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Workshop Focuses On Saving Coral Reefs
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Workshop Focuses On Saving Coral Reefs
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Thursday, July
12, 2001
–
St Lucia’s Planning, Development and Housing Minister, Hon. Dr. Walter
Francois, today called on persons, especially those engaged in agriculture and
construction, to desist from practices which endanger the nation’s valuable
coral reefs. “Whilst
these wonders of nature play a vital role in maintaining a balance in nature,
they continue to be under serious threat due to the practices of coral harvesting for craft production, poor land
practices, and the anchoring of vessels in the reefs,” Dr Francois told a
two-day workshop looking at effective management and monitoring of the marine
resource. The
Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI),
in collaboration with the Soufriere Marine Management Association and the
Reef Check Foundation, is sponsoring the workshop which started today. With an
emphasis also on data collection, the workshop brings together persons involved
in reef monitoring programmes either in the planning and design or
implementation. CANARI
Research Scientist, Alan Smith, drew attention to global reports pointing to a
rapid decline in coral reefs. It is a situation which poses serious concern for
countries which depend on reefs for fishing and tourism and requires effective
remedial action, Smith said. “There
is need for better management of key resources, and better management requires
better means of information which comes largely by monitoring,” the scientist
said. Representatives of various countries represented at the workshop will discuss progress being made in the implementation of monitoring programmes. There will be discussion on how to replicate any successes with specific reference to the Caribbean. |
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