A Healthy Reef Versus One Impacted by Wastewater: Can You See the Difference?
A relatively healthy coral reef.
A coral reef suffering from wastewater pollution, with resulting sponge overgrowth smothering corals.
The presence of wastewater (sewage) in coral reef areas leads to biochemical changes in corals’ growth processes, and thus weaker membranes, resulting in higher susceptibility to disease and a lower tolerance for warmer water, culminating in a greater likelihood and severity of bleaching (Donovan, M. K. et al. 2020).
Additionally, the combination of sewage and higher water temperatures leads to more frequent incidence of crown of thorns outbreaks, sponge overgrowth (like the video on right above), and cyanobacteria mats, all taking their toll on coral reefs.
While PEP cannot stop climate change on its own, it is focused on reducing cumulative pressures by starting with locally manageable stressors like sewage. Sewage from dive liveaboards, households, tourism lodging, and rapidly growing population centers is one of the biggest threats to Raja Ampat’s reef-dependent economy (see infographic). Click on the links below to learn how PEP is taking action on wastewater.
