Latest News about coral reefs

Study Highlights Stressed State of NMI's Coral Reef Fisheries

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:20:26 -0700

Clarissa David
Source: Saipan Tribune
January 5, 2012

"The need to improve the CNMI's understanding and management of its coral reef fisheries was highlighted in a recently published scientific study that showed troubling findings about the Commonwealth in comparison to other jurisdictions in Micronesia.

Divers Can Explore Marathon Artificial Reef Made From Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad Bridge Section

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:18:36 -0700

Source: UnderwaterTimes
January 3, 2012

"MARATHON, Florida Keys -- Advanced divers seeking to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad's completion can do so by exploring an artificial reef derived from part of the original railroad bridge sunk off Marathon.

First-Ever Hybrid Shark Discovered off Australia

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:16:57 -0700

Juliet Eilperin
Source: Washington Post
January 3, 2012

"Scientists have identified the first-ever hybrid shark off the coast of Australia, a discovery that suggests some shark species may respond to changing ocean conditions by interbreeding with one another.

Marine Park for Coral Sea?

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:07:21 -0700

Source: The Daily Examiner
January 2, 2012

"TWO eminent tropical marine scientists have urged Australians to get behind a plan by the Federal Government to transform nearly a million square kilometres of the Coral Sea into the world's largest marine park.

Marine Park for Coral Sea?

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:06:50 -0700

Source: The Daily Examiner
January 2, 2012

Egypt’s Red Sea Sharks Face Extinction

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:04:08 -0700

Miriam Kresh
Source: Green Prophet
January 1, 2012

Florida to Ban Killing of Tiger and Hammerhead Sharks

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:00:19 -0700

Kimberly Kuizon
Source: ABC Action News
December 30, 2011

"MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - Thirty years ago, Dane Karcher fell in love at first bite.
"It was amazing. My dad got the shark stuffed for me. It was a full mount, and we had it hanging in my room forever," said Karcher.
He has been fishing for sharks ever since. He even does it for a living, chartering fishing trips at John's Pass. "Every day is an adventure out there," he said.

Shark Hunting at ‘Alarming Rate’ in Bali

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:52:35 -0700

Desy Nurhayati
Source: The Jakarta Post
December 28, 2011

"Marine scientists have announced that shark hunting in waters offshore Bali and surrounding areas has reached an alarming rate, threatening the animal's population.

Ketut Sarjana Putra, marine director of Conservation International Indonesia (CII), said on Tuesday that the massive catches had taken place in the waters around Nusa Penida, some six kilometers to the north of the island and around the Tulamben area.

60 Years After Leaving, Porpoises Again Play in SF Bay

Malinda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:50:24 -0700

Lauren Sommer
Source: 89.3 KPCC
December 28, 2011

"A sight that hasn't been seen since before World War II is making a welcome comeback beneath the most famous bridge in Northern California. Harbor porpoises are showing up in growing numbers under the Golden Gate Bridge. Six decades ago, they were driven away in part by wartime activities and poor water quality; now, researchers are trying to understand why they're returning."

Sharks Win Big in 2011

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:46:28 -0700

Kymberly Escobar
Source: Pew Environment Group
December 22, 2011

"2011 was a banner year for shark conservation.

Belize Fishing Bans Helping Barracuda Recovery

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:42:24 -0700

Bob Berwyn
Source: Summit County Voice
December 24, 2011

"SUMMIT COUNTY - Fishing closures in protected marine areas around the spectacular Mesoamerican reef near Belize have helped recover populations of barracuda, groupers, snappers, and other predatory fish, but herbivorous fish that clean algae from the coral are not faring as well.

Electricity Sparks New Life into Indonesia's Corals

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:40:37 -0700

Loic Vennin, AFP
Source: Discovery News
December 26, 2011

"A weak, harmless voltage run through metallic structures underwater is reviving near-dead reefs.

Cyanide fishing and rising water temperatures had decimated corals off Bali until a diver inspired by a German scientist's pioneering work on organic architecture helped develop a project now replicated worldwide.

Artificial Reefs a Plus, But it's Not a 'Habitat'

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:38:19 -0700

Bob Marshall
Source: Nola
December 25, 2011"How can an event be both good and sad at the same time? How can it be an occasion when both congratulations and condolences are in order?

Yet, that was the only way to look at Wednesday's press event marking the start of construction on the Dudley and Kim Vandenborre Artificial Fishing Reef in Lake Pontchartrain between Slidell and Irish Bayou."

Group Warns of Crisis in Local Coral Reef Systems

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:32:39 -0700

Source: The China Post
December 27, 2011

"TAIPEI--Taiwan's marine ecosystem showed signs of crisis this year because of a notable decline in the variety of coral reef marine life, the Taiwan Environmental Information Association said yesterday.
In its annual overall review of Taiwan's coral reefs, the association said that while most of reefs were healthy, fish and invertebrate animals that serve as indicators of the health of the ecosystem were rare.

Team Gallagher Rowing to Build World's Biggest Coral Reef

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:29:51 -0700

Rob Hamill
Source: Row2k
December 22, 2011

"Bad weather has blown Team Gallagher back over the exact same spot this morning for the third time. Clearly they aren't just rowing across the Tasman for fun, they're also raising money to help build the world's biggest man made coral reef in Borneo.

Coral Reefs cover 1% of the ocean yet provide a home for 25% of all marine species. Unfortunately, half of the coral reefs globally have vanished or are in a state of serious decline.

Study Examines Sea Cucumbers Role In Reef Environment; 'Increase Sea Water Buffer Capacity'

Malinda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:26:50 -0700

Source: Underwater Times
December 22, 2011

Queen of Sharks

Malinda — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:59:17 -0700

Timoci Vula
Source: The Fiji Times
December 19, 2011

"GOD created all living things with a purpose.

And it is important that one must understand that and being able to strike a balance between living creatures, our culture and our surroundings.

Triumphant Miss Fiji Alisi Rabukawaqa, who flew back home with the Miss South Pacific crown last week, took this message with her to the pageant in Samoa.

Cairns Shark Researcher to Test New Tool

Malinda — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:21:50 -0700

Kelly Burns
Source: Cairns
December 19, 2011

"CONSERVING shark species in the deep waters of the Great Barrier Reef is a challenge for shark researcher Cassandra Rigby.

The James Cook University PhD student said information on the age, growth and reproduction of deep water sharks was limited - despite half of the world's 1200 species of sharks and rays living in deep water.

This information was crucial in conserving populations, but a new tool being developed may be a breakthrough."

Tipping Point for Coral Reefs?

Malinda — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:02:56 -0700

Brett Cherry
Source: Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience Blog
December 18, 2011

The Gardens of the Queen

Malinda — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:00:20 -0700

Source: CBS News
December 18, 2011

"60 Minutes cameras take you on an underwater adventure off the Cuban coast to one of the world's most pristine and vibrant coral reefs, known as the Gardens of the Queen. Anderson Cooper scuba dives with marine biologist David Guggenheim, dodging giant groupers and sharks, to explore this increasingly rare oasis. Scientists estimate that 25 percent of the world's reefs have died off and much of what's left is at risk."