Coral reefs are becoming highly vulnerable due to increased anthropological exploitation of the ocean reserves. Overfishing, usage of non-selective fishing gears, fishing the spawning areas, fishing using nets etc all affect the coral reefs and the marine ecosystem. The coral reefs and the fish population are interdependent and overfishing greatly impacts both the factors.
Overfishing is the main reason for damage and decline in coral reefs. The snappers are carnivores and survive on eating other fishes which can be herbivores or omnivores. Snappers remain at the top of the food pyramid of the marine ecosystem. A reduction at the top level of the food pyramid will automatically disturb the lower level population and the energy flow between each cycle. A reduction in carnivores leads to increase in herbivores which in turn deplete the coral reefs. Coral reef is a habitat for many fish populations, and a reduction in the habitat will again reduce the overall population of fishes. A decrease in predator population will increase prey population.
