The Problem of Coral Reefs Disappearing Essay Example

The problem with our disappearing coral reefs is something that needs to be fixed immediately. The solutions in the past have helped, but yet are only a bandaid to the overall issue. The importance of our coral reefs go beyond saving the habit but more of an issue for our ocean as a whole. Coral reefs play a large part in protecting coastlines from storm surges throughout Florida. This report will go over previous solutions, while also bringing better ideas to light as our efforts currently aren't enough. In the end, this report will recommend the best solution we as humans can offer. 

Solution 1-Coral Reef Conservation Program

From 2012 to 2016, with the help of scientists from the University of Miami, UM-RSMAS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center and many more programs, has studied the health of Florida's coral reefs. Throughout the five year study they have recorded around 1.2 million different fish species, while analyzing their habitat and patterns within the reefs. During that time they've found many of the various species in these areas are severely affected by targeted fishing. The problem in these areas isn't all just the amount of fishing going on, but the targeted fish that are being harvested. As for anyone fishing, the hopes are to get the larger more mature species they are fishing for. Within the study they've found, with harvesting the mature larger fish it brings issues with various species not able to reproduce in the rate of being harvested. As before any study of this kind the long term outlook has not been recorded previously until now. Although studies like this are beneficial to the future of Florida's marine life, not enough action from the results have been taken into account. The conclusion of the study quoted “protecting spawning aggregations and meet management…. should be discussed sooner than later”. With that, more action is needed in hopes to have the beauty of our coral reefs able to maintain a healthy future. With the information we have learned recently, not having enough attention brought to these issues, and no immediate plan, issues like this will be forever on going. 

Solution 2- Florida Coral Reef Protection Act

In efforts to save the endangered coral reefs off the coasts of Florida, the state passed the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act July 1st of 2009. Within the protection act the state put out mooring buoys in areas of protected coral reefs. Mooring buoys are larger than a normal buoy acting as a place to drop anchor. Instead of dropping a traditional anchor to the bottom of the ocean, you can tie off to these so called mooring buoys that sit afloat. When vessels drop anchors on top of various coral reefs, it breaks up and devastates the coral below, killing habit in its process. The protection act has also included various fines for the damages from vessels and fishermen as well, in areas of protected coral reefs. Although these efforts have helped coral reefs make a comeback, in recent years it hasn't been enough. Hannah Chinn quoted in 2020 that “scientists say Florida reefs have lost nearly 98% of coral”. Ocean warming, acidification, and ongoing fishing in these areas are the top threats to our coral reefs. Without more severe action, the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act has little to no benefit. 

Solution 3-Coral IVF

Recently founded by a professor from Southern Cross University Peter Harrison, in 2016 with the help of our latest technology, he adopted a technique called Coral IVF. Within our coral reefs once a year, scientists have found coral will release millions of eggs and sperm in efforts to reproduce. During this event he found a process of capturing these eggs, growing them, and then releasing these coral in damaged parts of coral reefs. The process starts with around the time of reproduction, to first put out floating nurseries on top of the water. As the coral starts releasing millions of eggs and sperm, divers begin capturing and placing them in the nurseries above. Within days of capturing, the eggs start to grow into larvae and are able to be placed back into reefs below. As years pass they've found it's been one of science's greatest solutions to this problem. Harrisons team stated “This proves that the larvae restorations technique works….”. Since then with the ever growing use of technology in 2018, scientists have now come out with an underwater drone to help assist coral IVF. The drone is capable of taking these larvae to the bottom of the ocean as well as being able to locate and kill pests like the Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish. Things like this are the future of preserving the more important parts of our coastlines and most beneficial for short and long term goals.

Recommendation 

With the help of various protections acts and scientific studies, without any immediate action taken the dwindling Florida coral reefs won't be able to survive in the near future. After researching in my opinion the best three solutions to our problems, I believe with the technology we have today Coral IFV is most beneficial. In the world of evolving technology, things like protections acts and large fines won't fix our issues anytime soon. 

Coral IVF is the best solution for two reasons: the technology can be used effectively, and is something that can be used immediately. With the help of studies within the coral reef conservation program, and our latest technology like Coral IFV we make differences in the health of our Coral Reefs sooner than later. Now knowing we can take advantage of the yearly spawning in our coral reefs, action can be taken. Although the Florida Protection act helps, it's not doing enough below the surface as a whole. With the help of more funding from Florida residents, we should be able to slowly help our coral reefs, as well as fishermen being able to benefit. As studies have proven the effectiveness of coral IVF, it's something we should turn more attention to. As technology is always advancing, the hope of saving our surrounding reefs is truly something now possible.