Exploring the Economic Impacts of Coral Degradation on Fisheries

- SDGs14: Life Below Water -

Coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," are among the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. They provide a myriad of ecosystem services, including habitat provision, coastal protection, and tourism opportunities, all of which contribute significantly to global economies (Cinner et al., 2018). However, one of the most critical services provided by coral reefs is their support for commercial and subsistence fisheries. This essay aims to explore the economic impacts of coral degradation on fisheries, a topic of increasing concern given the escalating threats to coral health worldwide.

Causes of Coral Degradation and its Economic Impacts The degradation of coral reefs, primarily due to climate change, overfishing, and pollution, has severe implications for fisheries. As coral health declines, so does the biodiversity and productivity of reef-associated fish species, leading to decreased fish stocks. This decline directly impacts the economic viability of fisheries dependent on these stocks.

Figure 1. Degradation of coral reefs

A study by Pratchett in 2014 found that coral degradation led to a 50-75% reduction in reef fish abundance, significantly affecting the catch rates of commercial fisheries. This decline in catch rates can lead to increased operational costs for fisheries as they must invest more time and resources to maintain their catch levels. Additionally, the reduction in commercially valuable species can lead to decreased market prices, further impacting the economic viability of these fisheries.

The economic impacts of coral degradation extend beyond the fisheries sector. Communities that rely on fisheries for their livelihoods and food security are also affected. In many developing countries, fish is a primary source of protein, and fishing is a significant source of income. The decline in fish stocks due to coral degradation can lead to increased food insecurity and poverty in these communities (Cinner et al., 2018).

Furthermore, the degradation of coral reefs can have significant impacts on national economies. In Australia, for example, the Great Barrier Reef generates approximately $6.4 billion annually through fishing, tourism, and scientific research. The degradation of this reef system could lead to significant economic losses for the country (Deloitte Access Economics, 2017).

The degradation of coral reefs and its impact on fisheries has a profound effect on local communities, particularly in developing countries. Nayak et al. (2014) explored the relationship between resource degradation, marginalization, and poverty in small-scale fisheries in India and Brazil. They found that the degradation of fisheries resources, including coral reefs, led to increased poverty and marginalization among local fishers. This was due to a combination of economic exclusion, social marginalization, class exploitation, and political disempowerment, all of which were exacerbated by environmental degradation. The study concluded that addressing

poverty in these communities would require rebuilding not only the fish stocks but also the entire social-ecological system, including the relationships between resources and people.

Coral’s Role in Fisheries and its Effects on it Coral reefs are essential to the health and productivity of global fisheries. They provide critical habitats for a wide variety of marine species, many of which are commercially valuable. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 34% of the world's marine fish species inhabit coral reefs at some point in their life cycle (FAO, 2018). This biodiversity is a significant contributor to global fish stocks, with coral reefs supporting an estimated 9-12% of world fisheries.

The degradation of coral reefs can also lead to changes in the productivity and composition of fisheries. A study by Rogers et al. (2018) used a size-based ecosystem model to explore how fisheries productivity and predator-prey interactions respond to a gradient of reef degradation. They found that fisheries productivity may initially increase at intermediate levels of reef degradation due to increased resources. However, the composition and size structure of reef fish would differ on degraded reefs, with herbivores and invertivores contributing relatively more to productivity. More significant losses of refuges associated with the erosion of structural complexity corresponded to fisheries productivity losses of at least 35% compared to healthy reefs.

Fig 2. Coral reefs and its impact on fisheries

The challenge for management is to balance the goals of fisheries, ecosystem function, and biodiversity in the face of ongoing coral reef degradation. Cinner et al. (2020) used a social-ecological approach to explore how different management tools could help achieve these

goals. They found that while management could provide substantial conservation benefits for fisheries and ecological function, achieving biodiversity goals was more challenging due to the degraded state of many reefs and the levels of human pressure they face. This suggests that more comprehensive and integrated management approaches are needed to ensure the sustainability of coral reefs and the fisheries they support.

Concluding Remarks The economic impacts of coral degradation on fisheries are profound and far-reaching. They affect not only the fisheries sector but also communities and economies that rely on these resources. As such, it is crucial to implement strategies to mitigate coral degradation and ensure the sustainability of global fisheries. These strategies may include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing sustainable fishing practices, and investing in coral restoration efforts. The health of our coral reefs is intrinsically linked to the health of our global economy. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, it is clear that the protection of these vital ecosystems must be a priority.

References:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aax9412 https://www.academia.edu/14090602/Resource_degradation_marginalization_and_poverty_in_s mall_scale_fisheries_threats_to_social_ecological_resilience_in_India_and_Brazil https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-26/great-barrier-reef-valued-56b-deloitte/8649936 https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1365-2664.13051 https://www.scuba.com/blog/5-main-coral-reef-destruction/ (fig 1) https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/618312 (fig 2)