Ocean reefs are some of the most at-risk areas in the ocean. Places that were once teeming with wildlife are now reduced to a grey, barren wasteland. According to the Coral Reef Alliance, over 75% of our world's coral reefs are currently at risk, with the number rising to 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
The need to protect reefs concerns humans as much as it does marine life. Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine life, despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. They provide feeding and birthing grounds for animal life, and subsequently support the 1 billion people who rely on coral reefs to survive.
Another interesting fact about coral reefs is that they provide natural coastal protection, absorbing the shock of intense water activity and keeping shorelines from eroding.
And, not for nothing, countries that are blessed with coral reefs have a natural tourism boost, as thousands of people will come to experience this beautiful part of ocean life every single year. The same rings true for fisheries, which can provide jobs and a boost to local and global economies. All of this to say, protecting the reef for the sake of protecting wildlife should be enough, but it does greatly impact humanity as well.
Sadly, there are several high-risk reefs worldwide, with many fighting problems such as climate change, pollution, overfishing, and industrialization:
- The Great Barrier Reef: Known as the largest coral reef in the world, it's also the most susceptible to sun bleaching, as well as being incredibly vulnerable to climate change.
- Southeast Asia: Almost 100% of the reefs in this area are at risk, either due to plastic pollution or overfishing.
- The Pacific Ocean: This area faced a huge sun bleaching event from 2014-2017, often known as El Niño. This event was considered one of the largest and most destructive bleaching events in human history.
- The Caribbean: Often due to overuse of human activity, in part coastal development and part sewage discharge, over two-thirds of the Caribbean's coral reefs face a huge risk.
- Western Indian Ocean: Four years ago, a study published in the journal Nature Sustainability found that reefs across all 11 sub-regions were at risk of complete collapse, with irreversible damage.
Just like climate change, pollution, forestry, and any other climate-related issue in the world, it appears that we are fast approaching a point of no return if we continue down this path. However, recent reports have stated that we have the potential to regrow some of these reefs in just four years, but again, only if we stop continuing to harm the reef structures we have left.
How You Can Help
- Dive responsibly
- Wear reef-friendly sunscreen, aka nothing with oxybenzone or octinoxate
- Eat sustainably
- Use more eco-friendly alternatives when it comes to lawn and plant care, even if you live far away from the ocean. Any pesticides or fertilizers you put in the ground will eventually return to our large seas.
- Donate to research or conservation projects, and volunteer when you can!
