[Coral-List] Restoration rationale

Steve Mussman sealab at earthlink.net
Mon Sep 23 14:11:20 UTC 2019


Dear Alice et al,

First, let me say that I take no pleasure in criticizing the tactics and/or messaging  of the CRF (Coral Restoration Foundation). In fact, I hope that I’m wrong in my analysis and that the coral reefs in the Florida Keys make a miraculous comeback directly as a result of your efforts. Having said that, I would like to respond to your appeal that I consider the fact that your organization is not charged specifically with addressing climate change and that you are not “experts on climate change science”. 

I did watch the NBC news clip as you suggested, but if anything, it only served to exacerbate my concerns and I would like to take a moment to explain why.  In the news story (https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/how-scientists-are-working-to-save-corals-1372576323503) the following remarks seem to call out for scrutiny.

1. “Climate change is the biggest problem we face looking into 100 years from now”.              (This strongly suggests that there is no immediacy and that is clearly not the case.)
      
2. “We have a solution for right now”. 
(Suggesting that restoration is a solution is exactly the wrong message in my opinion).

3. The question was posed that considering all the problems that coral reefs face “Is this (restoration) possibly a savior”?  And the response was “I think so. With restoration techniques and the scientific research behind it, we could save the coral reefs”. (This, without referencing the need to address major stressors, once again suggests that restoration in and of itself could “save coral reefs”). 

Doug recently posted a link to a new paper in “Nature” that offered several parallels to the points I’m trying to make.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02737-8?fbclid=IwAR2LBA5D6Yd5VHuMKn-eHDYeN5iK71r7sM5vCaDDwnFqdOz0FZ5CeRtLn_c

Here are two key statements taken from that paper that I would ask you to consider:

“We think a change in approach is urgently needed from the slew of groups striving to safeguard reefs: ecologists, conservationists, non-governmental organizations, national and regional policymakers, and philanthropists. Such groups must address the causes of reef ecosystem decline — not just focus on biodiversity, or on trying to restore a particular reef . . .”

“ . . . attempts at coral gardening, aquarium breeding and cryopreservation can convey a misleading message: that the decline of coral reefs is solvable without rapid, coordinated action on climate change caused by human activity”.

And finally, one more point I’d like to make. 

I think it is safe to say that most of the coral reef scientists hard at work trying to save the world’s coral reefs are not qualified “experts” on climate change science. I don’t believe you have to be in order to make the case for taking action on climate change.  All you have to do is listen to them and to what they have to say about the need to address climate change and other major stressors. Doing so and adjusting your message accordingly would not detract from the focus of your foundation’s work, only serve to enhance it. 

Sincere regards, 
Steve




Sent from my iPad

> On Sep 17, 2019, at 11:22 AM, Alice Grainger <alice at coralrestoration.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello all!
> 
> This is all true. These are important points. We absolutely need to address the causes of reef decline. At CRF™ in all of our talking points, presentations to the public, to schools, and in interviews with the press we consistently assert that climate change as the single biggest biggest factor affecting the future of coral reefs around the world. We have a platform and we use it. 
> 
> But we are not experts in climate change science and research. CRF™ is a specialist organization, the focus of our work is coral restoration – which does indeed hit all of the points made in this thread by Dr. Rob Nowicki - gene banking, providing broodstock corals for research, community engagement, public outreach, R&D into techniques, research collaborations etc. There is a lot to do, and so while we do ensure that the message about climate change is heard, it is not the focus of our work. There are other groups out there with more expertise on this issue, and with climate change as their remit. 
> 
> Though, to reiterate, while this one story related to our new grant was short and focussed on this positive news, we are absolutely aware of the need to spread this message that climate change needs to be addressed. In this one example, you can see Roxane Boonstra speaking to the issue on NBC Nightly News at 4:03:
> https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/how-scientists-are-working-to-save-corals-1372576323503
> 
> We do what we can. 
> 
> Best, 
> 
> Alice
> 
> PS. Douglas - fishing regulations could, of course, be improved, but progress has been made in the last few decades. For more info on the latest regulations, this is a good place to start: 
> https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/
> https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/
> ____________________
> 
> Alice Grainger
> Communications Director, Coral Restoration Foundation™
> Phone: (415) 770 8952
> 
> 
> Coral Restoration Foundation™
> 
> www.coralrestoration.org
> 
> facebook.com/CoralRestorationFoundation
> twitter.com/coralcrf
> instagram.com/coralrestorationfoundation
> 
> Headquarters
> 89111 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, Florida 33070
> 
> Exploration Center
> 5 Seagate Blvd, Key Largo, Florida 33037
> 
> Phone
> (305) 453-7030
> 
> 
> 


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