Making a Difference
This action guide was sponsored by CORAL and its partners to provide Hawaii's ocean users with key information, guidelines, and contact information for local marine resource conservation.
Nearing completion of a project to establish voluntary standards for marine tourism on the island of Maui, CORAL has launched the standards development process along the Kailua-Kona coast of Hawaii as well. We worked with a number of conservation partners to establish the successful Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding [1] education and awareness campaign, which is designed to eliminate the feeding of reef fish and the sale of fish food. More than thirty Hawaii-based marine recreation businesses have pledged their support. CORAL and its partners have also created a series of educational Respecting Coral Reefs [2] interpretive signs. Local businesses and organizations can “adopt” a sign and fund its installation near heavily trafficked visitor areas.
Find out more about our projects in Hawaii » [3]
Reef Threats & Progress
Hawaii’s coral reefs, which provide resources valued at US$10 billion, are threatened by the state’s growing population (currently 1.2 million) and thriving tourism industry (11 million annual visitors). Both urban areas and popular tourist destinations are suffering from land-based sources of pollution, overfishing, recreational overuse, and aquatic invasive species. Despite these human stressors, many of Hawaii’s coral reefs, particularly the remote ones, are still in good condition. CORAL is actively engaged in protecting Hawaii’s reefs and helping them thrive.
Find out more about the threats and progress in Hawaii » [4]
Our Partners in Hawaii
Because of CORAL's recent success in developing voluntary marine standards and building effective cooperative alliances, the State of Hawaii has invited us to participate in other projects that will ensure the safety and health of coral reef ecosystems.
Meet CORAL's partners in Hawaii » [5]
With the help of its partners, CORAL launched the successful Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding education and awareness campaign. Designed to eliminate the feeding of reef fish and the sale of fish food, more than thirty Hawaii-based businesses have pledged their support. Read letters of support from CORAL members [7]to the businesses taking part.
Photo credit: Ziggy Livnat, For the Sea Productions