Blast Fishing is just as ridiculous, if not more so, in practice. It is a fishing method by which explosives are used to stun or kill schools of fish for easy harvesting. The blasts indiscriminately kill large numbers of fish, along with any other surrounding marine organisms, and damage or destroy the physical environment, causing enormous damage when used around coral reefs. This practice is considered by researchers to be one of the biggest threats to coral reef ecosystems. The use of explosives in their vicinity destroys their calcium carbonate skeletons, reducing them to nothing more than rubble, completely unable to regrow or recover. In fact, damage to the coral reef, as it reduces the fish population, leads to an immediate deterioration in the richness and quantity of fish species. Highly illegal and highly destructive, this practice is controlled by surrounding countries to the best of their abilities. Pollution is another major threat to coral reefs around the world, and one of the most dangerous forms of pollution is actually the presence of excess nutrients. Due primarily to fertilizer and sewage runoff, unnatural amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into the reef environment. This spike in nutrient levels causes a sharp increase in algae and phytoplankton populations, commonly referred to as an “algae bloom.” While an increase in these photosynthetic organisms may seem beneficial, the result is actually catastrophic. The huge algae colony consumes dissolved oxygen in the water, leading to hypoxic conditions, and blocks sunlight, which is harmful to both corals and fish. Furthermore, high levels of nitrates and phosphorus are directly toxic to corals,...... middle of paper...... currently considered healthy, 60% of the world's coral reefs are considered at risk due to destructive human-related activities, and in Southeast Asia, which is home to the majority of global coral reefs, 80% of coral reefs are classified as endangered. It is predicted that by 2030, 90% of global coral reefs will be threatened directly or indirectly by humans, and that all will be threatened by 2050. Fortunately, steps are being taken to protect the world's coral reefs. First, large areas are designated as marine protected areas which, similar to national parks, limit potentially harmful activities, promoting responsible behavior and habitat protection. Unfortunately, these have not yet been proven to have a significant impact on conservation. This is likely due to, among other factors, a lack of participation and funding.