The coral reefs surrounding the island of Aceh in Indonesia are essential to the well-being of the Aceh people. The reefs are composed of a variety of coral, and serve as the homes to many different species of fish and marine life. The large amounts of fish surrounding the reefs provide the island’s local inhabitants with the subsistence required for their survival. The diversity of fish inhibiting the reef are also crucial to the island’s economy due to the fact that exotic fish are valuable trading commodities in the international market, as either a form of sustenance or as domesticated pets. The beautiful reefs surrounding Aceh also serve as the island’s main tourist attraction, enticing thousands of people from all over the world each year to visit and explore the reefs. Aceh’s booming tourism industry also provides substantial employment opportunities for its inhabitants, which further enhances the province’s economy. Additionally, the coral reefs surrounding Aceh act as a buffer for the island's coasts by absorbing the destructive impact of storms and by “[facilitating] the growth of mangroves and seagrasses…[which] help prevent shoreline erosion” (Burke, Selig, and Spalding, 2002: 9). However, in recent decades, coral bleaching, “unrestrained fishing and the dumping of toxic waste” have lead to the degradation of the richness of the island’s coral reefs by deteriorating the health of the reefs, as well as decreasing the amount of diversity among animal and plant species ("AsiaNews.it").
As destructive fishing malpractices continue to be employed, the magnitude of the ecosystem’s deterioration increases accordingly. In particular, the practice of blast fishing has proven to be exceptionally malignant for the well-being of the ecosystem. Blast fishing is a process in which explosives or gun shots are sent into the reefs to stun or kill schools of fish, thus making them easier to catch. While blast fishing is an effective method for catching fish, the shock waves emitted during the process are often fatal for both the targeted prey and the marine organisms located nearby. Furthermore, the blasts often inflict irreparable damage upon the coral reefs themselves. Cyanide fishing is another strategy used to capture fish that is harmful towards the environment. During this process, cyanide is deployed towards areas of coral that are occupied by fish. The poison disables and disorients the fish, thus making them easier to capture. However, the cyanide often has a lasting effect in the areas where it has been injected, leading to the ailment of surrounding organisms. Overfishing is another process that has increased the degradation of the ecosystem. Overfishing depletes species of fish, which derails the natural workings of the ecosystem, as well as causing a shortage of exports that reduces the prosperity of the economy. Coral bleaching is another contributing factor to the degeneration of the ecosystem. Coral bleaching is a result of global warming that entails the removal of zooxanthellae, a type of algae vital to the existence of coral, from polyps. Due to the symbiotic relationship between the zooxanthellae and the polyps, once the algae dissipates, the polyps lose their vitality and whither away into skeletal remains. Consequently, the environment is no longer habitable to its native marine organisms. Lastly, human pollution disrupts the organic state of the ecosystem by depositing pollutants that are toxic to the environment and its inhabitants. Sources of pollution include sewage, human waste, runoff motor oil, and large-scale accidental oil spillages. Through these particular kinds of contamination, the ecosystem is thrown off balance, producing an overabundance of algae – which in turn, deprives the coral of the oxygen necessary for its survival.
The degradation of Aceh’s coral reefs will continue to take place so long as the Aceh people prolong their destructive habits. Although the island’s coral reefs have become marine protected areas in which unrestrained fishing practices are prohibited, fisherman still employ the harmful fishing methods in order to earn them a larger profit. The vastness of the island’s coastline prevents local authorities from averting the use of the banned fishing methods as well. Some local officials of the province even allow fisherman to utilize the outlawed fishing techniques in exchange for a share of their yield. Coral bleaching will also remain a serious threat to the reefs so long as significant changes in salinity and temperature continue to occur as a consequence of global warming. The natural state of the ecosystem will continue to be adversely affected by human pollution as well until Aceh invests in a more advanced sewage system and its inhabitants begin practicing more sustainable waste methods. The coral reefs of Aceh will continue their downfall until they cease to exist, unless the island’s inhabitants make some serious changes in their lifestyles.
In order to improve human impacts on the coral reefs of Aceh, firstly, residents of the island need to be better informed about the reefs and their current condition. The people of Aceh are well aware of the plethora of resources the reefs provide them with. However, much of the island’s population is unaware of exactly how vulnerable the reef ecosystem is to environmental disturbances. Information should be readily available to inhabitants of the island so that they are well aware of the potential effects that they have on the ecosystem and how to prevent further contamination of the reefs. Also, the reefs need to be properly patrolled in order to stop fisherman from employing illegal fishing techniques. Harsher consequences need to be forced upon those who are caught using the outlawed fishing practices as well. Aceh’s sewage system and its inhabitant’s waste disposing practices also need improvements in order to prevent further contamination of the reefs.
References:
Burke, Lauretta, Elizabeth Selig, and Mark Spalding. Reefs at Risk of Southeast Asia. Washington: World Resources Institute, 2002. eBook.
"Coral reefs survive tsunami, endangered by pollution." AsiaNews.it. AsiaNews C.F., 09 Jul 2008. Web. 24 Nov 2011.
Muhammad Nasir, M. Sc, First. Community-driven coral conservation in Aceh, Indonesia. . University of Syiah Kuala, 2007. Web.
O'Hara, Riley. Fishing Industry’s Effects on Coral Reefs. . University of Michigan, 2006. Web.
Podger, Corinne. "Pollution, fishing 'killing tsunami-hit Aceh reefs'." ABC News. ABC, 09 Jul 2008. Web. 30 Nov 2011.
"Troubled Water: Massive Coral Bleaching in Indonesia." Wildlife Conservation Society. Wildlife Conservation Society, 17 Aug 2010. Web. 30 Nov 2011.
