420
Destruction and Recovery of Reef Systems, Reef and Man
Gomez 1982). The damage to reefs by this trade was so great there that it
was stopped in 1981 (Gomez 1982). On reefs of the Indo-Pacific the black
coral Anthipates dichotoma and the pink coral Corallum secunda were also
objects of vigorous trade. In places of intensive collection of these corals
their resources were also undermined or even devastated (Grigg 1984). The
regeneration of these slowly growing corals takes a long time. The black
coral, for example, reaches market quality (diameter 2.5 cm) only after 20
years, and the pink coral after 34 years. Therefore, the governments
introduced a quota for their catch. In Hawaii it was set with 6 t for black
corals and 1 t for pink corals. The reef animals, especially the sessile ones,
like gorgonians, zoantharians and sponges, appeared to be prospective raw
materials for the pharmacentical industry. They contain antibacterial
compounds, biostimulators and cancer-inhibiting agents (Jackson and Buss
1975; Ruggieri 1976; Angeles 1981; Allen et al. 1986; cf. Sect. 8.5). The
catch of plexaurid gorgonians containing prostaglandins has become a
significant source of hard currency for some developing countries.
11.6 Problems of Monitoring and Rational Use
of Reef Resources
The permanent rise of anthropogenic stress caused a global destabilization
of reef communities, and the death of corals in many regions. Such a trend
of development leads to the devastation of reef resources exploited by man,
endangering the economy of developing coastal countries of the tropical
zone. It caused concern not only in the scientific community (Salvat 1978,
1987; Dahl 1981; Bradbury and Reichelt 1981; Stoddart 1981; Rogers 1985),
but also in governmental and public agencies (Kelleher 1981; Leido 1981).
Scientists supported by the governments carried out in the last few years
investigations, appraising the actual state of reef ecosystems in many regions
and monitored the tendency of recovery of damaged ones (Mergner 1981;
Gomez 1982; Bakus 1982; Yap and Gomez 1983; Kay and Liddle 1984;
Endean and Cameron 1985; Dahl 1985; Chesher 1985). The results of these
studies make it possible to elaborate a strategy of undertakings for the
preservation of reef resources. They should be based firstly upon a
regulation of economic activities in reef areas, and secondly upon explaining
to local people, to fishermen, and to tourists the endangered state of reef
biota, and the possible degradation of reef resources, so that they look upon
the reefs as treasures of their nations and of mankind. The experience
gained so far in reef preservation shows that without solving the second
problem all measures of forced regulations and punishment will show little
effect.
In this connection experience gathered in traditional reef fishery in
Polynesia and in some other reef regions should be made use of. Fish have
Destruction and Recovery of Reef Systems, Reef and Man
Gomez 1982). The damage to reefs by this trade was so great there that it
was stopped in 1981 (Gomez 1982). On reefs of the Indo-Pacific the black
coral Anthipates dichotoma and the pink coral Corallum secunda were also
objects of vigorous trade. In places of intensive collection of these corals
their resources were also undermined or even devastated (Grigg 1984). The
regeneration of these slowly growing corals takes a long time. The black
coral, for example, reaches market quality (diameter 2.5 cm) only after 20
years, and the pink coral after 34 years. Therefore, the governments
introduced a quota for their catch. In Hawaii it was set with 6 t for black
corals and 1 t for pink corals. The reef animals, especially the sessile ones,
like gorgonians, zoantharians and sponges, appeared to be prospective raw
materials for the pharmacentical industry. They contain antibacterial
compounds, biostimulators and cancer-inhibiting agents (Jackson and Buss
1975; Ruggieri 1976; Angeles 1981; Allen et al. 1986; cf. Sect. 8.5). The
catch of plexaurid gorgonians containing prostaglandins has become a
significant source of hard currency for some developing countries.
11.6 Problems of Monitoring and Rational Use
of Reef Resources
The permanent rise of anthropogenic stress caused a global destabilization
of reef communities, and the death of corals in many regions. Such a trend
of development leads to the devastation of reef resources exploited by man,
endangering the economy of developing coastal countries of the tropical
zone. It caused concern not only in the scientific community (Salvat 1978,
1987; Dahl 1981; Bradbury and Reichelt 1981; Stoddart 1981; Rogers 1985),
but also in governmental and public agencies (Kelleher 1981; Leido 1981).
Scientists supported by the governments carried out in the last few years
investigations, appraising the actual state of reef ecosystems in many regions
and monitored the tendency of recovery of damaged ones (Mergner 1981;
Gomez 1982; Bakus 1982; Yap and Gomez 1983; Kay and Liddle 1984;
Endean and Cameron 1985; Dahl 1985; Chesher 1985). The results of these
studies make it possible to elaborate a strategy of undertakings for the
preservation of reef resources. They should be based firstly upon a
regulation of economic activities in reef areas, and secondly upon explaining
to local people, to fishermen, and to tourists the endangered state of reef
biota, and the possible degradation of reef resources, so that they look upon
the reefs as treasures of their nations and of mankind. The experience
gained so far in reef preservation shows that without solving the second
problem all measures of forced regulations and punishment will show little
effect.
In this connection experience gathered in traditional reef fishery in
Polynesia and in some other reef regions should be made use of. Fish have