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In this Issue:
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News & Notes
February 2010
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Our Amazing Ocean
Economists Put a Price Tag
on the Benefits of Coral Reefs
by Moises Velasquez-Manoff, The
Christian Science Monitor / November 20, 2009
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In recent decades, coral reef ecosystems around the
world have declined dramatically. One-fifth have died, according to a 2004
World Wildlife Fund assessment, and human activity directly threatens another
24 percent. As atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide increase,
scientists say that higher temperatures and ocean acidification could kill 70
percent of the world's coral reefs by 2050. By century's end, they could be
gone entirely.
Photo by Stephen Frink
If this loss could be assigned a dollar amount, how
much would it be? A group of economists presented an assessment of coral reefs'
value at the recent DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference in Cape Town, South
Africa. As it turns out, reefs are quite valuable. Inferring from more than 80
studies, the economists found that, on average, 2.5 acres of coral reef provide
$130,000 worth of goods and services, and sometimes as much as $1.2 million.
Here's the monetary breakdown:
- Food, raw materials, ornamental resources: average,
$1,100 (up to $6,000)
- Climate regulation, moderation of extreme events,
waste treatment/water purification, biological control: average, $26,000 (up to
$35,000)
- Cultural services (e.g., recreation/tourism):
average, $88,700 (up to $1.1 million)
- Maintenance of genetic diversity: average, $13,500
(up to $57,000)
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Hot Issues
Lionfish Update
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In the year since the first lionfish was captured in
the Florida Keys, more than 80 of the intruders have been documented from Key Largo to
the Dry Tortugas. So far, all have been juveniles, with the biggest about 10
inches long. The lionfish's assault of the Keys is expected to increase dramatically
over the next few years, but an army of divers, fishermen and scientists are
trying to limit their foothold.
A rapid response team was organized by FKNMS and REEF
(Reef Environmental Education Foundation) in anticipation of the lionfish
invasion of the protected waters of the sanctuary. The goal is to educate anyone
who works or plays in the water in the Keys about how to identify and report
lionfish. A few months ago, about 100 volunteers were trained in the tricky
removal of the venomous lionfish using needle-proof gloves and aquarium nets. Special
protocols and permits were developed to allow removal of lionfish in safe,
effective and environmentally considerate manners.
photo by Stephen Frink
 In a rare move, NOAA, which oversees the sanctuary,
is issuing permits to some of those trained people to remove lionfish from the
sanctuary's 18 no-take zones. The sanctuary has allowed only one other marine
invader to be removed from its preservation areas -- the orbicular batfish.
About 40 lionfish have been captured in the Keys and
sent frozen to NOAA's laboratory in Beaufort, N.C., where marine ecologists are
studying them. NOAA also is studying the use of traps after several lionfish in
the Keys were found in lobster traps at depths far deeper than the limits of
most recreational divers.
Lionfish are so lethal to reef ecosystems because
they not only eat juvenile fish of other species at an unsustainable rate, they
also take away the food source from such important species such as grouper and
snapper. In addition, they eat reef-cleaning fish such as parrotfish, which
could bring further stress to the fragile corals.
Lionfish are particularly prolific breeders. Once a female
is fertilized she can eject up to 15,000 eggs during a single mating event. A
healthy adult female can have up to three mating events a month. Juveniles
develop rapidly and start to actively hunt when less than 3 inches in length.
They have been observed consuming prey fish up to two thirds their body lengths.
The species has a potential lifespan of approximately 4-10 years. In the Florida Keys, the lionfish's only known
predators are humans.
Lionfish are already having substantial negative impacts on
Atlantic coral reefs. While complete eradication of lionfish in the Atlantic is
likely impossible, focused lionfish control efforts in strategic locations is
necessary. The Keys are working to stay ahead of the invasion through early
detection and rapid response.
To report a lionfish sighting, visit REEF's Exotic
Species Sighting Form. For more information or to join in future workshops, contact Lad Akins at Lad@reef.org or call (305) 852-0030.
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Unsung Hero - Diana Ruelens
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 Sanctuary Friends' beloved
administrator - Diana Ruelens - is a proud recipient of the 2010 "Unsung Hero"
award given by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Each year, all
Monroe County non-profit organizations are invited by the Foundation to
nominate their Volunteer of the Year and attend a fabulous Key West luncheon
where the Unsung Heroes are presented with a Certificate of Recognition and the
applause of some 400 attendees.
Diana went above and beyond in
2009 to support the protection of our precious marine sanctuary,
enthusiastically representing the Sanctuary Friends Foundation as a true
ambassador at numerous public events, taking initiative to learn grant-writing,
and helping to create infrastructure to allow the organization to grow and
prosper in a difficult economy. Joining Diana at the awards luncheon last month
were Board Members John Morrill, David Rice, and George Neugent.
This is the ninth year the Center
for NonProfit Excellence has sponsored the Annual Luncheon, held this year on
Jan. 22 at the Marriott Beachside Resort and
Conference Center in Key West.
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Become an Eco-Mariner
Eco-Mariner is a resource protection course designed to
teach Florida Bay boaters how to safely navigate the Bay's shallow waters. The
course illustrates simple actions that can reduce the extent of fish and
seagrass habitat damage.
The goal of the Eco-Mariner course is to provide motor
boaters with the necessary knowledge to protect Florida Bay's sensitive
environment. This course provides an understanding of Florida Bay's Geography,
Threats, Protection, and Regulations in an effort to protect Florida Bay's
important wildlife and habitats. It was developed by Bay users and the National
Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and can be fully completed online. Take the course.
In addition to the course, ecomariner.org is a place where
boaters can come to get information about Florida Bay.
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New Website is Coral Reef Resource
Reef Relief founders Craig and DeeVon Quirolo retired from
the grassroots organization last July, only to begin an effort to provide an online
resource on coral reefs. Their new website provides all the award-winning
educational tools, grassroots strategies, project reports and images of coral
reefs assembled during their work over the past 23 years in the Florida Keys
and throughout the Caribbean protecting coral reefs. You can find it at www.reefrelieffounders.com.
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Coral Reefs and Climate Change Film
This film shows the devastating effect of climate change on
the world's incredible, diverse coral reefs. It paints a disturbing picture of
a world that has lost its reefs forever - our world in 2065. View it here.
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Our Mission
Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys supports the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
(FKNMS) in the preservation, restoration, and sustainable use of our
coral reef and marine ecosystems. We focus on development of community
support and advancement of public awareness, education, outreach and
scientific research. |
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We want your input! If you have stories of note or just want to comment on our newsletter, please email: NewsletterEditor@SanctuaryFriends.org.
We're developing a Central Environmental Calendar for the Keys.
If you have an upcoming event with an environmental focus or that
relates to our fabulous Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, please
email: calendar@SanctuaryFriends.org. |
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Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization (Tax ID# 59-2443959).
We take your privacy seriously. Your email address will never be sold, rented or given away. All our emails include an easy opt-out feature.
If you have activated spam filters in your email application, please add the following email to your address book: Sanctuary_Friends_Foundation_of_@mail.vresp.com.
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February is the Month of LOVE.
Show someone YOUR love by purchasing them a membership to Sanctuary Friends.
Become a Sanctuary Friend
and help support our coral reef
and marine ecosystems.
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| From the Board |
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Dear Friends:
I just returned from a photo expedition to the Maldives.
Great diving and, of course, wildly different in terms of endemic species in
the Indian Ocean than here in the Florida Keys. Except for the lionfish. Any
concerned marine conservationist is aware of the havoc the lionfish invasion
has wrought throughout the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, and how it is now
poised to decimate the reef fish here, as well.
It is a potential environmental nightmare, probably beyond
our ability to control. Even if we armed all our scuba divers with polespears
and put a bounty on lionfish brought back dead-or-alive, the reality is that
they don't live just where we dive. A look at a satellite photo of the
Florida Keys reveals a whole lot more reefline than we have mooring buoys.
Lionfish don't need a mooring buoy to tell them where they should anchor. And
eat. And procreate.
So, I am not very optimistic we can control or reverse the
lionfish invasion. They seem incredibly resilient and most opportunistic. Yet,
they did not swarm the reef in the Maldives, or Papua New Guinea, or Indonesia,
or the Red Sea or any of the other places I've seen naturally occurring
lionfish.
Mother Nature figured it out for those marine ecosystems,
and I'm sure She'll figure it out for ours. I just hope we can somehow help Her
along. One way you can help is to join our organization. Please think about
becoming a Sanctuary Friend and helping to protect our unique marine ecosystem
in the Florida Keys.
Stephen Frink, Board of Directors
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| Upcoming Events |
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The first and only Florida
Keys Environmental Event Calendar is up and running! This community-wide resource allows any
environmentally-related organization or group to set up an account and post
events. We hope it will be THE place to find great activities to both support
and celebrate our precious local natural resources.
It's easy to add YOUR event. The first step is to request an account. Once you've been approved and
have selected a username and password, you can "add your group's
event to our calendar." Give it a try!
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Bottlenose Dolphins Presentation
Feb. 24, 7:30 - 8:30 pm, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Visitor Center,
MM 102.5
Jenny Litz,
Research Fisheries Biologist, will review the behavior, population status and
use of bottlenose dolphins as indicators of ecosystem health in South Florida
waters. Sponosred by Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park as
part of their "Delicate Balance of Nature" lecture series. More information,
call 451-9570. FREE.
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Key West
Boat Show & Nautical Market
Feb. 27-28, 9 am - 6 pm (4 pm Sunday), Truman Waterfront,
Key West
New and used boats, quality marine equipment, rods and reels,
arts and crafts, and nautical clothing for sale. Other scheduled attractions
include live music, food and ice-cold beverages. Kids in attendance can take part in the "Fish Florida"
program that provides free rods, reels and tackle boxes at 10:30 am. Proceeds
from the boat show benefit the Rotary Club of Key West Scholarship Fund. More information.
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National Weather Service Open House
March 20, 1-5 pm, NWS-Key West Office, 1315 White St.
This third annual event is FREE and open to the public.
Families are welcome and there will be activities for the kids as part of NOAA's
Science Saturdays. Tours, presentations, information booths, live music and
food.
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Coming ...
"Eco-Discovery Tours:
Discover the Florida Keys through eco-friendly and historical excursions."
Thousands of islands ... thousands of stories
The
Eco-Discovery Center and Sanctuary Friends team up to take visitors on
journeys that will teach them about the history and natural wonders of
the 1,700 islands that are called the Florida Keys.
Learn underwater photography from an instructor who knows the secrets
of the reef, experience the rich history of writers that have called
Key West their home, discover nature's beauty as you kayak under the
moon through canopied mangrove islands or share a gourmet dinner with
local chefs who are dedicated to using organic, local and Floridian
delights.
For more information, call 305-289-2288 or e-mail to request a brochure.
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EcoWeek 2010
Coming! Nov. 1-14, 2010
A Keys-wide event to educate and celebrate environmental preservation. Special activities in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. Inaugural event in 2010 to celebrate healthy living, a healthy planet and peaceable and sustainable communities. http://ecoweekfloridakeys.com
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Welcome New Members
January / February 2010
Thank you
for your support!
Sanctuary Buddy $30
Cynthia Morrill
Robert Mundie
Harvey Paston
Sanctuary Adventurer $50
Bruce and Sherry Popham
John Morrill
George Neugent
Sanctuary Donor $100
Karrie Carnes
Julie Cheon
Russell Fisher
James Trice
Sanctuary Patron $200
Billy and Laura Causey
Sean Morton
Sanctuary Advocate $300
Thomas N. Davidson
Sanctuary Patron $500/year
Harold and Mona Brewer
Business Member $100
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
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blue & green occasions
celebrating the event...
honoring the earth and sea
SERVING THE FLORIDA KEYS AND KEY WEST
We invite you to hold your special celebrations, business meetings and other occasions in a meaningful way at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
Our staff will help you celebrate in a green way, and your donations
will help to give back to the “Sanctuary.” Call today to reserve your
date and share your celebration with the earth and sea! Call
847-612-4712 or email.
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