Coral Mining Impacts
Evidence exists of prolonged human exploitation of coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef by fishing, collecting, blasting channels, likely leaving reefs altered before protection began in 1975. Major threats are mining, pollution, overfishing, blast fishing and dredging which disrupt the balance of reef ecosystems. Some algae overgrow and are toxic to reef organisms. Excess nutrients favor algal growth over coral. Nitrates and phosphates in runoff have direct toxic effects on corals.
Prominent Coral Mining Locations
Prominent coral mining locations are East Africa, Indonesia, Panama, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef. Corals are mined using explosives breaking up the reef making removal easier. This is very destructive to reefs and neighboring environments causing sand erosion, land retreat, and sedimentation. Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing wave power hitting the coast and provide income for millions.
Transitioning Miners and Reef Management
Can transitioning miners to alternate livelihoods be justified and feasible? Comparing societal costs, lost ecosystem values, and enforcement costs to economic benefits coral miners obtain could determine this. Setting aside impacted reefs allows recovery through natural processes once threats are removed. No-take sanctuary zones banning extractive activities are an important reef management tool.