| The Rosario Island Coral Reef System is one of many | | | | and laws need to be implemented and enforced.' |
| marine National Parks in the Caribbean sea, and one of | | | | It recommended further study and mapping of the |
| 46 in Colombia. The park covers an area of about 20 | | | | region, ongoing long term monitoring, funding for |
| hectares of coral reef and 43 different islands. | | | | conservation efforts, and laws to prevent damage by |
| The reef was formed hundreds of years ago. | | | | tourism and resource extraction. Since then, |
| Volcanic activity deep below the earths surface | | | | international and local efforts have been made to |
| pushed the seabed up over time, allowing coral beds | | | | manage and protect the marine park through these |
| to form and marine life to flourish. Today the area is | | | | recommendations. |
| home to more than 1,300 species of plants and animals | | | | In the mid 1980s, the Rosario Islands Oceanarium was |
| and is a fantastic location for diving, snorkeling and | | | | established. A research and education centre that |
| other recreational water activities. | | | | hosts international events in marine life research, |
| In 1977 the area was declared a National Park by the | | | | regularly collects data from within the National Park |
| State Ecological Authority, for the purpose of | | | | and presents information to members of the public |
| protection, preservation and study of this fragile eco | | | | about the state of the marine environments in |
| system of marine life. But declaring the site a National | | | | Colombia. |
| Park has not been enough to protect the reefs from | | | | As well as the Museum of Marine Life, the |
| damage, and today the area still remains under threat. | | | | Oceanarium features many open water pens to |
| After two years of research and data gathering, a | | | | display and provide protection for marine animals such |
| report was published in 2002 on the Status of Coral | | | | as fish, dolphins and sharks. The animals are free to |
| Reefs in Southern Tropical America. The project was | | | | come and go as they please, but when at the |
| a joint initiative of authorities from Brazil, Colombia, | | | | oceanarium, they are provided with food and medical |
| Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. | | | | attention. The scientists at the centre have been able |
| The report stated that 'The coral reefs, have changed | | | | to collect valuable information about the state of the |
| radically in the last 35 years, in particular during the | | | | animals health as well as closely monitor their natural |
| 1980's, due mostly to anthropogenic stresses | | | | environment as a result. |
| compounded by natural disturbances.' Research | | | | Visitors to the centre not only have the chance to |
| shows an alarming decline in the coverage of the reef | | | | enjoy an encounter with the diverse range of animal |
| by live coral in the area. Warmer sea temperatures | | | | and plant species that live in the National Park, but also |
| contribute to the damage by killing off live coral and | | | | the chance to learn about the the threat to the park |
| exposing the dead, calcified coral underneath. This is | | | | and what efforts are being made to protect it. |
| known as coral bleaching. Other threats include lower | | | | Unfortunately, despite being one of the top five |
| fish populations and high incidence of coral disease and | | | | countries in the world with the most natural diversity, |
| large populations of sea urchins, who feed on live coral. | | | | Colombia's efforts to clear international debts and the |
| The report blames sewage pollution, tourism impact, | | | | fight to eradicate armed conflict have taken funding |
| resource extraction, over fishing and coastal | | | | priority over helping conservation efforts for this and |
| development as the main causes of damage to the | | | | other National Parks in the country. |
| area, compounded by natural problems such as shifting | | | | Research, park management and conservation |
| weather patterns (El Nino), hurricanes and runoff from | | | | projects are largely funded by international |
| rivers in the region. | | | | conservation aid, private organisations and their |
| Whilst the larger rivers such as the Amazon, Orinoco | | | | sponsors and private donations. A small portion also |
| and Magdalena deliver nutrients to the sea, they also | | | | comes from eco-tourism projects. |
| deposit sediment and pollution which can slow coral | | | | Conservation groups are hopeful that as Cartagena's |
| growth or kill off existing corals. Fish and other | | | | popularity as a great tourist destination strengthens, the |
| organisms in the water require coral as a food source | | | | government will provide more support for the |
| or to provide protective habitats from their predators, | | | | protection of this valuable natural wonder. In the |
| without it, the species could suffer population loss, and | | | | meantime, education seems to be the park's best |
| ultimately, extinction. | | | | chance of survival. Its up to visitors, local tour operators |
| The report warns that 'the rate of coral reef decline | | | | and residents to take responsibility and care for the |
| will not be reversed until there is more effective | | | | area, to protect it so that future generations can enjoy |
| government intervention and recognition that policies | | | | its beauty. |