Environment

Divers, more than any other group, are acutely aware of the importance of environmental issues. And we should be concerned about the health of the marine ecosystem that we all cherish. But just being concerned is not enough. We should all be aware of the specific problems affecting the underwater environment and ask what we can do to help. There are literally hundreds of organizations involved in trying to help assure that our underwater world can be enjoyed by future generations. And each plays an important role. If you have a specific issue or area of concern, you can find an organization to become involved with. Most environmental organizations are non-profit and rely on contributions from companies and the general public. There are also many projects that we can take an active role in, whether counting fish, studying and reporting on reef conditions, promoting petitions for change or through financial support. It is just important that we act. The list here are organizations concerned with the well being of our diving environments. Many welcome not only financial help, but volunteers as well. Visit their websites and review their projects and goals. Our underwater world is in need, lend a hand. Environmental Organizations Center for Marine Conservation Membership organization whose goals include improving the quality of the marine environment and ensuring the health and survival of whales, dolphins, seals, and all marine wildlife for generations to come. Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a member-supported, non-profit organization, dedicated to keeping coral reefs alive around the world. National Marine Sanctuaries Program Provides information about our nation's marine sanctuaries -- their history and current management and their scientific and educational programs. Discover a vast range of marine creatures, habitats, historical artifacts, and flourishing maritime cultures. Ocean Futures Ocean Futures is a non-profit organization resulting from a merger of the Jean-Michel-Cousteau Institute and the Free Willy Keiko Foundation. Their mission is to provide the global community with a forum for exploring issues affecting the ocean, its inhabitants, and its habitats. Ocean Futures reaches out to people throughout the world, helping them to understand our global water system, take personal responsibility for the restoration and preservation of precious marine habitats, and mobilizing them to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. ReefKeeper International Membership organization exclusively dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and their marine life. ReefKeeper carries out its coral reef protection mission under a Florida Coral Reefs Initiative, U.S. Caribbean Coral Reefs Initiative (Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands), MesoAmerica Coral Reefs Initiative (Mexico, Belize & Honduras), and Netherlands Antilles Coral Reef Initiative (Caraway, Bonaire, Saba & St. Maarten). Each Initiative covers 6 Campaigns targeting Offshore Oil, Marine Pollution, Reef Fish Depletion, Marine Park Creation, Physical Impacts, and Coastal Development. Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) REEF was founded in 1990, out of growing concern about the health of the marine environment, and the desire to provide the SCUBA diving community a way to contribute to the understanding and protection of marine populations. REEF achieves this goal primarily through its volunteer fish monitoring program, the REEF Fish Survey Project. Participants in the Project not only learn about the environment they are diving in, but they also produce valuable information. Scientists, marine park staff, and the general public use the data that are collected by REEF volunteers. Reef-World The Reef-World Foundation Charitable organisation offering Coral Reef ecology courses for divers of all levels. Fees are used to fund local communtiy based coral reef education projects. The Cousteau Society The Cousteau Society is a membership-supported, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the quality of life for present and future generations. More than forty books and 120 television films to date have documented farflung habitats: Antarctica, Haiti, Cuba, the Marquesas Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, the Andaman Islands, Borneo, Indonesia, Madagascar, South Africa, Lake Baikal and the Amazon, Mekong, Danube and Yellow rivers among others. Recent expeditions include the Caspian Sea and the St. Lawrence River of Canada. The Nature Conservancy Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been working with communities, businesses and people to protect more than 92 million acres around the world. The mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

What can we do as divers to help protect reefs and the environment?


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