Local Threats

Human pressures on coral reefs can be classified as local threats, meaning local in origin. Such threats include destructive fishing practices, pollution, coastal development, and irresponsible tourism. These are activities that occur near reeds and have direct impact.

Curious about the change in percentage in local threats? A study which compared data since 1998 found that the greatest push in increased pressure on the reefs is a 80% increase in threat from destructive fishing practices. This is mainly due to an increase in coastal poplaution residing near coral reefs. If you recall from How bad is it?, I mentioned that Southeast Asia is where the local threats are the most severe. If you see the table below, it shows the that the growth of population residing near reefs in Southeast Asia is the greatest, indicating a reason for the severity of threats to reefs.

Figure taken from Reefs at Risk (2011)

 

Though I have split the threats into local and global, and the local threats are further categorized into 4 categories, it does not mean that the threats are standalones. As you read along, you will find out that there are often interlinked and their damages accumulative.