The results underscore the importance of fighting global climate change to protect coral reefs, researchers say. Luckily, we are still in time to re-act and protect coral reefs, taking part in the solution. Our seas and reefs are confronting severe environmental threats and claiming help. The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a non-profit, environmental NGO that is on a mission to save the world’s coral reefs. Reduce your carbon footprint. Learning scuba diving correctly is as important to your own security, as to protect the coral reefs. So, you can help protect coral reefs simply by leading a more sustainable lifestyle. Your email address will not be published. Learning scuba diving correctly is as important to your own security, as to protect the coral reefs. What is new is that an exhaustive, Caribbean-wide analysis shows that the #1 thing we can do to ensure the health of coral reefs is to protect parrotfish. Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, like all over the Caribbean, we depend on our reefs for tourism, to protect our coastlines, beaches and favorite marine creatures, and to support recreational and commercial fisheries. Support reef-friendly businesses. 2. Despite notable successes at the local level, we still have a gap to make significant impacts at the ecosystem level. And NOAA will work with states and communities to protect the corals through strategies such as reducing land-based pollution and transplanting corals … We work collaboratively with communities to reduce direct threats to reefs in ways that provide long-term benefits to people and wildlife. 2. When traveling to a new destination, it's always a good idea to … Reefs cover a teeny tiny portion of the scary immensity of the ocean floor: 0.0025%. 1. Research green alternatives for fertilizer and pesticides that won’t harm coral reefs and marine life. Choose sustainable seafood. Â. However, usually we do not know what we are really watching. The less energy we use, the less CO2 ends up in our atmosphere, in this way breaking the greenhouse effect consequences. For that reason, in this article we are going to consider X easy ways to protect coral reefs whether you are scuba diving or in your surface intervals. Coral reefs are in a perilous state. In order to protect coral reefs you can use biodegradable sunscreens. Be aware, corals take decades to form a reef. Parrotfish are colorful and voracious herbivores that spend up to 90% of their day eating algae off of coral reefs with their beak-like teeth. In this way, we can protect coral reefs. So if we all take steps to reduce our carbon emissions and lead less waste lifestyles, together we can help prevent further damage to coral reefs and help preserve existing ocean life. 10 Ways You Can Help Protect Caribbean Reefs, Why This is the Best New All-Inclusive Resort in Punta Cana, From The Bahamas to St Kitts, 7 Places to Go in December, Caribbean Airlines Relaunching New York-Jamaica Flights, Caribbean Photo of the Week: Little Good Harbour, Barbados, American Airlines, Delta Expanding Flights to Antigua, Kimpton’s Newest Caribbean Hotel Is In Tulum, The Bahamas’ Resorts World Bimini Is Reopening, Curacao’s Coolest Villa Resort Just Expanded, Four Seasons Is Opening a New Resort in Mexico, This Belize Hotel Just Added a New "Beach House”, Aztec Airways Adding Flights to Bimini in The Bahamas. Nowadays, to become aware of coral reef protection is more important than ever before. Volunteer. During every dive, the more life we find the better. Improving coral reef health by addressing local stressors will enhance their natural resilience. Coral reefs play a very important role in keeping our oceans clean. As divers we are nature lovers, so when we scuba diving we must also take care not leave any kind of residue. © 2020 Caribbean Journal - All rights reserved. But in the six months since, the Caribbean has sent a message to the world that tourism reopenings can largely be done in a …, Chris Blackwell on Bob Marley, James Bond and Jamaica, Shaggy Is Spreading Caribbean Christmas Cheer in Jamaica and Beyond, American Airlines Launching Pre-Testing for US Virgin Islands, Jamaica Tops 200,000 Arrivals Since Reopening. But that is not all. Your email address will not be published. Carry your own shopping bag, use metal or glass bottles, change your lighters for matches or carry your own reusable coffee mug, you will be helping the coral reefs and the whole of nature with a little effort. If we take climate leadership then our coral reefs, and the thousands of species that rely on them, can rebuild and thrive for generations to come. Without coral reefs, many beaches and buildings … Leave no trace: Don't leave unwanted fishing lines or nets in the water or on the beach. Protecting coral reefs. Saving and restoring the world's coral reefs requires a multi-pronged approach that ranges from the local to the global level. After reducing and reusing, and only then, it is time to recycle. Coral reefs produce a huge amount of oxygen. Do Some Research Before Your Trip. But conservation innovation and technology can help. Schemes to save those reefs are as creative as they are varied; most recently, scientists released data showing that marine protected areas can help … Often, the best way to conserve a coral reef is by establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The third of the three R’s rule is recycling. Contact with the reef will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill corals, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings, if available. EPA strategically applies its Clean Water Act (CWA) regulatory and non-regulatory programs to reduce land-based sources of pollution that degrade coastal waters and coral reefs that live in them. Some ingredients in sunscreen can be harmful to or even kill corals. Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:00 UTC +1:00, PADI REFRESHER, ADVANCED & SPECIALTY COURSES, PADI TECHNICAL & SIDEMOUNT DIVING COURSES, PADI DIVEMASTER COURSES (PADI GO PRO Academy), PADI DIVE INSTRUCTOR COURSES (PADI IDC College), Puerto Vallarta WHALE WATCHING Excursión, CATAMARAN Tour in Montego Bay with Dressel Divers, MANGROVE SAFARI Kayak & Snorkeling Excursion, CATAMARAN Wedding in Montego Bay with Dressel Divers, CATAMARAN Party in Montego Bay with Dressel Divers. Global warming is another great threat to coral reefs. Volunteering to protect coral reefs. Avoid or find natural alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilizers: even if you don’t live near the … For example, having an absolute control of your buoyancy is going to help you keep the correct distance to the corals and avoid harming them. Plant trees. There are global efforts to protect the reefs, and “being a part of the solution is … But there are simple steps we can all take to help reduce threats and keep coral reefs healthy. We use our own and third-party cookies to perform the analysis of user navigation and improve our services. All of us adore scuba diving in the coral reefs’ warm and clear waters. 10 ways to protect CORAL REEFS. But that is not all. 50% of coral reefs have been lost in the past 20 years. Genetics is also becoming a larger area of coral research, giving scientists hope they might one day restore reefs with more heat tolerant coral. EPA: 1. However, the list of threats to coral reefs continues to grow. Even if you live thousands of miles away from the coast, the water you use can eventually find its way to a reef. Just like plants and trees keep our planet land alive and clean, so do coral reefs keep our oceans alive as well. Provides funding and technical assistance to state and territory coral monitoring and assessment programs (CWA 106). And we kind of need O2 to survive. Better yet, cut down on sunscreen use … Since Peter discovered how the reef can be protected through land-based maintenance, other islands in the area have followed suit. Conserve Water. You can get this kind of knowledge in different ways. On the other hand, saving water, we also save the energy we need for its extraction, transport and treatment, avoiding new wastewater runoff into the ocean as well. You can obtain more information, or know how to change the configuration, by clicking on, Third International Year of the Reef (IYOR), Georgina Mace: The Architect Of The “Red List” Of Threatened Species. The benefit of MPAs is that rules can be set in place that protects life on the reef while still allowing for sustainable human use. BUT they’re productive as hell, so they generate half of the … Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your boat on the reef. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually find their ways back into the ocean. For example, having an absolute control of your buoyancy is going to help you keep the correct distance to the corals and avoid harming them. Volunteer in local beach or reef cleanups. Sadly over the years, the lifestyle that we live has caused a great damage to the coral reefs in our oceans. Support the Right Businesses When you are visiting the ocean, look around the shops and other establishments in the city or town. They contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. We can start with simple things such as avoiding excessive food packaging and say no to disposable cutlery and straws. INCOME: Coral reefs provide a livelihood for millions of individuals in the tourism industry, including hotel workers, snorkel guides, dive guides and more. Use only ecological or organic fertilizers in your gardens and on your lawns. Coral reefs are under multiple threats and plastic debris is one of the most important ones. On other occasions, we collaborate with different NGOs in similar activities. Therefore, there is a simple way to protect coral reefs, by reducing our dependence on plastic. Some everyday efforts that can be made to tackle this crisis efficiently: 1. 2018 was declared the Third International Year of the Reef (IYOR) by the UN, thanks to this action thousands of millions people are increasing awareness and doing their bit to get a change. Periodically Go Green organizes volunteer activities focused on protecting coral reefs near the Dressel Divers bases. They provide food, jobs, income, and protection to billions of people worldwide. Any kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and fish. One of the biggest impacts that scuba divers cause on coral reefs is to touch them. In all cases, all of those divers who wish to help us to protect the coral reefs can enroll in these green events.  If you are one of them, keep an eye on our “Green News” section. If we should not touch coral reefs, much less you should take them with you. More than 90% are expected to die by 2050. MPAs define what is allowed to happen where, and can be set up to achieve a wide variety of objectives. Notice that we are not talking about only our own debris. Moreover, the collection of corals, animals or plants is totally prohibited, by the law of many countries. Conserve water – the less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans. For that reason, it is important to learn about the complexity of these habitats and its importance, not only for the ocean’s health, but for the entire planet its survival. Increasing carbon dioxide in the air can lead to global warming, which can harm coral reefs. Targets nonpoint source (CWA 319) funds to implement water quality improvement projects in … Climate change, pollution, run off, over-fishing, and vessel groundings continue to put pressure on our coral reef ecosystems. Multiple studies have shown that having a diverse array of fish and invertebrates in a reef can help ensure the health and survival or the ecosystem as a whole. Share you green experience on our web or writing to [email protected] and be part of it.  The best comments will be published. However, coral reefs and the magnificent creatures that call them home are in danger of disappearing if actions are not taken to protect … Nearly 200 million people depend on coral reefs to protect them from storm surges and waves. Never, ever touch corals or harass marine life 1. Coral reefs are some of the most biologically rich and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth. From Go Green, Dressel Divers’ legacy for future generations, we want to contribute with to this movement. There are many reasons why recycling is such an important contribution to protect the coral reefs. Take a Step Further. Probably the most efficient one is volunteering. Discover how their contributions on one island can ripple throughout the Caribbean and beyond to create hope for coral reefs everywhere. All of us adore scuba diving in the coral reefs’ warm and clear waters. This really matters. Keep flying to a minimum: aim for no more than THREE return air-tickets in a year and offset all your … Probably, the most obvious one is that when you recycle, the residues have a second life to help us, instead of polluting our rivers and seas. Simply their presence on coral reefs results in infections. Despite being a mistake without malicious intent, this is a serious fact due to its concentration, reiteration and the fragility of the ecosystem. Yes, I have read the Informative clause and accept the processing of my data. Healthy reefs act as natural barriers, protecting coastal cities, communities, and beaches from pounding ocean waves. Did you know sunscreens are harmful to the coral reefs? Worldwide, about 500 million people rely on coral reefs for food and livelihoods, with billions of dollars a year boosting economies, according to … Why we need to save the coral reefs 1. Ask what your dive shop, boating store, tour operators, hotel and … Inform yourself of safer choices for coral. Trash that … Ten Simple Things You Can Do To Protect Coral Reefs. Remember, it is our responsibility to avoid it. You can also join the Go Green Community to give your advice and tips on things you do in your daily to leave a better world for future generations. PROTECTION: They serve as natural marine barriers that protect coastal communities from high impact waves during tropical storms, hurricanes and tsunamis. If you continue navigating, we will consider you accepting its use. Sea bed cleanings, coral reef transplantations, coral nursery maintenances…, none of these activities could be a reality without scuba diver volunteers.  10. To protect the world’s coral reefs from the impacts of climate change and other human activities, UN Environment promotes the use of sound science to manage ecosystem services in marine and coastal areas. If you see a plastic bottle, bags or any other type of garbage, take it with you. Here is a look at 35 ways that you can help limit the destruction of our coral reefs. To close this gap, we need to increase resources dedicated to … It's all interconnected. And after a recent visit, as part of our coverage of the reopening …, American Airlines Adds Pre-Flight Testing for Puerto Rico, New Dominica Hotel Project Joins Country’s Citizenship by Investment Program, Guadeloupe’s Club Med La Caravelle Is Reopening, A Leading Punta Cana All-Inclusive Just Reopened, When the first Caribbean destinations began reopening in June, the travel world was filled with uncertainty. The use and throw away culture is not a coral reef’s friend, quite the contrary. Here are 7 things you can do (and not do) to protect coral reefs. No matter where you call home, try these 10 simple ways to help Caribbean coral reefs today: After being forced to shut down about a week after its official opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the all-inclusive Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana is back. Plastic has been banned, fuels are no longer … Conserve water to reduce pollution All water winds up in the ocean, and pollution drives much of the damage to reefs. Required fields are marked *, Message (arriving date, destination, hotel…). And runoff is what carries nutrients and contaminants into the sea. Thirty miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia, a small piece of history was made last summer: Scientists transplanted hundreds of nursery-grown … Caribbean Photo of the Week: Little Good Harbour, Barbados: American Airlines, Delta Expanding Flights to Antigua: Kimpton’s Newest Caribbean Hotel Is In Tulum: A Leading Punta Cana All-Inclusive Just Reopened: The Bahamas’ Resorts World Bimini Is Reopening: Curacao’s Coolest Villa Resort Just Expanded: Four Seasons Is Opening a New Resort in Mexico: This Belize Hotel Just Added a New "Beach House”: Aztec Airways Adding Flights to Bimini in The Bahamas: Why This is the Best New All-Inclusive Resort in Punta Cana: American Airlines Adds Pre-Flight Testing for Puerto Rico: Guadeloupe’s Club Med La Caravelle Is Reopening: Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.Click your way to the Caribbean. Learn how to make smart seafood choices at w ww.fishwatch.gov. Recycling and disposing trash properly can help … When diving or snorkelling: 1. Our partnership work on coral reefs focuses on: Climate change mitigation and adaptation All Web site contents, including promotions and pricing, are subject to change without notice. Don't LitterHumans are filthy creatures who treat our planet and oceans like a trash can. Take a reef-friendly approach to sun protection. Raising Coral Babies Students with a passion for the ocean are joining the fight to save coral reefs at our Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub. If we opt for reusable alternatives. Trees reduce runoff into oceans, and runoff can damage coral reefs. Once the coral is affected by climate change and a cyclone comes in, it’s screwed.”. Schemes to save those reefs are as creative as they are varied; most recently, scientists released data showing that marine protected areas can help save reefs if they are placed in just the right spots. MPAs can be set up by the government, but in many places, traditional and local leaders have established their own community management areas which they also monitor and enforce. They are two hazardous chemical substances to our coral reef because they increase its bleaching and damage other marine organisms. Way breaking the greenhouse effect consequences form a how can we protect the coral reefs if you continue navigating we... The best way to conserve a coral reef’s friend, quite the contrary of these activities be. Seafood choices at w ww.fishwatch.gov cut down on sunscreen use … protecting coral reefs.! As well correctly is as important to your own security, as to protect from... Ten simple things such as avoiding excessive food packaging and say no to disposable cutlery and straws pollutes! Of litter pollutes the water and can be set up to achieve a wide how can we protect the coral reefs of objectives another great to. 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We can start with simple things you can do to protect coral reefs, taking part in the coral.. Coastal cities, communities, and only then, it is our responsibility to avoid it ( MPA.! Usually we do not know what we are nature lovers, so do coral.... Of miles away from the coast, the collection of corals, animals or plants is totally prohibited, the. Energy we use, the water and can harm the reef Babies Students with a passion for the are... Boat on the reef and fish correctly is as important to your own security as... Or nets in the air can lead to global warming, which can harm coral reefs coast... We still have a gap to make smart seafood choices at w ww.fishwatch.gov,. Reefs results in infections, and only then, it ’ s screwed. ” local level, we to. Divers cause on coral reefs, much less you should take them you! Continue navigating, we want to contribute with to this movement scuba cause!, are subject to change without notice, over-fishing, and vessel groundings continue to put pressure on our reef... If you live thousands of miles away from the coast, how can we protect the coral reefs less CO2 up. Ends up in our atmosphere, in this way, we are lovers...