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Protecting Our Coral Reefs

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S Coral Reef Conservation Program: How does an oil spill affect coral reefs? Oil and the chemicals sometimes used to disperse oil can harm corals, causing death or limiting the coral's ability to grow, reproduce, and produce energy from photosynthesis (using its symbiotic algae). Oil slicks moving onto coral reefs of Galeta, Panama at low tide during the Bahia las Minas refinery spill in April of 1986. Photo credit: NOAA Impacts of oil spills to coral reefs are difficult to predict because each spill presents a unique set of physical, chemical, and biological conditions. How corals are exposed to oil—and the composition of the oil at the time of impact—bears directly on how serious the impact will be. There are three primary modes of exposure for coral reefs in oil spills: Direct oil contact is possible when surface oil is deposited on intertidal corals that live near the surface of the water and become exposed with the tides.

Effects of Oil and Dispersants on Coral Reefs Past Oil Spills Impacts to Coral Reef Ecosystems top. Race to save our coral reefs: With half of them destroyed in 30 years, scientists launch world's most comprehensive record of their demise. Around 50 per cent of coral reefs have been destroyed in the last 30 years Scientists hope record will provide a ‘step-change’ in battle to protect themThe free resource can be viewed online at www.globalreefrecord.org By Ellie Zolfagharifard Published: 12:31 GMT, 23 September 2013 | Updated: 12:42 GMT, 23 September 2013 A comprehensive record of the state of the world's vanishing coral reefs has been launched today.

The Catlin Seaview Survey (CSS) teamed up with scientists around the world to create what they say will be a ‘step-change’ in the battle to protect disappearing coral reefs. Across the world, 50 per cent of coral reefs have been destroyed in the last 30 years and the fight is on to save them, researchers said. A record of the world's vanishing coral reefs, created by the Catline Seaview Survey, has gone online today Each year between one per cent and two per cent of world coral reefs are destroyed, largely by shoreline pollution and climate change. S 25 Things You Can Do to Save Coral Reefs. 1. Support reef-friendly businesses. Ask what your dive shop, boating store, tour operators, hotel and other coastal businesses are doing to save the coral reefs. This is especially important in coastal areas with reefs. Let them know you are an informed consumer and care about reefs. 2. Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

In response to the growing threats to coral reefs around the world, 1997 has been declared the International Year of the Coral Reef. Participation in the International Year of the Coral Reef is occurring at all levels. In the United States, the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has the primary responsibility for stewardship of marine resources. The real responsibility for sustaining our coral reefs falls to all of us. Participating Organizations. Save the Reef | Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Top 10 Most Endangered Fish Species. "There are plenty of other fish in the sea," goes the old cliché. But are there? According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of endangered species, 1,414 species of fish, or 5 percent of the world's known species, are at risk for extinction.

While habitat loss and pollution are significant factors in the decline of these species, the greatest threat by far is overfishing. So what if one of these endangered fish ends up on your hook? The best policy is to release them back into the water, but not before making a few observations. While it's difficult to determine which fish are the most endangered, the following list represents 10 endangered fish commonly harvested for food. Volunteer Expeditions | Blue Ventures » Blue Ventures. Volunteer with Blue Ventures Madagascar Join our award-winning volunteer expeditions at our field base in the seaside village of Andavadoaka.

Find out more Belize Join our team surveying the reefs in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and experience life at a remote dive camp. Find out more Lionfish Dive Trips Contribute to our research and remove invasive lionfish from Belize’s reefs while you scuba dive on a 7 or 16 day lionfish expedition. Find out more Timor-Leste Join us as we build a new expedition base in Timor-Leste. Find out more Universities, Schools & Groups We offer group expeditions designed for various groups including universities, schools and dive clubs wishing to visit a tropical location, with expert guidance and organised activities. Find out more Independent Research Projects Visiting undergraduate and postgraduate students can research a wide range of marine biology and conservation topics at our field sites in Madagascar and Belize. Find out more Medical Elective Programme Find out more. Protect save coral reef. Miamisci. Coral Reefs are fascinating and mysterious ecosystems. They have been around for over five hundred million years and are considered the marine equivalent of tropical rainforests.

Covering only 2% of the ocean bottom, they are the home to 25% of all marine species. Unfortunately this underwater paradise is slowly being destroyed. Destructive actions such as the practice of uncontrolled, destructive fishing methods, oil spills, pollution (from domestic and industrial wastes, fertilizers, and pesticides), anchor damage, untreated or improperly treated sewage, and land runoffs are serious threats to the delicate reefs.

Fine sediment-like silt is also extremely harmful to corals. Corals are very sensitive and usually grow in waters that are very low in nutrients. Another factor contributing to the deterioration of the Coral Reef is Global Warming. Where is our only living coral reef? There is another issue involving the sanctuary now. Suggestions concerning our reefs. prohibit diving. What is coral bleaching? Warmer water temperatures can result in coral bleaching. When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.

In 2005, the U.S. lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Not all bleaching events are due to warm water. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida Keys caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral death. Protect & Save Coral Reefs. Great Barrier Reef Hotels, Australia: Great savings and real reviews. Located just off the coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most fascinating destinations.

Stretching more than 2600 kilometers along the Queensland coast, one of the best spots to explore the reef is from the Whitsunday Islands, a collection of islands just north of Mackay, 900 kilometers north of the Queensland capital, Brisbane. Three of the most popular Whitsunday Islands are Hayman Island, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island. Hayman Island is reserved exclusively for Hayman Island Resort, a luxury establishment that offers a full range of modern accommodation, from standard sea-view rooms to themed penthouses with butler service. This private island has everything onsite – several restaurants, a spa, water sports, wedding facilities, even private homes for those seeking a sea change.

Hamilton Island is the second-largest of the Whitsundays and offers pure white sands and the idyllic turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. Home | Reef Relief Home - Reef Relief. Coral Reefs: Coral Bleaching What You Need to Know. "Corals have a limited temperature range within which they can live. When it gets too hot, they get stressed out. " — Stephanie Wear, Conservancy director of coral reef conservation If coral bleaching isn’t on your radar yet, it will be soon. According to Stephanie Wear, The Nature Conservancy’s director of coral reef conservation, recent steamy temperatures indicate a rough year ahead for the world’s coral reefs. “When you have really hot summers, you can expect that corals will get stressed, and bleaching is likely,” says Wear.

But what does coral bleaching mean for us and our seas? Read on to get the skinny on this phenomenon—and what can be done to lessen the impacts. What is coral bleaching? On the surface, coral bleaching looks exactly like what you’re envisioning right now: white, bleached-out coral reefs, which is quite a departure from the colorful structures we all know and love. And what happens then? But could we survive without corals? Why does coral bleaching happen? Ways to Help Coral Reefs. 10 Easy Steps to Help Protect Coral Reefs Do you want to make a difference every day? Want to learn about simple, effective actions you can take to help save coral reefs and the fish, animals, and plants that depend on them?

You've come to the right place! Conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans. Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or ride the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-bleaching of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs. Endangered Species International. Coral reefs are complex mosaic of marine plants and animals. They are extremely rich in biodiversity supporting up to two million species and 25% of all marine life on the planet. As well as supporting these marine organisms, approximately 500 million people are dependent on coral reefs as a source of food, income and medicine. However, the future of coral reefs is in jeopardy as they have become threatened by human and natural disturbances which have already led to a loss of at least 19% coral reef areas since the 1950s.

The term ‘coral reef’ is commonly used when referring to large coral structures and the ecosystems that they support. Coral organisms, called polyps, are actually tiny invertebrate animals usually ranging from 1-3mm in size. Coral polyps are classified as anthozoans within the phylum of Cnidaria. The top of the coral is covered with a mucus layer. Hard corals (hexacorallia or hexacorals) Soft corals (Octocorrallia) Corals and zooxanthelle: a symbiotic relationship. Coral Reef | Basic Facts About Coral Reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, housing tens of thousands of marine species. About one-third of all marine fish species live part of their lives on coral reefs. © istockphoto Reefs in the Florida Keys, for example, hold at least 45 species of stony coral, 37 species of octocoral, five species of sea turtles, 500 species of fish, about 1,700 species of mollusks and hundreds of species of sponges.

In addition to their incredible value as wildlife habitat, coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and provide billions of dollars of food and jobs every year to people around the world. Behavior & Diet Corals are ancient animals related to jellyfish and anemones. An individual coral is known as a polyp, a very small and simple organism consisting mostly of a stomach topped by a tentacle-bearing mouth. Thousands of identical polyps live together and form a coral colony. Range Coral reefs are found all around the world in tropical and subtropical oceans.

Coral Reefs and Climate Change - How can you help coral reefs - Teach Ocean Science. 5 Species We Stand to Lose if Coral Reefs are Destroyed and What YOU Can do About it. Coral reefs, some of the Earth’s most remarkable natural structures, have more than aesthetic significance. These tiny animals support lifestyles of thousands of other species, including the species that pose the greatest threat to corals: humans.

Many reefs have lost 40-50% of their corals in the past 30 years according to the University of Columbia, due to detrimental human activities, as well as natural phenomena such as hurricanes, cold weather, and altered salinity. Examples of harmful human activities include deep water trawling, using cyanide and explosives, heat pollution from power plant factories, human debris, oil spills, reckless tourism, and harvesting corals for the aquarium hobbyists. Ocean acidification and coral bleaching are serious threats to coral colonies. Warm water conditions cause zooxanthellae (algae that should be BFFs with coral) to leave their symbiotic partners (coral), resulting in corals losing their beautiful colors. 1.

National Geographic 2. 3. Hepca.org. Coral Reefs and Climate Change - How can you help coral reefs - Teach Ocean Science. 72 US sailors leave ship stuck in Tubbataha Reef. INTRUDER The USS Guardian, a US Navy minesweeper, is still stuck after running aground Tubbataha Reefs, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Sulu Sea, in this Jan. 17 photo released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command. AP The US Navy minesweeper that ran aground on a coral reef remained stuck at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park for the second day on Friday but most of the US sailors had left the ship for safety reasons after initial efforts to free the vessel failed, the US Navy’s 7th Fleet said in a statement on Friday. It said 72 of the 79 crew of the USS Guardian were transferred to a military support vessel by small boat.

A small team, including the commanding and executive officers, would remain on board to try to extricate the ship with as little damage to environment as possible, the statement said. How the US warship managed to enter the marine sanctuary puzzles the Philippine Navy. “We’re asking the same question, too. How did the US ship get in there?” Maj. Sen. 5 Causes of Coral Reef Destruction.