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). (Raney 2005, pg. 3)

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

Reef Relief Founders

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

References

Raney, Dave. "United States Coral Reef Task Force." U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Homepage. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization, Nov. 2005. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.