Threat: Overfishing

Overfishing can be a major pressure on coral reef systems, reducing levels of biodiversity and typically resulting in shifts in fish size, abundance, and species composition, altering the ecological balance on the reef. Overfishing occurs as a result of a combination of an overabundance of fishers and overcapitalization of the fishing fleet relative to the available fish stock.

Analysis Method

Threats to coral reefs from overfishing were evaluated on the basis of population density within 30km of a reef location, adjusted by the area of shelf (up to 30m depth) within 30 km of the reef location. The analysis was calibrated using observation of coral reef fish abundance from surveys. The management effectiveness of marine protected areas was included as a factor mitigating threat.

DATA SOURCES USED IN OUR ANALYSIS OF THE OVERFISHING THREAT:

1. Population density