Autumn 2011
Uniting Communities to Save Coral Reefs
CORAL’s Reef The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) unites and empowers communities to save coral reefs. We help the people who live near reefs Resilience protect their fragile resources by providing the means to develop local projects that Program Expands save coral reefs and benefit communities. n the last edition of CORAL Current, we reef ecology. They are also exploring Marine recreation providers are often Iannounced our new program to train a ways to develop a more robust reef considered the early “eyes and ears” global network of reef managers, con- monitoring survey for assessing resil- on the reef. “Dive tourism operators servation experts, and other key stake- ience in the Andaman reef region, which make trips to the reef daily, and holders in best practices to prepare for would strengthen the current monitoring research indicates that they can detect and respond to climate change. We are program at the Phuket Marine Biological subtle changes taking place on the now pleased to share with you several Center. In the Philippines, participants reef—sometimes before a reef manager exciting program milestones. are forming a coral bleaching response does,” noted CORAL’s Rick MacPherson. The coral reef managers who attended team to help monitor the reefs within the “We believe it is critical to expand the first global training in Bali earlier this central Visayas region. trainings to dive tourism operators to year are now busy conducting replication In addition to these exciting develop- provide them with the knowledge and trainings in their home communities. As ments in the Indo-Pacific region, CORAL tools to detect early warning signs on the a result, over fifty new participants from has now completed a second global reef and respond effectively.” Aceh, Bali, and Lombok in Indonesia, training in Mexico. For this groundbreak- The response from the Mexico training Ovalau Island in Fiji, Phuket in Thailand, ing training, CORAL adapted the reef has been very positive. Participants are and the central Philippines have received resilience curriculum to target a new excited to return to their home countries extensive training in strategies to build audience—marine recreation providers. where they will lead replication trainings reef resilience. These workshops have The training drew ten exceptional marine with key dive shops and other marine created a buzz throughout the Indo- recreation professionals from coral reef recreation businesses this fall. To learn Pacific and are capturing headlines in destinations throughout the Caribbean more, visit www.coral.org/resilience. local newspapers including the Phuket and Mesoamerica. News and Jakarta Post. “It is inspiring to see how the original Bali program participants are continuing to broaden the knowledge base in their own countries,” said CORAL’s Naneng Setiasih. She is working closely with participants to identify microgrant funding opportunities that will transform the reef resilience training curriculum into effec- tive conservation projects—one of the primary goals of this program. The replication trainings have already sparked plans for several local projects that apply the training content. In Thailand, for example, participants have Reef resilience workshop participants at proposed a set of guidebooks to educate the Bali replication training both tourists and local residents about Photo by Derta Prabuning
AUTUMN 2011 Placencia, Belize THE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE (CORAL) Photo by Valentine Rosado 351 California Street, Suite 650 San Francisco, CA 94104 (415) 834-0900 www.coral.org “Uniting Communities to Save Coral Reefs” CORAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS H. William Jesse, Jr., Board Chair C. Elizabeth Wagner, Secretary James R. Tolonen, Treasurer Curtis R. Berrien, Vice Chair of Advancement Linda Cain Paula Hayes Breaking News from Nancy Knowlton Elizabeth Ulmer CORAL’s Project Sites CORAL STAFF Executive Director Michael Webster Conservation Programs Director Mesoamerica Indo-Pacific Rick MacPherson Mexico: We trained five new CORAL Fiji: CORAL, in partnership with the Pew Finance and Administration Director Tom Meshishnek Reef Leaders to spread CORAL’s Environment Group and the Fijian Ministry of conservation message throughout Cancun Fisheries, is increasing awareness for shark Development Director Sarah Freiermuth and the Riviera Maya. The new leaders protection through an exciting shark sanctuary represent a diverse cross section of campaign. Working alongside the Fijian people, Assistant Director of Conservation Programs society, with backgrounds in oceanography, CORAL is raising support for shark protection Jason Vasques ecotourism, conservation, recreational and championing the creation of a Fijian Conservation Grants Manager diving, and journalism. They will now take National Shark Sanctuary. To help educate the Kate Trevelyan-Hall the sustainable marine recreation principles Fijian people about the campaign, CORAL is Communications Manager learned in their training and educate their working with a local film crew to produce Shark Susan Wolf local communities to reduce the negative Hope, a thirty-minute documentary on the need Accountant impacts of tourism on Mexico’s coastal to protect sharks in Fiji. Kristina Tan environment. Conservation Programs Associate INDONESIA: In Raja Ampat, CORAL is Candace Leong Belize: CORAL’s mangrove reforestation increasing shark conservation knowledge Communications Associate project in San Pedro is thriving. Recent among village communities and implementing Joanna Solins monitoring reports reveal that ninety locally-driven projects to reduce immediate Membership Assistant percent of the mangroves planted by the threats to sharks in the region. As part of the Simone Sheridan local community have survived—a true outreach effort, CORAL is creating an engaging Development Assistant testament to the effectiveness of our educational video, writing curricula for school Malinda Shishido reforestation method. Given the success teacher trainings, and developing a student Regional Managers of the project so far, CORAL is preparing writing competition to raise awareness for Kenneth Johnson (Mesoamerica) to plant additional mangrove seedlings in sharks and build support for their protection. Naneng Setiasih (Coral Triangle) Boca del Rio Park this winter. Field Managers U.S. States & Liz Foote (Hawaii) Honduras: CORAL and our Jenny Myton (Honduras) conservation partners led a team of newly Valentine Rosado (Belize) Territories Helen Sykes (Fiji Shark Campaign) trained Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) volunteers on an Hawaii: CORAL is conducting targeted Field Representatives Kelly Thomas Brown (Fiji Shark Campaign) expedition to explore and assess coral outreach to luxury hotels on Maui and Sirilo “Didi” Dulunaqio (Fiji) cover around Roatan. The team surveyed Hawaii Island to encourage the adoption of Adriana Gonzalez (Mexico) an estimated sixty-nine percent live coral sustainable business and marine recreation Kara Osada-D’Avella (Hawaii) cover on Capiro Bank in the Bay of Tela. practices. Our team is meeting with hotel Riyan Heri Pamungkas (Indonesia) This unexpected discovery has led to the managers and key staff to explore options Manoa Rasigatale (Fiji Shark Campaign) Moala Tokota’a (Fiji) creation of a new organization, AMATELA, for displaying and disseminating coral which is working with CORAL to foster conservation materials within hotels and Copyright © 2011 by the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) Editor: Susan Wolf adequate management and protection for through their marine recreation business Designer: Damien Scogin {[email protected]} Contributing Authors: Sarah Freiermuth and Susan Wolf this critical reef ecosystem. partners. The outreach project is an important
CORAL Current is published quarterly by the Coral Reef opportunity to engage hotels in conservation Alliance (CORAL), an IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. while educating guests who plan to visit Copies of our audited financial statement are available at www.coral.org or by phone request. Hawaii’s reefs. For comments, questions, or contributions to CORAL Current, please email us at [email protected]. AUTUMN 2011 Medicine Cabinets of the Sea
Coral reef scene, West Papua, Indonesia Photo by Jeff Yonover
t CORAL, we often use the term A“ecosystem services” to describe the are essential for the survival of marine Researchers have barely scratched many benefits that coral reefs provide to species, they also have important medical the surface when it comes to identifying humans. Perhaps one of the most interesting benefits for humans. and understanding the ocean’s potential and overlooked of these services is the Known for their ornate and beautiful for providing life-saving drugs. Coral medical advancements that come from patterns, cone snails possess some of the reef ecologist Andrew Bruckner noted organisms living in and around coral reef most lethal toxins in nature. These preda- that the prospect of finding a new drug ecosystems. tors are slow moving, so they require a in the sea, especially among coral reef Homo sapiens have long looked to the deadly neurotoxin to paralyze and kill their species, may be 300 to 400 times more terrestrial environment for products that prey. By isolating molecules from certain likely than isolating one from a terrestrial help treat injury and illness. It is only more cone snail venoms and then replicating ecosystem. With so much still to learn, it recently, however, that scientists have them in a lab, scientists have created an is clear that preserving healthy coral reef begun to search for medicines beneath the extremely powerful painkiller. The drug ecosystems will be critical to future medi- sea’s surface. And researchers are finding PRIALT, derived from a cone toxin, is 100 cal breakthroughs. Who knows when and that coral reefs are home to a number of to 1,000 times more powerful than mor- where the next cure will be found—just creatures that produce life-saving chemical phine and has no addictive side effects. one more reason your support of CORAL compounds. Other chemical compounds derived is so important! Coral reef species that produce such from coral reef organisms can effectively chemicals have evolved over hundreds of halt cell division, reduce inflammation, Medical Benefits from the Reef millions of years. These organisms were kill viruses, and relax muscles. The The following list presents some of forced to develop new hunting and defense chemotherapy drug Ara-C, for example, the many coral reef organisms that researchers are studying for their methods, or risk going extinct. Much like an stems from a chemical found in a potential medical benefits. underwater arms race, this process gave way Caribbean sea sponge (Cryptotethia to more efficient weapons and defenses. crypta) and is used to treat leukemia and Medical Source While many of these chemical compounds lymphoma. properties Other marine-based organisms are Anti-viral, Caribbean sponge showing tremendous promise in the anti-cancer treatment of strokes and age-related Skincare, dementia. The humble sea squirt (Ciona Caribbean sea-whip painkiller, anti- intestinalis) is proving to be a great model inflammatory for testing new drugs in the fight against Anti- Alzheimer’s disease. These tiny animals Pacific sponge inflammatory are one of our closest invertebrate relatives, sharing approximately eighty Limestone skeleton Bone grafting percent of their genes with humans. For of corals this reason, they are useful for testing new Anti-cancer, drugs that fight plaque-forming proteins Sea squirt dementia Cone snails possess powerful toxins, found in human families with hereditary some of which have been used to create Natural Alzheimer’s disease. potent pain medications Sea worms insecticide Photo by Richard Ling
AUTUMN 2011 CORAL New Assistant Director Joins Swan of Conservation Islands Programs Joins CORAL e are pleased to welcome Expedition WJason Vasques as the newest member of our Conservation Programs team. With over thirteen years of with Dr. field experience as a researcher and fisheries resource manager, Jason Sylvia Earle brings to CORAL a deep understanding of freshwater and marine conservation ocated about ninety miles off the management. His work has taken him Lcoast of mainland Honduras is a to such diverse destinations as New chain of islands known as the Swan Zealand, Australia, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dubbed the “Galapagos of Islands, Cayman Islands, and California. the Caribbean,” this area is home Most recently, he worked as a Photo courtesy of Jason Vasques to rare and endangered species marine biologist with the California including staghorn coral, elkhorn coral, Department of Fish and Game, where marine protected areas that would and the great hammerhead shark. he played a critical role in ensuring maximize conservation benefits for Unfortunately, overfishing has taken that California’s Marine Life Protection these important species and reefs. It a toll on this unique ecosystem, and Act—legislation that requires California was during these surveys that I came reefs that would normally be teeming to evaluate and redesign a network of to understand how valuable a coral with life are struggling. marine protected areas—was success- reef ecosystem really is.” Recently, the area received a fully implemented and based on the Jason is thrilled to help CORAL move welcomed boost of conservation best available science. our conservation programs forward support. A Mission Blue expedition, Jason has always been interested and is optimistic about the future. led by world-renowned oceanographer in coral reef conservation, but one “We’ve pushed our environment to and National Geographic Explorer-in- particular research project afforded its capacity, but with the gains we’ve Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle, paid a visit him the opportunity to see firsthand made in understanding how we to the Swan Islands. Dr. Earle’s team the value of reefs. “While I was a interact with the environment and how of divers and a group of local con- fisheries biologist in the U.S. Virgin ecosystems like coral reefs respond, servation experts, including CORAL’s Islands, I was in charge of developing we have a unique opportunity to do Honduras Field Manager Jenny Myton, a seafloor mapping program designed more for coral reef conservation than set out to document the health of this to identify coral reefs and find grouper ever before. It’s exciting to be working critical ecosystem. The results were and snapper spawning aggregation for CORAL at this time.” alarming. The team found only a few sites. We wanted to be able to create large predators on the reef and mainly juvenile fish species. “A healthy reef of this kind would normally be filled with large grouper, Dr. Earle’s team was amazed and snapper, and Caribbean reef sharks,” encouraged to see the expanse of said CORAL’s Jenny Myton. “The lack healthy staghorn corals at Cordelia. of protection in the area has sadly led On the last day of the expedition, to the over-extraction of marine life.” Dr. Earle spoke to a local delegation After assessing the reefs around the and presented the findings of the trip. Swan Islands, Jenny led Dr. Earle’s Her takeaway message was one of team to Cordelia Banks—one of hope. She explained that while these CORAL’s high-priority conservation ecosystems need our help, they are areas off of Roatan, Honduras. CORAL resilient. And, with the right protection, has been working to incorporate they can be saved. Dr. Earle and her Cordelia as a marine protected area team encouraged the public to join because of its rare staghorn reef com- them in taking action to protect these Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative’s Ian munity, valuable Caribbean reef shark “hope spots” by establishing marine Drysdale (left), Dr. Sylvia Earle, and CORAL’s Jenny population, and growing potential as a protected areas that safeguard the Myton aboard the Mission Blue research expedition grouper and snapper spawning site. Mesoamerican Reef. Photo courtesy of Jenny Myton
AUTUMN 2011 CORAL Staff Spotlight: Ratu Manoa Rasigatale
e is one of the most recognized Sharks have long held a place of respect Htelevision personalities in Fiji, and and worship in Fiji, but past efforts to his passion for sharks has won him the legally protect them from local and inter- nickname “Sharkman.” Ratu Manoa national fishing pressures were met with Rasigatale, a Fijian cultural icon, is taking resistance. Thanks in part to the recent on an important cause in his native wave of shark sanctuary designations country—shark conservation. around the world, however, our current Earlier this year he joined CORAL to campaign is gaining momentum. raise awareness and support for shark Manoa is contributing to this momentum protection. As a member of our Fiji Shark by leveraging his media expertise and Sanctuary Campaign team, he is working local relationships to spread our shark alongside the Fijian people to engage conservation message. He has met with and educate local community members key leaders from local confederacies, and government stakeholders to ensure provinces, districts, and villages to long-lasting protection for sharks. engage their full support. He is currently “Sharks deserve our respect,” he working with the Fiji Times on a weekly said. “Without sharks, our fish stocks print column that explores the issues will collapse and Fiji’s magnificent coral surrounding shark protection. He is Ratu Manoa Rasigatale was one of the hundred reefs will suffer. We needn’t fear these also working with CORAL and a local people featured in the book 20th Century Fiji: People production team to create Shark Hope, a Who Shaped the Nation animals; they are our protectors and are Photo courtesy of Angelo Villagomez an important part of our culture and rich thirty-minute documentary that focuses on heritage in Fiji.” the importance of sharks to Fiji’s culture, economy, and marine environment.
Coral reef scene, Indonesia Photo by Jeff Yonover MEDIA ROUNDUP Extra! Extra! Read All About It! CORAL’s conservation work is capturing headlines across the globe. Recent stories highlighting our reef resilience program, shark sanctuary initiatives, mangrove reforestation efforts, and community conservation projects Follow Us were published in a variety of national and international news outlets. Here are a few of on Twitter the highlights over the last few months… Do you tweet? If so, we have good news: CORAL recently joined ›› Ambergris Today (Belize) the age of Twitter! We encourage ›› Bloomberg News you to follow @coral_org to get ›› Fiji Times the latest coral reef news and ›› Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) learn more about what we are up to in our project sites. You can ›› CoralWatch (Australia) help us spread awareness about ›› Huffington Post coral reefs and our conservation ›› Jakarta Post (Indonesia) efforts by retweeting and ›› Lahaina News (Hawaii) favoriting our tweets. ›› Mai Life (Fiji) JOIN US TODAY! Your support has made these news-worthy stories possible—thank you! To read these articles and other news from CORAL, visit www.coral.org/news.
AUTUMN 2011 THE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE Non-Profit 351 California Street, Suite 650 U.S. Postage Paid San Francisco, CA 94104 Redwood City, CA Permit No. 688 www.coral.org
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e n v i r o n m e n t a l b e n e f i t s s t a t e m e n t of using post-consumer waste fiber vs. virgin fiber CORAL saved the following resources by using New Leaf Sakura Silk, made with 100% de-inked recycled fiber and 50% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free, and manufactured with electricity that is offset with Green-e® certified renewable energy certificates: greenhouse trees water energy solid waste gases
3 1,509 2 141 351 fully grown gallons million Btu pounds pounds
Calculations based on research by Environmental Defense Fund and other members of the Paper Task Force. www.newleafpaper.com
Log on to www.coral.org to sign up for E-Current, our free electronic newsletter. CORAL CURRENT The Newsletter of the Coral Reef Alliance
Reef Scene, Indonesia Photo by Jeff Yonover (www.jeffyonover.com) For the first time, CORAL’s community selected the cover of our annual calendar through an online vote. We were delighted that hundreds of E-Current subscribers and website visitors took the time to let us know which Jeff Yonover photograph they wanted to see grace the cover of our most popular publication.
Jeff’s Indonesia reef scene was the winner, but if you’ve already received your 2012 CORAL calendar, you know that all the photos are stunning. We hope you hang your calendar prominently so that you—and those around you—can be inspired by the beautiful images of life you are protecting through your support of CORAL.
If you haven’t yet received your copy, don’t worry! We have one waiting for you. Simply visit www.coral.org/calendar, donate $50 or more—or become a monthly Friend of the Reef donor—and we’ll immediately send your calendar to you. You can also send your gift in the enclosed envelope if you prefer.
You Voted. Coming up, we’ll be looking for your opinion on other topics. Please sign up to receive e-mails from CORAL at www.coral.org/ecurrent to make sure your voice is heard! And who knows? Yours might be We Listened. the deciding vote for the 2013 CORAL calendar cover image!
AUTUMN 2011