Saint Lucia is a sovereign island
country in the eastern Caribbean sea on the border with the Atlantic ocean. One
of the Windward Islands and follows common British
law.
What value does the Coral Reef have for the people of St
Lucia?
●
Direct Coral Reef related tourism accounts for 11% of
GDP (US$91.6 million in 2006).
●
Locals benefit as they provide accommodation, diving
equipment, guides etc.
●
The diving value estimated US$4.9 million due to
beauty/biodiversity (248 species of coral and fish).
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Reef protects island from wave pounding and storms
acting as a natural barrier in Tropical Revolving Storm prone zone.
●
Goods include fishing (100 full time fisherman);
Groupers and Red Snappers comprise fish stock but the Cobster accounts for 40%
of the total value of fishing. Coral Reef associated fisheries are between
US$437,000-600,000.
●
Coral mined as it is needed for cement or sold to
tourists as a souvenir.
Threats to the coastline:
●
Ocean acidification: as more CO2 is let out into the
atmosphere much of it is absorbed in the oceans. This stops the formation of
coral reefs due the decrease in ph. It also weakens the existing coral making
them more susceptible to damage.
●
TRS common and coral is damaged by the storm and 3% of
living coral was lost between 1997-98.
●
Siltation due to agriculture/mining decreasing
visibility (light needed for photosynthesis).
●
Ocean warming (due to global warming) and coral
bleaching: ocean warming causes the algae necessary for 80% of the corals
energy to be expelled. Therefore the coral dies and is bleached.
●
Water pollution: waste causes an increase of nitrogen
in the water causing algae to grow on the surface of the water blocking the
sunlight. This therefore stops the coral photosynthesising causing it to die
(40% of St Lucia reefs rated as threatened by marine based pollution).
●
Careless tourism: This is where tourists carelessly go
boating, diving, snorkeling and fishing which can also damage coral reefs.
Coral reefs can also be damaged by anchors being dropped on them. (90 km2 of
the St Lucia reefs are at risk due to human activity.)
●
Coral mining: to make cement, road blocks and as
souvenirs.
Management of Coastline:
●
Soufriere Marine Management Association (SMMA)
represents all the users of the coast and therefore has provided areas for the
use of different groups e.g. marine reserves, fishing areas, recreational,
yacht moorings and multi-use areas. SMMA uses wardens to oversee the scheme and
make sure no rules are being broken.
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Scheme is sustainable as funded through visitor fees
and permits not taxes (US$48,700 in total).
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SMMA carries out water quality and ecosystem health
tests, and a study has shown that fish stocks overall have tripled and in
fishing areas have doubled.
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The scheme has been extremely successful especially
since the fisherman in 1995 opposed the zoning by 2005 they were fully
supportive of the scheme.
Who are the users of the coastline?
The different users hold
contrasting views to one another to do with their interaction with coral.
●
Fishermen who want to protect own jobs and
livelihoods.
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Researchers who want to study the coral reefs.
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Nature Preservers who want to protect coral reefs.
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Locals who believe that they should have priority over
tourists.
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Tourists and people who make a living from tourism
(hotels, activity organisers etc).
●
Divers who want to enjoy marine biodiversity for
pleasure or research.
●
Yachtsmen (private owners) who want to enjoy sea for
leisure)
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