Costa Rica
About 30 sq km of coral reefs are situated along the southern portion of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline. They are situated where hardrock promontories interrupt the high energy shoreline in three distinct zones: between Moin and Limon; Cahuita; and between Puerto Viejo and Punta Mona. [1]
According to the Reefs at Risk analysis, all of Costa Rica’s reefs are threatened by human activities. Both overfishing and sedimentation were rated as threatening all reefs, while coastal development was estimated to affect over 85 percent of reefs. Marine-based pollution was estimated to be a threat to nearly a quarter of reefs.
The main cause of damage to Costa Rica’s reefs is the excess of sedimentation from logging, land clearing and agriculture, [2] such as banana plantations. Pressure from coastal populations also poses a threat to the reefs through sewage discharge and coastal development. Uncontrolled tourist activity is a significant and growing problem from the associated coastal development to The direct impact of swimmers and snorkellers , anchor damage from tourist boats, and in general the coastal development associated with uncontrolled tourist activity are all significant and growing problems.
Elevated water temperatures during the 1982/83 El Niño event caused bleaching and death of coral, from which recovery has been slow. Mild bleaching was associated with the events of 1992 and 1998, but with insignificant mortality. The 1991 Limon Earthquake was partially responsible for the significant decline of corals along the Caribbean coast. Although the Limon reefs have largely recovered, Cahuita permanently lost 5 sq km of reef as a result of the physical changes brought about by the uplift of the coastal zone. [3]
Two protected areas with coral reefs are located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. While collection of corals is not permitted, commercial and artisanal fishing are allowed. This situation has resulted in overexploitation, particularly of the commercially valuable species. Any initiatives to control the activities within the protected areas, though, are outweighed by the impact of sedimentation originating outside of the park boundaries. [4]
[1] J. Cortés & C. Jiménez, “Past, present and future of the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica,” in Latin American Coral Reefs. J. Cortés, ed. (Amsterdam: Elsevier Press, 2003), p. 223
[2] P. Almada-Villela et al., “Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoamerica,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2002), p.350
[3] J. Cortés & C. Jiménez, “Past, present and future of the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica,” in Latin American Coral Reefs. J. Cortés, ed. (Amsterdam: Elsevier Press, 2003), p. 295
[4] J. Cortés & C. Jiménez, “Past, present and future of the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica,” in Latin American Coral Reefs. J. Cortés, ed. (Amsterdam: Elsevier Press, 2003), p. 235
