A coral-ation.A recent study shows that even traditional fishing methods can disturb fragile coral reefs coral reefs, limestone formations produced by living organisms, found in shallow, tropical marine waters. In most reefs, the predominant organisms are stony corals, colonial cnidarians that secrete an exoskeleton of calcium carbonate (limestone). . Until now, coral reefs were thought to be resistant to the effects of age old fishing methods such as using spears and hooks. "This study suggests," says Dr. Nick Polunin of the University of Newcastle University of Newcastle can refer to:
Occurrence in which a huge amount of thermal energy and radiation is released as a result of an uncontrolled chain reaction in a nuclear power reactor. The chain reaction that occurs in the reactor's core must be carefully regulated by control rods, which absorb ." Polunin's team studied reefs near 13 Fijian islands for two years. They tracked populations of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish crown-of-thorns starfish Reddish and heavy-spined starfish (Acanthaster planci) that has 12–19 arms and is often 18 in. (45 cm) across. It feeds on the polyps of coral. Beginning c. 1963, its population on Australia's Great Barrier Reef exploded. and found that even low-intensity fishing of the starfish's predators enabled it to multiply significantly and destroy the reef. "These systems are surprisingly fragile," says Polunin. "It is conceivable that a small amount of fishing, such as would have taken place prior to the last 50 years, could have had a significant impact in many cases." Coral reefs are found in more than 100 countries and support 25 percent of all known marine species. --Reuters, May 5 |
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