reefdispatch

[michaelg]

Just an FYI.....

 

From: ReefDispatch [sMTP:info@reefguardian.org]

To: Reef Dispatch

Cc:

 

Subject: Will New Help for Reefs Arrive in Time?

Sent: 4/13/2005 1:55 PM

Importance: Normal

*****************************

* April 13, 2005 *

* R E E F D I S P A T C H *

* _________________________ *

* Will New Help *

* for Coral Reefs *

* Arrive in Time? *

* *

* -- learn more at -- *

*http://www.reefguardian.org*

*****************************

 

Dear Friend of Coral Reefs,

 

In Taiwan, seventy-five percent of coral reefs are deteriorating. In

Australia, reef managers are worried about the Great Barrier Reef's

capacity to recover from stress spikes. And in the United States,

Elkhorn and Staghorn corals are in bad enough shape to have recently

earned listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Those are just

three of the alarming reports currently being featured on the

ReefGuardian International website (http://www.reefguardian.org). With

one bad news report after another, is there still time to prevent the

complete decline of coral reefs before the end of the 21st century?

 

Maybe.

 

In Vietnam, fishermen have banded together in a grassroots effort to

protect Ran Trao coral reefs. In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef

Authority is embarking on a concerted campaign to boost reef resiliency

-- and the Queensland provincial government is moving to reduce the silt

and nutrients that flow onto the reef from rivers in the region. And in

the United States, a broad team of marine ecologists has put forth a

comprehensive plan to achieve recovery and stability for coral reef

ecosystems in Florida and Hawaii. All those efforts are also currently

chronicled via the ReefGuardian website (http://www.reefguardian.org).

But can those efforts make a significant difference in time to reverse

what those same marine ecologists have termed coral reefs' slippery

slope to slime?

 

Not without public involvement and support.

 

No matter what the particular protection or recovery strategy may be,

some things are certain. It will cost money. It will take effort. It

will require reduced use of coral reefs, whether as profit centers or

dumping grounds. And it will be strongly opposed by those unwilling or

unable to accept the social or economic cost of putting that protection

or recovery strategy to work.

 

That's why, if coral reefs are to have a chance, those who care about

them need to speak up for them. And you can.

 

Right now, you have until April 15th to speak up for stronger measures

to protect the coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

under the Sanctuary's now-being-revised management plan.

 

Right now, you have until May 15th to speak up for an effective

Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecological Reserve management plan

that lives up to the protection potential of the Presidential Executive

Order that created the Reserve.

 

And there are many other ways for you to stand up and be counted by

providing your views to government agencies on key coral reef

conservation issues.

 

All you have to do is follow the links from the ReefGuardian website

(http://www.reefguardian.org).

 

Thanks for caring,

 

ALEXANDER STONE

ReefGuardian International

***************************

http://www.reefguardian.org

***************************

 

 

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