The campaign against pollution of the reef.

'Welcome to reef kids'

THE REEF IS AT THREAT FROM POLLUTION

'IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREACED THREAT TO OUR REEF A COLLECTION OF FRIENDS FROM THE GREAT BARRIER REEF HAVE JOINED TO SAVE THE REEF FROM POLLUTION'

'Our objective is to give you a voice against pollution of the ocean from coal and associated infrastructure development.'

'Meet the team and find out who we are and what we are campaigning for'

Clown fish

This is celestman the clown fish campaigner against reef pollution.

The main objectives are:

1. Campaign to save the reef from pollution.

Plastic is the most common element that is found in the ocean. Harmful for the environment because it does not break down easily and is often ingested by marine animals. The most common source of pollution in the ocean is from land based sources such as oil, dirt, septic tanks, farms, ranches, motor vehicles, rubbish and waste finding its way into the ocean. Ocean life is impacted by pollution when it becomes entangled in fishing nets, ingests pollutants and habitat is destroyed. Waste pollution washes up on beaches spoiling the environment. Ocean pollution causes coral bleaching, behavioural changes and species decline. Toxic metals can destroy the biochemistry, behaviour, reproduction, and growth in marine life. Plastic debris, litter, toxic chemical from ocean pollution break down causing poisoning of the food chain, plastic pollution is one of the most serious because it does not degrade; instead, it breaks down into progressively smaller pieces and particles. The dumping of radioactive waste from nuclear reactors, industrial waste and sewage are also contributors to pollution. Sewage causes a decomposition of organic matter impacting the ocean biodiversity. Fertilizer runoff causes the flourishing of algal bloom (a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in aquatic systems) which depletes the oxygen content in the water affecting marine life. Small animals at the bottom of food chain absorb chemicals and struggle for food, these small animals are then eaten by larger animals, animals at the top of hierarchy of food chain have contamination levels higher than the water in which they live. All this pollution can enter the human food chain by eating contaminated seafood that can cause serious health problems.

2. Campaign against habitat destruction.

Overfishing, pollution, coastal development, agriculture, tourism and climate change all contribute to the degradation of coastal ecosystems, particularly of mangrove forests, which protect coastlines by absorbing storm forces and supply nutrients vital to marine life. Coral reefs are some of the most biologically productive and diverse ecosystems on the planet, They occupy one of the lowest ocean surface, yet are home to a quarter of all marine life. Reefs are extremely fragile and slow-growing, and face a number of threats: ocean acidification, warming waters, and destruction through overdevelopment. Less known, but equally dangerous, is the introduction of excess nutrients from fertilizers used in agriculture into the ecosystem. Rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, this waste flows into the oceans, where the increased levels of nutrients stimulate the growth of algae, causing what are known as “algal blooms”. These blooms can smother reefs when they occur over them, as they block the sunlight required by the zooxanthellae in the coral for photosynthesis. Mangrove forests are an extremely important coastal habitat under increasing pressure from human development. Mangrove trees have a variety of roles: their roots, which are specially-adapted to filter salt water, collect sediment and protect the coastline by preventing erosion. They also serve as buffers, limiting the destructive force of storms and tidal waves. Mangroves are home to a vast number of land and marine species, and serve as a nursery for many fish and shellfish. Seagrasses are a unique group of flowering plants that have adapted to exist fully-submersed in the sea. Like coral reefs and mangrove forests, seagrass meadows are an important marine habitat that is at threat from human development. Seagrass declines are comparable to those reported for mangroves and corals, caused by degraded water quality, climate change, and coastal development. Seagrasses are the primary food source for endangered dugongs, manatees, and green turtles. They are also a vital element of the Earth’s carbon cycle – while occupying an extremely small surface area of the seafloor, they store a large percent of all the carbon in the ocean and are large producers of oxygen.

3. Campaign against dredging and the impacts.

Dredging is the removal of sediments in shallow seas where sediments gather at the bottom they are dredged to keep waterways free for navigation. The process of dredging creates spoil particles and plumes (excess material), which are carried away from the dredged area. Dredging can produce materials for land reclamation or other purposes (usually construction-related), Dredging causes adverse impacts to reef and surrounding habitats through damaging particle suspension.

4. Campaign on the awareness of potential impacts to tourism.

Healthy reefs contribute to local economies through tourism. Diving tours, fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses based near reef systems provide millions of jobs and contribute billions of dollars all over the world. Coral reefs buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action and prevent erosion, property damage and loss of life. Reefs also protect the highly productive wetlands along the coast, as well as ports and harbors and the economies they support. Globally, half a billion people are estimated to live within 100 kilometres of a coral reef and benefit from its production and protection.

The Great Barrier Reef generates over 6.5 billion dollars in tourism revenue and 63,000 jobs.

It has been estimated to represent an annual subsidy to the global economy of US$86 billion per year.

CURRENT CAMPAIGIN- SAVING THE REEF FROM THE IMPACTS OF COAL

HUMPBACK WHALE

Say hello to Henry the Humpback whale, He is responsible for campaigning on increases in marine traffic.

His main objectives are:

1. Campaign against increased marine traffic

The Great Barrier Reef sees a huge amount of ocean traffic pass through its waters every day of the year, Whilst the number of collisions and groundings has decreased substantially in recent history when compared to the past, their occurrence and the subsequent wreck, spills and ocean pollution they leave has an immediate and drastic effect on the surrounding ecosystem. An increase of larger vessels passing through the oceans of the reef can cause an increase in ocean pollutants from petrol and the increased risk of collisions with marine mammals.

2. Campaign against potential harms to whales, dugongs, turtles and snubfin dolphins.

Six of the seven species of sea turtle in the world are found in GBRMP. The green and loggerhead turtle are the most common and are permanent residents. The GBR is significant habitat for loggerhead turtles and has the most important population of the species along the east coast of Australia. Populations of the species, which is listed as ’endangered to extinction’ have declined by at least half since the mid 1970s. Each year around 200 reports of sick, injured and dead turtles in are received.

Dugong are the only plant-eating mammal that live their entire life in the marine environment. When fully grown they are about 3 m long and can weigh up to 400 kg. These animals are extremely slow to reproduce. Females are 10 to 17 years old before they begin breeding. They have only one calf every three to five years, so adult survival must be high for the population to be sustained. The 600 to 800 dugong that live in GBR are geographically isolated and are commonly found in large herds of about 100 animals.

Turtle and dugong are surface-breathing marine animals and are often injured or killed by speeding vessels when coming up for air. In the marine park, there are two types of turtle and dugong go slow areas.

3. Campaign against the pollution of the ocean

Pollution is the introduction of harmful contaminants into the ocean ecosystem. Common man-made pollutants that reach the ocean include pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, detergents, oil, petrol, sewage, plastics, and other solids. Many of these pollutants collect at the ocean's depths, where they are consumed by small marine organisms and introduced into the global food chain. Solid waste like bags, foam, and other items dumped into the oceans from land or by ships at sea are consumed, with often fatal effects, by marine mammals, fish, and birds that mistake it for food. Discarded fishing nets drift for years, ensnaring fish and mammals. In certain regions, ocean currents cause trillions of decomposing plastic items and other trash to become gigantic, swirling garbage patches.

4. Campaign against climate change.

The most general definition of climate change is a change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over long periods of time, caused by the pollution of the atmosphere by pollutants. The term climate change has become known as global warming, impacting the reef by ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

CURRENT CAMPAIGN- CAMPAIGN AGAINST INCREASED MARINE TRAFFIC

TURTLE

This is Tanya the green turtle. She is responsible for campaigning to save the reef from pollution.

Her main objectives are:

1. Campaign against pollution of the reef

Pollution is the introduction of harmful contaminants into the ocean ecosystem

2. Campaign against ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification is caused when the ocean absorbs co2 from the atmosphere making it more acidic.

Ocean acidification – a direct result of increased human-induced carbon dioxide concentrations (CO2) in the atmosphere – is a threat to the veracity and diversity of the ocean and the many services and benefits it provides to society. Ocean acidification occurs when CO2 reacts with sea water to produce an acid. The change in ocean acidification impacts on the health and biodiversity of marine life. Current rates of CO2 emissions are making our oceans more acidic.

Coral Reefs are being lost more than twice as fast as the rainforests. Current estimates reveal that we will lose the other 50% over the next 40 years.

Ocean Acidification could destroy all our coral reefs by as early as 2050. It also has the potential to disrupt other marine ecosystems and even entire oceanic food chains.

3. Campaign against increased marine traffic.

Increased marine traffic

Queensland is the site of significant port expansion for increased visitation of larger vessels for tourism and trade exploitation. With the vast majority of port expansion being for fossil fuels destined for export, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and surrounding coastal zones are facing significant development pressure from increasing marine traffic.

Coastal development has a range of consequences for the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Important wetlands and dune systems have already been lost and those remaining are under sustained threat from industrial development and port expansion. Development of the proposed ports located in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will result in the destruction and disturbance of significant areas of Queensland coastline.

Coastal habitats are a vital component of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Beaches provide nesting grounds to turtles and seabirds. Mangroves are home to a diverse range of marine life, breeding grounds for fish and habitat for birds and land based animals. Seagrass meadows are the nurseries of juvenile fish, prawns, crayfish, and crabs and the primary food source of dugongs and green turtles.

The increase in ports will result in a significant intensification of shipping traffic through the Great Barrier Reef. The negative impacts of shipping on the reef include collisions, groundings, introduction of invasive marine pests, oil and chemical spills, introduction of anti-fouling paints, waste disposal and anchor damage.

CURRENT CAMPAIGN -TO SAVE THE REEF FROM POLLUTION.

TIGER SHARK

This is Tom the tiger shark, He is responsible for campaigning against the pollution of the food chain.

His main objectives are to:

1. Campaign against the pollution of the ocean from increased marine traffic.

2. Campaign against pollution of reef species from development.

3. Campaign against the industrialisation of the reef.

4. Campaign against water pollution.

CURRENT CAMPAIGN- CAMPAIGN AGINST POLLUTION OF THE FOOD CHAIN.

DUGONG

Meet Doug the dugong, He is responsible for campaigning against the impact of port development.

His main objectives are:

1. Campaign against coastal development and expansion of ports.

Port development is necessary for economic and coastal development.

2. Campaign against development of ports.

Port development dredging necessitates dredging maintenance of port channels:

To clear collection of sediment accumulation; ensure the continued safe and efficient passage of vessels; maintain the channels after natural events such as cyclones, flooding and high seas; maintaining the channel depth.

3. Campaign against dredging.

What is dredging?

The sand and sediments of the sea floor are excavated, dredge spoil (the sand and sediment removed from the sea floor) often contains heavy metals and other contaminants from industrial land uses and shipping. This is then disposed of in the proposed dredge spoil dumping placement area, if dumped in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this puts at risk marine life by increasing sediment and nutrient loads and introducing contaminants.

Annual dredging of the channel depths cause dredged particles to be re-suspended reducing the water quality of the site and surrounding areas. Tidal processes and seasonal weather influence the dumped dredged materal behaviour causing plumes and sediment build-up in local areas.

Dredging of shipping channels is an essential part of port operation in Australia and globally. Although shipping channels are declared in naturally deep-water areas, thus enabling the safe passage of shipping, dredging will always be required.

Maintenance dredging is regularly required to remove sediments (eg silts) that have been transported by currents from nearby areas and accumulate in the artificially deepened channels and berths. Maintenance dredging is essential to maintain designated channel depths so as to allow ships to safely access wharves and connections.

Capital (also termed developmental) dredging is also required to create new or improve existing channels and berths.

Dredging maintenance

Port development dredging necessitates dredging maintenance of port channels:

Dredging may involve placement of material at sea. Land based or reuse options for dredged sediment are often not viable in northern Australia where adjacent coastal lands may have high conservation or cultural value.

Recent technical studies for the Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment concluded that on land placement of dredged material (particularly fine grained maintenance material) was not a long term viable option for the six major ports in the Great Barrier Reef region.

4. Campaign to stop habitat destruction.

Human activity such as pollution, over-fishing and global warming are impacting coral reefs and tipping the equilibrium of the ecosystems within the coral reefs. Global warming caused by an increase in damaging human activity has affected the reefs by creating warmer temperatures in the waters that is having an adverse effects on these highly productive ecosystems. Aggressive fishing has caused major disruptions to the food web and a negative impact on ocean productivity. Overexploitation of marine life disrupts the entire stability of oceanic life causing a depletion of plant and animal life. An increase in pollution is threatening the health and stability of the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem, harming the coral reef habitat and disturbing the fragile coral reefs.

CURRENT CAMPAIGN- STOP PORT DEVELOPMENT OF TERMINAL 3 ABBOT POINT AND HAY POINT.

CORAL POLYPS

These are the polyps, they are responsible for campaigning against climate change.

Their main objectives are:

1.Campaign for climate change commitments

2. Campaign for climate change goals

3. Campaign against ocean acidification of the reef

from pollution.

4. Campaign against the industrialisation of the reef.

Industrialisation of the reef

Industrial developments of the Queensland coast are likely to have long term impacts on the reef. Millions of tonnes of dredging spoil will be dumped in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Coral reefs and many other marine organisms are highly sensitive to environmental change and especially to increased sediment loads.

Despite strict regulations that are in place to prevent damage from occurring, plans to increase movements through the Great Barrier Reef could cause an increase in the likelihood of ship groundings and oil spills.

The industrialisation of the Queensland coast could cause the Great Barrier Reef to be placed on the world heritage in danger list.

CURRENT CAMPAIGN- CAMPAIGN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENTS

Mangroves

Campaign for coastal preservation

CAIRNS PORT DEVELOPMENT AND DREDGING

Ports North, the Cairns port authority, is proposing to undertake a major dredging operation in Trinity Inlet to allow larger cruise liners to port. Our concern is that this major dredging operation will impact the health of the marine ecosystems. A healthy reef is fundamental to a healthy marine park, sustainable ocean and prosperous tourism economy.

Trinity Inlet is in close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, because of this and its value to a healthy marine park, sustainable ocean and prosperous tourism economy, we believe that development activity should only proceed if dredging will have no adverse environmental impact.

Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited (trading as Ports North)/Transport-Water-Trinity Inlet, Cairns/ Qld/ Cairns Shipping Development (Trinity Inlet) Project, Qld Reference No: 2012/ 6538

Aim of development proposal:

The proposed works would allow mega cruise ships to dock In Cairns.

The proponent claims that the works would result in an additional 61 cruise ship visits annually by the year 2025 and states that this would deliver regional economic benefits of $436m.

Issues of concern

5,073,600 m3 of dredge spoil from the channel.
89,m3 of dredge spoil for the swing basin relocation.
Estimated annual maintenance dredging quantity for the proposed channel is 580,000 m3 (an increase of 260,000 m3/year from current annual average).
Swing bay location in close proximity to smiths creek.
Proposed refuelling station and pipeline infrastructure.
Potential risk to heritage listed structures.
Potential acidification of area and contamination of the water due to sedimentation disturbances and relocation dumping.
Real and potential risk to Marie Park.
Potential impact on marine mammals and flora forna
Significant impacts on statutory obligations of local, regional, national, commonwealth and international importance
Potential impact on issues of conservation, areas of cultural significance and value.

Proposed:

Widen the existing outer channel (11.2km long) from 90m to 140m wide.

Increase depth of the outer and inner harbour channel from 8.3m to 9.4m

Expand the Dredge Material Placement Area (currently an area of 296ha) by 1 nautical mile seawards

Create a new swing basin in the inner harbour and most likely expand the 2 existing swing basins

Capital (also termed developmental) dredging is also required to create new or improve existing channels and berths.

Resulting dredge spoil

• 5,073,600 m3 of dredge spoil from the channel

• 89,700 m3 of dredge spoil for the swing basin relocation

• Estimated annual maintenance dredging quantity for the proposed channel is 580,000 m3 (an increase of 260,000 m3/year from current annual average)

Impacts

Impacts on marine life such as dugongs and turtles
The release of potentially contaminated sediment into the greater Trinity environment
Impact and protection of fishing, marine industries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zone.
Impact of dredging, maintenance works and dumping of dredge material
Impacts on flora fauna
Impacts on critical marine habitat

References:

-Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited (trading as Ports North)/Transport-Water-Trinity Inlet, Cairns/ Qld/ Cairns Shipping Development (Trinity Inlet) Project, Qld, Reference No: 2012/ 6538

-Dredging and Australian Ports Subtropical and Tropical Ports April 2014 prepared for Ports Australia by RMC Pty Ltd with support from Sprott Planning and Environment Pty Ltd.

-Cairns and far North Queensland trinity inlet dredging fact sheet www.cafnec.org.au

-www.portsnorth.com.au

-Ports North, Media Release 7 June 2013-The facts on dredging

-Ports North Cairns shipping development fact sheets

-SKM 2013a

-Erftemeijer and Lewis 2006

-Dredging dumping and the great barrier reef- http://www.marineconservation.org.au

PROTECTING SEAGRASS

Stretched on her mossy foundation, in trackless deeps… The silvery sea-weed mattered round her bed, and distant surges murmuring o’er her head. High in the flood her sea born strands ascends, The crystal arch on crystal columns bends; roofed with translucent streams of light, the turrets blaze, and far in ocean extend their coloured rays. O’er the white floor successive shadows move, as rise and break the ruffled waves above. Around the nymph her mermaid meanders, and weave with orient pearl, her radiant hair; with silky fins, she cleaves the watery way, her silvery vines meandering through.

Poem based on a stanza on Zostara from a larger poem entitled ‘The Loves of the Plants: A Poem’ (1791) in Botanic Garden (Part V) 1803 by Erasmus Darwin

Seagrass is a vital near shore ecosystem in all continents except Antarctica,Providing numerable ecosystem services.

CHARACTERISTICS

Live in an estuarine or marine environment, and nowhere else.
Pollinate under water with specialised pollen.
Produce seeds underwater which can be dispersed by both biotic and abiotic agents
Have specialised leaves with a reduced cuticle and epidermis which lacks stomata and is the main photosynthetic tissue.
Have a rhizome or underground stem which is important in anchoring.
Have roots that can live in an anoxic environment and are dependant on oxygen transport from the leaves and rhizome but are also important in the nutrient transfer processes

The origin and evolution of seagrass:

Existing evidence indicates that the angiosperms colonized the marine environment about 100 million years ago (Den Hatao, 1970) in contrast to the accepted origin of 400 million years ago (Raven, 1977)

The evolutionary history of seagrass has involved the acquisition of key adaptions necessary for successful colonisation of the marine habitat: (1) leaves with sheaths, adaption to high-energy environments; (2) hydrophilous pollination, allowing submarine pollination (3) extensive lacunar systems allowing the internal gas flow needed to maintain the oxygen supply required by their belowground structures in anoxic sediments.

Scientists have found that there is twin assemblage of the species Thalassia-Halodule-Syringodium being present in both the Caribbean and Indio-Pacific region, explanation for the occurrences of twin species and fragmented distribution of genera have been focused on the rearrangements of continental masses that occurred since the appearance of seagrass 100 million years ago.

The path of sea grass evolution is relatively unclear, but speciation has been conservative with evidence that suggests the total number of species may never have significantly exceeded the present number.

Most arguments suggest that the low rate of sexual reproduction and low-range of dispersion associated with hydrophilous pollination of most seagrasses have restricted their gene flow within a small neighbourhood, which has reduced seagrass genetic diversity spread but not impacting on sea grass meadows diversity.

The Indio Pacific region is observed to hold the highest species richness which has led to the hypothesis that this area is the centre of origin of seagrasses, from which they spread to other regions of the world.

Australia has a thermal front separating tropical Australia from the colder south-west Australian waters being identified to represent the boundary between the temperate and tropical Australian floras these thermal fronts impose a sharp change in growth conditions such as water temperature, salinity and nutrient availability.

Although described as a sharp change in thermal front they typically involve a temperature change of 2-3 degrees as a relative consequence sea grass has a low tolerance to change which is accounted for by the individual species diversity and distribution of species across areas. It is thus presumed that the density fronts described are physical barriers and prevention of seagrass propagules dispersal, but it may in fact be the reason for seagrass species biogeographic dispersal, variations and species survival.

Density fronts are subject to change in location and strength as result of changes in oceanic circulation.

The seagrasses ability to maintain a genetic exchange across a fragmented and far ranging distance distribution would be dependant on the sea grass propagules and vegetative fragments capacity to travel long distances

It is thus possible that the changes in seagrass distribution, past extinctions and species evolution may have been associated with changes in marine circulation.

Diversity of sea grass

The geographical pattern of seagrass species richness is parallel to that of corals and mangroves (Heck & McCoy, 1979), which finds correlations between all of the species distribution and their richness in those areas of the tropics being linked throughout their evolutionary history.

Studies on the patterns of species of seagrass richness, although few, make a general finding that there is a reduction in species within a given population, species type or area when growing conditions are disturbed (Terrados et al., 1997). Such as demonstrated:

In South East Asia seagrass meadows were reduced in species richness with the increase in siltation upon comparison between areas of high siltation and those of pristine conditions ( Duarte, 2000)

Studies also shows that disturbance made by heavy grazing vertebrates such as the dugong causes the select fast growth of Halophila seagrass meadows (cf Duarte, 1991a). Even experimental burial of seagrass meadows can reduce the species diversity ( Duarte et al., 1997)

Seagrass Habitat

For seagrass to survive it must live in relative sea depths to enable it to harvest the light required to provide sufficient growth which is at its optimum just below the surface of the sea (Duarte, 1991b).

Not all seagrass exists under the sea, seagrass can develop large intertidal populations. Intertidal seagrass are best able to resists exposure to the air when forming dense, continuous populations, as their leaves, lying flat on the sediment surface, retaining water.

Seagrass communities exist in pristine tropical waters, where seagrass meadows are confined to lagoons which are enclosed by coral reefs where the plant is completely covered at depth.

Seagrass also finds itself in competition with other communities of plants such as mangroves which extend over the intertidal zone of the coast causing the seagrass to be limited to the greater depths and density diversity.

It is noted that the seagrass can experience stress when the plants are exposed to extremes of marine environmental conditions, air and high UV levels for long periods causing changes in osmosis performance and red spot pigments.

The habitat requirements of seagrasses:

While previous discussion has been on the evolutionary and biological evidence for seagrass distribution and diversity, it is more likely that environmental habitat requirements for seagrass are a determining factor of the species success.

The four requirements of rooted phototrophs with marine life cycles such as seagrass are:

A marine environment
Adequate rooting substrate
Sufficient immersion in seawater
Illumination to maintain growth

The seagrass marine environment is determined by salinity within its habitat of sea water, most seagrass species can tolerate a wide range of salinity from high strength seawater to the relatively low salinity of estuarine water. While germination experiments have repeatedly shown seagrass seeds to germinate best at very low salinities there are some species that have shown a survival of seedling in the highest salinities of seawater (Biebl & McRoy, 1971) demonstrating the seagrasses reliance and sensitivity on its marine ecosystem.

Seagrass Substrate

Most seagrass specie grow over sandy to muddy sediments, which are easily penetrated by seagrass roots.

These muddy fine sediments have a high mobility which when disturbed by currents and waves can form large sand ripple waves which render them unstable foundation support for the seagrass causing burial and erosion of the plant. This leaves seagrass particularly vulnerable to cyclones and tidal surges.

Seagrass marine sediments can also be hostile habitat environments for the plant life when induced with excess amounts of organic matter, sea grass may counterbalance such stresses as an accumulation of sulphide (Hemminga, 1998) by pumping oxygen through their roots into the sediments, which maintains a relatively oxidized rhizosphere (Pedersen et al., 1998).

Sea grass ecosystem services:

Seagrasses are important primary producers, converting sunlight and carbon dioxide efficiently into organic form
Seagrasses supply organic food to a variety of dependant food webs
Seagrasses stabilize the seabed in which they grow
Seagrasses structure the seabed on which they grow into a complex environment which provides places for many organisations to exist
Seagrasses act as the nursery ground for many commercially-caught species.

An estimated 16% of seagrass production is stored in the sediments, representing a net sink of carbon in the ecosystem

It is estimated that seagrass sediments annually store 15% of total carbon storage in marine ecosystems

(Duarte & Cebrian, 1996; Duarte & Chiscano, 1999.

It is estimated that the total costal area coverage of the globe for seagrass is 10%

This global coverage is thus comparible with that of coral reefs, macroalgae and magroves.

(Charpy-Roubaud& Sournia, 1990)

The campaign against pollution of the reef.

REEF FRIENDS-REEF KIDS

'Welcome to reef kids'