Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are important habitats that are part of underwater’s ecosystem. It is the shelter and the source of food to many underwater species. It is sensitive and somewhat fragile. If something happens to it, ocean life will be threatened and it may lead to human insufficient supplies of seafoods. We will all be affected. In the recent generation, it has been that 10% of coral reef has been destroyed and a much larger percent has been threatened.
Damaged or destroyed coral reefs can actually be found in more than 93 countries and the coral reefs in pacific of South & South East Asia, East Africa and the Caribbean have the greatest risk. Coral Reef destruction is mainly caused by human. Human activities produced global warming which is the main “murderer”of coral reefs.
Coral reef conservation.
Government, Non-government and International organizations has been practicing coral reef conservation since 1990’s. In 1994, an organization called International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) was founded by eight countries. Their objective is to strictly implement proper measure in coral reef conservation. They have also been educating the people worldwide about coral reef and how to take care of it.
More other organizations involved in coral reef conservation are; Global Coral Relief Monitoring Network, U.S. Coral Reef Initiative, NGO, Project AWARE, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the Environmental Projection Agency and many more.
Other than those organizations, you can help too by following some of these tips below in helping Coral Reef Conservation.
- Report any coral reef damage you see to your local dive operators or conservation groups near you.
- When sailing, make sure to navigate your boat carefully to avoid contact on coral reef and make sure to maintain your engine to prevent oil or gas spills.
- Enroll in any education programs about coral reef conservation offered by conservation groups or be in the group itself.
- Be active and supportive. When you see litter on a coral reef, pick it up immediately and educate people about it. Try also to organize a coral reef cleanup on your community. You’ll see, it’ll be fun and a big help to our beloved coral reefs.
Surely, we can all be a part of big community that saves the threatened coral reef. Don’t be the cause of coral reef destruction but be the part of its conservation.