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The news from the scientists is not good. The results are summarized in a List of Conclusions and indicate that over the past 20 years there has been a tremendous decline in the abundance of living coral on the Mexican barrier reef, as well as on other Caribbean reefs. In many areas of the reef, live coral remains on only 10 percent of the stony coral skeleton and degradation continues at a rate faster than recovery.
The scientists agree that disease and overfishing are major components causing the decline of the reefs. Several of the microorganisms that cause the diseases have been identified and are among those found in human sewage waste. Our sewage waste contains plant food that is needed by algae to support their rapid colonization of the reef skeleton. Algae are plants and they use the same nutrients used by plants in your own gardens—phosphorous and nitrogen. Phosphorous is a major component of soaps, which is sent to the septic tank with all other waste water. Nitrogen comes from urine and it is reasonable to believe that the nutrients in wastewater are being used offshore by the algae. The algae cover the hard coral skeleton and prevent new coral polyps from finding a hard, solid place to attach themselves, preventing new coral growth.
Work carried out in Akumal shows that waste water, which is lighter than sea water, floats to the surface and accumulates as a pod of contaminated water immediately underground, above the layer of salt water that underlies the Peninsula. This pod of sewage- and nutrient-contaminated water then flows to the sea.
The recommendations made by the scientists are not against development. They speak against the destruction from all that already has been built, and warn of potential disaster from development that does not consider the ecology of the area. The hope is that this document will lead to enlightened policies to ensure that the economic benefits from tourism in this state will continue into the future. Indeed, the strongest message from the scientists is that without a new vision of tourism and restraint on the kind and pace of development, the reef system and the economy may face imminent collapse. There is a plenitude of information on practical ways to ensure that tourism is developed and practiced in a sustainable way. The current challenge is to apply these practices in the Riviera Maya.
The addition of your signature will add strength to the message of the Declaration. Please click here to add your name to the list of concerned scientists and citizens who wish to encourage enlightened policies from the land use planning committee and the Mexican officials who make the decisions that will determine the future health of the coral reefs, and the economic and social health of the region.
10th Anniversary Research Symposium
of Centro Ecológico Akumal
Conclusions from Research Papers
PLENARY SESSION
May 20, 2004
1. Over the last 20 years, live coral cover on Mexican and other Caribbean reefs has been devastated by disease and algal overgrowths. (Bruno)
2. Disease and overfishing are the primary causes of the decline of reef corals in the Caribbean. (Bruno, Slingsby)
3. Disease-related mortality of key species causes disruption of coral communities, leading to local collapse, which can cascade through the ecosystem. (J.R. Ward, et al)
4. The rate of reef degradation seems to exceed recovery. (Slingsby)
5. Human waste is a source of disease pathogens and nutrients. (Sparks, Ferrell)
6. Macroalgal abundance inhibits coral recruitment and recovery on the reef. (Slingsby)
7. Sediment-bound algal turf mats encroach over and eliminate stony reef corals. (Roy)
8. Loss of reef and mangrove habitats will diminish the reproductive capacity and diversity of fish species. (Díaz-Ruiz, Cano-Quiroga, Alva-Basurto)
9. Contamination of ground water by deep disposal wells, leaky septic systems and dumps results in disease-causing organisms being carried to the ocean. (Shaw)
10. Fresh water mixed with sewage waste that is pumped into deep wells is more buoyant than sea water, and immediately floats to the surface. (Shaw)
11. Elevated nutrient levels could increase the mortality rate of reef-building corals. (Bruno)
Declaration of Concerned Scientists
10th Anniversary Research Symposium
of Centro Ecológico Akumal
May 20, 2004
We, the community of research scientists who study reefs in the Caribbean region, including the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef of Mexico, warn that research presented at the 10th Anniversary Research Symposium of Centro Ecológico Akumal shows clearly that only 10 percent of the live coral cover remains on the reef. Unless the government drastically curtails plans for new development along the coast of Quintana Roo, and the waste it generates, collapse of the reef ecosystem is imminent. A summary of scientific conclusions appended to this document is the basis for the following urgent recommendations endorsed by the undersigned research scientists.
Urgent Recommendations
1. Prohibit the use of deep wells for disposal of wastes and adopt a policy of zero contamination of groundwater and sea water.
2. Revise development goals for the region downward, to not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment in the Riviera Maya.
3. Postpone plans for new development until studies determine a reasonable carrying capacity and until an effective liquid and solid waste treatment infrastructure of the highest standards is in place with systems that treat wastewater for reuse and recycling.
4. Designate surviving reef sites with present high coral recruitment as protected areas, including buffer zones, and work with fishermen to establish “protected fish zones” in order to replenish stocks.
General Recommendations
from the 10th Anniversary Research Symposium
of Centro Ecológico Akumal
Plenary Session
We, the undersigned citizens of Quintana Roo, residents and visitors, in light of the dire threats facing the coastal environment of Quintana Roo reported in scientific research presented at the 10th Anniversary Research Symposium of Centro Ecológico Akumal, support the following recommendations adopted by the scientists and participants meeting in Plenary Session on Thursday, May 20, 2004, to help guarantee that the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System will continue to exist as a home for the region’s biodiversity and as the foundation for the economy of the Riviera Maya and México.
1. Accept the Conclusions from Research Papers as basic facts for understanding the probable cumulative environmental impacts of the current development plan for the Riviera Maya.
2. Recognize water quality in both land and sea-based ecosystems as the main priority for the health of the Mexican Caribbean.
3. Revise water quality standards to meet the needs of the marine and coastal biodiversity based on zero contamination.
4. Eliminate deep disposal wells.
5. Implement effective solid and liquid waste treatment systems that recycle and compost wastes as well as protect air and water quality.
6. Improve the effectiveness of existing Marine Protected Areas, based on scientific information, and aid in the design and enforcement of their Management Plans.
7. Conduct a socioeconomic study of the use of coastal zone resources, along with environmental research to determine a reasonable carrying capacity for the region.
8. Base development planning on International Best Practices of Tourism Development and the principles of sustainable tourism.
9. Comply with international agreements regarding mangrove standards.
10. Increase participation of local people early in the development process to ensure that local needs are addressed.
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