Cabarete Bay

Position of center of photo (Lat/Long): [19.72002/-70.41539]

The northern coastline of the Dominican Republic in this image is a major tourist attraction due to its extensive beaches and coral reefs. Besides recreational opportunities, coral reefs provide protection for bays and critical habitat for numerous economically important marine species.

Cabarete Bay, a popular destination for surfers and divers, is formed by a barrier coral reef. Increased development of the city of Cabarete and deforestation of upland regions has resulted in increased urban and sediment runoff into the bay and impacted the health of the coral reefs. Overfishing of the coral reefs during the 1980s has also contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.

Environmental stress on the Dominican coral reefs is not due solely to human activities. Three major hurricanes have hit Hispaniola during the last 25 years, leading to direct physical destruction of coral reefs as well as large sediment pulses into coastal waters from debris flows (mudslides) and slope failures. Paradoxically, tourism in the Dominican Republic has helped alleviate one aspect of stress on the reefs. Many fishermen now work in tourist hotels for higher pay, decreasing fishing pressure on the coral reefs.