408
Destruction and Recovery of Reef Systems, Reef and Man
conditions of cumulative impact of physical and of anthropogenic stress the
inhibition and destruction of reef systems could become irreversible
(Mergner 1981). Therefore, the anthropogenic impacts as a cousequence of
fisheries and of the industrial and recreational activity of man on reefs have
become a main factor endangering their existence (Pearson 1981; Raymond
1981; Stoddart 1981).
The massive anthropogenic stress on reefs had its beginnings in the
Second World War. During that time in the Pacific basin large contingents
of people appeared, armed with a powerful technique. The construction of
numerous military bases, ports and channels began (Banner 1974). The
collection of shells and corals by the military and their families rapidly
increased. A market of souvenirs was set up, which stimulated collection
also among the aborigines. Because of the abundance of explosives and
various antiseptic agents in areas of military activity, destructive and
poisonous industrial fishing expanded (Dahl 1981). After the war, the
development of economic and touristic activities proceeded in a rush in most
of the reefs accessible to airplane or ship. Improved medical services for
aborigines have led to the quick growth of local populations. This also
resulted in a drastic increase in the number of people in reefal regions. The
politics of governments in developing coastal and island states, whose main
goal is to provide people with food and shelter, stimulated the exploitation
of reef resources by activities such as fishery, extraction of lime and sand for
the construction industry, and the collection of souvenirs for international
trade. With the aid of western specialists the development of agriculture
proceeded, using pesticides and fertilizers. In some coastal regions the
mining of tin, copper, polymetallic ores, and oil began. In reef areas a mass
of motor boats and fishery fleets with heavy trawls appeared. Tourists and
the local people started to use widely diving equipment for collection of reef
animals and for spear-fishing. The volume of various pollutants and hot
water discharging on reefs from cities, touristic centers and power plants
rapidly increased (Pecheaux 1989).
The negative consequences of such development in the man - reef
relationship become more and more evident. On many reefs practically
irreversible changes took place (Kuhlmann 1988b). Anthropogenic stress
enhanced greatly the processes of global destabilization of reef ecosystems.
The evident endangerment of reefs by such developments impel
governmental, public and scientific agencies to work out measures for the
protection of reefs and their resources. In many countries corresponding
natural reserves and national parks were organized, destined to preserve
reef ecosystems in conditions of admissible use of their resources, because
its complete cessation could not be afforded by either developed or
developing countries (Stoddart 1981; Sudara 1981). In the following, various
kinds of anthropogenic impacts on reefs are analyzed.
Discharge of various effluents to the reefs from coastal villages and
hotels, as well as oceanic discharges from large cities, which are also driven
Destruction and Recovery of Reef Systems, Reef and Man
conditions of cumulative impact of physical and of anthropogenic stress the
inhibition and destruction of reef systems could become irreversible
(Mergner 1981). Therefore, the anthropogenic impacts as a cousequence of
fisheries and of the industrial and recreational activity of man on reefs have
become a main factor endangering their existence (Pearson 1981; Raymond
1981; Stoddart 1981).
The massive anthropogenic stress on reefs had its beginnings in the
Second World War. During that time in the Pacific basin large contingents
of people appeared, armed with a powerful technique. The construction of
numerous military bases, ports and channels began (Banner 1974). The
collection of shells and corals by the military and their families rapidly
increased. A market of souvenirs was set up, which stimulated collection
also among the aborigines. Because of the abundance of explosives and
various antiseptic agents in areas of military activity, destructive and
poisonous industrial fishing expanded (Dahl 1981). After the war, the
development of economic and touristic activities proceeded in a rush in most
of the reefs accessible to airplane or ship. Improved medical services for
aborigines have led to the quick growth of local populations. This also
resulted in a drastic increase in the number of people in reefal regions. The
politics of governments in developing coastal and island states, whose main
goal is to provide people with food and shelter, stimulated the exploitation
of reef resources by activities such as fishery, extraction of lime and sand for
the construction industry, and the collection of souvenirs for international
trade. With the aid of western specialists the development of agriculture
proceeded, using pesticides and fertilizers. In some coastal regions the
mining of tin, copper, polymetallic ores, and oil began. In reef areas a mass
of motor boats and fishery fleets with heavy trawls appeared. Tourists and
the local people started to use widely diving equipment for collection of reef
animals and for spear-fishing. The volume of various pollutants and hot
water discharging on reefs from cities, touristic centers and power plants
rapidly increased (Pecheaux 1989).
The negative consequences of such development in the man - reef
relationship become more and more evident. On many reefs practically
irreversible changes took place (Kuhlmann 1988b). Anthropogenic stress
enhanced greatly the processes of global destabilization of reef ecosystems.
The evident endangerment of reefs by such developments impel
governmental, public and scientific agencies to work out measures for the
protection of reefs and their resources. In many countries corresponding
natural reserves and national parks were organized, destined to preserve
reef ecosystems in conditions of admissible use of their resources, because
its complete cessation could not be afforded by either developed or
developing countries (Stoddart 1981; Sudara 1981). In the following, various
kinds of anthropogenic impacts on reefs are analyzed.
Discharge of various effluents to the reefs from coastal villages and
hotels, as well as oceanic discharges from large cities, which are also driven