REEF RELIEF NEWS
Reef Relief 22nd Annual Membership Meeting set for Wednesday, June 24th
Click here to for the invitation
Reef Relief's team of volunteers at the Dragonboat Festival held at Sombrero Beach in Marathon on May 9th helped insure a great festival. Thanks to the organizers for inviting us to participate and raise funds for Reef Relief!
Click here to see the large photo
New State Legislation Protects Coral Reefs
Click here to see the Reef Relief Release
Drilling Bill appears dead for this year
Click here to see the article from Keysnet.com
Offshore drilling bill likely dead for the year
Click here to see the article from News Herald
Editorial Boards oppose FL Oil Drilling Bill
Click here to see the editorial review
Letter from The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition to Crist
Click here to see the article sent to Gov. Crist
Article from Surf-First about FL Offshore drilling
Click here to see the article from Surf-First
Gov. Crist, Sen. Nelson and off-shore drilling
Click here to see the article from the FL Times Union
Oil and gas development threatens Florida coast; contact Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Representatives today.
Click here to find your local legislator
Click here to see the article from Keys News
Click here to see the article from the Miami Herald
Click here to see the article from the Florida Times Union
Click here to view the latest Reef Relief News Blast. In this issue:
Inspring Film Festival, Delray Outfall Shut Down, Water Quality
Improvements and Reef Relief making head way. Reminder:
The Patagonia Film Festival arrives today - See inside for special
offers.
(Click here to see the original article)
Posted April 10th, 2009
INSPIRING FILM FESTIVAL COMES TO KEY WEST
The largest environmental film festival in North America is coming to Key West. Join Reef Relief for the Patagonia Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival On Tour at the Eco Discovery Center on April 10th and 11th.
The tour brings together a selection of films from the annual festival held the second of January in Nevada City, CA. “The films include narratives coming directly from people throughout the world engaged in protecting our natural resources and wild places.” Says tour manager, Susie Sutphin. “The films highlight the ‘tipping points’ that the planet is reaching, yet portrays the ‘turning of the tides,’ as communities realize what needs to change and how they are responding with creativity, resolve and heart.”
The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL). The festival’s namesake is in celebration of achieving Wild and Scenic status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River in 1999. SYRCL shared their success as an environmental group with other organizations nationwide, building a network of grassroots organizations connected by a common goal, to use film to inspire activism.
The Wild and Scenic On Tour partners with environmental and grassroots groups to host tour venues across the country reaching 75 towns and cities. The festival brings a community together around film allowing audiences an opportunity to evaluate local issues affecting their surrounding area. The films inspire and motivate people to go out and make a difference in their community and around the world.
The festival is a natural extension of Reef Relief’s work to inspire people to act on behalf of the environment. Reef Relief is a global nonprofit membership organization dedicated to Preserve and Protect Living Coral Reef Ecosystems. This event is made possible through a grant from Patagonia and our friends at Kingswood Leasing, The Grande Café, Trepanier and Associates, Fat Tuesday, Conch Republic Seafood Company, Hard Rock Café, Tom’s of Maine, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Clif Bar.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date and Time: Friday April 10th at 2pm and 6pm
Saturday April 11th at 2pm and 6pm
Location Address: Eco Discovery Center, on the Truman Waterfront in Key West, FL
Ticket Prices: $15.00
As there is limited seating, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance at: Reef Relief Environmental Center, 631 Greene St. Key West, FL, Email reef@reefrelief.org, or call (305) 294-3100.
For more information: Contact Reef Relief
(Click here to see the original article)
Posted March 10th, 2009
PERMIT DENIED FOR REACH 8
Judge Determines Harm to Environment Outweighs Need for Project
Palm Beach, FL –Administrative Law Judge Robert E. Meale ruled late yesterday that the Town of Palm Beach be denied a Joint Coastal Permit to dredge and fill Reach 8. In March of 2008, the Surfrider Foundation, Snook Foundation, and three individuals filed suit against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for approving a Joint Coastal Permit for the Town of Palm Beach to nourish Reach 8. The Town of Palm Beach intervened on behalf of the DEP, and the City of Lake Worth and Eastern Surfing Association intervened in opposition of the project. The trial lasted three weeks, ending in October of last year.
Reach 8 is one of eleven reaches of beach within the County of Palm Beach. The Town of Palm Beach filled Reach 7 two years ago costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Reach 7 caused substantial environmental harm to the local coastal resources and has already significantly eroded away.
The Town of Palm Beach was proposing more of the same in their attempt to nourish Reach 8. Reach 8 extends 1.8 miles and includes beaches within the Town of Palm Beach and the City of Lake Worth. The Town of Palm Beach proposed dredging offshore and filling in 700,000 cubic yards of fill material on Reach 8 directly burying seven acres of nearshore hardbottom reef.
The City of Lake Worth maintains a public park within Reach 8 and opted out of the Joint Coastal Permit due to the projects’ potential to harm their environmental resources and local economy dependent on them.
“The Judge clearly grasped the significance of the geological and biological coastal systems in this area and their rarity. His ruling focused extensively on the overwhelming data from numerous experts that supported the denial of this permit,” said attorney Jane West, whose firm Collins & West, P.A. represented the five petitioners.
Rob Young, Director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University and an expert witness in the case expressed admiration for the judge’s ruling. "Judge Meale took a very hard look at the numerical computer model used to predict where the nourishment sand would go, and he strongly criticized its use," Young said. "This same model, GENESIS, is used all over the country for the design of beach nourishment projects. The Judge’s ruling is a serious indictment of that practice."
The five petitioners proved the dredge-and-fill project would destroy the beach and coastal environment by directly burying reefs, killing marine life, including endangered sea turtles, and overall destabilizing fishing, diving, surfing and other valuable recreational uses of the area.
“This is a tremendous win for Florida’s Beaches,” said attorney Martha Collins, also of Collins & West, P.A.. “To our knowledge, this is the first time that any court in the US has flatly rejected the permitting of an approved beach nourishment project due primarily to the potential negative environmental impacts.”
“It is time for the State of Florida to re-examine its policies on beach management and realize these dredge and fill projects can be detrimental to the coastal environment they are alleged to be protecting,” continued Collins.
“We look forward to working with our experts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in opening dialogue and coordinating our efforts toward better implementation of Florida’s beach management programs,” said Ericka Davanzo, Surfrider's regional manager in Florida.
Judge Meale’s ruling is an order of recommendation to Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Michael Sole, who will now have 45 days to issue the final order.
To view the Judge’s ruling please visit http://www.doah.state.fl.us/ros/2008/08001511.pdf
For more information please feel free to visit the following:
www.collins-west.com
www.savelakeworth.blogspot.com
www.surfrider.org
Quotes
AFTER WITNESSING THE ECOLOGICAL DEVASTATION ALONG THE COAST CAUSED BY DREDGE AND FILL PROJECTS FOR SO MANY YEARS, I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE DECISION JUDGE MEALE HAS MADE TO DENY THE TOWN OF PALM BEACH THE REACH 8 PERMIT. HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE AND AN ECOLOGICAL JEWEL HAS BEEN SPARED. THE RULING IS A HUGE VICTORY FOR THE FISHING COMMUNITY. AFTER SEEING WHAT HAPPENED DUE TO THE REACH 7 PROJECT I FIRMLY BELIEVE HAD THE REACH 8 PERMIT BEEN ISSUED THE LOSS OF MARINE HABITAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER ECOLOGICAL DISASTER. I HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT THE RULING WILL SET PRESEDENCE IN FUTURE CASES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. ALL OF THE PLAINTIFFS AND COUNCIL IN THIS CASE ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR VALIANT EFFORTS AND I'M HONORED TO CALL THEM MY FRIENDS. THE OCEANS ARE OURS TO PROTECT AND THEY ARE ERIPLACABLE. THIS IS A GREAT DAY AND I AM ONE HAPPY FISHING GUIDE.
CAPT. DANNY BARROW
PRESIDENT, SILVER LINING FISH CHARTERS
The outcome of this litigation is ground-breaking, demonstrating that broader public can make their concerns heard to protect public trust habitat and beach and ocean uses. Rigorous interdisciplinary investigations of the predictions made by consultants for the project were shown to be unreliable, putting valuable nearshore fish habitats and other nearby beaches at risk of degradation by transport of deposition of sediments that are not beach-quality sands.
Dr. Charles H. Peterson
Alumni Distinguished Professor of Marine Sciences, Biology, and Ecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an expert witness in the case.
Judge Meale took a very hard look at the numerical computer model used to predict where the nourishment sand would go, and he strongly criticized its use," Young said. "This same model, GENESIS, is used all over the country for the design of beach nourishment projects. The Judge’s ruling is a serious indictment of that practice.
Dr. Rob Young, Director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University and an expert witness in the case.
Seminars/Publications
Martha Collins spoke on the implications of beach nourishment projects in Florida at the Fifteenth Annual Public Interest Environmental Conference. University of Florida Levin College of Law Gainesville, Fla. Feb. 26 - Feb. 28, 2009.
(Click here to see the original article)
Posted March 4th, 2009
Groups Say Oceans Need Protection from Overfishing, Sprawl
By DINAH VOYLES PULVER
Environmental Writer
The nation's love affair with seafood and coastal living continues to take a heavy toll on ocean resources, two environmental groups reported Monday, calling on federal and state governments to do more to preserve fisheries and coastal areas.
Florida's coast faces many threats and doesn't get enough protection, said Paul Johnson with Reef Relief, one of seven environmental groups that make up the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition. The coalition concluded the state continues to allow too much development on the coast and fails to protect important wetlands along its 8,500 miles of coastline.
"We shouldn't allow coastal construction in inappropriate areas," Johnson said, such as along critically eroded beaches. That includes about half the beaches in Volusia County and some 25 percent of the beaches in Flagler County.
Meanwhile Monday, an international advocacy group, Oceana, said overfishing of the ocean's baitfish leaves large predators such as dolphins, striped bass and tuna -- and even seabirds -- hungry and scrawny.
Oceana called on governments around the world to do more to limit overfishing and by-catch from shrimp trawling. Large shrimp nets pull in many other species, including sea turtles and juvenile fish species that are important to recreational fisheries.
Overfishing of smaller prey species, such as menhaden and squid, takes away food needed by the bigger fish, said Oceana scientist Margot Stiles. As a result, predators such as bluefin tuna have a harder time finding food during their annual migration from Canada to Florida.
Offshore recreational fishermen report having a harder time catching bluefin, Stiles said, because the big fish quickly move on when they arrive at their traditional feeding areas and can't find food.
The state coalition of environment groups evaluated Florida's progress on a lengthy set of recommendations it issued in 2006. Johnson said the state does a fine job in some areas, but could do more. The coalition called for the governor and legislature to set up an ocean policy office in the governor's office.
Gov. Charlie Crist and the state earned high marks for progress on such climate change-related issues as adopting regulations to curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions and for acquiring coastal wetlands.
The coalition said the state doesn't do enough to protect its 41 aquatic preserves and has made too little progress on managing marine resources on an ecosystem-wide basis rather than species by species.
A spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which shares management of the state's saltwater species with the federal government, said the agency had not yet had time to study the recommendations.
"Certainly we take reports like this seriously," said Lee Schlesinger, wildlife commission spokesman.
The agency works closely with the environmental groups and believes it is doing a "pretty good job managing fisheries," Schlesinger said.
The stocks of some fish, such as redfish and mackerel, have bounced back in recent years.
Late Monday, the state's Department of Environmental Protection cited a number of steps it had taken in the past year, including stepping up its coral reef conservation program, protecting seagrass and limiting the discharge of polluted stormwater and treated wastewater in South Florida.
(Click here to see the original article)
Posted March 4th, 2009
Environmentalists Release Report Card
Tallahassee, FL - Environmentalists from the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition released a report card, grading how they think the State of Florida ranks when it comes to protecting the environment.
According to the report, activists gave Florida an A- for efforts related to reducing global warming pollution. However, some areas scored Ds, including the state's efforts to restore marine eco systems and keep offshore drilling away from Florida's coasts.
Environmentalists want lawmakers to tackle some of those issues during session, including protecting Florida's coastal and marine eco systems.
"Tourism in Florida is such an important part of our economy and it's so rooted in our beaches that, out of an abundance of caution and prudence, we should err on the side of protecting our coastlines and not taking an undue risk," said Joe Murphy, Florida program director of the Gulf Restoration Network.
Groups included in this coalition include the Ocean Conservancy, Reef Relief, the Surfrider Foundation, and 1000 Friends of Florida, among others. Representatives from this group plan to release another report card at the end of session to see how many improvements lawmakers make during session.
(Click here to see the original article)
Posted March 3rd, 2009
Unsung Hero
Reef Relief Secretary/Treasure Robert Tischenkel accepts the Unsung Heroes Award for George and Dorothy Lee Witwer.George is a Reef Relief advisor and Dorothy holds the position of Vice President. They were Reef Relief's honorees at the annual Key West event to honor outstanding volunteers held January 30th.Since they were not in town, Robert accepted on their behalf.Pictured with him is Diana Sutton, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, which hosted the event.
(Click here to see the photo)
Posted February 18, 2009
Reef Relief Spawns New Leaders
See the latest article about Reef Relief's new leaders.
(Click here to read more)
Posted February 9, 2009
Under the Sea 3D Movie Premieres February 13, 2009 in IMAX® theatres in the U.S. (click here to read more)
Posted January 14, 2009
Happy Holidays to you and yours
As we begin the holiday season, we are thankful. Reef Relief has achieved a lot in the past year for coral reefs, thanks to our generous members and contributors. So that we can do even more in the year ahead, we ask you to make a special tax deductible year-end contribution to Reef Relief. (click here to read more)
Posted December 11, 2008
Endangered Species Listing for Elkhorn & Staghorn Corals takes a turn (click here to read more)
Posted December 11, 2008
College Intern needed for January & February in Key West (click here to read more)
Posted December 11, 2008
US pledges 40 million dollars to save Coral Triangle (click here to read more)
Posted October 25, 2008
A Blueprint for a Coastal and Ocean Policy for the New Administration. (click here to read more)
Posted October 22, 2008
Surfers, young and old, ride waves at local fundraiser. (click here to read more)
Posted September 11, 2008
On September 19th, Key West "pirates" return to their glory days, gambling their livelihoods away! Pirate Soul Museum is hosting a Poker Night with all proceeds to benefit Reef Relief, and invites citizens and visitors to join the festivities. (click here to read more)
Posted September 3, 2008
Keys camp teaches kids about coral, ecology. (click here to read more)
Posted September 3, 2008
No-take zones offer no boost for bleached reefs, from NewScientist.com. (click here to read more)
Posted August 28, 2008
Beyond Oil: The Transportation Fuels that Can Help Reduce Global Warming. (click here to read more)
Posted July 18, 2008
Dr. James Porter hosts viewing of rare Coral Reef manuscripts and books at Reef Relief July 26th . (click here to read more)
Posted July 18, 2008
Reef Relief Action Alert!
Oil and Water Still Don't Mix: Stop Offshore Oil Drilling in Fragile Marine Areas; Protect Our Coral Reefs with a Sustainable Energy Policy. (click here to read more)
Drilling off Florida isn't the answer
by Bill Nelson
Start drilling. Put those oil rigs off the protected beaches of Florida and in the preserved wilds of Alaska. (click here to read more)
Posted May 23, 2008
Coral Reefs Cheaper to Protect than Neglect, U.N. Finds
Published January 25, 2006
Costs of safeguarding the world's fast-disappearing coral reefs and mangroves are small compared to the benefits they provide from tourism to fisheries, the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Tuesday. (click here to read more)
Posted May 23, 2008
Celebrate the International Year of the Reef at Gala Grand Opening of Reef Relief Environmental Center & 21st Annual Membership Meeting Tuesday, June 17th Noon - 8pm. (click here to read more)
All About the International Year of the Reef
Posted May 13, 2008
OCEAN OUTFALL BILL PROVIDES RELIEF TO SOUTH FLORIDA CORAL REEFS AND WATER SUPPLY
On April 30, 2008, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to end a decade's old practice of dumping poorly treated sewage off Florida's southeast coast. The House of Representatives passed the Wastewater Disposal Bill (HB 7139), created earlier by the Senate (SB 1302), with just two days left in the session. (click here to read more)
Posted May 1, 2008
Coral Springs Supports Coral Reefs on Earth Day Reef Relief Receives 5% of Net Sales from Whole Foods Market in Coral Springs on April 22. (click here to read more)
Posted April 18, 2008
Key West Clean Up
On Saturday, March 29th, 2008, Key West-area dive shops held a reef clean-up. Charterboat crew and guests utilized their excursion on the water to make a difference by carefully remove debris and trash from the coral reef. (click here to read more)
Posted April 8, 2008
Celebrate the Year of the Coral Reef by getting involved. Join Reef Relief on Saturday March 29th as Key West dive charter businesses dedicate the day to a reef clean-up. (click here to read more)
Posted March 24, 2008
Coral Reefs brochure now available Keyswide & Online
Thanks to the support of American Express and Key West hoteliers Southernmost Hotel Collection, Blue Marlin Motel and Best Western Hibiscus Motel, an updated version of Reef Relief's educational brochure, Coral Reefs, is now available for visitors and residents throughout the Florida Keys.
"This is Reef Relief's key printed educational piece on why and how to protect coral reefs, with tips for divers, snorkelers, boaters and fishermen," noted Reef Relief's DeeVon Quirolo. "Volunteers and Reef Relief educators have recently distributed them to over one thousand locations throughout the Florida Keys including all hotels, motels, guesthouses, marinas, charterboats, educational facilities, visitor centers, chambers of commerce, and dive shops. If we missed you, contact us."
The educational piece is also sent all over the world in teacher kits, information packets and distributed at numerous special events throughout the year in the Keys and South Florida. In addition, it can be downloaded from www.reefrelief.org.
"These businesses made this educational effort possible and now everyone in the Keys will have an easy way to learn more about our endangered coral reefs," added Quirolo.
The brochure is provided to all interested and additional copies can be obtained by contacting Reef Relief at (305) 293-3100 or email to reef@reefrelief.org. (click here to download)
Conch Independence Celebration Book Signing & Party for the Reef Monday, April 21 at Reef Relief
Join us during Conch Republic Independence Celebration at the new Reef Relief Environmental Center in Key West on Monday, April 21 from 4-7pm. We'll be welcoming author Susan Nugent, who just published the book, Women Conserving the Florida Keys. (click here to read more)
Posted March 8, 2008
Sea life should not be on drugs (click here to read more)
Posted February 26, 2008
NPR: Map Reveals Extensive Damage to World's Oceans (click here to read/listen)
Posted February 23, 2008
Reef Relief Environmental Center Now Open and Volunteers Are Needed (click here to read more)
Posted January 27, 2008
Humans Have Caused Profound Changes In Caribbean Coral Reefs (click here to read more)
Posted January 17, 2008
Reef Rescue Documents Sewage Pollution of Coral Reefs (click here for presentation)
Posted January 15, 2008
COMMENTARY: Reefs in Peril
Scientist Nancy Knowlton says we can save these beautiful and unique marine ecosystems if we act quickly (click here to read more)
Posted January 15, 2008
Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction Raises $46,000 for Coral Reefs (click here to read more)
Posted December 28, 2007
Project SeaCAMEL: November 12 - 14
Online Underwater First! Live Broadcast Science Classes from the Aquarius Habitat! (click here to read more)
Posted November 13, 2007
Congress Approves Money, Protections for Coral Reef
Congress has added new protections and approved $8 million for the Florida Keys coral reef, which provides habitat for fish, a buffer from hurricanes and a visual wonder for divers. (click here to read more)
Posted November 1, 2007
Southernmost Beach Café Benefit for Reef Relief & Holiday Online Auction Sunday November 18th featuring Mile Marker 24 Band
Everyone is invited to a beach party at South Beach in Key West on Sunday, November 18th from 2-6 pm, featuring Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 band. The Southernmost Beach Café, as it is now called, is newly renovated and under new management on the beach at the oceanside of Duval Street. (click here to read more)
Posted October 26, 2007
Solar Demonstration Project
Keys Energy Services, the local power supplier for the Lower Florida Keys, and Reef Relief entered into a memorandum of understanding to partner in the development of a solar demonstration project at the new Reef Relief Environmental Center in Key West. (click here to read more)
Posted October 12, 2007Letter to the Editor, Keynoter.com
Since our first written comments to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1991, which have been presented at multiple successive meetings since, Reef Relief has registered its opposition to sport lobster days in the Keys. (click here to read more)
Posted October 6, 2007
Spirit Snorkeling of Marathon, Florida, cleans up!
Spirit Snorkeling of Marathon did a clean-up of trash on Money Island Saturday, Sept. 15th. The trash was left behind by campers. Great job, guys! (click here to see photos)
Posted September 25, 2007
The water at American beaches was unsafe for swimming a record number of days last year, according to the 17th annual beach water quality report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (click here to read more)
Posted September 3, 2007
American Samoa as Role Model for Responsibility
While hosting the recent US Coral Reef Task Force meeting in American Samoa, Governor Togiola Tulafono stated that the Government of American Samoa is committed to take its responsibility in addressing the adverse impacts of global warming and resulting climate change, and challenged the federal government, the public sector, and regional jurisdictions to do the same. (click here to read more)
Posted September 3, 2007
REEF RELIEF MOVES INTO NEW KEY WEST HEADQUARTERS AT KEY WEST HISTORIC SEAPORT
It's official! Reef Relief has moved to new headquarters behind the Conch Republic Seafood Company at the Historic Seaport in Key West! (click here to read more)
Posted August 6, 2007
New study links sewage and reef
A study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found evidence of human sewage contamination on a reef more than six miles off the Keys. (click here to read more)
Posted August 6, 2007
Comments of Dr. Goreau to US Coral Reef Task Force, February 12, 2007
In these short comments I very briefly focus on what
is already known about the extent and causes of reef
degradation in Southeast Florida, and what needs to be
done to clean up the water to protect the little that
is left. (click here to read more)
Posted July 31, 2007
'Reef doctor' is taking a big plunge
By Cammy Clark
Harold Hudson has logged more time underwater than many fish.Most of those thousands of hours in diving gear have been at the world's reefs, conducting groundbreaking research. But the 71-year-old biologist is best known for his pioneering work in reef restoration: repairing corals damaged by grounded ships, careless tourists, global warming, marine pollution and nature's wrath. (click here to read more)
Posted May 15, 2007
Coral Reef Conservation Amendment Act of 2007
The Bush administration delivered its proposal for coral reef conservation to Congress yesterday, urging legislators to enact greater latitude for the federal government to address reef health and the ability to prosecute ships that hurt reefs. (click here to read more)
Posted May 11, 2007
Reef Relief 20th Gala includes Honors, State of Reef Address, & more. (click here to read more)
Posted April 22, 2007
Reef Relief Dive Against Global Warming April 14 (click here to read more)
Posted April 22, 2007
Earth Day 2007: Time to extinguish the fires. (click here to read more)
Posted April 22, 2007
U.S. Censors Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regarding impacts to coral reefs. (click here to read more)
Posted April 17, 2007
Oceans and Coasts Should be Top Priority for State of Florida
Groups Provide Ocean, Coastal Renewal Blueprint for Florida, Highlight Opportunity for State to Lead the Nation in Coastal Protection
Citing escalating problems with coastal pollution, red tide outbreaks, plummeting fish catches, unsustainable beach development, and loss of coral reefs and other marine habitats, over 160 coastal and ocean businesses, civic, outdoor, and conservation organizations have now endorsed a blueprint for protecting and preserving Florida's coastal environment and economy. It is the first time such a large number of diverse groups has joined together in the name of comprehensive ocean conservation for Florida. (click here for more information)
Florida's Coastal & Ocean Future: A Blueprint for Economic and Environmental Leadership: click here to read document
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorized
On January 12, 2007, the President signed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 into law, strengthening the 1996 provisions and extending the Act until 2013. What follows are brief summaries of some of the key amendments and changes. (click here for more)
Representative Connie Mack Calls for Rigorous Research on Red Tides in Florida
Rep. Connie Mack IV introduced a bill in the U.S. House on Thursday that would authorize more than $90 million for research on red tide and other harmful algal blooms over a three-year period. (click here for more)
Posted March 21, 2007
Sign the petition to help save our coral reefs.
In honor of the International Year of the Reef in 2008, our friends at the Reef Check Foundation have issued an URGENT CALL TO ACTION represented in the International Declaration of Reef Rights, viewable here.
Please sign the document today and circulate widely!
Posted March 21, 2007
Send in Your Surveys!
As part of a study effort concerning the effectiveness of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, all Reef Relief members were sent a survey from Manoj Shivlani, of the University of Miami. If you have already mailed back the survey, we thank you for your participation. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, and are a member of Reef Relief, may we please request that you complete and mail in the survey in the postage-paid envelop, as your feedback is essential for the success of the study. Please contact the survey team at (305) 421-4608 with any questions or to request another copy of the survey.
Posted February 21, 2007
Eight Climate Disasters on the Seven Seas by David Helvarg of Blue Frontier Campaign (and Reef Relief board member) reprinted from BLUE NOTES
The latest report of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tells us there's a more than 90 percent certainty that human generated gasses are responsible for the Global Warming we're experiencing.(click here for more)
Posted February 21, 2007
Pixlit Productions and Reef Relief Release Threatened Coral Reefs-- a New Online Coral Reef Course: Learn more about Coral Reefs
PixLit, a provider of high quality online video programs for teachers and students, and Reef Relief have partnered to produce what might be considered one of today's most comprehensive online learning tools on coral reefs. (click here for more)
Posted February 21, 2007
Miami Geologist Says Global Warming is Real
Global warming is already impacting the Southwest Florida coast, said University of Miami geologist Harold Wanless, and local coastlines could still rise between two or three feet in the next century if global carbon dioxide levels stop rising. (click here for more)
Posted February 25, 2007
Information about Offshore Oil Drilling legislation (click here)
Happy 2007
First of all, even though January is nearly over already, we wish everyone a wonderful, prosperous 2007. (click here for more)
Posted February 1, 2007
Florida's Coastal & Ocean Coalition Plans for New Florida Leadership
Florida's leading conservation organizations gathered in Tallahassee recently to formalize a coalition that has been working together to improve the state's environmental protection. (click here for more information)
Posted January 7, 2007
Keys fear disaster if Cuba taps nearby oil
By Mike Williams
Palm Beach Post-Cox News Service
Monday, January 01, 2007
KEY LARGO - The pelicans gather each afternoon, cute, gawky and hungry. They flap and flop awkwardly among the mangrove roots as Juan Leon, a worker at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, tosses them fish to supplement their natural diet. (click here for more information)
Sewage plant agrees to quit dumping waste near reef
By Antigone Barton
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006
DELRAY BEACH � A sewage treatment plant sending an average of 13 million gallons of partly treated wastewater into the sea each day will discontinue the practice within the next few years, board members of the utility decided unanimously Thursday. (click here for more information)
Good News on Everglades Pollution
A long standing challenge to the state's practise of pumping agricultural runoff into Lake Okeechobee has resulted in a finding that the Clean Water Act does apply and that transfers without permits will no longer be allowed. (click here for more information)
Top Florida Official Admits Pollution Link to Algae Blooms
E-mail to Governor Bush Contradicts Repeated Public Denials of Connection
Washington, DC Florida’s Environmental Secretary confirmed the link between water pollution and “the exponential growth” of algal blooms in an email she sent to Governor Jeb Bush, released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). (click here for more information)
David Helvarg, president of Blue Frontier Campaign and a Reef Relief board member wrote The Crocodile Saver that appeared in the LA Times on 9/6/06:
“THREE MONTHS ago, I stepped on a sea urchin in Hawaii, and my foot still hurts some. That's hardly comparable to the sadly ironic death of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, killed by the barb of a stingray, one of the ocean's more benign creatures, while snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Click here to read the complete article.
Posted on September 12, 2006
Reef Relief Vice President Dorothy Lee Witwer has editorial published in the September 1, 2006, edition of the Christian Science Monitor:
“Clean oceans should concern inland and coastal dwellers I was pleased to read your Aug. 23 editorial, "Bummer beaches and other ocean woes," about the environmental problems in the oceans because a large number of people are unaware of this subject. It is a problem like global warming that has crept up on us because of population growth and the way we live. (click here for more information)
Posted on September 12, 2006
Florida Coral Battered by Hurricanes and Disease
“In the azure waters of Florida's remote Dry Tortugas National Park, corals have been toppled by hurricanes and blighted by disease and a
phenomenon known as bleaching.
Eight hurricanes in two years and a plague of disease that swept the Caribbean recently have damaged the colorful, thick carpets of open-water
coral reefs in the 100-square-mile (260-sq-km) park off Florida's southwest coast.”
Posted on July 6, 2006
Public Comments on 4d Rule on Rule to List Elkhorn and Staghorn corals to the Endangered Species as “Threatened”
“We submit these additional comments with respect to the development of the 4(d) rule to identify potential activities that may adversely affect the species as well as reiterating our earlier recommendations as to critical habitat... ”
Posted on June 3, 2006
U.S. Gets a D+ on Ocean Policy Reform Nation’s Oceans and Coasts Key to Competiveness
“Opportunities still abound for fundamental changes to protect and restore our nation's oceans and coasts, according to the bipartisan Joint Ocean Commission Initiative . . . ”
Posted on March 12, 2006
Scientists examine the decline of Florida Bay
“Twenty years after it began its downward spiral, the debate still rages about what is causing big problems in Florida Bay. . . ”
Posted on February 27, 2006
Reef defenders in Bahamas sue over mega-resort
“The calm, turquoise waters off this sleepy island have long lured visitors seeking shelter from storms, but a San Francisco development company's ambitious plan to build a gated community for well-heeled golfers . . .”
Posted on February 27, 2006