Coral and Cnidarian Welfare in a Changing Sea

Abstract

Coral reefs worldwide are currently threatened by anthropogenic Global Climate Change (GCC) and local environmental degradation and, unequivocally, need protection. Coral reefs constitute one of the oldest, most diverse, and important marine communities. They are mainly formed by tiny, primitive, calcifying, Cnidarian invertebrates, the scleractinian corals, and provide substantial ecological services to other marine communities, coastal protection, food, and economic and social benefits to humans. Cnidarians and other reef invertebrates are exploited by the marine aquarium trade, but their capture, transport, and maintenance in captivity (for research or exhibition) are not regulated by any welfare provisions. Traditional principles of animal welfare are not easily applicable to wildlife, much less to simpler organisms such as cnidarians, but arguments could be made since scleractinian corals, as most invertebrates, are highly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and display stressful physiological and/or behavioral responses. Higher than normal temperatures, for example, elicit the expulsion of their algal symbionts (i.e., bleaching), increase mucus production, and/or adjust metabolic pathways and physiological functions, to enhance survivorship. Global Climate Change is stressing marine animals and is threatening the health of the oceans. Welfare considerations to at least those cnidarians that function as foundation or keystone species could add up and help protect these communities from further decline. How we approach the solutions to the problems generated by the increasing human needs must include a change in attitude, from being mostly “reactive,” which is costly and difficult, to being more preventive/proactive. We believe that approaches combining both conservation and welfare principles could be developed and implemented to increase the survivorship and good health of ecologically and economically important marine invertebrates. Besides convincing scientists, and mostly animal welfare scientists, that corals should be included in our “circle of compassion,” the most essential component for this to work is education. An educated population who understand the importance of our interaction with the natural world will help to institutionalize welfare principles to increase protection and to reduce, or stop, the current declining trends of coral reefs and other marine communities. This would enhance the possibilities of a successful recovery of these important communities so we can continue using them in a sustainable way and, more importantly, preserve them for future generations.