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Sewage, nutrient runoff (fertilizers etc.), overfishing, are major contributors to coral die-off....most of our north coast reefs are now dead (75%) or covered with algae. This Sandals effort seems like a PR mission.
Exile.
Sandals/Beaches on rescue mission for coral reefs
Our Habitat
Sunday, June 03, 2007
SANDALS and Beaches Resorts in the St Ann/St Mary region have launched a monthly drive to rid coral reefs in the area of garbage and debris, while monitoring their rate of depletion.
They are to report their findings to the Project AWARE Foundation in the United States, in an effort to solicit assistance to slow the process.
The foundation, established in 1992, is the dive industry's leading non-profit organisation committed to conserving the underwater environment through education, advocacy and action.
Divers from Sandals/Beaches team, along with guests display garbage removed from coral reefs during their recent clean-up in the Ocho Rios area.
Grant programme funding is made possible by direct contributions from divers and water enthusiasts, and operates on a quarterly funding cycle. Project AWARE, meanwhile, provides grants to a variety of nonprofit organisations, and individuals involved in activities directly related to the conservation of underwater environments - both marine and freshwater.
The foundation works to accomplish its mission through support of programmes in selected focus areas, including:
. coral reef conservation and shark protection;
. sustainable fisheries and ecotourism (as related to underwater environment);
. aquatic education with a special interest in children;
. direct activities to conserve underwater resources, such as shoreline and underwater clean-ups, mooring buoy installations and maintenance.
Within these focus areas, projects may include:
. public education (formal and informal);
. grassroots conservation and enhancement projects;
. environmentally focused research that leads to conservation measures;
. public awareness initiatives; and
. environmental assessment and monitoring projects.
"The Sandals dive team embarks on the monthly clean-up exercise with help from guests staying at the various hotels. The team spends over an hour monthly at various reefs along the coast, diving and removing as much rubbish as possible," said Ian Spencer, public relations manager for the St Ann/St Mary region of Sandals/Beaches Resorts in a press release to Our Habitat.
"A large amount of garbage was removed from the Ocho Rios coastline recently and guests voiced their happiness at assisting in such an important event," he added.
Staff members have, meanwhile, raised concerns over the rate of depletion perceived on the reefs.
"Bancroft Roberts, diving supervisor at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, who headed the recent clean-up team, said that he was very concerned at the large amount of rubbish being found on the reefs and the rate of depletion taking place," the release noted. "Mr Roberts noted that the clean-up was usually done once per year, but since the association with Project AWARE Foundation, it has escalated to a monthly effort. He is confident that once a final report is submitted to the Foundation, they will offer further assistance in combating the problem."
Exile.
Sandals/Beaches on rescue mission for coral reefs
Our Habitat
Sunday, June 03, 2007
SANDALS and Beaches Resorts in the St Ann/St Mary region have launched a monthly drive to rid coral reefs in the area of garbage and debris, while monitoring their rate of depletion.
They are to report their findings to the Project AWARE Foundation in the United States, in an effort to solicit assistance to slow the process.
The foundation, established in 1992, is the dive industry's leading non-profit organisation committed to conserving the underwater environment through education, advocacy and action.
Divers from Sandals/Beaches team, along with guests display garbage removed from coral reefs during their recent clean-up in the Ocho Rios area. Grant programme funding is made possible by direct contributions from divers and water enthusiasts, and operates on a quarterly funding cycle. Project AWARE, meanwhile, provides grants to a variety of nonprofit organisations, and individuals involved in activities directly related to the conservation of underwater environments - both marine and freshwater.
The foundation works to accomplish its mission through support of programmes in selected focus areas, including:
. coral reef conservation and shark protection;
. sustainable fisheries and ecotourism (as related to underwater environment);
. aquatic education with a special interest in children;
. direct activities to conserve underwater resources, such as shoreline and underwater clean-ups, mooring buoy installations and maintenance.
Within these focus areas, projects may include:
. public education (formal and informal);
. grassroots conservation and enhancement projects;
. environmentally focused research that leads to conservation measures;
. public awareness initiatives; and
. environmental assessment and monitoring projects.
"The Sandals dive team embarks on the monthly clean-up exercise with help from guests staying at the various hotels. The team spends over an hour monthly at various reefs along the coast, diving and removing as much rubbish as possible," said Ian Spencer, public relations manager for the St Ann/St Mary region of Sandals/Beaches Resorts in a press release to Our Habitat.
"A large amount of garbage was removed from the Ocho Rios coastline recently and guests voiced their happiness at assisting in such an important event," he added.
Staff members have, meanwhile, raised concerns over the rate of depletion perceived on the reefs.
"Bancroft Roberts, diving supervisor at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, who headed the recent clean-up team, said that he was very concerned at the large amount of rubbish being found on the reefs and the rate of depletion taking place," the release noted. "Mr Roberts noted that the clean-up was usually done once per year, but since the association with Project AWARE Foundation, it has escalated to a monthly effort. He is confident that once a final report is submitted to the Foundation, they will offer further assistance in combating the problem."
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