Francis contributes to the 2020 report on the health of coral reefs in French overseas territories

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Francis contributed to the 2020 report on the state of health of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves in French overseas territories, produced by the French Coral Reef Initiative (IFRECOR). The 2020 report, the result of collective work with nearly 100 mobilised experts, shows that the state of health of French coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves is contrasted: great disparities exist between regions, territories and within from the same territory.

The key results from the report found:

• The reefs are rather preserved in large territories, where populations are low or uninhabited, whose coastal areas are subject to low or moderate pressure: in the Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia – excluding the Society Archipelago, Wallis and -Futuna), and the Scattered Islands (Indian Ocean); 70% of the stations monitored are in good condition.
• They are rather degraded, in the territories of smaller area, subject to strong demographic pressure and highly anthropized: French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy) and Indian Ocean (Mayotte, Reunion): 62 % of the stations monitored are degraded there.

It’s time to act

The report provides a number of recommendations:

• Extend and strengthen the network of strong protection zones.
• Reduce anthropogenic pressures
• Strengthen the means of monitoring reefs
• Continue to acquire knowledge
• Strengthen citizens’ awareness of issues related to reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves

Download the 2020 report here

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