Coral farms can ideally be managed by local communities and tied into restoration of coral reefs. This will also allow the indigenous communities to benefit directly from improvements in local biodiversity that follows. As cultivation will replace greenhouse culture overseas, there will also be an overall reduction in CO2-emissions
However, at locations were there was excessive adverse impact (like pollution), the corals did not recover fully, even after eight years.
“You can imagine that when you are recovering from a sickness, it will take a lot longer if you don’t eat well or get enough rest,” said Jessica Carilli, a graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
“Similarly, a coral organism that must be constantly trying to clean itself from excess sediment particles will have a more difficult time recovering after a stressful condition like bleaching.”
Disease and overfishing also affected coral health. In places where there is overfishing, the population of bigger fishes like groupers are either significantly reduced or have vanished.
In the absence of these predatory fishes, other fish species thrive. One such species is the butterflyfish, which feed on coral and appear to be responsible for disease transmission amongst the corals.
In a study, scientists compared seven Marine Protected Areas [MPAs] where fishing had been banned for at least five years, and another seven neighbouring sites with similar diversity.
They discovered that the corals at the latter sites suffered more diseases; in some cases, the difference was twice as many. In addition, many butterflyfish were found at the sites where fishing was allowed, leading to a higher incidence of coral disease.
Mention Africa to most divers and the Red Sea or South Africa usually springs to mind. To many travellers, let alone divers, Mozambique is not exactly high on most people’s bucket list. Less than 20 years ago, the very idea of visiting the country would have been regarded as a madman’s folly.
The digital age has made underwater photojournalism more accessible than ever and Joseph Tepper will take you through everything it takes to get published: the photography, the writing and even how to how to put it all together. As journalism continues to morph into a multi-media industry the ability to shoot, write and edit assignments will help separate you from the rest of the crowd. Joseph will even give you tips for writing great “query letters” or “pitches” that will grab the attention of editors and make your work more publishable.
Matt travelled to more than 10 top underwater photography and diving destinations in 2011. He will take a look back at the amazing year of diving while also exploring the less glamorous side of travel journalism. Every once in a while everything turns out perfectly, but more often bad visibility, inclement weather, or uncooperative wildlife make the task difficult. However, its during these difficult situations that you are forced to think differently – and that’s when the most interesting experiences can happen.
Close-up or macro photography is a specialized form of underwater photography where the camera lens is positioned very close to a subject, or is able to zoom into the subject, to record a relatively large image in high magnification of the original subject.
My guide and I saw the croc on the surface, basking in the sun, laying on the papyrus grass. It was a Nile crocodile about five meters long and agitated by our invasion of its space. It moved lethargically and got into the water. We followed it, as it swam against the current.
“We discovered that a number of animals thought to be rare are common around the corals, documented many animals outside of their previously known ranges, and discovered species new to science,” NOAA zoologist Martha Nizinski said.
When I started scuba diving, I became aware of the limitations of an injured body. Every time I carried a scuba tank, the acute pain in my lower back and shoulders increased, and it took a long time for the pain to go away. I did not want to give up scuba diving, so I looked for a solution and found one—diving sidemount.
A dive trip to the U.S. State of Alaska is a true adventure, both above and below the surface. The rich green waters of the Pacific Northwest are full of life and photographic opportunities. The liveaboard dive boat, Nautilus Swell, is a great way to experience Southeast Alaska.
If you would like to participate, please submit images before 01/05/12. Any images submitted after that cannot be included. Email your images to Steve Edelstein at unclstevie@aol.com. On the subject line please type in caps “NYUPS images –Macro.” You will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t, please contact Steve Edelstein at unclstevie@aol.com, and cc Larry Cohen at Larry@liquidimagesuw.com.
"Growing corals... preserve these fragile eco systems while educating the public about coral reefs in the wild," said WCS Vice President and New York Aquarium director Jon Forrest Dohlin.
Due to disturbances like climate change and unchecked coastal development nearly one-third of the world’s coral reefs have been lost. Some estimates predict corals will be extinct by 2050. So, the aquarium is growing its own.
With names like “xenia” and “pink bird’s nest,” the aquarium lab grows between 25-30 different species which produce hundreds of colorful hard and soft corals.
