Protecting Reefscapes with the Coral Reef Alliance

An Adaptive Reefscape describes a network of healthy reefs that are interconnected through the movement of baby corals. For these reefs to reach a ‘healthy’ status, local threats such as overfishing, habitat destruction and poor water quality must be mitigated. To achieve this, a collaboration with the local people who rely on and interact with reefs is essential. Thus, CORAL has evolved into ‘uniter,’ an organisation bringing community members together to protect coral reefs around the world. The gathering of teams of local experts is especially effective through supporting interventions which align the respective community’s social, cultural and economic needs.

Bay Islands of Honduras

Across the Mesoamerican Reef, fish populations are in decline causing macroalgae to compete with coral for space, placing Honduras at ecological tipping point. To prevent smothering, action must be taken to protect and preserve the world’s second largest barrier reef system. In the Bay Islands of Honduras, CORAL has established a management structure to improve their capacity and resources to effectively enforce fishing regulations and conduct patrols. The marine protected areas have seen a welcome increase of fish biomass as a result.

Translating Science into Action

It has been brought to the forefront that effective management which carefully considers evolution and adaptation will help rescue coral reefs from the damaging impacts presented by our changing climate. CORAL made this discovery following a research project into conservation strategies on adaptive capacity. Information unfolded that conditions can be created to help corals adapt to rising temperatures.

Southern reefs such as Honduras and Guatemala, have poorly developed management systems that are calling for support. Through developing science-based management plans and implementing regulations in areas which need it most, CORAL and their partners will become one step closer to securing the long-term health of these reefs. 

Ultimately, a united effort has been proposed amongst the conservation community to form a network of coral reef experts and apply a science-based approach through community-driven conservation to protect our planet’s reefs. By 2045, CORAL aims to establish 45 Adaptive Reefscapes around the world, and the Pelorus Foundation is proud to be actively involved.