Threats to reefs and how to deal with them [3]

The third main threat is overharvesting.

The human population wordwide is increasing. As such, need for food increases too. The solution - catch more fish and other wildlife poputlation. As fish and other wildlife populations decline, the delicate predator-prey balance of life on the reef is upset. Experts warn that fish populations are at risk because maximum sustainable yields for many species around the world, including some that are endangered, have been exceeded. Such disturbance towards the eco-system causes many consequences, such as the destruction of coral reefs. Destructive fishing techniques such as the use of cyanide and trawling gear damage also reef habitat. The outright depletion caused by the harvest of coral and live rock for construction and the aquarium/curio trade has destroyed many reefs around the world.

As for this problem, I suggest that certain areas be prohibited from fishing, as it damages coral reefs near there. Instead, other parts of the ocean could be designated for fishing. To prevent overbreeding, on a monthly basis, some of the fishes in the coral reefs area need to be removed and transported to another part of the ocean. This is such that another problem will not be introduced in the wake of one.


References: http://www.reefrelief.org