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At Endangered Species International (ESI), we do everything we can on the land and in the sea to protect nature and to avoid further degradation, and to restore coral reefs, forests, and marshes. The seas are suffering from overfishing, loss of key habitat—such as coral reefs—and the depletion of crucial species from sharks to small fish. According to the Pew Environment Group, about 6 percent of the Earth’s land surface receives some level of protection, but less than 0.5 percent of the ocean waters receive the same consideration.
Marine protected areas play a significant role in addressing the threats facing the ocean. These areas boost ocean biodiversity, fisheries, and the economies that depend on them. ESI is working with governments, local communities, indigenous groups, and other partners to support the creation and effective management of marine protected areas for the benefit of all.
In 80 percent of our coral reef and marine protection sites (ESI data 2018), coral reefs have not declined and gone healthier and more diverse. There, fish populations are more diverse and abundant than outside our marine reserves. Our field conservation work in the Coral Triangle, a large area in the western Pacific Ocean, is clearly paving the way to a better blue planet. At first, some locals weren’t happy with the closures or partial closures, which shut them out of some of their netting areas. But, with persistent awareness and local involvement, they abided by the new rules. And over the following years, fish flourished and corals recovered in the marine reserves. Now, nobody questions the crucial need of marine protected areas.
Our marine protected areas focus on off limits to fishing because it gives reefs resilience, which is the ability to bounce back if something bad happens. In developed countries where we work, marine reserves are a critical component of coral reef conservation. Due to high fishing pressure, marine protected areas serve as vital pockets of protection where small and big fish are allowed to grow up and make lots of juveniles. Our field marine conservation sites are located in the Coral Triangle (e.g., New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines) where 30 percent of the world's coral is found and has the highest diversity of corals and fishes in the world. There, we integrate traditional management schemes that local people have used for decades or centuries to protect corals and fish.
We clearly know the great benefits realized by marine reserves. Marine reserves actually do what we hoped they would: they revive depleted marine ecosystems and bring back fish and coral reefs. What we need now, is more of them! Throughout our field conservation projects, we save real acres of coral reefs, mangroves, and oceans through the creation of effective marine protected areas.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DONATIONS
Saving nature is at the very heart of what we do at every level. No wasting resources – 98% of ESI's spending is directed to field conservation activities. Make your donation today and support our best efforts to protect nature, coral reefs, and ocean.
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