Let’s explore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), the safe places of our ocean’s biodiversity. In the world of conservation, MPAs are a key strategy for protecting the most lively and endangered parts of our oceans. These are special areas–managed by a variety of groups, including governments, local communities, and organizations like ours–that vary from places with… Continue Reading →
Hang tight, because we’re about to clear up one of the ocean’s biggest misconceptions. Have you ever looked at a coral reef and thought, “Wow, what a beautiful plant… or is it a rock?” You’re not alone in the confusion. But here’s the scoop: corals are actually animals, and they’re as lively and complex as… Continue Reading →
In the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, the Coral Reef Alliance felt a deep sense of urgency to act. The wildfires in Lahaina, a place many call home, not only ravaged the landscape but also struck at the heart of our ‘ohana—our family, friends, supporters, and the vibrant ecosystems we are… Continue Reading →
In a heartbreaking turn of events, two large coral reefs off the coast of Honduras as well as other reefs in the Caribbean have fallen victim to the destructive forces of coral bleaching, a consequence of warming waters due to climate change. The catastrophic damage of these vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems underscores the urgent need… Continue Reading →
CORAL has reached a major milestone and is excited to release the Protocol Handbook for Monitoring Marine Water Quality in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) System. What exactly is the Protocol Handbook? The first of its kind, this coordinated water quality sampling project is a giant leap forward in giving water quality monitoring the spotlight it… Continue Reading →
Hawai’i Island residents can find out what’s in the water at their favorite beaches for the first time. HILO, HAWAI‘I – January 19, 2022 – A new dataset, made public this month by Hawai’i Wai Ola, gives community members access to high quality, open-source water quality testing data dating back to June of 2020. Volunteers… Continue Reading →
Most of us are all too happy to flush the toilet and send our waste down the drain, where it flows far, far away and we never have to think about it again. But this wastewater actually deserves more of our attention. All around the world, sewage is polluting the oceans and causing harm to… Continue Reading →
Lea esto en español When improperly treated sewage enters the marine environment, it can have devastating effects on a coral reef. Not only does it bring bacteria that can pose a threat to human health, but it also brings nutrients that fuel the growth of algae—a fierce competitor in the coral reef ecosystem. Algae compete… Continue Reading →
The Hawai‘i County Council on March 3 voted to approve the allocation of $1.8 million to address ocean sewage pollution in Puakō, Hawai‘i. The Puakō coastline is one of 14 priority sites that have been identified in Hawai‘i as areas to be transitioned off of cesspools. Across the state, an estimated 88,000 cesspools release 53… Continue Reading →