Reef Relief’s Coral Camp 2012 will have 9 week long sessions. Sessions runs Monday- Friday from 8:30 am -4:30pm. Each session is $215 or $370 for two sessions.  Scholarships are available based on need and availability.

Call Reef Relief at 305-294-3100 for more information or to register now.

Coral Camp 2012 Brochure

2012 Available sessions:

Week 1    June 11 – 15
Week 2   June 18 – 22
Week 3   June 25 – 29
Week 4   July 9 – 13
Week 5   July 16 – 20
Week 6   July 23 – 27
Week 7   July 30 – August 3
Week 8   August 6 – August 10
Week  9  August 13 – 17

On May 8 the House of Representatives is expected to consider an amendment that would block funding for the Obama administration’s National Ocean Policy. Such an amendment would seriously hamper conservation and management of marine resources and wildlife. The National Ocean Policy is a comprehensive, common-sense way to handle the growing demands on our coasts. It stimulates job creation and economic growth while protecting the health of ecosystems

The National Ocean Policy is the country’s framework for coping with the competing and growing demands on our oceans and coasts. Urge your representative to oppose any amendment that would block this sensible approach.

TAKE ACTION NOW by signing the Pew Environment.org petition at  http://www.pewenvironment.org/campaigns/campaign-for-healthy-oceans/id/8589941316/take-action/

May 18th, 2012

This year we highlight 82 coral species waiting for the NMFS to take action

Today is Endangered Species Day. This day celebrates the successes stories of species such as the Bald Eagle that have been saved from extinction though the implementation of the Endangered Species Act.  However, Reef Relief would like to bring attention to coral species, locally and worldwide that are threatened with extinction.

Corals worldwide face an uncertain future and many have already been lost. Carbon dioxide pollution is causing longer and more frequent coral bleaching events and ocean acidification. These stressed coral become more sensitive to other threats such a poor water quality and disease.

Elkhorn and Staghorn corals, historically found throughout the Caribbean, became the first corals to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2006. Protection under this act means that many activities such as dredging, and offshore oil development would have stricter regulation in areas where these species are found and requires Federal agencies to ensure that their actions do not harm listed species.

In 2009, the Center for Biodiversity petitioned to list 83 coral species under the Endangered Species Act. The government found that 82 of the species may meet the criteria to be listed but have not taken any action to date. In January of this year, the Center for Biodiversity filed a 60-day notice to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service for failing to take action on these 82 imperiled species. Eight of these species are found in the Florida waters:

Pillar Coral (Dendogyra cylindrus), Mountain Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata), Rough Cactus Coral (Mycetophyllia ferox), Whitestar Sheet Coral (Agaricia lamarcki), Elliptical Star Coral (Dichocoenia stokesii), Lobed Star Coral (Montastraea annularis), and the Large Ivory Coral (Oculina varicosa)

Image:Reef Rescue

10 Things You Can Do To Help

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/10-things-you-can-do-to-save-the-ocean/

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don’t Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself about Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

For more information on Endangered Species Day, visit www.stopextinction.org/endangeredspeciesday

Learn more about the Center for Biodiversity’s campaign to protect 82 coral species visit: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/coral_conservation/index.html

Contact Reef Relief to find out what you can do locally to protect coral. Visit http://reefrelief.org , or  email: reefrelief@gmail.

Learn more at http://www.stopextinction.org/esd.html

For educational materials visit http://www.stopextinction.org/esd/195-esd-education.html

For more on marine endangered or threatened marine species visit  NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s Endangered Species Day page at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/endangeredspeciesday/may182012.htm

Written by Mat McDermott.  TreeHugger. May 16, 2012

While there are plenty of bans on plastic bags at the city level in the US, with the approval of a ban of plastic bags at point of sale in Honolulu county, Hawaii becomes the first state in the nation to have outlawed plastic bags at every locale in the state.

Sort of.

Surfrider is cheering the move, which bans all non-recyclable paper bags and all non-biodegradable plastic bags at store checkout counters, effective July 1, 2015. But based on KHON 2‘s reporting on what sorts of plastic bags will still be allowed, under exemption, it’s not hardly a total ban on plastic bags at all.

Here’s what will still be allowed after the law goes into effect:

• Bags used by customers inside a business to package loose items, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, ground coffee, grains, candies or small hardware items.
• Bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, flowers or potted plants, or other items to contain dampness.
• Bags used to protect or transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods.
• Bags provided by pharmacists to contain prescription medications.
• Newspaper bags for home newspaper delivery.
• Door-hanger bags.
• Laundry, dry cleaning, or garment bags, including bags provided by hotels to guests to contain wet or dirty clothing.
• Bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or yard waste bags.
• Bags used to contain live animals such as fish or insects sold in pet stores.
• Bags used to transport chemical pesticides, drain-cleaning chemicals, or other caustic chemicals sold at retail level, provided that this exemption shall be limited to one bag per customer.

By Crystal Gammon
OurAmazingPlanet
updated 5/16/2012 5:41:14 PM ET

When it comes to leatherback turtles, the world’s largest species of sea turtle, there’s a conundrum: The species itself is critically endangered, but at least one leatherback population is stable — on the rise, even — while others plummet.

Now, researchers may have discovered why some of these turtles are doing better than others. Studying two leatherback turtle populations, one that is declining and one that seems to be increasing, the researchers say the answer might be simple: food.

“We saw very big differences in their traveling speeds from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds,” said Helen Bailey, an ecologist at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science who led the study. “We take that to mean one population is stopping to forage on a nice dense patch of prey, while the other group keeps moving because it’s constantly in search of food.”

Read the full article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47452215/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.T7U-GFL1k9a

By: Jamie Monty. Assistant Manager

On January 31, 2012, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hosted a workshop called “Integration & Coordination of Efforts to Monitor Reef Fish Populations on the Florida Reef Tract”. This kick-off meeting brought together scientists and managers from the Florida Keys and southeast Florida regions to coordinate a fisheries-independent monitoring effort along the entire Florida Reef Tract. Fisheries-independent monitoring is a fish monitoring program using standardized sampling methods to examine the population of fishes as a whole (e.g., every fish you see when you’re SCUBA diving); in contrast, a fishery-dependent monitoring program uses data from only the exploited segment of a population (e.g., only the fish you catch using hook and line or a net). Florida’s Coral Reef Conservation Program has been building partnerships and obtaining funding to implement fisheries-independent monitoring, a priority information gap in the southeast Florida region. The sampling design is currently underway, and the first in-water assessment will begin this summer. The data collected in southeast Florida will be based on the Reef Visual Census (RVC) method, so that southeast Florida fish data will be comparable to the decade’s worth of data from the National Parks and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This will be the first time the fish population of the entire Florida Reef Tract will be looked at holistically – which will help inform resource management decisions. Additionally, these methods were recently recognized by NOAA as the most appropriate for fish surveys throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

 World Oceans Day—our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean, held every June 8^th. This year, we encourage you to reach out to young people in your community and help inspire them for the 2012 theme Youth: the Next Wave for Change. The future of ocean conservation is in their hands! Explore this site for ideas, resources, and information about how you can get involved!

Andrew Liszewski May 10, 2012 4:00 PM. http://www.gizmodo.com.au

If you’re looking for a good fright, forget about going to see a horror movie or wandering through a cemetery in the middle of the night. Just flip on the National Geographic channel and find yourself a good documentary about the horrors lurking under the sea.

Living thousands of metres below the water’s surface may not have done these creatures any favours in the looks department, but it has led to some utterly bizarre adaptations that let mother nature’s ugly step-children survive in their unique environment. And while it’s fun to point and stare at how hideous they all are, just remember they’d probably do the same to us if they visited dry land.  See more at http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/05/the-7-weirdest-creatures-under-the-sea/

ScienceDaily (May 10, 2012) — Brittle stars and people have something in common: They move in fundamentally similar ways. Though not bilaterally symmetrical like humans and many other animals, brittle stars have come up with a mechanism to choose any of its five limbs to direct its movement on the seabed. It’s as if each arm can be the creature’s front, capable of locomotion and charting direction. Results appear in the Journal of Experimental Biology.It

It appears that the brittle star, the humble, five-limbed dragnet of the seabed, moves very similarly to us.

Why bother with turns or pivots? The brittle star doesn’t turn as most animals do. It simply designates another of its five limbs as its new front and continues moving forward. (Credit: Henry Astley/Brown University)

In a series of first-time experiments, Brown University evolutionary biologist Henry Astley discovered that brittle stars, despite having no brain, move in a very coordinated fashion, choosing a central arm to chart direction and then designating other limbs to propel it along. Yet when the brittle star wants to change direction, it designates a new front, meaning that it chooses a new center arm and two other limbs to move. Brittle stars have come up with a mechanism to choose any of its five limbs to be central control, each capable of determining direction or pitching in to help it move.

Read the full article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510100345.htm

ScienceDaily (May 11, 2012) — Using the latest satellite tracking technology, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Exeter (UK), and the Government of Mexico have completed a ground-breaking study on a mysterious ocean giant: the manta ray.

The research team has produced the first published study on the use of satellite telemetry to track the open-ocean journeys of the world’s largest ray, which can grow up to 25 feet in width. Researchers say the manta ray — listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — has become increasingly threatened by fishing and accidental capture and now needs more protection.

The study was published May 11 in the online journal PLoS ONE. The authors include: Rachel T. Graham of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of Exeter; Matthew J. Witt of the University of Exeter; Dan W. Castellanos of the Wildlife Conservation Society; Francisco Remolina of the National Commission of Protected Areas, Cancun, Mexico; Sara Maxwell of the Marine Conservation Institute and the University of California-Santa Cruz; Brenden J. Godley of the University of Exeter; and Lucy A. Hawkes of Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom.

Read the full article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511122228.htm

DUBAI // A marine biologist hopes she may soon be lending her name to a new species of shark she discovered in UAE waters.

Rima Jabado, who for the past two years has been cataloguing shark species in the Emirates’ waters, recently found the fish at a landing site in Ras Al Khaimah.

She said her curiosity was sparked by subtle differences in the teeth and the shape of the sharks’ mouths.

“They are smaller sharks, similar to the milk sharks,” Ms Jabado said. “They don’t grow very big. I found very few of them but they just looked slightly different.” Read full story at http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/new-shark-species-found-in-rak