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Valuable coral reefs under siege
December 15, 2004Leading coral reef experts are meeting today, 16 December 2004, at the Zoological Society of London to discuss the alarming rates of decline and formulate an action plan to prevent the demise of these important ecosystems. With approximately 20% of coral reefs already destroyed, it is thought that close to 50% may be close to collapse.
Coral reefs are critically important for the goods and services they provide to millions of people, with a global value estimated at $375 billion per year. Research presented at the symposium shows that not enough money and effort are being put into this important economic and environmental asset.
"Coral reefs provide a source of food and income, act as natural coastal defences and support a huge tourist industry which is of particular importance in developing countries," said Dr Isabelle Côté, a co-organiser of the conference from the University of East Anglia. "The conservation of these reefs is vital not just because of their obvious beauty and biological significance, but because they have a huge economic value too."
Research has shown that in the Philippines the economic value of fisheries on degraded reefs is one-third the value for healthy reefs. In Hawaii, coral reefs are estimated to be worth US$10 billion per year, mostly from tourism.
"Reefs suffer from over fishing, pollution and outbreaks of disease and coral bleaching, which may be linked to climate change. By bringing together world authorities on coral reefs, we want to find options to restore reefs and the benefits that they provide," added Professor John Reynolds, a co-organiser.
The conference will be opened by the UK's Minister of Conservation and Fisheries, Ben Bradshaw. The topics addressed include:
"¢ Benefits from coral reefs
"¢ The global problem - status and threats to coral reefs
"¢ Action for achieving sustainable use
East Anglia, University of
Research has shown that in the Philippines the economic value of fisheries on degraded reefs is one-third the value for healthy reefs. In Hawaii, coral reefs are estimated to be worth US$10 billion per year, mostly from tourism.
"Reefs suffer from over fishing, pollution and outbreaks of disease and coral bleaching, which may be linked to climate change. By bringing together world authorities on coral reefs, we want to find options to restore reefs and the benefits that they provide," added Professor John Reynolds, a co-organiser.
The conference will be opened by the UK's Minister of Conservation and Fisheries, Ben Bradshaw. The topics addressed include:
"¢ Benefits from coral reefs
"¢ The global problem - status and threats to coral reefs
"¢ Action for achieving sustainable use
East Anglia, University of
Coral Reef Current Events and Coral Reef News RSSCoral reefs inspire rare consensus -- just save them
One of the first set of studies to examine what tourists and recreation enthusiasts actually think about coral reef ecosystems suggests they are a rare exception to controversies over human use versus environmental conservation - their stunning beauty is so extraordinary that almost everyone wants them protected in perpetuity.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Coral bleaching increases chances of coral disease
Mass coral bleaching has devastated coral colonies around the world for almost three decades. Now scientists have found that bleaching can make corals more susceptible to disease and, in turn, coral disease can exacerbate the negative effects of bleaching.
Man-made crises 'outrunning our ability to deal with them,' scientists warn
The world faces a compounding series of crises driven by human activity, which existing governments and institutions are increasingly powerless to cope with, a group of eminent environmental scientists and economists has warned.
Time to tap climate-change-combating potential of the world's ecosystems
Investing in restoration and maintenance of the Earth's multi-trillion dollar ecosystems - from forests and mangroves to wetlands and river basins - can have a key role in countering climate change and climate-proofing vulnerable economies.
NOAA report finds flower garden banks sanctuary reefs among healthiest in Gulf
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is among the healthiest coral reef ecosystems in the tropical Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, according to a new NOAA report.
Humans
Mounting evidence that human activity is changing the world's oceans in profound and damaging ways is outlined in a new scientific discussion paper released today.
Overfishing and evolution
Using snorkelers and SCUBA divers is not the best way to monitor fish populations, if we want to know the evolutionary effects of overfishing.
Corals face 'a stormy future'
As global warming whips up more powerful and frequent hurricanes and storms, the world's coral reefs face increased disruption to their ability to breed and recover from damage.
Help for climate-stressed corals
Banning or restricting the use of certain types of fishing gear could help the world's coral reefs and their fish populations survive the onslaughts of climate change according to a study by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and other groups.
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Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Insert for Saltwater Fish, Marine Fish Only with Live Rock Aquarium, Coral Reef Tank, Freshwater Aquarium. Gorgeous Corals, Non-Toxic, Easy to Clean. Reef Aquarium at Saltwater Fish Only Tank costs. INSTANT REEF R035 by Instant Reef by Archer USA Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Inserts for Saltwater Fish Aquarium, Marine Fish Only with Live Rock Setup (FOWLR), Coral Reef Aquarium or Tropical Freshwater Fish Tank. Realistic Looking Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium. All Saltwater Fish / Marine Fish are Reef Safe to Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Inserts. Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Lionfish,Tang / Surgeon Fish, Trigger Fish, Wrasses, Foxface / Rabbitfish, Even Shark! FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) is Perfect for people who like a beautiful saltwater fish tank without worrying about delicate corals in a coral reef aquarium setup. Live rock can be placed behind artificial coral reef aquarium inserts or in sump / refugium for biological filtration. Artificial coral reef inserts also have Porous / Rough surfaces for beneficial bacteria to... |
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Coral Reef Adventure (IMAX) [Blu-ray] Starring: Liam Neeson, Howard Hall, Michele Hall, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Rusi Vulakoro Directed By: Greg MacGillivray Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the South Pacific for a spectacular IMAX adventure. Joy, ecstasy, a spiritual high: these words describe the exhilaration of diving a pristine coral reef, and ocean explorers Howard and Michele Hall bring their love of the ocean into action. With Jean-Michael Cousteau, deep reef scientist Richard Pyle and Fijian diver Rusi Vulakoro, they explore and capture on film the dazzling underwater world of coral reefs, magical places here on Earth. This tropical excursion through the South Pacific will surprise and delight you as you fall in love with the reefs, and your heart will ache at the tragic, irretrievable loss of these fragile worlds. |
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