Martinique

Because of the narrow insular shelf and sedimentation from the erosion of Montagne Pelée, reef formations are absent from the north-west and west coast on Martinique's leeward side. The northern part of the windward Atlantic coast is largely devoid of coral reefs because of the steepness of the bottom and sedimentation. Further south, fringing reefs have developed along the coast, protected by a barrier reef. [1]

According to the Reefs at Risk analysis, all the 260 sq km of reefs around Martinique are threatened by human activities. Overfishing, sedimentation, and coastal development were identified as threats to almost all reefs, and marine-based pollution threatening about 40 percent of reefs. Tourism, a major activity, is contributing to the problems caused by coastal development and pollution. [2] The threat posed by sedimentation results from deforestation for agriculture, mangrove clearing, and poorly planned development and particularly affects reefs in enclosed bays. [3]

One of the major problems affecting Martinique's coral reefs is the proliferation of algae at the expense of corals. Pollution from heavy metals and pesticides, organic pollution from inadequate wastewater treatment, eutrophication from the city of Fort-de France and the die-off of Diadema all contribute to the algal proliferation. [4]

A mass bleaching event was reported in 1998, but some bleaching occurs every year in September when water temperatures reach 29°C. [5]

[1] A.F. Smith, C.S. Rogers, and C. Bouchon. 1999. "Status of Western Atlantic Coral Reefs in the Lesser Antilles." Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, pp 351-356

[2] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 162

[3] A.H. Smith et al., "Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean," in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000. C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p. 320

[4] A.H. Smith et al., "Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean," in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000. C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p. 320

[5] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 162