Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

Climate Change Impacts on Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

2021

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

"Similar to other coral reefs around the world, Gulf of Mexico coral reefs are subject to an increased threat from anthropogenic causes, including overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Although some reefs, such as the Flower Garden Banks, have maintained a coral cover over 50%. This is thought to be explained by their distance from the coast which reduces human interactions. Because of their economic and biological importance, protections through the work of government, and local communities are constantly being developed. While corals have been resilient to changing oceans throughout time, the ocean environment is changing at an unprecedented rate and slow-growing corals may not be able to adapt to ensure their future success. Warmer oceans and increased acidification are two principal factors of climate change that threaten the health of coral reefs. This document reviews recent literature on climate change and its effects on Gulf corals."

Gulf of Mexico, climate change, coral reefs, coral bleaching, coral disease, coral growth

NOS

OCM

FY2021 CRCP Project ID 31188; Project Title: FY17/FY18/FY19 - Fishery Management Council Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements; Principal Investigator: Liz Fairey; Grant NA17NMF4410272

NA17NMF4410272