Some effects of dredging on water quality and coral reef ecology

Reef communities, especially their dominant and characteristic components, the corals, are extremely sensitive to prolonged turbidity and silation. As individuals interested in the continued existence of both healthy, attractive environment, and continued economic growth (the latter being, undeniably dependent to a great and increasing degree on the former) we must apply to environmental manipulations, conservative policies and procedures which are based on available knowledge and which are designed to minimize undesirable ecological damages and so achieve the most good for all considerations. We must also strive to increase our knowledge of environmental processes so that as stresses and demands on the environment increase, asthey surely will, we can more effectively aboid disasters. Basically, the solution is one of thoughtful and comprehensive planning to determine" 1. The level of development and the quality of environment which we desire to attain and to maintain and, 2. The best course and precautions required to achieve these ends. Because large scale uncontrolled dredging can, and frequently does, cause long-lasting damage to economically valuable resources, sound planning and vigilatn control must be executed to minimize such damage.