2008 is International Year of the Reef! Help Keep it Healthy!

Everyday Actions For Healthier Reefs

Whether you live on an island, near the coast, or in the heart of the mainland, you can help conserve & protect coral reefs by practicing these everyday actions. Help make a positive difference by becoming part of the solution where ever you are!

As part of your lifestyle, please,...

Reduce your carbon footprint. Increased water temperatures due to global warming causes coral bleaching and eventually, coral death. Turn off your lights when they are not in use. Switch your bulbs to compact fluorescent. Go to www.lowimpactliving.com OR www.sierraclub.org/twopercent/ to find out other ways you can have less of an impact on the environment on a daily basis.

Plant a tree! Plant 10 trees! Offset your carbon emissions by giving back to the environment. Trees slow runoff and absorb carbon dioxide and other nutrients that would otherwise runoff into the ocean.

Demand environmental stewardship from our government! Don't let government agencies stray from following environmental regulations. Stay informed about existing and proposed laws, programs, and projects that affect local and global reef ecosystems, fisheries, and marine life. Support and vote for representatives and leaders who recognize the importance of making ecologically wise decisions.

Make choices for healthy oceans! Marine resources are not inexhaustible! When eating seafood, choose fish that have been fished sustainably. Your consumer choices make a difference. For information on who you should keep off your dinner plate, click here to download Monterey Bay Aquarium's 2008 national & Hawaiian seafood guides.

Earth Day everyday...clean your beach! Marine debris and trash are one of the greatest threats Hawaiian marine life and reefs are faced with. Always pick up and properly dispose of your own trash, but why not take it a step further? Help clean up the environment by cleaning up plastic and trash that have washed ashore or have been left behind. Join a local beach cleanup, or volunteer to be part of the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup.

If you smoke, please, throw your butts away! Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world. As they degrade, they release toxic compounds into the environment, poisoning wildlife and contaminating our drinking water.

Conserve water. By reducing the amount of water you use, you reduce the amount of runoff and wastewater that eventually finds its way back into the ocean. Check out marine artist and conservationist, Wyland's book, 101 Ways to Conserve Water.

All drains lead to the ocean. Please don't use your drain as a dump! Be conscientious of what you're putting down the drain. Recycle used motor oil and transmission fluid. Dispose of other chemical pollutants and household toxins properly. Find a drop off location near you at www.earth911.org.

Recycle! A little effort goes a long way. Reduce the amount of waste you produce by reusing and recycling. If your community doesn't have a recycling program, make the effort to start one! Learn more by visiting Earth 911 to find out what you can recycle and where you can drop it off!

Just say no to plastic bags! Plastic bags litter our beaches and are hazardous to marine life. A little effort can go a long way. Please bring your own reusable bag to the grocery.

Report illegal dumping! Please call the Hawaiian Department of Environmental Protection at (808) 768-3300 to report illegal dumping activities.

Only buy marine aquarium fish if you know they have been collected in an ecologically sound manner, or have been tank-bred. Many marine fish harvested for the aquarium trade are often done so using destructive methods such as cyanide or dynamite fishing. You can ensure that your aquarium fish have been caught in an environmentally friendly way by purchasing them from Marine Aquarium Council certified dealers.

Promote the use of day-use moorings. Boat anchors can cause severe damage to coral reefs. Help minimize such damage by supporting the installation and use of public day-use moorings. Visit the Malama Kai Foundation to learn more.

Encourage & support reef-friendly, ecologically sound businesses. Inquire what your dive shop, tour operators, and other coastal businesses are doing to save coral reefs. Let them know you are an informed consumer and care about reefs.

Eat Organic! If it's healthy for you, it's healthy for the environment. Support farmers who grow their produce without chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning supplies. Go to Low Impact Living to find a variety of home products that are healthy for you and the environment.

Wash your car on the lawn, or take it to a commercial carwash. Your lawn will act as a natural filter and keep the suds out of the ocean and waterways. Commercial carwashes have to follow strict guidelines from the EPA for the proper disposal of wastewater.

Be a wastewater crusader. Make sure that sewage from your boat, from other boats, and from land is correctly treated. Nutrients from sewage act as fertilizers for algae that can smother and kill corals. Check out these Ten Tips For Clean and Green Boating.

And in the water, please,...

Don't Touch or Step on the Reef! Whether you are snorkeling or diving, be conscientious of the corals and sessile marine creatures around you. Although they are often mistaken as inanimate objects, corals are fragile, tiny, living animals that are easily killed when crushed by human fingers & toes, fin tips, or dragging dive gear.

Use A Floatation Device. Snorkelers often become tired and feel the need to stand on the reef to rest.

Don't Feed the Fish! Many reef fish eat algae that settle on coral reefs & would otherwise smother the corals. Feeding fish habituates the fish and disrupts the natural balance of the the reef ecosystem.

Wear Waterproof Sunscreen. Regular sunscreen washes off in the water causing pollution.

Support Sustainable Ecotourism. When vacationing, hire local guides when diving or snorkeling on coral reefs. By endorsing a non-consumptive economy around the reef you will be protecting the future of the reef and its wildlife. For responsible ecotourism tips, check out Sustainable Travel International.

Stay informed & interact responsibly! When visiting coral reefs, do your part to keep them healthy by respecting local guidelines, regulations, and customs. Ask local authorities or tourism operators how you can protect the reef.