Coral reefs: Impacts and sustainability in the South Pacific Islands

Coral reefs and other marine ecosystems such as islands are an important tourism resource and bring various benefits to the local communities. However, these natural resources are under threat from climate change and its related impacts, for example coral bleaching and ocean acidification, as well as anthropogenic stresses from human activities such as overfishing, anchor damage, coastal development, agricultural run-offs, sedimentation and coral mining. Despite these threats, coral reefs in many countries continue to be used in an unsustainable manner because of ignorance or greed or because of weak governance systems. This chapter examines the extent of coral reef tourism in the South Pacific region, including sustainability issues and the establishment of marine protected areas to provide protection for coral reef ecosystems.