Lapointe NCRPSFinal LR

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Nutrient Pollution and Macroalgal Blooms on Caribbean Coral Reefs: Lessons from Jamaica Brian E. Lapointe1, Brad J. Bedford1, Katy Thacker2, Elsa Hemmings2, Linval Getten2, Webster Gabbidon2, Courtney Black2, Everton Frame2, and Carl Hanson2 1) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 2) Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society, P. O. Box 2725, Negril,Westmoreland, Jamaica

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Blame it on the Fishermen !

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Nutrient Enrichment and Coastal Ecosystem Decline NRC (2000)

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“For too long our oceans have been dumping grounds.” “EPA and the states should establish water quality standards for nutrients, especially nitrogen, as quickly as possible.”

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Nutrient Pollution “The most pervasive and troubling pollution problem currently facing U.S. coastal waters.” (U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. Final Report. Washington, D.C., 2004. ISBN #0-9759462-0-X.)

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Proliferation of Macroalgal HABs and Invaders Morand & Briand 1996 Botanica Marina 39: 491-516

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Relative Dominance Model Littler, M. M. and D. S. Littler. 1984. Prog. Phycol. Res. 3:323-364

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DIN Thresholds: Macroalgal HABs on Coral Reefs How much DIN is enough ? Lapointe, B. E. 1999 L&O 44(6):1586-1592 Outer GBR

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“Ridge to Reef” Monitoring

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Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Lapointe, B. E. 1997. L & O. 42(5, part 2): 1119-1131

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Biotic Cover in the Negril Marine Park - 1998

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Macroalgal Distribution: Shallow vs. Deep Reefs

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Use of Stable Nitrogen Isotopes To “Fingerprint” the Source of Nitrogen

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Increased SRP Concentrations in SNR Plume

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Experimental Evidence of Nutrient Pollution: The Wreck of the Arimora, Egg Island, Bahamas

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Conclusions “Phase-shifts” on reefs in the Negril Marine Park primarily a result of anthropogenic nutrient pollution and overfishing 4) Chlorophytes become dominant HAB on relatively P-enriched (SRP > ~0.1 mM) reefs in summer wet season 3) Phaeophytes are dominant HAB because of P-limited (N:P > 35:1) waters 2) Chronic low level ammonium enrichment from land-based sources important to nutrition of HABs and coral diseases 5) Escalating ammonium and SRP enrichment from sewage outfall in South Negril River is impacting Long Bay and West End

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Special Thanks To: The Point Village Hedonism II Beaches Sandals European Union Friends of Jamaica Harbor Branch National Water Commission Discovery Bay Marine Lab University of the West Indies “The Team”

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“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we Will love only what we understand; and we WILL understand only what we have been taught” - Baba Dioum

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Thank You !