Large gas projects could wreak havoc on Mozambique’s coral reefs.
what happened?
Oil and gas giant TotalEnergies allegedly cut into the coral reef in preparation for the Cabo Delgado LNG project, Mongabay reports.
This is just one of several similar projects in the region, all of which could harm already sensitive coral reefs.
Fossil fuel industry analyst Louis Goddard said it may be difficult for the companies to build within environmental constraints.
“My impression from the project documents is that the developers were blindsided by the coral and other rich marine environment surrounding the project site and faced a rather tricky task of building anything without causing significant damage,” he said.
Why is coral damage a concern?
These projects will have a significant negative impact on coral reefs – and photos show it has already begun.
“Data scientists analyzing satellite imagery and ship data found that large amounts of coral have been dredged up from ecologically sensitive reefs,” Mongabay reported.
Coral reefs are often called “rainforests of the ocean,” and these biodiversity hotspots provide shelter to 25 percent of all marine life, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Coral reefs also create jobs through tourism and fishing, protect coastlines from erosion, and are used in medical research.
Unfortunately, coral reefs are seriously threatened. Ocean acidification, overfishing, pollution and coastal construction are killing coral reefs at an alarming rate.
They have passed a critical tipping point and many reefs are on the verge of extinction, according to the Coral Restoration Foundation.
Daniel Ribeiro, a member of the environmental justice group Justiça Ambiental, stressed the urgency of restoring coral reefs before too much damage is done.
“The Indian Ocean near the Mozambique Channel has the highest increase in surface temperature of all tropical oceans, so corals are under stress,” Ribeiro told Mongabay. “Due to these factors, the ability to recover after damage is much lower.”
What is being done to restore coral reefs?
Urgent conservation efforts are critical to protecting threatened coral reefs.
Restricting fishing, reducing pollution and establishing strict protected areas can help protect and preserve coral reefs.
Researchers are cultivating heat-resistant corals and then transplanting them into existing reefs. Planting new coral can relieve some pressure on the reef, but it’s not a long-term solution.
Without rapid and significant changes to combat climate change, all corals will suffer the same fate.
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