Coral reefs aren’t just beautiful underwater fixtures that make the

ocean more colorful and vibrant—they’re integral to the survival of

many species of marine life. Widely known as the “rainforests of
the sea,” coral reefs are home to around 25 percent of the ocean’s
fish and other organisms, which is why their health is key to a
robust and self-sufficient marine ecosystem.

As coastal construction increases and global temperatures rise, an

estimated 33 percent of corals are now in danger of extinction.
Marine studies have also shown an 80 percent decline in some
forms of coral over the last decade, and thanks to climate change
and certain destructive human practices, it’s showing no signs of
stopping any time soon.

What is Coral Reef Destruction?

Coral reef destruction is defined as the degradation (and potential

mass death) of the ocean’s corals. It is normally caused by illegal
fishing techniques, pollution, careless tourism, other natural
phenomena such as earthquakes and hurricanes, and of
course, climate change—the culprit responsible for our warmer
oceans and the main reason (according to experts) behind the
death of nearly half of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals.
Corals are living organisms—they can get sick and die, just like any
other plant or animal. Due to a variety of local and global factors,
which can be either independent or interacting, more and more of
the world’s reefs are dying.

What are the Main Causes of Coral Reef Destruction?

Reef Bleaching

Reef bleaching occurs when extreme water conditions cause

corals to expel the internal microorganisms that give them their
vibrant colors. Bleaching events are attributed to a number of
factors, including pollution and extreme low tide, but the most
common (and widespread) is the change in water temperature
thanks to global warming. As the planet heats up, water
temperatures tend to rise as well.

Thankfully, bleached corals are technically not dead yet. Coral

reefs have been known to recover from a bleaching event,
particularly when water temperatures cool during winter. However,
when corals are in this state, they do become more vulnerable to
disease and possible death, especially if they are continuously
subjected to stress.
Poison or Dynamite Fishing

It is unfortunately common practice to use cyanide and other

poisons to fish for coral reef dwelling creatures. The poison is not
specific enough to necessarily kill a specific fish, but is used to stun
fish that are then used in domestic saltwater aquariums. Although
many fish can metabolize the cyanide and will only feel the effects
temporarily, the same is not true for coral polyps. When cyanide
gets in the nooks and crannies of the reef, the coral often dies in
the cloud of poison.

In Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and

Indonesia, dynamite or blast fishing is still commonly practiced.
As the name suggests, this is when fishermen use explosives—
usually crude and homemade ones—to make it easier for them to
catch more fish.

Water polution

Water pollution is perhaps the most obvious cause of coral reef

destruction. Reefs are harmed when oil, fertilizer, and human or
animal waste are dumped in the area. These elements can end up
changing the chemical makeup of the water, but the waste can also
block life-giving sunlight to the reef.
Floating trash can also cut young coral polyps off from the nutrients
they need to grow into a thriving reef.

Careless tourism

Increased tourism is one of the major causes of the destruction of

coral reefs. The following factors all contribute to coral reef
damage:

 Uncontrolled building and irresponsible business operations

 Increased discharge of wastewater

 Careless tourist behavior

Boats and other vessels used for recreational activities can
damage coral reefs with carelessly dropped anchors or accidental
grounding. Meanwhile, divers, snorkelers, and other sea lovers
often inadvertently damage the reef by playing on them, stepping
or sitting on them to rest, or simply by touching them and exposing
them to their skins’ oils.

Tourist activities have a direct impact on the marine ecosystem,

and much of the coral reef destruction caused by tourism could be
prevented with just a bit of education for those who want to explore
these interesting natural creations.
But what can we do about it? While it may seem like whatever one
person does is nothing but a drop in the bucket, that drop will
certainly not go unnoticed.

You can help save the coral reefs by volunteering your time to local
conservation programs, supporting reef-friendly businesses,
conserving water to reduce your wastewater production, using less
plastic, being a more responsible tourist, and most importantly, by
spreading awareness and educating others.