Vol. 5, Issue 1

The board and staff of the Coral Reef Alliance are deeply saddened by the devastation left in the wake of the tsunami of December 26. In human terms, the scope of the destruction is unprecedented. Only time will tell the full extent of the losses. As an immediate response, CORAL is making microgrants to help with the relief effort.

Please see our homepage to find out what you can do to help coral reef communities affected by the tsunami, what hotels and dive operators are still open for business, and the latest news articles.
http://www.coralreefalliance.org

Thank You,
Brian Huse, Executive Director
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1. Tell Us Your Underwater Story and Save a Reef
2. 2004 Status of the Coral Reefs: Positive News
3. CORAL Helps Launch Micronesian Conservation Projects
4. Coral Reefs in the News

1. TELL US YOUR UNDERWATER STORY AND SAVE A REEF
Groups across the United States are getting ready to have fundraising parties and other events for their favorite coral reef projects through CORAL's Park Buddy Program. Share your story that highlights the biodiversity and beauty of this year's sites in Belize, Honduras, Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea...
[link archived]

2. 2004 STATUS OF THE CORAL REEFS: POSITIVE NEWS
Every two years the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network produces the definitive Status of Coral Reefs of the World report detailing conservation, management and reef health by geographic region. The report shared some positive news. Of the 16% of the world's reefs that were destroyed in the 97-98 El Nino, approximately half are showing encouraging recovery rates, especially those in well-managed marine protected areas. Downloads and hard copies available...
[links archived]

3. CORAL HELPS LAUNCH MICRONESIAN CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Over the past year, CORAL has spent time working with the people of Micronesia to protect their reefs. After an initial series of workshops given in Palau and Pohnpei to marine recreation providers, marine park managers and local NGOs, motivated participants requested a second series of "Take Action" workshops to help get several conservation projects off the ground. Read about the projects and see the pictures...
[link archived]

4. CORAL REEFS IN THE NEWS [links archived]
- Divers Needed to Save Reefs
- World's Smallest Nations Seek Voice at Disaster Conference
- Ships Dumping Garbage on the Reef
- The Better Aquarium: Lights, Coral - No Cyanide
http://www.coralreefalliance.org/news/headlines

Copyright 2005 The Coral Reef Alliance. All rights reserved.