You may have heard the phrase “coral reef” or seen underwater images or videos that take your breath away. But what are coral reefs and why should you really care? Corals are colonial animals that are made up of numerous tiny animals called polyps. Polyps are related to anemones and jellyfish and have a sac-like body and an opening, or mouth, encircled by stinging tentacles. These polyps deposit a hard stony skeleton made from calcium carbonate (like limestone) which builds up over millions of years and creates the 3-D structure that we call coral reefs. Coral reefs are only found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, such as the Caribbean, and are often described as "the rainforest of the sea" because they support a vast diversity of plants and animal species, including 400 species of fish. Although coral reefs only occupy 1% of the Earth's surface, they contain 25% of the marine fish species found in the ocean.
A healthy coral reef ecosystem
Source: https://earthjustice.org/slideshow/protecting-endangered-caribbean-corals
The coral reef employs individuals in a wide variety of economic activities, mainly in the tourism and fishing industry. The tourism industry provides jobs for persons in hotels, water sports, boating, sport fishing, diving, and other coastal attractions and contributes significantly to the economies of many countries such as Jamaica. Fishing is also an important economic activity for many people living along the coast.
Scuba Diving in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Source: https://www.beaches.com/blog/scuba-diving-jamaica/
The coral reef feeds us by providing fish, shellfish, lobsters, and other food from the sea including edible plants (Seaweed). Coral reefs are not only a source of food for coastal communities but also contribute to food security and poverty reduction.
Belmont Fishing Beach, Bluefields, Westmoreland
The coral reef protects our coastline by providing a barrier against high waves caused by storms and hurricanes that would otherwise come ashore and cause great damage. Many buildings, homes, and other coastal infrastructures, such as hospitals, power plants, and coastal roads are protected because of the coral reef structures that exist offshore. Coral reefs also provide the sand for our beaches and safe shallow waters for us to swim in.
The coral reef educates us by revealing how the natural environment works. For example, research carried out on coral reefs has provided us with answers about how plants and animals interact, and how climate change is impacting the oceans.
The coral reef supports our health and wellbeing through the numerous medicine, cosmetics, and health food supplements that are derived from the sea. Coral reefs also provide us with a place to rest, relax and rejuvenate ourselves.
Coral Reefs in Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, St. Mary (top) and Drunkenman’s Cay in Palisadoes Protected Area, Kingston (bottom).
Source: Mrs Marcia Ford
The health of our coral reefs, however, is threatened by human activities such as overfishing (e.g. parrotfish), anchor and Jet Ski damage, pollution from land and marine sources, poor solid waste management, plastic pollution, and climate change.
We all can do our part to protect coral reefs. Become informed about how your actions affect coral reefs. Make wise choices regarding water use, recycling, seafood, fertilizer use, and driving time. Don’t remove anything from the reefs. Pick up your own trash and also participate in coastal/beach/reef clean-up activities.
So, the coral reef employs us, feeds us, protects us, educates us, and supports our health and wellbeing – that’s why you should care.
Guest Contributor: Mrs Marica Ford - Marine Scientist (UWI - Centre for Marine Sciences)