That plan was intended to support three main goals. Protectores de Cuencas has forged relationships with U.S. Lisa Vandiver, a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist with NOAA’s Restoration Center. For some locations, there are multiple roads that lead to the same location, so we work with the homeowner to retire one of the roads and allow it to revegetate over time. LISA - Land-based sources of pollution consist of a range of substances that, when they reach coastal waters, can have adverse impacts to coastal habitats like coral reefs. From corals to coastal science, connect with ocean experts to explore questions about the ocean environment. This living ecosystem is thus very fragile and susceptible to damage. When traveling to a new destination, it's always a good idea to … Corals on reefs are actually small animals. HOST - Just a word of warning that we recorded this over the internet so the audio quality may be a bit spotty in places. 9. This geographic region includes the north east corner of Puerto Rico and extends across a chain of islands known as Arrecifes de Cordillera to the easternmost point of Culebra. Trash that … This is the NOAA Ocean Podcast. “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. There are dozens of organizations big and small that put in effort to protect the reefs. By the numbers, the problem is daunting: 14,000 tons of … ROB - Thank you, Marissa for the opportunity for Lisa and I to meet with you today to discuss about our watershed restoration and planning work on Culebra. As a result, in the U.S. 22 species of coral are now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Healthy coral reefs are amongst the most biologically diverse, culturally significant, and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth. Uniquely, not only have they been key to the technical success of our work, but Protectores de Cuencas in particular has been integral to developing the relationships and partnerships needed to build local capacity for watershed protection moving forward. Just like plants and trees keep our planet land alive and clean, so do coral reefs keep our oceans alive as well. LISA - Culebra was selected as a focus for our pollution management work because of two primary reasons. Reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion; provide habitat as well as spawning and nursery grounds for fish; and result in income from fishing, recreation and tourism, among other benefits. As a result, the government of Indonesia along with Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Project (Coremap) empowered local communities to align on reef protection. Ask them to get involved and make a difference too! The world’s coral reefs are suffering, and chemicals commonly found in sunscreen contribute to the problem. … Coral reefs are in a perilous state. In response, NOAA and their partners have spent the last decade addressing the pollution threats on Culebra. When corals get stressed, from things such as heat or pollution, they react by expelling this algae, leaving a ghostly, transparent skeleton behind. This phenomenon is called ‘Coral bleaching.’ What causes coral bleaching? So, it is imperative to the residents along with the visitors that we protect Culebra’s nearshore resources. HOST - So Rob had just mentioned the term Habitat Focus Area. Given their incredible value, it is more important now than ever to address and reverse those threats impacting coral reef ecosystems. Sadly over the years, the lifestyle that we live has caused a great damage to the coral reefs in our oceans. ROB - In 2013, NOAA working alongside a 501C3 non profit organization, Protectores de Cuencas which translates in English to watershed protectors, assess pollutant threats on the Island of Culebra. ROB - That’s a great question, Marissa. Could you explain a little bit more about that and its importance? That number jumps to 75 percent when local threats to reefs are combined with the threat of thermal stress from a changing climate. As a part of the habitat focus area, we developed an implementation plan in partnership with Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. LISA - Within NOAA’s Restoration Center, we work with local communities to protect and restore coastal habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support resilient coastal communities. Today we’ll be talking to Lisa Vandiver, a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist with NOAA’s Restoration Center. HOST - I understand that threats to coral reefs can vary in size, such as global, regional or local, and they can also come from different sources like natural or manmade threats. HOST - Rob, could you explain a little bit more about how NOAA is working to combat LBSP to nearshore habitats? Unpaved roads on the island are significant sources of sediment pollution to nearshore seagrass and coral reef habitats. Key West followed in Hawaii’s footsteps, given that the largest reef ecosystem in North America is at its shores. They provide food, jobs, income, and protection to billions of people worldwide. But corals are also severely threatened by rapidly worsening environmental conditions. Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is working to protect coral reefs around the UAE’s nuclear plant following the connection of the first unit to the UAE grid. So this range of pollutants can be something as seemingly benign as sediment in large quantities to chemicals found in industrial waste sites. Plant a Tree – you will reduce runoff into the oceans. In 2015, Puerto Rico’s Northeast Marine Corridor and Culebra Island were selected as the Caribbean region’s Habitat Focus Area. This can disrupt natural … 4. However, coral reefs and the magnificent creatures that call them home are in danger of disappearing if actions are not taken to protect … Therefore, there is a simple way to protect coral reefs, by reducing our dependence on plastic. And being living things means it can die. Here are 7 things you can do (and not do) to protect coral reefs. The manager of the Fisheries office, Nadjib Prasyad stated that protecting coral reefs is like protecting the fish. Be sure to check our show notes at the end of the podcast for links on how you can learn more about NOAA’s coral reef conservation and restoration efforts in Culebra and their work in preserving and conserving corals around the world. We work to protect the world’s coral reefs from the effects of climate change and other human activity. The movement to protect reefs along America’s borders is deepening. All watersheds affect the oceans and eventually, the coral reefs. Don't LitterHumans are filthy creatures who treat our planet and oceans like a trash can. Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Talk to your family, friends and neighbors and tell them about coral reefs, the rainforest of the sea, and explain to them about the coral reef crisis. If coral reefs die, so do the fish. An estimated 4,000 fish species, and some 25 percent of marine life, depend on coral reefs at some point in their existence. We work collaboratively with communities to reduce direct threats to reefs in ways that provide lasting benefits to people and wildlife. Fish keep the algae that … Targets nonpoint source (CWA 319) funds to implement water quality improvement projects in … NOAA has prioritized the stabilization of 28 of those miles based on their erodibility and their likelihood of sediment delivery to coral reefs. So in 2010, NOAA and in partnership with Department of Natural and Environmental Resources identified Culebra island as a priority for coral reef conservation which spurred NOAA to begin investing in the region leading to the designation of the Habitat Focus Area as well as Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Marine Extension of the North East Ecological Corridor. This information was then used to identify and prioritize opportunities for watershed restoration to reduce pollutant sources within the watershed. When diving or snorkelling: 1. LISA - Research has shown that unpaved roads can produce between 10 to 100 times the amount of sediment than a natural forested landscape can. EPA strategically applies its Clean Water Act (CWA) regulatory and non-regulatory programs to reduce land-based sources of pollution that degrade coastal waters and coral reefs that live in them. ROB - So back in 1983, the US Fish and Wildlife Service designated the main island of Culebra and 23 smaller islands in the area as the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Those goals being: HOST - Who are some of the other partners that NOAA is working with in Culebra to implement projects? We have also recently acquired the remaining funding needed to stabilize all 28 miles of the priority of unpaved roads. Coral reef protection is the process of modifying human activities to avoid damage to healthy coral reefs and to help damaged reefs recover. There are plenty of organizations that dedicate their … Organize a beach clean-up. 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