Coral Reef Revitalization

Running head: CORAL REEF DECLINE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Coral Reef Decline and Sustainability

Dillon Augustus Larson

ENG102- Composition II

Colorado State University – Global Campus

Dr. Rose Bunch

January 16th, 2016

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CORAL REEF DECLINE AND SUSTAINABILITY

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Coral Reef Decline and Sustainability

Long before Finding Nemo, clownfish and other fishes of shallow seas have been a fascination

and a hobby. Coral reefs account for 25% of the seas' marine life while only occupying 1% of the

ocean. Coral reefs have always been found attractive on account of their sprawling spectrum of colors

and variations of corals and fishes that occupy them. Unfortunately, in such a global and technological

era, the facets of human behavior have brought upon new threats to coral reefs.

Through over a decade of involvement in this hobby, the fish for sale are becoming ever smaller

and captured at early ages than ever before. More and more publications of illegal coral harvesting are

reported, ocean chemistry is becoming more variable, and prices of equipment to maintain such

aquariums in one's home are cheaper than ever.

What will it take to stabilize and alleviate the decline of coral reef systems? In a localized sense,

coral reefs are in jeopardy because of human consumption. Dynamite is used to shake the reefs apart so

that the harvester may sell the coral fragments to a global market. On a large scale aspect, coral reefs

are suffering from ocean acidification and temperature increase. Coral environments prefer a high,

stable pH, but increasing Carbon Dioxide in the earths atmosphere filters into the ocean's water system

and bring the pH down. Biodiversity in reefs is altering its patterns that have been stable for thousands

of years. However, recent global movement towards negating the pollution of fossil fuels are more and

more popular. But, that is a global challenge that is still stifled by criticism and disbelief. The efforts

are there, but the...