Scientists are aiming to complete a survey of the coral reefs of the Caribbean, in order to assess how much climate change, pollution, overfishing and degradation has affected the well-being of one of the world’s biggest and most important reserves of coral. The Catlin scientific survey will be the most comprehensive survey of the state of the region’s reefs ever undertaken; as it will give experts give a more accurate picture of where the losses have had most effect and on the causes.
As much as 80% of Caribbean coral is reckoned to have been lost in recent years, which is a matter of worrying financial wellness, as well as environmental. Not only do coral reefs provide a vital home for marine creatures, but large populations of people in the Caribbean depend on these reefs for fishing and tourism. Stephen Catlin, chief executive of the Catlin Group, noted, ‘It is not only important that scientists have access to this valuable data, but companies such as ours must understand the impact that significant changes to our environment will have on local economies.’
According to Richard Vevers, director of the project, the new survey will have a very important role; describing a new “baseline” to establish how far such problems have taken their toll on environmental wellness so far. Although the research will have other goals, this one is significant because it will help scientists in to judge how degradation – or conservation – progresses in the future. Another task of the team of scientists will be to look for the underlying reasons as to why such degradation has occurred, so that they can relate back this information, and make conservation efforts as effective as possible.
To assess the reefs, the researchers will use satellite data, as well as their own direct observations. Using a specially constructed camera, the team will also develop software as part of the survey, so that marine scientists can apply it to other reefs across the globe. Vevers commented, ‘The Caribbean was chosen to launch the global mission because it is at the front-line of risk. Over the last 50 years 80% of the corals have been lost due mainly coastal development and pollution. They now are also threatened by invasive species, global warming and the early effects of ocean acidification — it’s the perfect storm.’
