Dear Friend,
YOUR help is needed to protect the coral reefs surrounding Desecheo and Mona Islands by getting the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to approve management plans for the recently-created marine reserves around Desecheo and Mona Islands. Please take a few minutes to get your group to sign the enclosed endorsement letter or gather signatures on the enclosed petition. ReefKeeper International will gather these materials together and forward them as one loud call for action.
In October 1997, the Puerto Rico Planning Board approved ReefKeeper International's request to expand the Mona Island terrestrial Natural Reserve to include the coral reefs and marine waters up to 9 miles out from Mona Island. In March 2000, the Puerto Rico Legislature created the Desecheo Island Marine Natural Reserve to encompass the marine waters within one-half mile of Desecheo island. But neither reserve has an approved management plan to protect the waters. Without proper management rules, these beautiful coral reefs remain protected only on paper, not in the water.
The Importance of Desecheo Lying 9 miles off the northwest coast, Desecheo rises like a small hill out of the sea. The island is a U.S. Wildlife Refuge, protected with strict management rules down to the high tide line. Abundant coral formations, dominated by fragile branching flower corals, surround the island. The ecological attractions of the island are highlighted by the presence of Humpback Whales around Desecheo during their annual migration.
ReefKeeper International and various local coral reef advocates have been working for numerous years to protect the coral reefs surrounding Desecheo Island. An ongoing study coordinated by ReefKeeper International since March 1996 has found the reefs of Desecheo to be significantly healthy and pristine.
Our hard work paid off in March 2000 when the marine waters within one-half mile of Desecheo were declared a Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Conservation regulations now need to be put in place to make this protection a reality.
What Needs to Be Done for Desecheo To ensure that the coral reefs of Desecheo remain a natural treasure, an adequate management plan now needs to be developed and implemented by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for the marine reserve. Desecheo's marine waters need to be protected from such things as anchor damage and overturning of coral heads by fish collectors. The reefs are also open to damage and fish depletion from wire mesh fish traps. To preserve Desecheo's reef communities, dropping of traps near the reefs must be stopped.
The Importance of Mona This beautiful island, 40 miles west of Puerto Rico, is characterized by caves, unspoiled beaches and coral reefs. Its reefs are very rich in coral species diversity, and over 270 species of fish thrive in this magnificent environment. The beauty of Mona's coral reefs is said to be unrivaled by any others in the Caribbean.
Since 1919, Mona Island has been a Commonwealth Natural Reserve, with rules in place to preserve the terrestrial ecosystem. However, area waters surrounding the island did not enjoy that same benefit, leaving the magnificent coral reefs which surround the island vulnerable to exploitation and reckless damage.
In October 1997, the Puerto Rico Planning Board approved ReefKeeper International's request to expand the terrestrial Mona Natural Reserve to include the coral reefs and marine waters up to 9 miles out from Mona Island. But almost three years have passed, and still there is no management plan to define what protective steps should be taken for Mona's marine treasures. A management plan is needed NOW.
What Needs to Be Done for Mona The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources needs to approve a management plan for marine waters of the expanded Mona Island Natural Reserve, including no-take marine fishery reserve areas and ship no-traffic zones. By limiting commercial fishing, prohibiting extraction of live rock, stopping waste dumping and establishing specific places for boats to anchor, a management plan will prevent further damage to these reefs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP MONA AND DESECHEO We need YOUR support to convince decision-makers that the development of management plans for the Desecheo and Mona marine reserves must be made a high priority. Enclosed in this packet are an endorsement letter and petition. We need your group to sign the letter showing your support. You can also collect signatures on the petition. Then, please send all signed materials to us. We will forward them to the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, together with those from hundreds more friends of Puerto Rico's coral reefs.
We urge you to help in achieving a victory for some of the most unique coral reef formations in Puerto Rico. Your signatures and endorsements will let government officials know that destruction of these fragile coral reefs cannot and should not be tolerated. With your support, the beauty and wonder of these coral formations can be preserved.
Thanking you in advance for your help,
Alexander Stone Director