Protection Measures Of Coral Reefs

Coral Bleaching is the process when due to increased water temperature Coral hosts expels/ breaks the relation with Algae and thus it turns into white. It occurs when the zooxanthallae alge decline due to high temperature, solar irradiance, sedimentation etc.

The United Nations has reported that:

70% of the Earth’s coral reefs are threatened,
20% have been destroyed with no hope for recovery,
24% are under imminent risk of collapse, and
an additional 26% are at risk due to longer-term threats.
A recent report suggests that if urgent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not adopted, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia could face the risk of coral bleaching occurring as frequently as every two years by 2034. Large scale coral bleaching in 2016 destroyed thousands of square kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef.
Hawaii became the first U.S. state to put curbs on the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can cause coral bleaching.

Efforts to save Coral reefs

Environmental protection act, 1986 prohibits the use of corals and sands from the beaches & coastal water for construction & other purposes.
India is participatory to green Coast project.
Coastal regulation zone rules (CRZ) bans the collection and destruction of corals along with dredging and under water blasting in and around coral formation.
Concepts of marine protected areas & marine national parks help in coral conservation.
- For example: Flist national marine park gulf of Mannar (Gujrat), Great nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National park (Andaman) are playing an important role in Conservation of corals.
India has ratified the Paris agreement and became the 62nd country of the world to do so, a step toward Climate change mitigation.
India has ratified the second commitment period of Kyoto protocol (2013-20).

Programmes to Save Coral reefs

Coral Rehab Programme, 2002 implemented by Gulf of Mannar Marine NP: To recover coral reefs. It has recovered 8 sq. km area in GoM region, where coral reefs suffered bleaching and degradation due to climate change and high temperature.
Australia has started a campaign to save great barrier reef from coral eating crown of thorns star fish. 2 reasons: Agriculture runoff & pollution. The government will provide farmers with financial incentives to reduce runoffs, while vessels and divers will actively target the fish as part of the expenditure.
STAPCOR 2018: International Conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs held at Bangaram coral Island of Lakshadweep.
- Theme: Reef for Life. 1st international year of Reef in 1997. Lakshdweep to establish International Atoll research center.
Kelps and coral reefs are composed of algae that grow in the shallow parts of the ocean in warm and sunny waters. However, kelp forest grows in nutrient-rich waters while corals can develop in low nutrient waters.
A bid to restore Coral reefs in Gulf of Kutch using Biorocksor Mineral Accretion technology
1. Kurumbar, Neora and Bhaidar Island of Kutch has Coral reefs.
2. Biorock is the substance formed by electro accumulation of minerals dissolved in seawater on steel stuctures that are lowered onto the sea bed and are connected to a power source.
3. The placement of a positive anode and a negative cathode on the seafloor, along with the flow of current, results in the formation of Calcium Carbonate through the combination of Calcium ions and Carbonate ions.
4. In 2015, the same group restored bleaching coral species (staghorn corals) belonging to family Acroporidae that had gone extinct about 10000 years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions related to the protection measures of coral reefs:

Ques 1. What conservation measures are taken to actively protect coral reefs?

Ans. Conservation measures for coral reefs include the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), implementing sustainable fishing practices, reducing pollution and sedimentation, promoting responsible tourism, and raising awareness through education and community engagement.

Ques 2. In actively protecting coral reefs, how effective are marine protected areas?

Ans. Marine protected areas (MPAs) play a crucial role in conserving and protecting coral reefs. By limiting fishing, controlling human activities, and promoting habitat preservation, MPAs provide safe havens for coral reefs to recover, regenerate, and maintain ecological balance. However, the effectiveness of MPAs depends on proper management, enforcement, and monitoring efforts.

Ques 3. What can individuals do to help protect coral reefs?

Ans. Individuals can contribute to the protection of coral reefs by adopting sustainable practices. This includes reducing plastic waste, properly disposing of trash, using reef-safe sunscreens, avoiding destructive fishing practices, supporting responsible tourism operators, and spreading awareness about the importance of coral reef conservation in their communities.

Protection Measures Of Coral Reefs