HOW CAN YOU HELP?
There are many ways in which you can aim to help protect coral reefs, and ensure that coral bleaching doesn’t progress further. Whether you live right on the beach or live miles away from a coastal area, everything you do effects ecosystems. Following these simple steps will help the reefs more then you know.
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1. Support reef-friendly businesses. Ask surrounding businesses such as marine shops, boat stores, diving information centers, tour operators and other coastal businesses.
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2. Don't use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. Although not living near a coastal area or reef, these products do eventually end up in watersheds and impact the waters that surround the coral.
3. Volunteer for a reef clean-up-
To encourage a healthy marine environment
you can join an organised reef clean up at the
Great Barrier Reef.
This reef clean up begins on the 17th of October
and goes for eight days until the 25th.
For more information head to the website linked below:
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4. Become a member of your local aquarium or zoo. Ask what they are doing and what your donation can do toward saving the world's coral reefs.
5. When you visit a coral reef, help keep it healthy by respecting all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs. When diving or experiencing a reef tour, don’t touch the coral or take it from its Environment.
6. Support conservation organizations. Many have coral reef programs or support us and come along to our events and fundraisers we are in much need of your monetary support it will surely make a huge difference.
7. Spread the word. Inform others around you to support and help protect reefs and coral.
8. Be an informed consumer. Consider carefully the coral objects that you buy for your coffee table. Ask the store owner or manager from what country the coral is taken and whether or not that country has a management plan to insure that the harvest was legal and sustainable over time.
9. Don't pollute. Never put garbage or human waste in the water. Don't leave trash on the beach.
10. Recycle. Recycle anything and everything. If your community doesn't have a programs, do it anyway, and get one started.
11. Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and waste water that eventually finds its way back into our oceans.
12. Report dumping or other illegal activities.
13. Only buy marine aquarium fish if you know they have been collected in an ecologically sound manner. In some areas, marine fish harvested for the pet trade, are stunned with sodium cyanide so that capturing them is easier.
14. Don't anchor on the reef. If you go boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available.
15. If you dive, don't touch! Take only pictures and leave only bubbles! Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the coral, as this contact can hurt you and will damage the delicate coral animals. Stay off the bottom because stirred-up sediment can settle on coral and smother it.
16. Inform yourself. Find out about existing and proposed laws, programs, and projects that could affect the world's coral reefs.
