Bahamas Coral Reef Report Card

BAHAMAS CORAL REEF REPORT CARD

Volume 2: 2015-2019 Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama, New Providence & Rose Island, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exumas, Cat Island, Cocneption Island, Long Island

©Paul Selvaggio/SECORE Intn’l/Pittsburgh Zoo TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Coral reefs are home to the greatest diversity of life in the Bahamian Executive Summary ...... 1 archipelago and provide critical ecosystem services that support a Introduction to Indicators ...... 2 vibrant economy, including tourism, fisheries and protection from coastal erosion. These reefs owe much of their value to the corals themselves, which Evaluating Reef Health ...... 3 are the architects and engineers of the reef, building reef structure that protects shorelines and provides habitat to marine life. Despite their inherent value for Benthic Index ...... 4 the ecology and economy of The Bahamas, coral reefs here have dramatically Coral Condition Index ...... 6 declined over the last 50 years as corals have been faced with increased threats that have local, national, regional and global impacts. The reduction of key Coral Disease Index ...... 8 species due to disease, fishing, and habitat loss have altered the function of Coral Recruitment Index ...... 10 marine ecosystems, weakening the resilience of coral reefs and preventing their recovery from hurricanes, bleaching events and damage from other threats. Large Parrotfish Index ...... 12 The first steps to helping reefs recover is to assess their status; see how various Grouper Index ...... 14 threats have led to declines; and how protection and restoration can reduce or ©Paul Selvaggio/SECORE Intn’l/Pittsburgh Zoo Bahamian Reef Health Index ...... 16 even reverse the decline of coral reefs. This report card examines these factors Coral reefs provide a crucial source of food and for Bahamian coral reefs over the past 5 years, from 2015 to 2019. When Threats income for people around the world. possible we compare current data with past information from the previous coral Hurricanes ...... 22 reef report card to see how reefs have changed over the past 5-10 years. While Coastal Development ...... 24 this report card really just scratches the surface regarding coral reef health in The Bahamas, we believe it provides a good overview to inform management Coral Bleaching ...... 26 decisions in a way that is accessible to experts and non-experts alike. Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease ...... 28

Unregulated Fishing ...... 30

Successes Coral Restoration ...... 32

Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park ...... 34

Balancing Protection & Development...36

How Can I Help? ...... 38

Acknowledgements ...... Back Cover

ON THE COVER Photo of a coral reef at John Miller’s Blue Hole. © Kevin Davidson © Paul Selvaggio/SECORE Intn’l/Pittsburgh Zoo Coral reefs are home to the highest biodiversity in The Bahamas. Perry Institute for Marine Science Executive Director, Dr. Craig Dahlgren, conducting a fish survey. i INTRODUCTION TO INDICATORS EVALUATING REEF HEALTH

To better manage and protect Bahamian coral reefs, we must first understand how Grading Scale reef condition varies over space, time and under different threat levels. For the past decade, we have assessed the health of reefs throughout The Bahamas using Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocols, and have analyzed the data Benthic Index to look at specific indices of reef health, grading reef health on a scale from poor to 1 1.5–2 2.5–3 3.5-4 good for each index and for a combined Bahamian Reef Health Index (BRHI). We Coral Condition (% alive) also present case studies to: 1) show the impact of various threats to coral reef health, Coral Disease (% colonies) > 5 5–2.5 < 2.5 0 2) highlight some of the strategies that have proven successful to improve reef health, and 3) inform some of the challenges facing The Bahamas moving forward. Recruit Density (no./m2) Measures of Coral Reef Health Large Parrotfish Biomass(g/100m 2) 0–500 501–1000 1001–500 >1500 Benthic Index Grouper Index The Benthic Index compares the proportion of a reef covered by live coral and organisms that promote reef growth versus the amount of reef covered by organisms that overgrow or Bahamian Reef Health Index kill corals. Coral Condition Index Individual reef sites were scored on their condition for each indicator, with grades When a coral suffers natural stresses or human impacts, parts of the colony may die, or the entire colony may die. This index compares the average percentage of live coral tissue on of Poor, Impaired, Fair, and Good. The condition of an indicator on any reef may colonies to dead coral on colonies >25 cm. reflect both environmental conditions and human impacts. For example, a reef may Coral Disease Index be poor due to natural limiting conditions, or it may have degraded from various Coral diseases are a major cause of coral loss on reefs. This index examines the prevalence human threats. of various diseases on coral reefs through belt transect surveys. Sites with the lowest percentage of disease-infected corals are the healthiest. Coral Recruitment Index Recruitment is measured as the number of new corals on a reef. While coral size varies among species, for this index recruits are considered as any coral <4 cm in diameter. Coral recruitment is crucial, as reef sites need to be replenished with new coral recruits to replace corals that die off. Large Parrotfish Index In The Bahamas, several parrotfish species (Sparisoma spp.) are the main grazers of seaweeds on coral reefs since the die-off of longspined urchins. This index examines the biomass of these parrotfish on reefs at each site. Grouper Index Large groupers are among the most important fishery species on reefs, and play an important role as predators, controlling populations of species that harm corals. This index examines grouper abundance at sites, with greater values assigned to larger fish (>40 cm) that can reproduce. Bahamian Reef Health Index (BRHI) The scores from the other indicators are combined to calculate the BHRI by assigning the grades of the other indicators a numberic score of 1-4 (Poor to Good), and averaging that score. This index is only calculated for sites with at least 5 of the other 6 indicators calculated.

Reef Scores For each geographic area surveyed, index Poor scores are displayed on maps using color-coded, Location Impaired circular graphs to show the proportion of reefs N = # that received each score. The average score is Fair Map of surveyed areas and sites (2015-2019). depicted by the colour of the centre of the circle. Good

2 BENTHIC INDEX

Grand Abaco AVERAGE CORAL >50% CORAL Bahama N = 49 N = 20 Poor COVER ON COVER ON Eleuthera Impaired N = 47 SURVEYED REEFS MERMAID Fair NP & RI REEF & SANDY N = 27 WAS JUST Good CAY REEF

Cat 11% N = 7 Mermaid Reef Map of Abaco Sandy Cay Reef Western Abaco Bahamas N = 7

Exuma Cays Concep- Andros N = 9 tion N = 23 N = 6 These two reefs, off- shore of Abaco, had the highest amount of live coral.

Long N = 6 Great Exuma N = 10

Benthic Index AVERAGE SEAWEED Finger coral (Porites porites) was one of the most In the map above, the benthic index common brooding coral species in The Bahamas. compares the positive components COVER WAS of reefs that promote coral recruitment and growth (e.g., the relative Coral Cover amount of corals) to the abundance 46% Stressors – including the effects of seaweeds and other organisms that of coral bleaching due to climate have a negative impact on corals. change, disease, hurricanes, and Some of the sites with the high- IN TOTAL, chemical and nutrient pollution – est coral cover, lowest amounts % Macroalgae Cover WE have taken their toll on Bahamian of seaweeds and highest benthic coral reefs. Across nearly all of the index scores are reefs in nation- SURVEYED sites, reef-building corals occupied al parks, like the Exuma Cays Land 2 less space on the reef than seaweeds and Sea Park. Cumulatively, our ben- 11,670 m that rapidly take over when corals thic indices results from 1.67 million OF die and ultimately prevent corals data points; that is, more than 11.5 Macroalgae cover (green bars) has increased on coral reefs in The from re-establishing. km of surveyed seafloor. Bahamas compared to coral cover (yellow bars). SEAFLOOR

4 CORAL CONDITION INDEX

Abaco BLEACHING & Grand N = 55 Bahama Poor N = 20 DISEASE

Eleuthera Impaired CAN CAUSE New Providence N = 48 TISSUE LOSS, Fair NP & RI BUT MAY NOT N = 27 Good KILL THE OFF NEW COLONY PROVIDENCE,

Cat ENTIRELY CORAL N = 7 >70 % AVERAGED Westerm OF CORALS Bahamas N = 7 OFF >44% Exuma GRAND BAHAMA Cays Concep- Andros N = 12 tion HAD HIGH PARTIAL LIVE CORAL N = 23 N = 6 MORTALITY TISSUE

Long N = 6 Great Exuma N = 10

Partial Mortality of Corals Although overall partial mortality was fairly low for most reefs, A coral head with significant partial mortality. with the majority of islands having corals that were over 60% alive on Coral Condition average, reefs off Grand Bahama, As coral colonies are affected by New Providence and Rose Island disease, temperature stress, predation, had higher rates of partial mortality competition with other organisms, among coral colonies. The amount of and other stressors, part of the colony living coral left on a colony can vary may die. The coral condition index between species. In The Bahamas, examines the amount of partial larger reef-building species like mortality averaged across all coral star corals (Orbicella spp.) and brain colonies surveyed on the reef. High corals (Pseudodiploria spp., Diploria rates of partial mortality may indicate labrynthiformis, and Colpophyllia natans) higher stress levels or disease (past and had the highest partial mortality present) for the corals. rates. Brain corals (inset) and star corals (pictured) had the highest rates of partial mortality.

6 CORAL DISEASE INDEX

Grand Abaco Bahama N = 60 N = 20 Poor

Eleuthera N = 47 Impaired

NP & RI Fair N = 27 Good

Cat N = 7

Westerm Bahamas N = 7 Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is Exuma Cays Concep- critically endangered globally. Andros N = 11 tion N = 23 N = 6 Their decline was mostly due to White Band Disease; more than 3% of elkhorn corals in The Bahamas were infected.

Long 28,787 Great N = 6 Exuma N = 10 CORALS SURVEYED

affects some of the more common coral species, and Black Band Dis- ease, which affects massive corals and can cause significant mortality. Overall, disease rates were low in White band disease caused significant The Bahamas from 2015-2019 but Black band disease present on symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiplo- partial mortrality on this elkhorn coral. a few sites showed concerning levels ria strigosa) in The Bahamas. of disease. Andros had the greatest Coral Disease prevalence of disease, most of which DARK SPOT Coral disease can be one of the was dark spot disease. Sites off New Only 1.2% of all DISEASE INFECTED greatest sources of partial mortality Providence and Grand Bahama corals surveyed ~2% OF and whole colony mortality. Dur- had the highest rates of more lethal LETTUCE CORALS ing reef surveys in The Bahamas, diseases like Black Band Disease. showed signs of eight different diseases were noted to Some sites that were surveyed over At 44% of sites, at least one dis- disease. multiple years showed outbreaks of ease was reported. Shown here, varying degrees. The most prevalent This was true across all surveys and diseases were Dark Spot Disease, disease in one year but lower disease dark spot disease has ravaged a sites. which is not highly lethal and rates in subsequent years. massive starlet coral.

8 CORAL RECRUITMENT INDEX

An Abundance of Brooders

Grand Abaco In The Bahamas, over 80% of coral Bahama N = 54 Poor 40% N = 20 recruits belonged to weedy brooding OF SURVEYS Eleuthera Impaired species. These corals, including N = 48 HAD NO finger coral and mustard hill coral, Fair NP & RI RECRUITS make smaller contributions to N = 27 growing reefs than spawning corals, Good which tend to be major reef builders. Indeed, spawning corals like star Cat N = 7 >2,400 and brain corals, provide the much- needed structure necessary for coral Western CORAL Bahamas recruits to settle and flourish. N = 7 RECRUITS

Exuma WERE Cays Concep- Andros N = 11 tion N = 23 N = 6 COUNTED

64% OF Long N = 6 Great ALL RECRUITS Exuma N = 10 BELONGED TO 1 GENUS OF BROODING CORAL

In other words, fewer adult corals can ultimately reduce the fertilization success and larval production on a A star coral recruit viewed under a microscope. given reef. Larvae that are produced face Coral Recruitment many challenges. Reefs overgrown Coral recruitment – that is, the ad- by seaweeds, for example, offer less dition of new juvenile corals to the space for larval settlement. In turn, population – is critical for maintain- even the larvae that do settle onto ing healthy coral reefs. As corals die overgrown reefs are at a higher risk from bleaching, disease and other of being smothered later by seaweeds. natural and anthropogenic causes, Adding to this problem is the low healthy reefs are replenished by number of reef-building species larval settlement (i.e., recruits). Re- recruiting to Bahamian coral reefs; cruitment rates in The Bahamas are only 10% of recruits were from star, © Kevin Davidson limited, however, due to low densi- brain, elkhorn, staghorn and massive ties of adult corals. starlet coral species. Over five years, we surveyed 400 m2 of seafloor for coral recruits.

10 LARGE PARROTFISH INDEX

Large Parrotfish Are The Most Grand Abaco Bahama N = 49 Poor Important Grazers N = 25 Eleuthera Impaired Redtail (Sparisoma chrysopterum), N = 38 Redband (S. aurofrenatum), Yellowtail Fair (Scarus hypselopterus) and Stoplight NP & RI N = 26 parrotfish S.( viride) are among the most Good important grazers in The Bahamas. Parrotfish were found on all reefs in Cat surveys, but their sizes and abundance N = 7 (measured as biomass) varied among Western Bahamas Stoplight parrotfish. sites. This is partly due to the natural N = 7 variability in reef structure and other

Exuma factors, but fishing is increasingly Concep- Cays tion The figure below shows parrotfish bio- Andros N = 12 impacting parrotfish populations N = 23 N = 6 mass by species surveyed in The Baha- - particularly for large species that mas, between 2015-2019. contribute most to grazing.

Long N = 6 Great Exuma N = 10

years ago a pathogen decimated Longspined sea urchins throughout the region and the population has never fully recovered. Now, large Longspined sea urchins are important macroalgae parrotfishes are the dominant algae grazers on coral reefs. grazers, though not all parrotfish graze the same way. Why Reefs Need Grazers Grazing of seaweeds is critical to Parrotfish Decline coral reef resilience as it opens up DIADEMA Around some islands, parrotfish 40% space for coral larvae to settle onto DENSITIES ARE populations have decreased over DECREASE clean substrate, as well as prevents the past five years. The mean IN MEAN new recruits from being smothered 10-100x biomass values of key grazing by seaweeds. The most important parrotfish around New Providence PARROTFISH grazer on Caribbean reefs was once LOWER THAN & Rose Island, for example, has BIOMASS AROUND the Longspined sea urchin, Diadema BEFORE THE DIE- decreased from 1,715 g/100 m2 in NEW PROVIDENCE antillarum. Unfortunately, over 35 OFF 2011 to only 685 grams/m2 in 2019. FROM 2011-2019

12 GROUPER INDEX

NASSAU Grand Abaco Bahama N = 49 Poor GROUPERS N = 20 TYPICALLY Eleuthera Impaired N = 47 REPRODUCE Fair NP & RI WHEN THEY N = 26 Good ARE

Cat >54 CM N = 7

Western Bahamas N = 7 Bahamian Nassau groupers spawn

Exuma only once per year. Cays Concep- Andros N = 12 tion N = 23 N = 6

Long N = 6 Great Exuma N = 10

© Shane Gross The Nassau Grouper is Critically Endangered A spawning aggregation of Nassau grouper. The Nassau grouper has been fished The Black grouper is a key predator on coral reefs. out from much of the Caribbean © Shane Gross Reefs Depend on Groupers and is considered a critically endan- Groupers are of economic and gered species; in fact, they are more ecological importance to coral reefs. endangered than Giant pandas and As predators, they play a key ecological African elephants. The Bahamas NASSAU NASSAU role by controlling populations of other remains one of the few places where GROUPER GROUPER fish and invertebrates that they feed populations of large groupers are WILL on, including those that are predators still viable. Still, even here, we see FISHERIES on corals. They are also among the reduced populations in some areas ARE MIGRATE most valuable fishery species in The where fishing pressure is high. The WORTH >100 Bahamas. Large grouper species healthiest populations are in marine MILES have become rare throughout the protected areas (MPAs), where fish- >$32 Caribbean. ing is restricted. MILLION TO SPAWN

14 BAHAMIAN REEF HEALTH INDEX

Abaco Conception Island Coral Coral Large Coral Coral Large Abaco Benthic Recruitment Grouper Conditon Disease Parrotfish Benthic Conditon Disease Recruitment Parrotfish Grouper Grand N = 53 Poor Bahama N = 20 Eleuthera Impaired N = 39 While the majority of reefs had Conception Island stood out Fair below average BRHI scores, with some of the healthiest NP & RI N = 25 Abaco also had two reefs with reefs surveyed in The Good the highest amount of live Bahamas, likely due to both its coral cover in the country – remote location and its status as

Cat Sandy Cay Reef and Mermaid a national park. Nevertheless, N = 7 Western Reef. At restoration sites, critically there was evidence of reduced Bahamas N = 7 endangered staghorn and elkhorn populations of elkhorn coral, populations are increasing. staghorn coral and other critically

Exuma Continued monitoring of Abaco’s endangered corals in several Concep- Cays tion N = 11 reefs will determine long-term locations, likely as a result of Andros N = 6 N = 23 impacts of Hurricane Dorian. past bleaching or disease events. Restoration of these populations Andros may contribute to their recovery. Coral Coral Large Benthic Recruitment Grouper Conditon Disease Parrotfish Cat Island Long Coral Coral Large Benthic Recruitment Grouper Great N = 6 Conditon Disease Parrotfish Exuma Over 75% of reefs surveyed off N = 10 Andros had above-average BRHI scores, but had a higher than Sites off Cat Island had above average prevalence of disease. average scores for reef condition, A mass bleaching event in 2015 but higher than average rates of posed threats to coral reef health. disease, and low coral cover. It’s High coral recruitment may be possible these reefs exhibited lower the result of both higher than levels of disease and bleaching in the Bahamian Reef Health Index average coral cover and local past, and rates are increasing now, retention of larvae. although more surveys are needed. To assess the overall health of reefs, sand dredging has occurred for the Bahamian Reef Health Index decades. Despite having some reefs (BRHI) averages the scores of the with the highest live coral cover in other reef health indicators for each The Bahamas, Abaco’s reefs suffered site. The only areas where BRHI with the lowest coral recruitment scores averaged more than 3.0 were index, low coral cover on average, Conception Island (3.19) and the and fewer large groupers than other Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park sites. Reefs off New Providence (3.14), the former being a remote and Grand Bahama were scored area and receiving national park as IMPAIRED overall, primarily protection (although enforcement due to lower than average grouper is limited), and the latter, a well- and parrotfish index scores, as well protected no-take national park with as poor reef condition scores for relatively low levels of development. New Providence/Rose Island, and The location with the lowest scores poor recruitment scores for Grand was Western Bahamas (2.19), where Bahama. Only one site received a score of Good for all indices – Friday’s Reef in the ECLSP.

16 BAHAMIAN REEF HEALTH INDEX

Western Bahamas Grand Bahama New Providence & Rose Coral Coral Large Benthic Recruitment Grouper Coral Coral Large Island Conditon Disease Parrotfish Benthic Conditon Disease Recruitment Parrotfish Grouper Coral Coral Large Benthic Conditon Disease Recruitment Parrotfish Grouper Reefs around Western Bahamas – Sixty percent of Grand Bahama’s including Ocean Cay and Bimini reefs received BRHI scores of While reefs off New Providence - received the lowest overall BRHI POOR or IMPAIRED, with the and Rose Island were generally score. This is likely because the vast majoritiy having below aver- below average for several indices, area around Ocean Cay was com- age benthic index scores and higher including the Parrotfish Index mercially dredged for decades. Exuma Cays than average disease scores during (84% of sites) and Benthic Index Despite having better than aver- Coral Coral Large surveys in 2018 and 2019. Further (>75% of sites), there were some age coral coverage, benthic scores Benthic Conditon Disease Recruitment Parrotfish Grouper damage from Hurricane Dorian in differences in aspects of reefs were low due to high amounts late 2019, as well as the outbreak between those off Rose Island of cyanobacteria and turf alga- All but one of the sites assessed of SCTLD in late 2019 and early in the east and those off western sediment mats that inhibit coral in the Exuma Cays were in the 2020, pose significant new threats New Providence. Nari Nari Reef growth. Plans for protection and Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park to Grand Bahama’s reefs. off western New Providence also restoration in this area can dra- (ECLSP), the country’s oldest and Long Island had the greatest loss of living coral matically improve reef condition. Coral Coral Large reported over the past decade, most effectively managed MPA. As Benthic Recruitment Grouper a result it had some of the healthiest Conditon Disease Parrotfish likely due to petroleum leaking Eleuthera into the water from nearby Clifton Coral Coral Large Benthic Recruitment Grouper reefs, with the highest live coral Conditon Disease Parrotfish coverage and grouper biomass, Like Cat Island, Long Island has Pier. as well as the lowest macroaglae a minimal number of reefs sur- Eleuthera had some of the largest abundance of any area. One reef in veyed, so additional assessments are reef area surveyed, which varied the ECLSP was the only one in The needed to paint a clear picture of from reefs exposed to the open Bahamas to receive GOOD scores coral reef health. Reef condition off Only 3% ocean on the eastern side of the is- for all indices. Long Island was above average, but OF ALL SITES land, and those more sheltered on exhibited below average scores of SURVEYED WERE Great Exuma coral cover and high levels of dis- the Exuma Sound side of the is- Coral Coral Large Benthic Recruitment Grouper RATED “POOR” land. As such, reefs varied consid- Conditon Disease Parrotfish ease; this suggests, despite low levels erably in ecological factors. While of bleaching and disease in the past, OVERALL these rates might be increasing. Eleuthera had one site that ranked Reefs surveyed off Great Exuma among the top sites in coral cover were all within the Moriah and health, 90% of sites had be- Harbour Cay National Park. All Around Conception Island, all sites rated “FAIR” or better. low average benthic index rank- sites exhibited above-average ings, primarily due to low coral coral condition and coral cover, as and high macroalgae cover. well as below average macroalgae. The reduction in macroalgae may be due to above average parrotfish populations at most of the sites.

60% OF SITES RATED IN “GOOD” A brittle star settles on a spawning star coral. HEALTH WERE IN MPAs © Shane Gross 18 THREATS Hurricanes

and was one of the slowest moving Because many affected reefs were major hurricanes, as it moved across already considered IMPAIRED Grand Bahama and eventually exited before the storm, their ability to The Bahamas over the northern Aba- recover may be compromised and may cos. The storm caused devastation to require restoration efforts. many reefs, including coral damage, bleaching, the influx of debris from land ranging from whole trees to pieces of houses and cars, and burial in sediment from inshore areas. While some reefs, like Sandy Cay Reef in the Peli- can Cays Land and Sea Park, saw minimal impacts from the storm, Mermaid Reef, which had the highest percentage of live coral of any reef surveyed in The Bahamas, suffered severe damage; about 30% of Mermaid Reef’s corals were dislodged and moved, leading to a reduction of coral cover by 40%.

This map traces the pattern of damaged reefs that we surveyed after Hurricane Dorian. The hurricane symbols depict Hurricane Dorian’s path at 6-hour time intervals after it struck Abaco on Sepember 1.

Hurricanes in The Bahamas Around the world, coral reefs are the ability of reefs to recover from often found in the areas most affected severe damage. by tropical cyclones. No place is this more evident than in The Hurricane Dorian Bahamas. Over the past century, In September 2019, Hurricane The Bahamas has experienced at Dorian became the strongest least one hurricane or tropical storm hurricane to make landfall in the event every 2 years, with some Atlantic. It first hit Central Abaco Hurricane Dorian’s effects were severe, both on land and underwater. islands experiencing hurricanes © Will Greene more frequently than others. While hurricanes can have devastating impacts to reefs, healthy reefs are 1/3 CASUARINA TREES resilient and can recover from most OF SITES OFF THAT WERE SWEPT storms. Unfortunately, reefs that are GRAND BAHAMA & in decline from other threats may ONTO REEFS not be resilient to hurricanes and the ABACO HAD MORE CAUSED THE frequency and intensity of storms over BROKEN CORAL MOST DAMAGE the past couple of decades may limit © Will Greene AFTER DORIAN

20 THREATS Coral Bleaching

SOME CORALS MAY HAVE GENETIC ADAPTATIONS TO TEMPERATURE STRESS

Mermaid Reef Abaco

For example, corals Percent of surveyed corals that bleached from 2015-2019. on Mermaid Reef off Abaco.

CORALS CAN RECOVER FROM MILD BLEACHING This map compares the 2015 bleaching event near Andros (left) and South Abaco (right). OffAndros , 70-100% of all corals surveyed had bleached; this range was 37-70% of corals around S. Abaco.

Coral Bleaching Reef-building corals rely on are more susceptible to disease and nutrients from a symbiotic other stressors that can kill them relationship with microscopic algae, later. Mass bleaching events were But they may be more called zooxanthellae, that live in first noticed in the 1980s and have vulnerable to disease, and their tissue. When environmental increased in frequency and intensity less likely to reproduce. conditions become too stressful, recently. In The Bahamas, 2015 was this symbiosis breaks down and a particularly bad bleaching year. corals expel their zooxanthellae; as Shortly after summertime temperature AFTER a result, the corals appear white, a highs, nearly HURRICANE phenomenon known as bleaching. 70% of corals DORIAN, >25 % This often happens in the summer, surveyed off OF CORALS HAD when water temperatures are Andros and BLEACHED ON warmer than usual. If conditions Abaco were SOME REEFS. get too warm (e.g., if waters remain bleached, with ≥0.5 °C above normal conditions 100% of corals This was likely caused for an extended period of time), the bleached at A bleached star coral colony (Orbicella faveolata) from Sandy Cay by rapid temperature corals can die. Corals that recover some sites. A bleached spiny flower coral. Reef in 2015 (top). Fortunately, four years later (i.e., 2019; bot- changes or prolonged tom) 100% of that same coral head had recovered from bleaching. water turbidity.

22 THREATS Coastal Development

New Providence have experienced significant changes. For example, Grand REEFS <3 MILES in 2009, reefs around Clifton had Bahama 15-20% live coral cover (well above FROM OCEAN CAY, average for The Bahamas). By 2019, A FORMER SAND however, these reefs decreased in DREDGING SITE, live coral cover up to 70%, with Ocean Cay HAD 1/2 live coral cover only 6% at the site closest to shore. The decline in coral THE CORAL cover was likely caused by chronic Andros COVER OF REEFS petroleum leaks that contaminated FARTHER AWAY coral reefs and led to a bloom of cyanobacteria that overgrew corals. REEFS IN © Mallory Raphael MPA s WITH LITTLE TO NO DEVELOPMENT HAD 50-75% MORE CORAL THAN AVERAGE

Change in coral cover from 2011-2019 around New Providence and Rose Island. This map shows a dramatic decline in coral cover around Clifton Pier Power Plant (-69%), where multiple oil spills were reported. Coral Recruitment Development In New Petroleum and other chemicals are toxic Coastal development can affect coral Providence to corals and other marine life. reefs in myriad ways. Dredging, Nowhere in The Bahamas has clearing land or changes in land use in there been more development than the coastal zone can create sediment around New Providence Island. that smothers corals. Residential areas While many changes that led to and resorts can increase runoff from reef declines occurred before reef land and wastewater; the increased condition data was collected, over nutrients and pollutants that result the past 10 years some reefs around can increase macroalgae, change microbial communities and ultimately decrease coral populations. Industrial sites and even runoff from roads can further increase chemical pollution. Alteration of mangroves and other nearshore habitats can also reduce reef resilience. This is especially true for invasive Casuarina trees in the coastal zone, which may be swept onto Invasive Casuarina trees that outcompete native plants along the shoreline have shallow root systems that reefs and increase coastal erosion. Mangroves provide nursery habitat for reef fish. increase coastal erosion and can damage reefs - especially after hurricanes.

24 THREATS Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

SCTLD Spread Surveys of infection and mortality FOR MORE rates suggest that SCTLD may have I N F O O N S C T L D, first affected reefs around the port VISIT US AT and spread from there. How and HTTP://WWW. when the disease reached Grand PERRYINSTITUTE. Bahama is unknown. However, ORG/SCTLD transport via shipping is suspected and the rapid spread of the disease may be the result of natural ocean currents, the effects of Hurricane IN MARCH 2020, Dorian, and potentially human 80% OF activities such as boating, fishing, SYMMETRICAL BRAIN and diving. Preventing the spread of CORALS OFF GRAND this devastating disease is critical to BAHAMA WERE limit coral loss in The Bahamas, and DEAD / INFECTED prevent broader impacts to coral reef FROM SCTLD ecosystems as a whole.

Spread of SCTLD along the south coast of Grand Bahama is rapidly infecting and killing reef building corals, like symmetrical brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa; pictured on Page 27). observed on any of Grand Bahama’s reefs during AGRRA surveys that month off West Grand Bahama and later, in October 2019, in Peterson Cay National Park, Lucayan National Park and East Grand Bahama. By March 2020, all of this area had been Grand Bahama’s port, where SCTLD may impacted by SCTLD to some extent, have been introduced in The Bahamas. with 18 species of corals observed to be infected and up to 95% of some species either recently killed or Stony Coral Tissue Loss infected by the disease. SCTLD has Disease in The Bahamas also been confirmed off Nassau. In 2020, the first outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) was confirmed in The Bahamas near 1/2 Grand Bahama. Although anecdotal REEF-BUILDING reports suggest the disease may have CORAL SPECIES spread to reefs off Freeport as early as ARE AT RISK OF July 2019, no cases of SCTLD were SCTLD Major reef-building corals, like brain corals (pictured) and star corals, are the most affected species.

26 THREATS Unregulated Fishing

Fisheries Management in The Bahamas PARROTFISH While the major commercial fisheries CAN REMOVE of The Bahamas, including lobster, conch and grouper, have regulations UP TO such as size limits or closed seasons 2 GRAMS/M2 to promote sustainable fisheries, most OF CARBON reef fish species have no regulations based on their biology to protect them. ANNUALLY An example of this is the emerging parrotfish fishery. Parrotfish are not considered a traditional fishery In the Exuma Cays Land and Sea species in The Bahamas, but capture Park, parrotfish grazing intensity was of parrotfish has become widespread Increased grazing in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea and poses a significant threat to coral Park (ECLSP) led to a 2x increase in recruitment. 2x higher than outside the park. reefs. Indeed, parrotfish are one of the few groups of fish that can build reef 2015-2019 resilience and help coral populations recover by controlling seaweed growth.

Parrotfish Decline Over the past decade we have studied parrotfish populations and aspects of the fishery around The Bahamas. Surveys of the fishery have indicated that parrotfish are harvested throughout The Bahamas, 2011-2019 but are mostly targeted by fishers from New Providence. In-water surveys of parrotfish comparing populations over the past decade show a decrease in parrotfish populations at 84% of sites around New Providence and Blue, rainbow and stoplight parrotfish are the most commonly harvested species. Rose Island and that parrotfish biomass decreased by an average of 64% over the past decade. These numbers are alarming, as they 64% 28% indicate a reduction in the resilience OF FISHERMEN OF FISHERMEN of coral reefs at the same time REPORTED CATCH that reefs face increasing threats The maps above show the percent change in PARROTFISH from climate change, hurricanes, parrotfish biomass on coral reefs around New HARVESTING pollution and changes to the coastal Providence and Rose Island, from 2015-2019 and EVERY TIME environment. 2011-2019, respectively. PARROTFISH THEY GO OUT

28 SUCCESSES Coral Restoration

Coral Nurseries At Midway Reef (off Though microfragmentation and S. Abaco), staghorn larval propagation techniques and elkhorn coral restoration began in are largely still in development, 2011. From 2015- coral nurseries have been used in 2019, these two The Bahamas for over a decade. species increased by Currently, there are ~25 coral 40% and 50% on nursery sites, growing over 6,000 this reef, respectively. coral fragments. The success of these efforts is just beginning to be realized. For example, the only documented increases in the amount of staghorn and elkhorn coral in our surveys are from sites off southern Abaco, where restoration efforts have been going on for ten years.

Coral nursery locations within the Reef Rescue Network. The size of the symbol represents the number of coral fragments growing at each nursery.

Reef Restoration in The endangered elkhorn and staghorn Bahamas coral, small fragments from Several coral species are considered naturally occurring colonies are endangered or critically endangered grown in nurseries at increased in The Bahamas. The declines we rates and used to re-populate reefs. observed may have reduced coral (2) For slower-growing mounding populations below critical thresholds corals, a new technique called for successful reproduction; this is microfragmantation was developed because successful fertilization of to increase live coral cover, though eggs during coral spawning depends this is a resource-intensive process. © Shane Gross on having genetically unique (3) Finally, we can increase the colonies in close proximity to each number and genetic diversity of other. As such, many coral reefs may corals by collecting gametes when require active intervention to restore the corals spawn, fertilizing coral <7% 1/3 populations and increase genetic eggs in the lab, and then rearing OF SITES OF THEM diversity. At present, three main large numbers of larvae; in this case, HAD WERE techniques are used to restore coral coral larvae settle onto specially STAGHORN RESTORATION populations. (1) For fast-growing designed substrates that are later branching species, like critically placed onto the reef. CORAL SITES

30 SUCCESSES Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

Bahamas. Largely based on the success of the ECLSP, the government of The Bahamas is committed to protecting 20% of its nearshore waters by the end of 2020.

COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE BAHAMAS, IN THE ECLSP:

NASSAU GROUPER MPAs preserve ecosystem processes that promote DENSITIES WERE healthy reefs. 80% HIGHER, The ECLSP & BIOMASS PER HECTARE WAS The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is the oldest and best-enforced MPA 150% GREATER in The Bahamas. Protected since 1959, and being entirely no-take since 1986, many studies have shown that BLACK GROUPER populations of fish, conch, crawfish DENSITIES WERE and corals are healthier in the ECLSP 40% HIGHER, than other parts of The Bahamas. & BIOMASS PER For example, coral recruitment HECTARE WAS was 50% greater on average in the 450% GREATER ECLSP than other sites in The

More than 11% of nearshore waters in The Bahamas are protected within MPAs, however the country has committed to nearly doubling its MPA network to 20% by the end of 2020. Marine Protected Areas Marine Protected Areas, MPAs, are travel into fished areas. Further, as parts of the sea that receive special more and more fish reach spawning protection from human threats. size within MPAs, they export Typically, they restrict or limit larvae to surrounding fished areas. certain activities to promote more natural conditions. For example, MPAs may restrict fishing activities to allow populations to recover, or prohibit anchoring to protect CORAL COVER sensitive habitats. MPAs don’t WAS 76% GREATER just protect resources within their ON AVERAGE IN boundaries. As healthy populations THE ECLSP THAN © Shane Gross of fish and other species develop in OTHER SITES IN MPAs, some individuals may THE BAHAMAS Conch populationsa are healthier in the ECLSP than in nearby areas.

32 BALANCING PROTECTION & DEVELOPMENT Eleuthera

is permitted or where reefs are protected, ecological evaluations must also be used to identify areas that are particularly sensitive to coastal development and to prioritize areas for protection based on ecological integrity. Protection from various threats and active restoration can improve the condition of most coral reefs, however identifying priority areas for protection is key.

ELEUTHERA’S PROPOSED MPAs The graph above shows biomass (g/100 m2) of several key commercial AVERAGED 6.36% fish species off Eleuthera.Groupers (yellow), snapper (purple) and LIVE CORAL grunts (blue) are displayed. © Shane Gross

This map shows the average percent of live coral cover on reefs off Eleuthera. Some of the noteworthy sites are currently in proposed MPAs while others are likely to remain unprotected. A Balancing Act Eleuthera Many Islands in The Bahamas are Nowhere is the difficulty of establishing currently faced with balancing the a balance between coastal development economic opportunities provided and protection more evident at by coastal development and the present than Eleuthera, where there expansion of tourism with the is increasing coastal development in conservation of marine resources to support for cruise ship-based tourism, resorts, marinas, and second homes. Off Eleuthera, the site with the highest coral cover (34%) and the site with the most critically endangered Staghorn preserve marine ecosystems and the coral (9.5%) were not included in proposed MPAs. However, the site with the most critically valuable services they provide. Our At the same time, there are nine endangered Elkhorn coral (21%, pictured) was inlcuded. data show that coral reefs within new MPAs well-managed MPAs are among proposed the healthiest in The Bahamas, around the REEFS OFF LIGHTHOUSE POINT, WHERE BOTH PROTECTION and those closest to population island. While AND DEVELOPMENT IS PROPOSED, HAD: concentrations and industrial centers various social often are impaired or in poorer and economic ONLY LESS THAN 30% health. Nevertheless, there are some factors must 1/2 BELOW 5.4% ELEUTHERA’S examples where coral reefs remain play a role in LIVE CORAL THE NATIONAL healthy near population centers or determining AVERAGE (11.7%) AVERAGE (7.7%) COVER have improved through sustained where coastal Lighthouse Point off Eleuthera. OF LIVE CORAL OF LIVE CORAL restoration and monitoring efforts. development

34 HOW CAN I HELP?

AS A COUNTRY, WE CAN: AS A COMMUNITY EAT 1. Support MPAs. Create MPAs with active WE CAN: SUSTAINABLE management and enforcement, such as Marine Parks S E A F O O D & AV O I D and Fishery Reserves. The Bahamian government KEY SPECIES has committed to protecting 20% of its marine FOR REEF environment in MPAs this year! But these areas will only be successful if they have management plans HEALTH, LIKE that include protection from key threats, and if people PARROTFISH comply with those regulations. Clean up any trash, oil 2. Regulate and manage fisheries. Less than 10 or waste you see outside. fishery species in The Bahamas are managed through minimum sizes, closed seasons and other harvest restrictions. Many species like snappers, grunts, hogfish and parrotfish are unregulated. These species RESTORE should be assessed and managed to ensure their NATURE © Kevin Davidson sustainability. There needs to be better compliance Try lionfish, an with existing regulations, including improved invasive fish species, How can we protect coral reefs? enforcement, eliminating illegal foreign fishing, and instead! Coral reefs face a number of natural and human-caused ensuring all fishers understand fishing regulations. DISPOSE OF threats, which are often increased by human impacts. 3. Implement sustainable coastal development. REPLANT Although reef health has undoubtedly declined, we Because The Bahamas’ economy is so dependent on MANGROVES YOUR WASTE can take many steps, as individuals and as a country, tourism within the coastal zone, coastal development PROPERLY OR REPLACE to: 1) prevent further damage to coral reefs, 2) is inevitable. Identifying sensitive areas and using this INVASIVE improve their resilience to promote natural information for planning is critical to preserve the recovery, and 3) actively restore key species. natural resources upon which tourism depends. To CASUARINA The actions described here will not only support the prevent further damage to reefs, coastal development TREES WITH natural beauty, ecological function, and biodiversity operations must: 1) include mitigation measures NATIVE PLANTS of reefs, but will help ensure they continue to provide for impacts to sensitive habitats like coral reefs, 2) Bahamian people with invaluable ecosystem services. develop adequate waste disposal systems, and 3) Chemicals that go remove invasives, like Australian pines (also known as SUPPORT LOCAL down the drain end ON THE WATER, WE CAN: Casuarina), and replace them with native species. BUSINESSES up in the ocean and damage coral ANCHOR KEEP MAINTAIN reefs. ON SAND, CHEMICALS, OUR AWAY LIKE BOATS CONSERVE FROM BLEACH, TO AVOID ENERGY! FUEL & CLIMATE CHANGE CORAL AWAY FROM ASK IS A BIG THREAT REEFS WATER OIL LEAKS RESTAURANTS TO CORAL REEFS NOT TO SERVE PROTECTED, Turn off your lights, take quick showers, UNDERSIZED OR and unplug your OUT OF SEASON unused electronics. © Kevin Davidson REEF SPECIES

36 CONTRIBUTORS

Citation Dahlgren C., K. Sherman, L. Haines, L. Knowles, K. Callwood. 2020. Bahamas Coral Reef Report Card Volume 2: 2015-2020.

AGRRA Data Collection Shelby Allen (Disney), Kemit Amon Lewis (TNC), Lakeshia, Anderson (BNT), Fred Arnett (TNC), Vanessa Benjamin (BNT/BahaMar), Tamanji Bethel (Design Elements), Candice Brittain (CEIS), Dan Brumbaugh (UC Santa Cruz), Janeen, Bullard (Design Elements) Shelley Cant- Woodside (BNT), Hayley-Jo Carr (PIMS), Shaun Christean (Middlebury College), Craig Dahlgen (PIMS), Giselle Dean (BNT), Brooke Gintert (U. Miami), Will Greene (Middlebury College), Eric Grunthaner (Disney), Lily Haines (PIMS/CEI), Drew Hitchens (CEIS), Lashanti Jupp (BNT), Tanya Kamerman (Disney/Nova Southeastern University), Luke Kikukawa (Middlebury College), Kristin Kimble (Middlebury College), Lindy Knowles (BNT), Jillian Lessing (Middlebury College), Agnessa Lundy (BNT), Christy MacDonald (Disney), Sheldon Mackey (Design Elements), Scott Martin (Disney), Helena Milazzo (Middlebury College), Rochelle Newbold (BEST Commission), Valeria Pizarro (CEIS), Elise Quinton (Gap Force), Mallory Raphael (BREEF), Krista Sherman (PIMS), Nikita Shiel-Rolle (YME), Andy Stamper (Disney), Kristine Stump (Shedd Aquarium/CEIS), Tonika Sweeting (Atlantis), Collin Tennant (Disney), George Valentine (Middlebury College), Kathryn Van Artsdalen (Middlebury College), Alannah Vellacott (PIMS), Sandy Voegeli (San Salvador Living Jewels), Brad Weiler (CEIS), Liv Williamson (RSMAS), Anna Willig (Middlebury College), Anna Zuke (CEIS)