SOS Newsletter, Fall 1996
A Quarterly Newsletter
"Save Our Seas" is an international non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the oceans clean for future generations.
This newsletter is for you to enjoy:
In this issue:
-Message from the President of SOS
-International Year of the Reef (IYOR)
Aloha friends,
Mele Kalikimaka & Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Seasons greeting to all. As we approach the new year, please take a moment to give gratitude for the source of all life on our planet. Without oceans, our home would be a vast wasteland, indeed. Oceans produce the air we breathe, and regulate the earth's climate. They give us sustenance, and provide a source of spiritual renewal. Without oceans, life as we know it would not exist on this planet.
One of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet is coral reef, or the "Rainforests of the Sea." To draw attention to this crisis, the United Nations has declared 1997 the International Year of the Reef. The Save Our Seas coral reef monitoring program, Ocean Pulse, has taught middle school children as well as adults about these most ancient and fragile ecosystems now endangered as a result of impacts from human population. If you would like to learn more about coral reefs and Ocean Pulse, check out our award-winning "website"
Save Our Seas endeavors to raise awareness of the threats endangering the health and well-being of our oceans. Our Our video productions aired on public access television have enlightened many about marine ecosystems and what each of us can do to protect them. As we plan ahead for 1997, we encourage you to volunteer for our programs, especially the annual Save Our Seas Oceans Conference.
The Conference will be held June 13 - 15, 1997, at the Princeville Hotel, Island of Kauai.will offer free films to the public, and workshops on coral reef monitoring, marine sanctuaries, and fishery management, among other topics. We are honored to have renowned environmental advocate Robert Kennedy Jr. as a keynote speaker at the annual banquet. Mr. Kennedy is an attorney with the Pace Environmental Clinic in White Plains, New York, and has dedicated his life to protecting the planet.
The mission of Save Our Seas is to preserve, protect and restore the worlds oceans for the future of all life forms on the planet. As a member, you have demonstrated your commitment to this cause. We ask for your help in fulfilling our goals for 1997.
Mahalo, Teri Tico,
President Save Our Seas
Mahualeapu High Rider by Christopher Ryan
On April 5, 1997, Save Our Seas will participate in a world-wide celebration of the new millennium. This date is 1000 days before the new millennium, and we are asking people to celebrate the oceans that day.
Some Save Our Seas members have pledged to go windsurfing in a stand for clean oceans for future generations. No matter what you do, think good thoughts for the planet's health. This celebration was created to focus global awareness on the future of our oceans and the planet earth.
Save Our Seas has teamed up with Linda Grover, the author of "Tree Island;" John Chao, editor of "American Windsurfer Magazine;" and Barry Spanier, sail designer for Neil Pryde Sails; to promote this celebration worldwide. This celebration is the first planet wide event that SOS has been involved with, and we ask for your help and support. Please keep in touch for further information about this event, and mark you calendar.
"Ten percent of the world's reefs have been seriously degraded, and a much greater percentage is threatened, particularly in areas adjacent to human populations." (IYOR Committee).
Great opportunity for us here in Hawaii to highlight a great living resource in our community. "Nearshore marine ecosystems are the most widespread of the native ecosystems in Hawaii. Extending from the coastline to depths of 100m, the pricipal ecosystems are coastal wetlands, beaches, estuaries, lagoons, coral reefs, and open ocean habitats." (James Maragos, East-West Center). These areas are used by us on a very regular basis, and it is time that we begin giving back to it, and not just using and taking from it.
Our reefs are a wonderful resource that needs to be managed for future generations to use. Many people do not appreciate the value of our reefs. This marine homes for millions of creatures are just under the surface of the water, so many of us forget they even exist (out of sight, out of mind).
It is time to "give back" and act as "caretakers" of a resource that we have been taking from for hundreds of years. Our reefs are tired and dying from over fishing and abuse.
The reef is not dead, just raped. They will heal if treated with tender loving care, not just used and abused. As responsible citizens, we all have to take personal initiative to help our reefs, everyday if we can.
Be aware of what you put on your lawn, chemicals run down hill
Develop caretake activities and do not overuse and abuse the reef.
Treat the reefs with respect
Think of reef itself, and take care of it as a precious resource
"look don't touch" with the coral reef
The reef is a living thing, and needs to be allowed to live along side us
The vision for the coral reef monitoring workshops is to promote community awareness about the health and protection of Kaua'i's reefs through education. We eventually want to be a part of a global network of informed reefkeepers that will insure the well-being of coral reefs for future generations. This workshop provided the citizens of Kauai with a means with which to be part of the solution, and learn more about the neighboring coral reefs. Becoming aware and adopting a reef are ways to get involved in a positive proactive way. 1997 is the International Year of the Reef.
