[Coral-List] Coral Reef Insurance

[Sean Hoetjes]

Hi Steve you're right. It might be naive but we need positive thoughts in these times, it's still a start. I think it's better than the companies not even trying to make an effort of protecting the reef (which is more common in my opinion) , even if it's only for an economic incentive. Most companies (hotels and resorts) don't even think about the effects of reef structure on the effects of coast protection. Is it too naive to think that this could lead to a more ecologically conscious business among these kind of companies? In the worst case, it's just a safety net for the hotels to protect their companies value.

Sean Hoetjes
Applied Biology
Has university of applied sciences, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands


From: Steve Mussman
Sent: Tuesday, 25 July, 16:44
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coral Reef Insurance
To: Sean Hoetjes
Cc: coral list


Hi Sean,

>From my perspective it does matter because it perpetuates a false narrative which suggests that we can continue to put off addressing the main issues and still hope to conserve coral reef ecosystems. What the developers in this area need to be made aware of is the fact that it would be more beneficial (both in cost and function) to actually take steps to help insure that the natural reefs remain intact and (somewhat) healthy. In my view this insurance scheme provides cover for them to continue with a business as usual approach which will only result in a future with some form of lifeless, man-made structures offshore designed to protect hotels and beaches from further damage from heightened storm systems.

Regards,
Steve

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 25, 2017, at 2:36 AM, Sean Hoetjes <S.Hoetjes at student.has.nl<mailto:S.Hoetjes at student.has.nl>> wrote:

Does it really matter what it's about? It is probably more about protecting the hotels and beaches, but it also helps conserving local reef ecosystems.. To me, this sounds like a win-win situation. I reckon, unfortunately, people mostly only care about the reefs when they realise they will lose money by loosing the reefs but we need all the hands to reduce negative effects on coral reef ecosystems. This means even the ones that have different interests.

Sean



From: Steve Mussman
Sent: Monday, 24 July, 13:43
Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Reef Insurance
To: coral list


So I've seen this story pop up repeatedly on social media and I can't help but think that the headline is misleading. Seems to me that this enterprise is more focused on protecting hotels and beaches from storm surge rather than it is about conserving local coral reef ecosystems. Is this a sign that I have become too cynical? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-20/a-coral-reef-gets-an-insurance-policy-of-its-own Regards, Steve Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov<mailto:Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list