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1. CARIBBEAN ESSAY
Examine FOUR factors which have caused coral reefs in the Caribbean to be threatened with
extinction. Include examples in your response. (20marks)
In the Caribbean, coral reefs are well popular in the tourism industry within the islands.
For example, the Buccoo Reef located in the island of Tobago. Coral reefs protect the
islands’ coastlines from erosion and storms. It also establishes occupation, recreation, aids in
the introduction of new medicine and it’s a source of food for life on land and sea. However,
as years pass by, the coral reefs are on the verge of extinction due to factors affecting its well-
being. Such factors are, the sea levels rising, overfishing, pollution and marine-based threats.
Therefore, this essay will address the factors that are causing coral reefs to enter the age of
extinction.
The first factor issued is the rising of the sea levels. Coral reefs in general, can cooperate
with the seal level by growing towards the surface. Unfortunately, as sea levels are rising at
an alarming fast rate, the coral reefs will soon be overgrown with deep-water algae. The reefs
are said to be choked and drown due to not being able to withstand the growth rate of the sea
levels. Additionally, at this rate, the bleaching of corals will occur. Bleaching of corals
happens when corals in warm waters, expel the algae residing in them causing them to turn
white, but the coral is not dead. An example of such event occurring in the Caribbean is in the
year of 2005 was labelled at one of the hottest years and with that, resulted in the rise of the
sea temperature leading to coral bleaching. Coral reefs in the Caribbean are still undergoing
this problem.
The second factor that will be addressed is the overfishing within the reefs. Coral reefs
are known to be the habitat of many marine organisms. Local fishermen gain a living from
fishing within the reefs. Nevertheless, with the rapid growth of human population and the
high demand of food supply, overfishing took place. Overfishing in the reefs will lead to the
depletion of marine species and the damage of the corals. This unfortunate event also causes
an alter in the ecological balance of the coral reef. It will result in the gradual decrease of
coral cover and the increase in algal cover in the reef. An example of overfishing in the
Caribbean occurred in the island of Jamaica in the year of 1960, the fish biomass reduced by
80 percent, such as parrot fish which is driven to near extinction. As years flew by, the
Caribbean is slowly trying to fix the damage that were made.
The third factor established is pollution in the coral reefs. The coral reefs are known to
be very popular in the tourism industry. Unfortunately, there is a high growth rate in human
population which means more housing development and infrastructure are being built every
day. With this development, it’s certain that pollution to the environment will occur.
Sediments and other pollutants, such as sewage discharge and urban runoff, enter the water
where the coral reef is located and smother the corals and lower the water quality which
increases the growth of algae within in the reef. Pollution may also cause the corals to be
prone to diseases, cause disruption in the growth of corals and reproduction. An example of
pollution affecting the Caribbean is, according to Climate Central, less than 10 percent of the
coral reef in the Caribbean are only showing live coral cover and if it continues to decline
coral reefs will cease to exist.

2. The fourth and last factor recognized is marine-based threats which are spills and leaks
from oil industries, boats’ anchors damaging corals as they are dropped in the water and
discharge of waste from cruise ships, boats, yachts, etc. It has been identified that
approximately 15 percent of coral reefs are being threatened with this factor. Marine-based
threats will lead to coral being unable to reproduce successfully and also increase the growth
of algae cover. An example of these threats occurring in the Caribbean is, in the year of 2000,
a major oil spill occurred in Trinidad and Tobago which had a short-term damage on the
coastlines. Furthermore, the Caribbean is slowly planting projects and plans to save the coral
reefs from further damage.
In conclusion, the coral reefs in the Caribbean are being exposed to numerous of threats.
These threats are now pushing the reefs into extinction. The coral reefs protect the islands’
coastal areas, serve as a habitat to marine life which land folk use as a source of food and
recreation and it’s also provide occupation for local communities. The coral reefs are
threatened by overfishing, the rising of sea levels, pollution and marine-based threats.
However, the islands of the Caribbean are slowly but surely searching on ways to improve
and restore the reefs so that the future generation can witness the beauty in them.