WHAT'S RUINING OUR REEFS?

摘要

Climate change might not be as disastrous for corals as assumed (see main story), but humanity still has a lot to answer for. Unsustainable fishing practices are the biggest killer of coral, affecting over half of the world's reefs. Using dynamite (bottom left) and cyanide (top right) to stun fish, which then float to the surface for easy collection, is bad for corals too. Ifs often illegal, but still widely practised in South-East Asia. Overfishing can destabilise the entire ecosystem. Removing plant-eating fish means seaweed can take over (bottom right), and if there are fewer carnivorous fish and crustaceans, coral-munching starfish often thrive.