Rapid decline of Caribbean coral reefs threatens marine ecosystems

Santo Domingo.- The death of coral reefs is accelerating in the Caribbean, posing a threat to marine species and the protection of beaches and coasts, according to Rita Sellares, marine biologist and director of the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (Fundemar). Speaking on the program “It’s Worth Asking” with Amelia Deschamps, Sellares revealed that in the past two years, there has been a significant increase in coral mortality. “From 2020 to date, we have lost almost 60% of coral cover, not only in the Dominican Republic but across the Caribbean,” she stated.

Coral reefs are crucial for the preservation of 25% of the world’s marine species and play a key role in the food chain, Sellares explained. They also produce sand for beaches and act as natural barriers against storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis.

Experts attribute the decline of Caribbean corals to several factors, primarily climate change, which raises water temperatures and causes corals to expel the algae that provide them with color and nutrients. This process, known as “coral bleaching,” weakens corals by stripping them of about 70% of their nutrients, making them more susceptible to diseases like “Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease,” which has recently caused significant coral mortality.

Human activities further exacerbate the problem. “Anchors from boats can damage or tear out corals, overfishing disrupts marine balance, pollution and plastic waste smother reefs,” said Sellares, emphasizing the need for greater social awareness and responsibility to protect these vital ecosystems.