Pollution: Pollution, including oil spills, discharge from sewage, stormwater, and agricultural runoff, can smother coral reefs, blocking out sunlight and preventing the growth of coral. Chemicals can poison marine life, and can have a negative impact on the growth of coral and the reproductive success of fish. Runoff from fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture can lead to algal blooms that smother coral reefs and unbalance the ecosystem of the food chain.
Climate change: Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming can bleach and kill coral, and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and typhoons, can destroy coral reefs. Acidification, which is the lowering of the pH level in the ocean due to the absorption of carbon dioxide, is also a threat to coral reefs. Ocean acidification makes it difficult for corals to build and maintain their skeletons, which can lead to the collapse of coral reefs.
Overfishing can disrupt the food chain and reduce the number of predators that control the population of herbivores. This can lead to an increase in the number of herbivores, which can damage the reef by grazing on corals. Overfishing can also lead to the direct capture of frogfish as a food source.
Bycatch: Frogfish can be caught unintentionally in fishing nets and trawlers, which can lead to their death.
Tourism: Uncontrolled tourism can lead to the trampling of coral reefs and the destruction of frogfish habitat. Divers and snorkelers can also drop anchors on coral reefs, which can damage them.