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Endangered Species International (ESI) makes a strong connection between ocean and land conservation. If we want to restore and protect coral reefs including fish populations and diversity we must protect forest. Below we present some scientific and historical facts and how ESI is addressing some of the challenges to protect oceans and endangered coral reefs and their communities.
Some important facts (usually not known)
There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas around the middle of the century if current fishing trends continue.
Green sea turtle were reduced from about 90 million to less than 300,000 since 1492.
Historical records show extensive loss of biodiversity along coasts since 1800, with the collapse of about 40% of species. About one-third of once viable coastal fisheries are now useless including in the Philippines and Indonesia.
It is insufficient for scientists to measure only what we see today because some (most?) of the most important changes due to human activities happened long before scientists began to measure them.
Lobsters are proliferating in Maine because fish used to eat lobsters and now fish are almost absent.
90 percent of the big fish are gone today due to human overfishing.
A major threat to coral reef is DEFORESTATION by increasing sedimentation, pollution, and turbidity.
Dead ocean zones are caused by nutrient runoff from human activities. Dead zone can be found near shoreline at the mouth of a polluted river.
Our society does not incorporate history data and most basic science to address environmental challenges.
Less than 2 percent of coral reef ecologists and experts ever saw a reasonably healthy reef.
Nowadays NO children will have the chance to snorkel in a pristine coral reef.
Marine reserves and no-catch zones bring an average 23% improvement in biodiversity and an increase in fish stocks around the protected areas.
Coral reefs provide home and shelter to over 25% of fish in the ocean.
Some reef fishes spend their adult lives within coral reefs but spend at least part of their juvenile residency elsewhere. Coral reefs, vital nurseries for many fish species, are under threat worldwide. Stopping their rapid decline is therefore vital for the health of the oceans.
ESI field projects to save coral reefs, fish and ocean
ESI working in many fronts to bring concrete durable results that benefit the ocean. Protecting coral reefs means reforestation since erosion and sediment from deforestation severely impact coral communities. Protecting and restoring forest is essential to the survival and recovery of coral reefs.
ESI focuses on creating and managing marine protected areas. The benefits of marine-protected areas are clear and scientifically proven, leading to a lot more fish and larger fish.
ESI leads and encourages reforestation of native trees and save rainforest.
ESI participates in many campaigns advocating for the appropriate management of fisheries and protection of ocean.
ESI conducts ocean educational and awareness activities in schools.
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