May 22, 2008

International Year of the Reef May Update

Join people around the world in celebrating reefs! Organize an IYOR 2008 event, or join one that is already planned! The following are some examples of how people are participating. For more information, please visit www.iyor.org and https://reefdpd.wpengine.com/involved/iyor.php.

United Arab Emirates
As part of their IYOR 2008 celebrations, the Emirates Diving Association will hold an exhibit for World Environment Day on June 5, 2008, and plans to hold a signature campaign there for the International Declaration of Reef Rights. For more information, please visit www.emiratesdiving.com.

Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Citizens of Palu organized a coastal rehabilitation event titled “The Oceans are our Front Yard” as part of their IYOR activities around Earth Day. Click here to read the full article.
 
Italy
A Reef Check group in Italy is organizing an expedition to the Maldives. In recent years, they have developed good partnerships with several diving centers and educational institutions there. The project aims at immersing kids and adults in coral reef education and conservation.
Two new videos aimed at promoting the IYOR and reef conservation are now available at Reef Check Italy’s website. The first video, titled La Barriera Corallina, contains great images and information on coral reefs. You can view the Italian version at http://francodiving.interfree.it/index.html, and the English version at http://www.progettomac.it/english/. The second video on the monitoring of Mediterranean reefs utilising Reef Check Italy’s Coastal Environment Monitoring protocol features the Year of the Reef Song as background music, and visually identifies key marine species. To view, visit http://francodiving.interfree.it:80/eventi_mac.html.
 
Cozumel, Mexico
The Ultimate Diver Challenge, a fun and educational event, will be held on the beautiful island of Cozumel August 2 – 9, 2008. Please visit www.ultimatediverchallenge.com for more information. The IYOR and Reef Check will be part of this event, and we hope to see you there too!

US Virgin Islands
USVI’s record of IYOR 2008 activities is an impressive one, and they are making sure it stays that way! Below is a list of their upcoming events:
o    Get ready to jam to your favorite local musicians Jamesie & The All-Star Band and Kurt Schindler at the St. Croix Reef Jam benefit concert. Sunday, May 25th, St. Croix Reef Jam Festival. www.reefjam.com.
o    Everyone is invited to Frederiksted’s Dorsch Beach for USVI’s fourth snorkel clinic and beach clean up on Sunday, June 8, from 10am-12noon to celebrate World Ocean Day.
o    Finding Nemo to be featured at Free Family Movie Night on Friday, June 27th. The event will be hosted at the University of the Virgin Island’s Great Hall on St. Croix beginning at 7:00pm.
For more information please contact Contact Karlyn Langjahr (CZM-EEMP) (340) 773-3367 or Emily Tyner (UVI) at 692-4144.