February 2011 E-Current

E-Current
February 2011

In this Issue: Coral Reef CSI [1] • Ocean Conference [2] • Mangrove Rehabilitation Project [3] • Lionfish Tournament [4]

[5]

[6]

visit coral.org [7]| donate [8]

Feature Location: Fiji [9]
Solar-Powered Cell Phones
[10] In Fiji's remote Kubulau District, communication difficulties can be a hindrance to conservation efforts. Without electricity for telephones, it has been challenging to coordinate plans, meetings, and tourist visits. Now, though, each of the district's ten villages is equipped with a cell phone and a solar-powered battery charger, thanks to joint funding from CORAL and the Kubulau Resource Management Committee. The new phones will significantly increase connectivity and planning capacity among the villages, and also make them more accessible to tour operators wishing to visit the region's new community-run ecotourism businesses.
Learn more about our projects in Fiji » [11]

Help the Reefs Quick Tip [12]
Keep yourself informed about current coral reef issues by subscribing to CORAL's latest headlines RSS feed. We regularly monitor the national and international news media for interesting and relevant stories to keep you up to date with the latest coral reef science, policy, and events.
More on our site » [13]

Coral Reefs in the News [14]

Reefs Reeling from Queensland Floods [15]
Source: ABC News Australia

Thailand Closes Dive Spots Due to Reef Damage [16]
Source: AFP

Corals Moving North [17]
Source: Science News

Corals Adapt to Global Warming-Related Infections [18]
Source: USA TODAY

Study Finds Fisheries Management Makes Coral Reefs Grow Faster [19]
Source: PhysOrg.com

More News... [20]

Masked butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus), Red Sea

Become a Friend of the Reef [21]
Just a few dollars a month can go a long way with CORAL's effective conservation programs! Find out how you can help coral reefs without hurting your bank account by signing up as a Friend of the Reef monthly donor.

[22]	Coral Reef CSI Comes to CORAL [23] Prosecuting environmental crimes takes on a whole new dimension of difficulty when the evidence is all underwater. The Coral Reef Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) program was created to give managers the tools and strategies they need to win cases for coral reefs and increase the effectiveness of marine protected areas. We are pleased to announce that CORAL is now the home for this important program as it continues to grow and develop. Read the story » [24]

[25]	Ocean Conference Produces Broad Policy Recommendations [26] CORAL's Rick MacPherson was one of more than 1,000 scientists, conservation professionals, policy makers, academics, and citizens who came together for "Our Changing Oceans," the 11th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment. Expert breakout groups during the conference produced a comprehensive set of ocean policy recommendations that will be delivered to the Obama administration. Read the story » [27]

[28]	Mangrove Rehabilitation Project Takes Shape in Belize [29] Mangroves—essential to Belize's coastal ecology and healthy coral reefs—are getting a much-needed boost from a new rehabilitation project in San Pedro. CORAL teamed up with Bob Riley of mangrove.org [30] to train local leaders and MPA staff in an effective method for planting mangroves along disturbed coastlines. Watch the video » [31]

[32]	Tournament Reduces Lionfish Numbers and Increases Awareness [33] The first-ever lionfish tournament in San Pedro, Belize, was a resounding success! Participating teams of local divers, fishermen, tour operators, and community members removed hundreds of invasive lionfish from the local reefs during the one-day competition. The captured lionfish were then served up as delicious dishes at a public celebration, helping to increase awareness in the wider community about the impacts of this invasive species. Read the story » [34]

D.C Lecture by CORAL's Rick MacPherson If you'll be in the D.C. area on March 12, don't miss this great program at the Smithsonian Institution about how communities can make a difference for coral reefs. More information » [35]

* Photo Credits and Notes:
Banner Photo: Needlefish, Fiji
Photographer: Julie Bennett
Large Center Photo: Masked butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus), Red Sea
Photographer: Thomas Jundt
Left Side Photo: Members of the Kubulau Resource Management Committee with new village cell phones
Photographer: CORAL staff

Links:
[1] http://www.coral.org/node/5206#story1
[2] http://www.coral.org/node/5206#story2
[3] http://www.coral.org/node/5206#story3
[4] http://www.coral.org/node/5206#story4
[5] http://www.coral.org
[6] http://www.coral.org
[7] http://www.coral.org
[8] https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22995
[9] http://www.coral.org/where_we_work/asia/pacific/fiji
[10] http://www.coral.org/where_we_work/asia/pacific/fiji
[11] http://www.coral.org/where_we_work/asia/pacific/fiji
[12] http://www.coral.org/news/rss
[13] http://www.coral.org/news/rss
[14] http://www.coral.org/news/headlines
[15] http://www.coral.org/node/5178
[16] http://www.coral.org/node/5176
[17] http://www.coral.org/node/5175
[18] http://www.coral.org/node/5171
[19] http://www.coral.org/node/5168
[20] http://www.coral.org/news/from_the_media
[21] http://www.coral.org/what_you_can_do/friend_of_the_reef
[22] http://www.coral.org/node/5211
[23] http://www.coral.org/node/5211
[24] http://www.coral.org/node/5211
[25] http://www.coral.org/node/5181
[26] http://www.coral.org/node/5181
[27] http://www.coral.org/node/5181
[28] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCVC7TO6ktM
[29] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCVC7TO6ktM
[30] http://mangrove.org/
[31] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCVC7TO6ktM
[32] http://www.coral.org/node/5183
[33] http://www.coral.org/node/5183
[34] http://www.coral.org/node/5183
[35] http://www.coral.org/node/5180