Global survey shows coral reefs in decline

SCIENTISTS said the first global survey of the health of the world’s coral reefs shows they are in serious decline, with overfishing worsening a crisis situation.

Scientists and volunteers found that overfishing has affected 95% of the more than 1,000 coral reefs monitored since 1997. At least four species of reef fish face extinction.

The results of the five-year study were presented in a report yesterday by the Institute of the Environment's Reef Check programme at the University of California, Los Angeles.