NGOs

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Involved with Coral Reefs

Introduction

NGOs that work to conserve reefs focus primarily on Protection (preventing existing reefs from being destroyed), Rehabilitation (restoring reefs that have been damaged directly or indirectly by human activity) and Research (understanding the nature of Coral Reef ecosystems so that they may be better protected in the future).

Common Features

• Public awareness
• Domestic vs. international
• Most work closely with coastal communities to achieve goals

Organizations

Protection

Coral Reef Alliance: International organization working to promote non-destructive reef use

• • Provides Micro-grants to local groups working to protect nearby reefs
    • Reef resiliency
  • Awareness programs in critical areas
  • Marine Protected Areas (flagship program)
  • Promotes Recreational Tourism

Research

Operation Wallacea

• • Four setup strategy
    • Ecosystem assessment (diversity/function)
    • Monitor Ecosystem change
    • Monitor socioeconomic change
    • Establish and monitor management programs

Carmabi Foundation: Caribbean based

• • One of the very first marine research institutes (established 1957)
  • Study fringing reefs of Curacao
  • Operates Curacao Marine Park

Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

• • Ecological and Socioeconomic monitoring to provide holistic picture of reef management
  • Employ a network of experts to analyze and disseminate information
  • Regions organized into 17 nodes

Rehabilitation

Reef Ball Foundation: produces concrete 'Reef Balls' that serve as anchors for future reef growth

• • Various sizes to suit varied locales
  • Over 500,000 Reef Balls in 60 countries
  • Used to rehabilitate Mangrove Swamps, prevent beach erosion

SECORE

• • Coral breeding
  • Substrate tiles for settlement
  • Acrapora restoration in Curacao

Coral Restoration Foundation

• • Offshore nurseries for threatened coral species
    • Staghorn Coral
    • Elkhorn Coral
  • Public awareness programs