Overfishing

Overfishing is another reason for the decrease in the coral population. Fishermen today often overfish, meaning take what is not needed. Little do they know how much they are taking out of the reefs. Today fishermen are put in jail and charged a huge fine if they are found overfishing protected animals, or pouring toxins into the water to catch fish. Hawai'i is the only western coastal state lacking the requirement of a marine recreational fishing license. Scientists suggest that the overfishing of algae-eating fish may be one of the factors contributing to the increase in various alien algae species.