[Coral-List] Palau`s UN ambassador error on parrotfish

[Steve Mussman]

Steve, 
  Sorry that you believe that any of the recent divergent discussions
on coral list are somehow linked to the misrepresentation of the role
of parrot fish in the reef ecosystem. Ironically, the main point that
much of this discourse is attempting to emphasize is the need for the
marine sciences to be more effectively communicative.

I certainly understand the need for focus on the hard science, but
somehow, as you point out it's import has to be (accurately) articulated
and transformed into policy action if the reef systems are to be ultimately conserved. 

   Regards,
    Steve Mussman 

-----Original Message-----
>From: Steve Box <steve at utilaecology.org>
>Sent: Sep 23, 2010 5:28 PM
>To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>Cc: Steve Box <steve at utilaecology.org>
>Subject: [Coral-List] Palau`s UN ambassador error on parrotfish
>
>I thought I would bring the list serves attention to a statement yesterday
>by Palau's UN ambassador Stuart Beck when talking about the countries call
>at the general assembly for international action to address shark fishing on
>the high seas:
>
> 
>
>"In Palau, the reefs depend on the predators - and sharks are the top
>predators - because if you take them out, what proliferates will kill the
>reef, parrotfish for example," he said. I found this quote on a BBC article
>covering the UNGA and assume it has been widely repeated in the media.
>
> 
>
>It is a dire shame when officials who are proponents of international
>conservation action (and thus one would assume to be better briefed on the
>relevant science than most) can make such erroneous statements, which are
>then compounded and disseminated by wide spread media coverage. 
>
> 
>
>So whilst the coral list has been preoccupied of late with seemingly endless
>tangential discussions on media spin, climate change, oil spills and more
>media spin, simple facts such as parrotfish being essential to reef health,
>and fundamental to coral reef ecology are being badly misrepresented.   
>
> 
>
>---
>
>Stephen Box PhD
>
>Executive Director
>
> 
>
>Utila Centre for Marine Ecology,
>
>Bay Islands, Honduras
>
> 
>
> 
>
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