Vol. 7, Issue 3

In this issue...

• CORAL and Conservation International Partner to Protect Raja Ampat’s Reefs [1]
• CORAL Releases First Ever Regional Sustainable Marine Tourism Standards [2]
• Vote for Your Favorite Dive In To Earth Day Photo [3]
• Reefs in the News [4]

Dear Coral Reef Protector,

You can help save US coral reefs today. With just 45 seconds of your time, you can send a letter to your representative asking them to support the Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Amendment Act - H.R. 1205. This bill is now before the house and will be voted on at any time.

The bill reauthorizes the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. In addition, the Administration is also asking for amendments that will provide greater protection for coral reefs while enhancing marine debris removal and increasing the government's ability to work through cooperative partnerships. Send a letter to congress today...[link archived]

Your Partner in Reef Conservation,
Brian Huse, Executive Director

CORAL AND CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL PARTNER TO PROTECT RAJA AMPAT'S REEFS

Sedimentation from mining and logging threaten Raja Ampat’s pristine reefs. Commercial fishing may collapse its fisheries. Read about CORAL and Conservation International’s project [5] to increase Raja Ampat’s options for sustainable economic revenue through structured tourism fees…

CORAL RELEASES FIRST EVER REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE MARINE TOURISM STANDARDS

Hundreds of boat groundings and hundreds of thousands of tourist interactions each year reduce sections of coral reef to rubble. Human contact also reduces coral’s resilience to other stressors such as rising sea temperatures and diseases. CORAL's "Voluntary Standards for Marine Recreation in the Mesoamerican Reef System" [6] provides detailed requirements for environmentally friendly and safety conscious marine tourism businesses in the areas of diving, snorkeling, and boating and can be used by a variety of different groups such as dive operators, travel agents, and concerned tourists…

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DIVE IN TO EARTH DAY PHOTO

The photos from Dive In To Earth Day are in and YOU get to choose the winners. See first hand accounts of the 222 events that took place during Earth Day including beach cleanups and crown-of-thorn removal. Cast your vote today...[link archive]

CORAL REEFS IN THE NEWS
Sharks at Risk as Traditions Decline, Discovery [7]
Captive Shark Had 'Virgin Birth,' BBC [8]
Investigating Coral Reefs to Understand Past and Future Climate Change, Huliq.com [9]
Coral Reefs May Be More Resilient Than Expected, ScienceDaily [10]
Marine Reserves Could Save Coral Reefs, EurekAlert [11]
More News… [12]