Report sounds warning on U.S. and Pacific coral reefs

by Rich Bowden - Jul 7 2008, 23:58

A study by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said half of all coral reefs in United States' territory are in either "poor" or "fair" condition.

The report entitled, "The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008" says the region's coral reefs face environmental pressure from "coastal development, fishing, sedimentation and recreational use" and warns that even remote reefs are suffering from the combined effects of "marine debris, illegal fishing and climate-related effects of coral bleaching, disease and ocean acidification."

The report says that half of all reefs from the Caribbean to the Pacific, "are not in good condition and are continuing steadily on a long-term decline."

"It's a pretty alarming situation," said Jeannette Waddell, the report's co-editor and a marine biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Ocean Service. "Coral reefs around the world are confronted by the same types of threats. In some places it is worse. In some places, it's slightly better. But we're finding that even remote reefs are showing signs of decline," she told ABC News.

Tim Keeney, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and co-chair of the United States Coral Reef Task Force, said while the report was limited to the region of the United States and its associated states, clearly the problem for coral reefs was a global one.

"While the report indicates reefs in general are healthier in the Pacific than the Atlantic, even remote reefs are subject to threats stemming from climate change, as well as illegal fishing and marine debris," he said.

The 2008 NOAA report is the third in a series of studies designed to track the health of coral reef ecosystems at a local and national level. All three reports can be downloaded free here.

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