CAUSES

Coral bleaching is a problem that today plagues many of the worlds tropical oceans and has a variety of causes depending on a variety of factors. For one, coral bleaching is most prevalent in areas where there is frequent diving, snorkeling, or any other aquatic recreational activity that may put humans in contact with the coral. In accidentally kicking or purposefully stealing the coral to sell later the sustainability of many reefs is compromised Another leading cause of coral bleaching is the practice of blast and cyanide fishing to kill and root out fish from the cracks within the coral for commercial use. By injecting harmful chemicals, or firing gunshots into the coral with a combination of explosives as well, the fisherman kill and catch the fish. Finally however, there is the issue of dock and pier building in the tropical areas where coral are located. Through this development of waterfront areas in tropical regions coral cannot thrive or grow, and as a result slowly die off.