
Fisheries Service, and more. The NOAA launched a program known as the Coral Reef
Conservation Program (CRCP). This program evaluates the progress of and three main
threats to coral reefs, climate change, fishing, and pollution. The agency outlined their goals
in the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals and Objectives 2010-2015. Their top
aim is to spread the knowledge they obtain with their extensive research. Recently, the
agency provided coral reef managers, scientists, and information worldwide and granted 50
million USD for coral conservation projects.
Previous Attempts to solve the Issue and Possible Solutions
Initiatives have been taken by several nations across the globe. One of these
initiatives is MPAs or Marine Protected Areas, which are under strict enforcement of allowing
a limited number or any persons into the area. Unfortunately, MPAs have proven not to be
helpful for 50% of the coral reefs they were tested on in the past years. The lack of
effectiveness of MPAs is most likely because of governments’ willingness to impose harsher
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regulations. In many other areas like Bermuda in the Caribbean, MPAs were proven capable
with proper enforcement such as water rangers. Since many nations have already lost coral
reefs, in order to replace them, scientists have implemented artificial coral reefs. This
solution is highly unlikely to fully replace the authentic coral reefs because although they
shelter biodiversity, in the same way, they do not provide carbon dioxide to algae that the
real coral reefs would normally. Another viable solution that has been presented is coral reef
farms to physically replace the genuine coral reefs. Coral seedlings may be planted and
grown until the favorable size is reached. However, diverse underwater conditions and other
variables may affect the growth rate development of these new coral reefs. Nevertheless,
scientists have a found a newer much and more complex solution. Recently, a new type of
coral reef had been discovered in 2013 which contain genes that are more adaptive to
current water situations. Using these coral reefs to reproduce in areas that the reefs have
been degraded may replenish the currently lost reefs.
One of the ways to resolve the issues of the recession of coral reefs is to directly
attack the threats to coral reefs themselves such as dynamite fishing and overfishing. It is up
to governments to find more sustainable methods of fishing or gaining food. One approach
to the issue of overfishing is assigning time limits to boats which will decrease the amount of
fish one is able to capture and take away from the coral reefs, decreasing the loss of
biodiversity in the process. A much simpler method of resolving the issue is through raising
awareness to the public. Small things have a big impact such as conserving water, using
less energy to reduce the amount of polluting emissions released in the air, and using ecofriendly fuels.
The ICRI and UNEP held a conference, Rio+20 in June 2012 outlining and creating
frameworks in this meeting to stress the importance of coral reefs when concerning the topic
of sustainable development. Governments of member states adopted a 10-year plan to for
sustainable consumption and patterns. The conference led to the creation of the resolution
"The Future We Want”.
Relevant Treaties and UN Resolutions

United Nations Environmental Program Rio+20 Conference, 2012

Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources in the High Seas,
1996

United Nations General Assembly Resolution, Oceans and the law of the Sea,
2012
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
United Nations Environment Program Governing Council Decision, Organizing
the third intergovernmental review meeting of the Global Program of Action for
the Protection of Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities, 2011

United Nations General Assembly Resolution, The Future We Want, 2011
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