Campaign News
Coral Reef Initiatives
Momentum Grows for a Florida Coral Reef Initiative
New Guide Educates Public on U.S. Coral Reef Initiative
Groups Echo Call for U.S.V.I. Coral Reef Initiative
U.S. Virgin
Islands
Groups Echo Call for
Coral
Reef Initiative
In the last month, a total of seventeen USVI dive and conservation groups have joined ReefKeeper International in our call for an official U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Reef Initiative.
In April, we formally petitioned Governor Schneider to institute such an Initiative. We asked the Governor to establish an interagency coordinating committee to promote and carry out a three-pronged coral reef conservation program. In line with the framework of the multinational International Coral Reef Initiative, this program would include building up management capacity and public awareness, researching and monitoring coral reef conditions, and instituting coastal zone management measures to protect coral reefs from landbased impacts.
There has been no response from Governor Schneider to our April request, or to two sub-sequent follow-up petitions. So we've begun a campaign to build grassroots pressure in support of our Initiative request. As a result, seventeen USVI groups have joined us so far. And we expect more to add their voices to our call.
| For a USVI Coral Reef Initiative ReefAlert! Campaign Kit, and a list of USVI supporting groups, contact ReefKeeper. |
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U.S. Coral Reef Areas
New Guide Educates
Public on Coral
Reef Initiative
ReefKeeper International has now released a three-volume Citizen Action Guide to the International Coral Reef Initiative in U.S. Coral Reef Areas. The International Coral Reef Initiative has been formed by dozens of national governments to take the following measures on a global, national and local level: coastal management, resource management, capacity building, research and monitoring, and public awareness.
ReefKeeper's citizen action guide provides a comprehensive overview of the International Coral Reef Initiative. Volume I covers the relationship between the International Coral Reef Initiative and the U.S. Coral Reef Initiative. Included in Volume I is the report to the United Nations on sustainable development, an analysis of the state of the reefs, ICRI core documents, and the U.S. Coral Reef Initiative's visions and strategies.
Volume II deals with the status of the International Coral Reef Initiative in U.S. flag Pacific islands, including information on the U.S. Coral Reef Initiative, the Pacific Regional Workshop Campaign Plan, the CRI management program for U.S. flag Pacific Islands, and the Initiative in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Volume III of the Citizen Action guide discusses the Coral Reef Initiative in Florida and U.S. flag Caribbean islands, including information on the Tropical America Regional Workshop, as well as a look at the Initiative in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
| The free Citizen Action Guide to the International Coral Reef Initiative in U.S. Coral Reef Areas can be ordered as a three-volume set or by individual volume. Shipping and handling costs are $4.00 (U.S.) per volume or $10 (U.S.) for the three-volume set. Send your payment to ReefKeeper International, 2809 Bird Avenue, Suite 162, Miami, FL 33133. |
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Florida
Momentum Grows for
a Florida Coral
Reef Initiative
Over thirty groups have now endorsed ReefKeeper International's campaign for a state-supported Florida Coral Reef Initiative. Endorsers include the Sierra Club, Reef Preservers, the Florida League of Anglers, the UM Marine Science Program, and many other Florida dive and conservation groups.
According to experts, many of Florida's coral reefs are expected to be lost within the next 20 years if action is not immediately taken. A Florida Coral Reef Initiative would help protect coral reefs by implementing a three-pronged program of resource management, capacity building and public awareness, research and monitoring of reef conditions, and coastal zone management responsive to coral reef environmental needs.
In correspondence received from his office, Governor Lawton Chiles expressed his interest in a Florida Coral Reef Initiative but said he could not prioritize ReefKeeper's request for adoption of the CRI as official State policy because his main concern at the time was the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary issue. Since that issue now has been resolved, your help is needed to let Governor Chiles know that the citizens of Florida firmly support a state-led Coral Reef Initiative.
Join ReefKeeper in letting Governor Chiles know that he needs to establish an interagency coordinating committee to oversee, direct and promote the implementation of a Florida Coral Reef Initiative as has already been done in Hawaii, American Samoa, and other US states and territories.
| To join the campaign for a Florida Coral Reef Initiative or to receive a Florida Coral Reef Initiative Action Kit, contact ReefKeeper International via telephone (305) 358-4600, via mail at 2809 Bird Avenue, Suite 162, Miami, FL 33133, via e-mail at [email protected] |
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