[Coral-List] Top Ten Island Reefs

Vanessa Smith nessiesmith at hotmail.com
Thu Dec 3 04:51:12 EST 2009


Dear Mark,

 

I would like to nominate an awesome diving spot, and inspirational dive resort in the Solomon Islands. Solomon Dive Adventures was set up by Lisa Choquette three years ago on the island of Ngatokae, Western Province. She has trained five local fishermen up to Divemaster level, and introduced over 50 villagers to the underwater world. There is also a 'kindy', village library and many spin-off businesses which have developed from this enterprise. As a result of this, the village are pro-conservation and look to their reefs as a valuable tourism resource.

 

On top of this, the diving is incredible - pristine hard and soft corals (at least 50-60% coverage) schools of bumphead parrotfish, sharks and turtles on every dive, nudibranchs, 'muck-dives', caves, the chance of hearing the underwater volcano rumbling as you dive.... and endless blue water....  

 

Best wishes, 

 

Ness Smith
 
> From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 16, Issue 2
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 12:00:02 -0500
> 
> Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..."
> 
> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
> 1. AGW, solar activity, etc (Jeremy Kemp)
> 2. FW: Media query: Researching "Best Island Reefs" for ISLANDS
> magazine (Tupper, Mark (WorldFish))
> 3. Re: FW: Media query: Researching "Best Island Reefs" for
> ISLANDS magazine (Alex Brylske)
> 4. Global joint NGO EbA Statement on Climate Change/Adaptation
> (RainbowWarriorsInternational)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 18:04:59 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Jeremy Kemp <jeremymarkkemp at yahoo.co.uk>
> Subject: [Coral-List] AGW, solar activity, etc
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID: <877599.11286.qm at web28607.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> 
> 
> I?ve been
> following the AGW comments on the list: definitely good to have the Anti GW /
> Anthropogenic GW confusion apparently cleared up.
> 
> ?
> 
> Gene, you make
> one or two statements about AGW and ?uncertainties? in your response to Milton
> which I have to pick up on. Specifically, you mention uncertainties about
> causal mechanisms including the sun and / or ?the Earth?s position in the Universe?.
> I?m not sure what the latter refers to (maybe the galactic rays hypothesis?),
> but the influence of the sun is actually well characterized, and the use of
> variations in solar output as an argument to explain recent warming is thoroughly
> debunked. In fact, now and during recent years, the sun has been in a
> relatively cool phase. The skeptics have done a great job of sowing the seeds
> of confusion globally on that issue, and even though counter-factual it?s still regularly trotted out as
> ?proof? that AGW isn?t happening.
> 
> ?
> 
> If galactic rays
> is what you?re referring to on the other issue, that is also extremely
> questionable, pretty much to the point of being discredited. The original work
> (primarily by Friis-Christensen &
> Lassen, and Svensmark) has been well critiqued by, for example, Benestad, and Damon & Laut. Their work has not, to my knowledge, been convincingly
> critiqued in return. Similarly to solar output, galactic rays are an ?issue?
> regularly used by so-called skeptics to muddy the waters.
> 
> ?
> 
> Anyone wanting
> to keep up to date with developments in the AGW field might find
> RealClimate.org useful. It?s probably the public ?forum? (for want of a better word)
> that is most widely used by reputable climate scientists. The scientific (i.e. based
> on genuinely peer-reviewed literature) basis for and against most arguments can
> be found on there.
> 
> ?
> 
> Jerry Kemp(Edinburgh University)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 09:32:40 +0800
> From: "Tupper, Mark (WorldFish)" <M.Tupper at CGIAR.ORG>
> Subject: [Coral-List] FW: Media query: Researching "Best Island Reefs"
> for ISLANDS magazine
> To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Cc: chris.tauber at bonniercorp.com
> Message-ID:
> <DF5BEA7FB371DE43871F62A1B56901D7058EDBF2 at GOBY.WORLDFISH.CGIARAD.ORG>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> ReefBase has received a request (see below) from ISLANDS magazine to nominate the top 10 island reefs (from a dive/snorkel tourism perspective). In addition to our own info, I would like to solicit the opinions of the very knowledgeable subscribers on this list. Remember that the reefs must be island reefs as opposed to continental and must be accessible to dive tourists (i.e. places like Palmyra or Navassa would probably not be good choices)..
> 
> Please send your comments directly to me and I will synthesize them and post them back to the list before forwarding them to the magazine.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Mark Tupper
> Scientist - Coral Reefs and Reef Fisheries
> The WorldFish Center
> Los Ba?os, Laguna, PHILIPPINES
> Tel +632 580-5659 (2889) GMT +8
> Mobile: +63 917-524-0864
> http://www.worldfishcenter.org
> Reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Tauber [mailto:Chris.Tauber at bonniercorp.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:09 AM
> To: WorldFish - Reefbase
> Subject: Media query: Researching "Best Island Reefs" for ISLANDS magazine
> 
> Hi, I'm an editor at ISLANDS magazine hoping to tap the expertise of
> ReefBase for an upcoming article called "Best Island Reefs." We're looking
> to spotlight the world's top 10 island reefs that offer sustainable diving
> and snorkeling opportunities for responsible travelers.
> 
> I'd love to get your insight on these questions:
> 
> 1. Which reef or reefs do you think best showcase sustainable travel,
> balancing visitors' exploration with reef conservation?
> 
> 2. Which dive or snorkel sites on that reef highlight it best?
> 
> 3. Is there a local dive resort or guide you'd recommend I contact for
> further insight?
> 
> Thanks so much for any help you can offer this week. I certainly appreciate
> it. And feel free to contact me with any questions.
> 
> Best,
> Chris Tauber
> Managing editor
> ISLANDS
> 460 N. Orlando Ave., Ste. 200
> Winter Park, FL 32789
> 407-571-4510
> chris.tauber at bonniercorp.com
> http://islands.com
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:51:19 -0500
> From: Alex Brylske <brylske at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] FW: Media query: Researching "Best Island
> Reefs" for ISLANDS magazine
> To: "Tupper, Mark (WorldFish)" <M.Tupper at CGIAR.ORG>
> Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, chris.tauber at bonniercorp.com
> Message-ID: <71E2B2E4-214C-49EE-9BD5-E6B180FF6E40 at aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> Having spent half my life in the dive tourism sector, I suggest that you be very cautious about how you response to this. My concern is not so much what destinations you select, or even what criteria (which needs to be clear), it's the reaction of those destinations that AREN'T selected. (You better be prepare to explain why not.) Bottom line: This could open up a political can of worms that could impact this list in ways that are both unforeseen and less than positive. Just an opinion, but one based on loads of experience in this realm.
> 
> Alex Brylske
> 
> 
> On Dec 1, 2009, at 8:32 PM, Tupper, Mark (WorldFish) wrote:
> 
> > Dear All,
> > 
> > ReefBase has received a request (see below) from ISLANDS magazine to nominate the top 10 island reefs (from a dive/snorkel tourism perspective). In addition to our own info, I would like to solicit the opinions of the very knowledgeable subscribers on this list. Remember that the reefs must be island reefs as opposed to continental and must be accessible to dive tourists (i.e. places like Palmyra or Navassa would probably not be good choices).
> > 
> > Please send your comments directly to me and I will synthesize them and post them back to the list before forwarding them to the magazine.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Mark
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Dr. Mark Tupper
> > Scientist - Coral Reefs and Reef Fisheries
> > The WorldFish Center
> > Los Ba?os, Laguna, PHILIPPINES
> > Tel +632 580-5659 (2889) GMT +8
> > Mobile: +63 917-524-0864
> > http://www.worldfishcenter.org
> > Reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Chris Tauber [mailto:Chris.Tauber at bonniercorp.com] 
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:09 AM
> > To: WorldFish - Reefbase
> > Subject: Media query: Researching "Best Island Reefs" for ISLANDS magazine
> > 
> > Hi, I'm an editor at ISLANDS magazine hoping to tap the expertise of
> > ReefBase for an upcoming article called "Best Island Reefs." We're looking
> > to spotlight the world's top 10 island reefs that offer sustainable diving
> > and snorkeling opportunities for responsible travelers.
> > 
> > I'd love to get your insight on these questions:
> > 
> > 1. Which reef or reefs do you think best showcase sustainable travel,
> > balancing visitors' exploration with reef conservation?
> > 
> > 2. Which dive or snorkel sites on that reef highlight it best?
> > 
> > 3. Is there a local dive resort or guide you'd recommend I contact for
> > further insight?
> > 
> > Thanks so much for any help you can offer this week. I certainly appreciate
> > it. And feel free to contact me with any questions.
> > 
> > Best,
> > Chris Tauber
> > Managing editor
> > ISLANDS
> > 460 N. Orlando Ave., Ste. 200
> > Winter Park, FL 32789
> > 407-571-4510
> > chris.tauber at bonniercorp.com
> > http://islands.com
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 06:49:19 -0800 (PST)
> From: RainbowWarriorsInternational <southern_caribbean at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Global joint NGO EbA Statement on Climate
> Change/Adaptation
> To: Caribbean Assessment and Reporting
> <carib-assessment at yahoogroups.com>, Caribbean Biodiversity
> <caribbean-biodiversity at yahoogroups.com>, Caribbean Birds
> <birdscaribbean at yahoogroups.com>, Caribbean Coral Reefs
> <carib-coral-reefs at yahoogroups.com>, Caribbean Environmental NGOs
> <carib-ngo-forum at yahoogroups.com>, coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov,
> Global Islands Biodiversity
> <global-islands-biodiversity at yahoogroups.com>, White Water to Blue
> Water List <ww2bw at yahoogroups.com>
> Message-ID: <506261.25016.qm at web33005.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> Sorry for cross-posting!
> 
> A recent phone call from Earth Day Network prompted us to look hard at the upcoming COP15 conference in Copenhagen.
> 
> Our own organization like tens of thousands of other NGOs has been strapped for cash and not able to attend the summit.
> 
> In
> light of the utmost importance of the "deal" to be brokered at this
> summit we think it is of vital importance that as many as possible
> NGOs, large and small in unison present a joint statement.
> 
> We think creating a sign-on letter where tens of
> thousands of NGOs around the world can sign onto via the internet would be a perfect vehicle.
> 
> The
> basic idea is to have one hundred or less large organizations create a joint
> statement and create an add-on sign-on letter for all NGOs not attending
> Copenhagen but supporting the joint statement.
> 
> At
> the summit the signed statement can be presented with the signatures of
> the "leading organizations", and an APPENDIX list of co-signatories
> listed per country.
> 
> This approach is used by the UNCAC Coalition against corruption (see www.uncaccoalition.org) of which we are a member and its impact is huge.
> 
> I know it is on a very short notice, but using Twitter, Facebook and regular email we can fast spread the word about this letter.
> 
> We think the following is a good starting point: 
> 
> IUCN
> Greenpeace
> Friends of the
> Earth
> World Wildlife Fund
> Conservation International
> Fauna and Flora International
> BirdLife International
> Wildlife Conservation
> Society
> Nature Conservancy
> Oxfam
> World Resources Institute
> Earth Day Network, which ties into over 10,000 organizations around the globe
> ICRAN/ICRI
> Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
> 
> A select group of international institutes dedicated to Climate Change/Adaptation Research could round out this group.
> 
> www.climate-l.org, www.iisd.org and www.sidsnet.org are a fast track to get 40 plus Small Island Developing States also involved, some of which are the most impacted by climate change.
> 
> The
> idea is to keep the focus on the essence of things, threats to
> biodiversity, threats to livelihoods, coupled to food security and
> fighting poverty (millennium development goals), increased threats of natural disasters and encroaching tropical diseases.
> 
> This in essence is covered by the Ecosystem Based Adaptation approach formulated by the IUCN in collaboration with the CBD (see: http://www.iucn.org/knowledge/news/focus/2009_eba/)
> 
> Off course renewable energies, clean energies and bio-fuels also should be addressed, but in a fashion tying into the EbA
> approach.
> 
> If such a joint statement is created our organization can rapidly distribute word in the Caribbean community for sign-on for regional and national NGOs.
> 
> If necessary we can rapidly disseminate information through European Union counterparts.
> 
> As
> an organization dedicated to SIDS in particular we feel the small
> voices must be heard in Copenhagen, and it is the SIDS in particular
> who are most impacted by climate change.
> 
> We have already contacted the IUCN US office and the CB secretariat and would now like to ask the Caribbean and global communities dedicated to coral reefs, marine ecosystems and biodiversity to provide input on existing joint statements from the NGO/Academic communities to be presented at the COP15 summit.
> 
> In particular what is being presented as joint statements for the (Wider) Caribbean region?
> 
> Milton Ponson, President
> Rainbow Warriors Core Foundation (Rainbow Warriors International) P.O.Box 1154, Oranjestad Aruba, Dutch Caribbean Phone:?+297
> 568 5908 or 011-297 568 5908 (from USA) Email: core_rainbowwarriors at yahoo..com Web Sites: http://www.rainbowwarriors.net?(Global) ? To unite humanity in a global society dedicated to a sustainable way of life
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> 
> End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 16, Issue 2
> *****************************************
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Add your Gmail and Yahoo! Mail email accounts into Hotmail - it's easy
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394592/direct/01/


More information about the Coral-List mailing list