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KXAN
Coral reefs in ‘bit of a pickle’; experts push for continued effort to save them
By Eric Henrikson,
2 days ago
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coral reefs around the world are facing some tough times. Between disease, warming oceans and human involvement, many reefs are dying off.
Fish use coral reefs for shelter and food, unfortunately the species is saying off. Experts say it can be saved. (Credit: Todd Bailey/KXAN)
“Now is the time to redouble the efforts” to save coral reefs, according to Peter Edmunds, a professor of Biology at California State University Northridge.
In an article published on August 9th in the science journal Bioscience , Edmunds argues for further focus on the undersea creature. “If we’re going to have a chance to really save them, we need to know in what condition they’re currently occurring and how they’re likely to change.”
In the paper, Edmunds argues for more research, restoration efforts and changes to environmental policy around the world.
Coral reefs in a crisis
Damage to the coral reefs is something felt locally by Matthey Degutis, owner of Austin Aqua Farms. The company collects coral from the ocean near Indonesia and Australia, while also growing coral at their facility in Austin.
“We’ve run into some issues before where we’ve had some coral bleaching on some of the reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef, for instance,” Degutis said.
Degutis said when bleaching occurs, it takes several months before they can gather coral from the area, which would then be brought to the farm.
Austin Aqua Farms grows and sells undersea coral for aquariums in the Austin-area. (Credit: Todd Bailey/KXAN)
Bleaching, where coral lose all their color and turn bone white, is just one of the issues affecting coral. Disease, warm waters and storms brought about by extreme weather are also to blame for the devastation.
“Coral reefs are in a bit of a pickle right now. There’s been hot water, there’s been coral disease, there’s been death of all kinds, and they’ve really drastically changed,” Edmunds said. He began researching the reefs forty years ago.
Edmunds said that not giving up hope is essential. “People tend to think, well, it’s a done deal. The future is written. They will all die off and they’ll be gone. And that is not true.”
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