Low-tech rehabilitation of coral reefs

U.Lindahl at kmf.gu.se U.Lindahl at kmf.gu.se
Wed Apr 28 06:54:10 EDT 1999


ANNOUNCING THE FORMATION OF:

THE LOW-TECH ACTION GROUP
FOR CORAL REEF RESTORATION (LTAG)

Purpose/Aim:

To develop and disseminate inexpensive, low-tech, coral 
reef restoration
and coral cover enhancement methods appropriate for 
use in "third world"
nations and for use by rural fishing communities.

Rationale:

Some 70% of the planet's coral reefs are owned and 
controlled by rural
fishing communities, not by national or state 
governments.  These rural
fishing communities are primary stewards of the planet's 
coral reef
biodiversity, and are a chief force of destruction as well.  
The future of
coral reefs is very much in the hands of coastal village 
communities, but
this fact is under-recognized by researchers and the 
international
community at present.

Most coral reef restoration research focuses on repairing 
damage due to
ship groundings, or attempts to enhance the recruitment 
of coral larvae. 
While important in situations of the developed world, 
these methods do not
address the needs of most of the planet's coral reefs 
due to their
high-tech and expensive nature.

Many fishing communities are already acutely aware 
that there is severe
problem with declining coral reef resources, being 
directly impacted by
overfishing and habitat destruction.  Many of these 
communities are
becoming increasingly receptive to understanding the 
reasons for fisheries
demise/coral reef decline.  In areas where destructive 
fishing methods
have been discontinued, the application of low-tech 
methods to restore
coral reefs within traditional fishing areas becomes 
possible.

Founding members:

Ulf Lindahl, Sweden (working in Tanzania and the Indian
Ocean)	ulindahl at kmf.gu.se 
Helen Fox, USA (working in Indonesia) 
hfox at socrates.berkeley.edu 
Austin Bowden-Kerby (working in Fiji, S. Pacific and 
Caribbean) bowdenkerby at is.com.fj

Those of similar research focus and concern, please join 
us!  
Please direct inquires to each of the above members.  

The first LTAG general meeting is tentatively planned to 
be associated
with the ICRS meetings in Bali, Indonesia, 2000.

Ulf Lindahl
Kristineberg Marine Research Station
450 34 Fiskebackskil
Sweden
Tel. +46 523 18518
Fax  +46 523 18502



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