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
World Oceans Day—our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean, held every June 8th. 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!
From article by Rudy Bonn in Solares Hill
On the 1st of April Key West’s Reef Relief will celebrate its 25th year of work for the improvement and protection of the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. An anniversary celebration is being held March 31st from 6pm-10pm at Salute! On the Beach with special guests Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band.
In 1987, Key West residents Craig and DeeVon Quirolo began observing a disturbing amount of physical damage to corals in the Florida Keys from vessels dropping anchors on the reef among other degradation — destroying corals that were perhaps hundreds or thousands of years old. They founded the non-profit organization Reef Relief to take action and started to install mooring buoy fields, using a variety of designs for both large and small vessels along the reef tract.
The organization sought to communicate that coral reef ecosystems are not just corals but are actually a system of interdependent and delicately balanced connections between the water and land. They communicated that coral reefs are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth and their conservation must become a global priority. This was expanded to Monroe County schools through a variety of educational programs and the creation of a Coral Reef Teacher’s Guide. In addition, the education and outreach programs were incorporated into the effort to reach out to charter boat captains, commercial fishermen, recreational boaters, divers, and local businesses involved in water sport activities to emphasize the importance of conserving and protecting the coral reef ecosystem.
Later, a Clean Water Campaign was launched to identify problems with sewage, agricultural runoff, cruise ships waste, boating impacts, and other sources of pollution that affected the water quality at coral reefs in South Florida and around the globe. Reef Relief effectively organized campaigns with other sister organizations, government agencies, the business community, and citizens. In 25 years Reef Relief’s achievements include advanced wastewater treatment for the City of Key West, establishment of a boater No Discharge Zone for sewage in the Florida Keys, passage of a phosphate ban for laundry detergents, approval of bans on offshore oil drilling and exploration in South Florida, increased state standards for shallow injection wells, and a host of other actions. Reef Relief has, also, helped to established coral reef conservation programs in Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and Cuba.
Today, Reef Relief continues to educate residents and visitors and to reach out to young people through its Key West based Environmental center, a summer Coral Camp for Kids youth program and its Discover Coral Reefs Schools Program. Last summer, Coral Camp was nationally recognized by the Marine Educators Association. Reef Relief continues to be a lead advocate for state and federal clean water policy. State Program Director Jeff Starkey and Capitol Alliance Group keeps Reef Relief on the front line of state water policy issues in Tallahassee.
This year Reef Relief took over management of the Key West Marine Park which they helped to create in 2001 with the City of Key West. The marine park will be used as an education and outreach tool in Reef Relief’s work for coral reef conservation.
Reef Relief invites the community to help celebrate 25 years of work for our coral reefs on Saturday, March 31st, at Salute on Higgs Beach from 6 to 10 p.m. Food will be provided by Salute!, a cash bar will be available and Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 will be performing. Tickets are $15 before the event and $20 at the door. For more information on the party or to purchase tickets to the event visit http://reefrelief.org and click on the 25th Anniversary button.
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.
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
Stock Island Marina Village Cleanup
Some of the 44 cleanup volunteers
On Saturday March 10th Reef Relief was joined by 44 volunteers for a mangrove cleanup of Shrimp Road on Stock Island. Volunteers removed a whopping 1652 pounds of marine debris from the mangroves. Among items removed were: a message table, plastic bags, tires, a motorcycle frame, and a damaged no dumping sign. Thanks to Stock Island Marina Village for hosting the cleanup and post cleanup BBQ celebration, all the volunteers and Key West’s own Con Leche for providing island sound for this community event.
If you know of a good spot for a marine debris cleanup please contact Reef Relief at reefrelief@gmail.com or 305-294-3100.
Every SCUBA diver knows that urge to get wet again… you just feel it. That urge hits some sooner than others and I can say that it tends to hit my wife sooner than I. I can safely say that it’s time to start planning your next dive trip when your wife starts finding seahorses in a bag of Cheeto’s and saves them to show them to you. Talk about a HINT! 
