florida joe
Well-Known Member
Almost half of the coral reef ecosystems in the United States territory are in poor or fair condition, mostly due to rising ocean temperatures. This is according to a government report released Monday July 7th 2008. The reefs discussed in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin. Report serves as breeding grounds for many of the world’s seafood species and act as indicators of overall ocean health.
25 percent of all marine species need coral reefs to live and grow, while 40 percent of the fish caught commercially use reefs to breed.
Since the last report in 2005, the Caribbean region has lost at least 50 percent of its corals largely because of the risen in sea temperatures.
ELKHORN and STAGHORN corals have also been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the first corals ever to receive such protection based on rapid declines.
The 569-page report took 18 months to complete and was released at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale.
It does not paint a pretty picture of our world reefs but it is important reading for all of us.
Please if you have the time seek it out and read it.
25 percent of all marine species need coral reefs to live and grow, while 40 percent of the fish caught commercially use reefs to breed.
Since the last report in 2005, the Caribbean region has lost at least 50 percent of its corals largely because of the risen in sea temperatures.
ELKHORN and STAGHORN corals have also been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the first corals ever to receive such protection based on rapid declines.
The 569-page report took 18 months to complete and was released at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale.
It does not paint a pretty picture of our world reefs but it is important reading for all of us.
Please if you have the time seek it out and read it.
