Reef and marine life conservation links

Scuba divers know that coral reef communities provide a special getaway to escape from the pressures of daily life, a chance to explore the unknown and to observe an underwater world of nature, unparalleled on land. But it is a fragile community, relying on a delicate balance of water temperature and quality, light penetration and available nutrients for its survival. Only by understanding a little about the corals that make up this community can we begin to see the need for protective measures.

These underwater communities include both hard and soft corals, which serve as the foundation for the reef ecosystem. Their growth rate is extremely slow. Hard corals, such as the brain and star varieties, grow only about 1.5 inches per year in local waters. Soft corals, such as sea fans and gorgonians, average an annual growth rate of just one inch.

Coral is actually a living animal. However, it is only the top surface which is alive with coral polyps, which are embedded in the hard limestone skeleton of each preceding colony of polyps. This living surface is nor more than 1/2 inch deep and can easily be damaged by the heavy impact of an anchor, dragging boat lines or the careless touch of a diver. Once the coral skeleton is exposed, it is immediately vulnerable to algae and sponge colonization. These faster growing organisms will then be competing with the coral polyps for space on the hard coral base.

Coral reef communities have been able to withstand natural destructive forces for thousands of years, but human destruction can easily tip the delicate balance in the wrong direction. If the coral reefs die, marine life must migrate to survive, leaving behind barren, algae-encrusted forms, void of a once thriving marine community. Everyone who enjoys the beauty and bounty of the ocean must begin to act now, while there's still something left to preserve and protect! 

That is the coral - what about our diminishing fish marine life? The plight of the Manta rays in Mexico? The dynamite fishing in S.E Asia? The killing of seals? Let's assist the conservation of our beloved undersea world.

Please find below a list of links that we should all regard as a chance to slow the destruction down if not quell it altogether.

• www.nfwf.org - Funding available for coral reef conservation programs.
• www.fisheyeview.com - See the beauty of coral reefs through a live camera – in operation since 1994.
• www.savethefish.org - All partners web sites in marine conservation – actively get involved also. Each site offers something a little different. Whether it is a different area of the world Asia or the Red Sea or protection of a different species of marine life. Maybe specializing in Coral or sharks - all worth checking out.
• www.conservefish.org
• www.audubon.org/campaign/lo
• www.nrdc.org
• www.wwfus.org
• www.pcffa.org
• www.earthvoice.org - Can deliver training and awareness of coral and fish protection.
• www.mcbi.org - Features preservation efforts and educational outreach programs. Read about symposiums, workshops, and news coverage, or view photos.
• www.projectaware.org - PADI's conservation awareness site.
• www.whiteshark.co.za - What type of sharks do you reckon this is about?
• www.turtles.or - Totally dedicated to Turtles.
• www.coral.org - Earth day - reef clean up information.
• www.mcsuk.org - Fish conservation – especially turtles and sharks. Great site – even lists fish that you can eat with a clear conscience.
• www.oceanconservancy.org - Excellent conservation interactive site covering all species from saw fish to seals.
• www.cyberlearn.com - Very basic site giving insights into the composition of coral reefs and the life that manifests on them.
• www.reefnet.org - Information service is dedicated to increasing awareness about coral reef ecosystems. Provides news, research notes, and field reports.
• www.coralfilm.com - A beautiful site with some much information.
• www.deeperbluedirectory.com - Conservation issues tapped into.
• www.coralcay.org - Choose between getting eaten by a shark or alligator.
• www.pewmarine.org - Supplies news of the many crises in marine ecosystems. Learn of the environmental grants programs that encourage research in sustainable fisheries.
• www.darwinfoundation.org - The Darwin foundation. Conservation in the Galapagos islands.
• www.coralrealm.com - An excellent site with over 50 countries participating in conservation exercises.
• www.marinelife.org - Check it out!
• www.pibythebay.homestead.com - Reef interactive network. Philippines based.
• www.ngcasia.com - National Geographic – we all know these. Follow the links to some very interesting reports on Asian conservation of marine national marine parks.
• www.iucn.org - Whilst on the subject this site is worth a look.