Treatments for cancer, AIDS, infection, arthritis, asthma, herpes, even broken bones are being discovered in coral reef ecosystems around the world. At the same time, experts estimate 10% of the world's coral reefs are dead and many more are in serious decline as a result of human impact.
Pharmaceutical companies and governments are finding useful new compounds in coral reefs. The National Cancer Institute spends one-third of its research budget to screen 1,000 species of marine invertebrates and plants each year. REEF RELIEF is currently studying the effects of the fungus aspergillosus on purple sea fan. This fungus is similar to what causes-spinal meningitis in humans.
Medicinal use demonstrates yet another reason to preserve and protect coral reefs. But, ironically, the research and collection of this information may prove to be yet another threat to the reef, if not done responsibly and sustainably. Large quantities of each material are often required in order to purify the compounds and this may lead to destructive over-collection, use of crowbars and hammers, or even mining explosives.
Pharmaceutical companies can help protect their investment while reducing the risk of long-term damage to the reef. Countries with coral reefs and related natural resources must be compensated for this research, and collection and a significant portion of these funds must be dedicated to conservation. A good example of such a program is underway in Costa Rica. The pharmaceutical company, Merck, is paying Costa Rica's National Institute of Biodiversity $1 million over two years for the opportunity to search for cures and treatments in the country's diverse tropical forests. Importantly, 10% of the up front money and 50% of any royalties go directly into the conservation of those forests.
Medical Treatments From Coral Reef Ecosystems:
| Compounds derived from: | To treat: |
| Sea squirts | Tumors, viruses,suppression of immune system |
| Encrusting invertebrate | Ovarian cancer |
| Hard corals | Shattered bones |
| Pacific sponges | Pain, inflammation |
| Caribbean sponges | Cancer, herpes simplex |
| Indian Ocean sea slug | Tumors |
| Florida jellyfish | Cancer, inflammation |
| Bahama's sea floor mud | Skin and colon cancer |
Colorful tropical marine fish swimming gracefully in a glass aquarium -- so relaxing, so peaceful, so deadly. Most saltwater tropical fish are caught using cyanide poisoning to stun the fish and make them easier to catch. For every saltwater fish that makes it to the collector's home or office aquarium, as many as nine more die and poisonous cyanide residue is left behind to kill other fish, marinelife and living coral. What's more, fish harvested in this way are damaged and weakened, leaving them more susceptible to death in transit, in the aquarium store or with the hobbyist/owner.
In the Philippines, there are approximately 2,500 full-time and part-time
fish gatherers who eke out a meager subsistence. Many are being trained to
switch back to traditional netting methods, but often the exporters who buy
and transport the fish from them also sell them the deadly cyanide. These
exporters demand cyanide use to enhance their profits and fisherfolk are
indebted to them. REEF RELIEF urges aquarium hobbyists to ask their
aquarium fish dealer for net-caught, cyanide-free fish. Or, hold off on
purchasing salt-water fish until it can be shown that they are gathered in
a sustainable way, without damaging the coral reef ecosystem.
Tell your Congressperson that you support increased enforcement and allocation of the necessary funding for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Customs to test shipments of imported marine aquarium fishes.
Divers can do a lot of damage to coral reefs if they are not conscious of their actions. PROTECT THE REEFS - BE AWARE! Here are some tips from the experts on how to be an "eco-safe" diver, leaving no trace of your reef visit:
Remember, when you are diving, you are a visitor in someone else's home. Treat it with respect.