adamjkok
18.05.2021 16:51:30
There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. more
See full version: How to Protect Coral Reefs
There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. more
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Oxybenzone, in particular, has been proven to have some pretty detrimental effects on the reefs. “Oxybenzone can cause coral bleaching that would then likely reduce the ability of coral to recover,” says Leiba. In fact, even a tiny amount of oxybenzone can harm or kill corals by damaging the DNA of mature and larval coral, according to a study published in the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. more
Double-check the ingredients: While no sunscreen is proven to be 100 percent reef-safe, mineral sunscreens have not yet been found to harm corals, according to the National Park Service. To ensure your sunscreen is reef-safe, flip over the bottle and look to make sure it doesn’t contain any oxybenzone or octinoxate. [links]
You already know sunscreen is important: Slathering yourself in SPF is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States.
Dermatologists say these mineral sunscreens offer sun protection without harming our coral reefs.
The EPA Resource Guide for Managers of Coastal Watersheds with Coral Reefs provides a general overview of the most relevant EPA programs and tools that can help watershed managers address land-based sources of pollution that impact coral reefs. The guide is intended primarily for watershed managers that participate in the USCRTF, but may serve as a useful resource for others. here
The USCRTF Watershed Partnership Initiative Priority Ecosystem Indicators document (PDF) (56 pp, 1.5 MB, About PDF) provides coastal managers, coral reef managers, and watershed coordinators faced with modest budgets a suite of recommended ecological indicators and measurements to include in their watershed-specific monitoring plans. The recommended ecological indicators and measurements help determine the efficacy and evaluate the success of management efforts to reduce land-based sources of pollution on coral reef ecosystems.
The Corals and Climate Adaptation Design Tool can be used by coral reef managers to incorporate climate-smart design into their programs and projects at any stage of planning and implementation. The tool has been used with partners in Guánica Bay, Puerto Rico and West Maui, Hawai'i. [links]
EPA chairs and participates on several USCRTF working groups, including the Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Working Group, Enforcement Working Group, and the Watershed Partnership Initiative Working Group. Recent products of these working groups that EPA helped to develop include: [links]
EPA is actively engaged in the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). The USCRTF was established by Executive Order 13089 to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. It is instrumental in building partnerships and strategies for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs. The USCRTF is co-chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of the Interior with regular participation from twelve federal agencies, seven states and territories, and three freely associated states. here
Beyond harming coral reefs, overfishing also contributes to poverty and hunger. Learn More. here
We’re pleased to welcome two new members to the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) Board of Directors: Lauretta Burke and María José González. Read More.
We have earned a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar AND a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator! This means that we consistently execute our mission in a fiscally responsible way. Learn More [links]
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is an environmental NGO that is on a mission to save the world’s coral reefs. We work collaboratively with communities to reduce direct threats to reefs in ways that provide lasting benefits to people and wildlife. In parallel, CORAL is actively expanding the scientific understanding of how corals adapt to climate change and applying this information to give reefs the best chance to thrive for generations to come. This combined expertise uniquely positions us to achieve our mission by rallying the conservation community around scalable and effective solutions for coral reefs. [links]
The new Ocean Sewage Alliance is tackling the issue of ocean wastewater pollution on a global scale. Learn More. here