Protecting Coral Reefs
Coral Reef Programs
In February we were invited to participate on the Education and Outreach committee at the 2003 meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force at the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. The news about coral reefs is alarming. Over 25% of the world's coral reefs are already damaged from pollution, over-fishing, diseases and weather influences that may be related to global change.
If you want more information about coral reefs, see the sources at the bottom of this page, or visit us to get more information at our Reef Resource Center.

ALS-ReefKeeper

 
  Here are some images and highlights from the USCRTF meeting, presenters and National Aquarium. (Sources are listed below)

The conference opened with examples of the many threats to reefs around the world. Presenters from governmental and non-governmental groups explained their concerns and programs to protect reefs and try to restore them.

 

 

(Below, left) Florida Keys: A healthy reef in 1959.
In 1960 Hurricane Donna damaged the reef but not this large brain coral (Colophyllia)
  (Below, right) The same spot, in 1998 with dead corals and algae infestations resulting from disease, nutrient runoff from the land and other poorly understood factors.

 
1959

 
1998

 
Coral bleaching is one of several diseases afflicting corals. The causes of some of these and other diseases remain a mystery to scientists.

 
Healthy reefs like this are being monitored for changes. Bleaching diseases and smothering by algae can kill corals.

 

(Right) It is important to catalogue and study what remains to see if these downward trends are continuing and if there are ways to stop the losses.  

(Below) Several groups are using volunteer monitoring programs by diving groups. 

 

 

 Below is an excellent example of the educational materials distributed by participants:
Artwork by www.shiftingbaselines.org

(Below left) What a reef might have looked like in 1960, and (Below, right) the same spot as it might appear today, suffering from over-fishing and other problems.

1960
 

Today
 

 What can you do?

For one thing, don't get caught playing around with the Department of Commerce plaque on the lectern - "it's government property."

Seriously though; study reefs and understand their nature and threats to them. Learn to SCUBA dive too!

  

 
When on vacation to the islands, don't buy coral ornaments



 Don't buy corals and other products that may destroy reefs when they are harvested.

 

Don't hide in your shell about these important issues.
(Giant hermit crab - National Aquarium)

 
Speak out against practices that destroy ecosystems.
(Triggerfish - National Aquarium)

 
Don't "fiddle while Rome burns." Get crabby and defensive about things that threaten your ocean.
(Fiddler crab-National Aquarium)

 
Don't hide in the backgound while other people horse around with the environment
(Seahorse - National Aquarium)


Let your voice be heard - just like these protesters on the front steps who were using Rusty to express their concerns about proposed genetic patents on beagles.

 
Don't you take these threats to the environment lying down either!

(Don't worry...The fellow in the foreground is a photographer, not a protester.)
Visit us at Sandy Hook to use resources in our Coral Reefs and Biodiversity resource centers.

Invite us to your school to give a program on coral reefs or other topics about the sea. 

 

 

As we said a fond farewell to the nation's capitol, we stopped to distribute Sandy Hook materials on our favorite "living reef" the horseshoe crab.
Your government at work:
Visit CORIS - Coral Reef Information System
http://www.coris.noaa.gov

 Sources for more information include:
Project ReefKeeper (16345 West Dixie Hwy, Suite 121, Miami, Fl 33160)
Other sources:
www.shiftingbaselines.com
www.coastalamerica.gov