Save Eco Destinations

Healthy coral reef on the North coast of East Timor.

In this first of four posts, I will explore the dismal situation of coral reefs and their lack of official protection from trade, plus the incredible importance of these species for the survival of marine life and, in turn, human life. In the second part of this series, I will look at climate change and unknown causes jeopardizing the existence of coral reefs across the world’s oceans. In the third part of the series, I will explore coral reefs’ overexploitation,and in the fourth, unknown causes of coral mortality.

Coral reefs are facing increasing danger due to various factors, ranging from climate change and harvesting to different types of pollution, tourism, and outbreaks of disease, to fishing, overexploitation, infestation by pestilent species and even unknown causes.

Exacerbating these problems is a lack of legal protection for coral reefs by international official organizations.

Coral reefs suffer from a massive lack of protection

The world’s largest international ocean conservation organization, Oceana, recently released a statement chastising the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for refusing to grant trade protection to 31 threatened species of red and pink coral. The convention voted to exclude these corals from its Appendix II listing during CITES’ two-week-long March meeting in Doha, Qatar, where it discussed the state of myriad species and ecosystems in dire straits.

“An Appendix II listing would require the use of export permits to ensure that the species were caught by a legal and sustainably managed fishery,” said Oceana.

These 31 species of coral from the western Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea are being increasingly harvested for their use in jewelry, souvenirs, and even homeopathic products, according to Oceana, a phenomenon is leading to the extinction of coral reefs. This issue alone (which I will look at in the third part of this series of posts), many insist, is enough to warrant the species’ listing under Appendix II.

Locations of coral reefs across the globe.

The importance of coral reefs

Coral reefs provide uncountable species with shelter and the foundation of an intricate and fragile marine food chain. By extension, hundreds of millions of humans worldwide obtain their food and livelihoods from the life that thrives off coral reefs. Thus, without them, these masses would be left with a dearth of food and income, which would lead not only to famine and poverty, but also possibly to wars through political upheaval.

“Whole nations will be threatened in terms of their existence,” said Carl Gustaf Lundin of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Grouper, snapper, oysters, clams, and other commonly consumed species would disappear without coral reefs.

“Fish will become a luxury good,” said Cassandra deYoung of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. “You already have a billion people who are facing hunger, and this is just going to aggravate the situation,” she added. “We will not be able to maintain food security around the world.”

Old Dominion University professor Kent Carpenter is the director of a worldwide census of marine species. He warned that if climate change continues to wreak havoc on the planet, all coral reefs could be extinct within a century.

“You could argue that a complete collapse of the marine ecosystem would be one of the consequences of losing corals,” Carpenter said. “You’re going to have a tremendous cascade effect for all life in the oceans.”

Clearly, this is a key issue for the entire planet, for the balance of ecosystems worldwide, and thus the wellbeing of non-humans and humans alike.

Stay posted for the rest of this series on coral reefs!

Northern bluefin tuna

In keeping with my last post on illegal trading, I will continue discussing the conditions of some species on the verge of extinction. It helps to be aware of these so that you can report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities when you are in areas notorious for the illegal sale of animal parts – such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, and various African regions. In my last post we looked at tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

I will now continue by discussing the depleted stocks of certain tuna species and Atlantic bluefin in particular. While this animal can still be legally traded, this will hopefully soon change.

Meanwhile, we can be aware of the types of tuna we consume and choose to purchase. Much tuna continues to be illegally caught and traded all over the globe and particularly in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Bluefin tuna

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) met in Doha, Qatar recently and discussed the state of numerous animal species across the globe. Very unfortunately, it actually decided to reject the proposal to ban the international tuna trade.

Last week, the European Commission (EC) warned,

“The failure of the United Nations (UN) wildlife trade body CITES to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna, a sushi mainstay, puts the species at risk.”

The situation is so dire for tuna and its management so pathetic, that Sue Lieberman, policy director for the Pew Environment Group in Washington, said

“The problem today is not there is serious mismanagement of trade in sharks, as for tuna, but that there is no management at all.”

I’ve discussed the perilous situation of certain tunas before. Many countries are still hoping for an international trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is in great danger of extinction yet continues to be fished relentlessly by countries such as Japan, which prizes bluefin tuna as a traditional dish in the form of sashimi. It is a very valuable and revered tradition in that region to eat this animal, which complicates its stance on the issue (still, many tuna dealers support the ban, as they realize that without it Atlantic bluefin tuna will soon be simply gone forever).

“If action is not taken, there is a very serious danger that the bluefin will no longer exist”- said the EU’s Environmental Commissioner Janez Potoznik in a statement.

Please boycott certain species of tuna

Please boycott Atlantic bluefin tuna anywhere you see it for sale and consider educating sellers and buyers about the plight of this fragile species.

Other tuna species in a precarious position are Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna, Pacific Ocean (eastern & western) bigeye tuna, and North Atlantic albacore tuna – which are all overfished, according to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (a global, non-profit partnership between the tuna industry, scientists, and the World Wide Fund for Nature).

This year, Greenpeace International added the albacore, bigeye tuna, blackfin tuna, pacific bluefin tuna, northern bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna and the yellowfin tuna to its seafood red list (Wikipedia).

The Indonesian rainforest (Bali)

The Indonesian rainforest’s only problem isn’t just fires anymore.

Underground mining will soon be allowed in protected areas of the Indonesian rainforest, courtesy of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s new regulations. These will also permit the abuse of protected forests by power plants and toll roads (and the various forms of transportation that will use them.)

See, the government claims that the companies that will be penetrating the forests will have to meet strict criteria prior to beginning their underground mining.

“The regulation will only allow mining activities to operate under the forest areas. So this is not for open mining and hopefully will only bring a minimum impact to the ecosystem in protected forests,” said Zulkifli, adding that the regulation will be implemented soon.

But we all know that this is crap and the habitat of myriad species in the Indonesian rainforest is consequently now in great peril.

He said the regulation would oblige companies to provide lands in exchange for their mining areas and strictly prohibited them from damaging the forests above ground.

“Because of the lack of regulations, most of the areas were being exploited without considering reforestation,” he said. “In addition, they will be obliged to pay taxes for operating mines under the protected forest.”

But how can you “minimize damage to the environment” when the mere presence of humans in rainforests and other wildlife areas are known to cause high mortality rates in certain species of birds?

The species adversely affected by human infringement in their habitat – in the form of noise, light, hunting, and so forth – includes sea turtles, dolphins, dingoes, penguins, mountain gorillas, and polar bears, among numerous other species.

Facilitated access to the Indonesian rainforest will probably encourage poaching and illegal trade of animals and animal parts, a problem all too common in Southeast Asia.

Rainforest in Puncak

If even ecotourism can have dire effects on natural ecosystems, how could the atrocious consequences of underground mining in the Indonesian rainforest ever be prevented?

Earth Hour is coming up again! This Saturday, March 27 from 8:30-9:30pm (local time) people all over the world will turn off their lights to conserve energy and raise awareness about climate change. Make sure to sign up on the website to let others know you’ll be doing it.

Earth Hour is organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which does some cool things (like this event), but also does stupid and harmful things, like set up the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which deceivingly certifies many unsustainably managed fisheries as sustainable with its little blue eco label. (If you’re interested in the fraud that is the MSC, you can read articles about it here, here, and here – this last one explains why Greenpeace calls the MSC “unendorsable.”)

MSC logo

As I’ve said before, I find Earth Hour problematic, if well-intentioned. Either way, I support Earth Hour. I will turn off the electric lights and light candles instead. My roommate’s got plenty of them already – random power outages aren’t too rare in Buenos Aires, you see.

So I’m all set. What about you?

And I’d like to take a moment to share some little but encouraging news: Someone yesterday forwarded me a memorandum sent by the Brickell Key Master Association run by Swire encouraging all residents on Brickell Key Island in Miami, FL, to turn off their lights for one hour between 8:30-9:30pm on Saturday for Earth Hour. (Note: Brickell Key is a posh fake island full of residential buildings and the very expensive Mandarin hotel located downtown Miami.) I never knew they would care. After all, they often leave lights on during the day (yes, even outside, I’ve seen it) and have only trash bins around the island – zero recycling bins. Oh, and whenever I sit on the grass there my skin itches so badly afterward that I have to wash it with soap and water to get any relief. So, you know, I didn’t have high hopes for a place like Brickell Key, and this news brought a smile to my face. Even if Swire is just pretending to care, which it very well may be.

It’s better than nothing. Like those vegetarians who give up animal foods it just to lose weight or because it’s trendy. Bring it on, I say. The more vegetarians – and the more lights off – the better, whatever the reason.

Earth Hour 2009 - Before and after images, showing the lights on and off in the financial district, on the occassion of the WWF's Earth Hour 2009 event, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Credit: © Billy Ivy / Ivy Images / WWF-Canada

Show the world you care.

Earth Hour Power!

A Siberian tiger

When traveling in areas where poaching is widespread – such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, and various African regions – it can be very helpful to conservation efforts to keep alert to suspicious activity so you can report it. You may spot souvenirs and medicines made from illegal materials such as rhino husks or tiger skin, even “exotic” dishes at restaurants, particularly in south-east Asian countries, where there is particular demand for tiger meat.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) met in Doha, Qatar recently and discussed the state of numerous animal species across the globe. They found that tigers, rhinos, elephants, and bears (among other species) are victims of organized crime rings that take part in the illegal trading of these animals’ body parts.

In fact, the illegal trade of wildlife is so lucrative – at some GBP 10 billion per year – that it is only topped by the trade of drugs and weapons.

Below I will summarize the conditions of some species on the verge of extinction: tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

Tigers

The illegal trade of big cats continues to escalate despite warnings from the UN that they will disappear unless the trade is stopped. Their population has been cut by about 50% in the last decade – there are fewer than 3,200 tigers left in the wild! Don’t even get me started on the atrocity that is zoos and tiger farms … And tiger farms, by the way, have been found by the World Bank (which leads the Global Tiger Initiative) to stimulate illegal trade of tiger body parts.

“Although the tiger has been prized throughout history, and is a symbol of incredible importance in many cultures and religions, it is now literally on the verge of extinction,” said CITES secretary-general Willem Wijnstekers.

Tiger bones, for example, are used to manufacture medicines. In China, the trend continues despite a ban on tiger bones and products imposed in 1993.

“It is almost four decades since the world realised that tiger numbers were falling alarmingly,” CITES said.

And I don’t know if this is real or a hoax, but apparently you can buy farmed tigers from India online.

Rhinos

A black rhino in Kenya

Ivory and rhino horns are in some places rumored to have the capacity to boost sexual prowess and even cure cancer. The black rhino, unfortunately, has already been classified as critically endangered.

“Last June, a group of five men drove into South Africa’s Addo National Park and held up the rangers’ station at gunpoint.

“They emerged with a small consignment of ivory and rhino horn worth an estimated 850,000 rand – about £75,000, or $114,000.

“… Last year, a Vietnamese diplomat was recalled to Hanoi after being filmed apparently buying rhino horn outside her embassy in Pretoria.

The Addo Park hold-up is perhaps the most striking event to date in what is, by all measures, an escalation in the illegal wildlife trade.”

Elephants

Ivory trading was banned internationally in 1989. Regardless, Zambia, Tanzania, and other countries that allegedly manage elephant populations efficiently through reliable systems for tracking tusks, have been allowed to trade three times since the ban’s implementation.

An elephant in the African Bush

Because poaching has been increasing since 2004, Kenya, Mali, and other African countries have been pushing for a 20-year ban on legal ivory exports. These countries argue that even legal trade provokes poaching, and some studies support this claim. Meanwhile, China is currently the main market for the rampant trade of illegal ivory, despite its promises to combat smuggling gangs.

The main problem seems to be that, evidence found by conservation groups notwithstanding, police and customs authorities are not enforcing the law against poachers and traders. And if this doesn’t change – and soon – these species will simply disappear, at least in the wild.

The next post will feature other poached species on the brink of extinction.

Bay of Bengal, Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is located in the southernmost part of India, a place of dazzling wildlife and marvelous views of sunrises and sets. Now, the area’s district administration wants to entice the eco-minded with the tantalizing allure of ecotourism. In Kanyakumari, rugged ecotourists will soon be able to enjoy trekking, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and other adventurous activities.

“Along with the National Adventure Foundation and Friends of Nature, we plan to promote adventure and ecotourism here,” said District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo.

The mellower among us can venture to the beach and pretend to be lizards or enjoy bird watching activities and learn directly from ornithologists, who will be offering their services on a regular basis. The region is inhabited by 17 varieties of migratory birds, e.g. pelicans, flamingoes, spoonbills, and different types of ducks.

School students and corporate groups will be especially targeted: those interested in ecotourism in Kanyakumari will be able to benefit from special tourist packages. If the district administration partners with the state tourism department, there will be options available for the holiday season as well.

It seems that the government is serious about ecotourism. In Kanyakumari, April will signal the implementation of a ban on the use of plastics with less than 20 microns. This will not only help to improve the look of the place and prevent the tragic death of wildlife that confuse plastic with food, but also to raise awareness among local communities and thus potentially advance eco-friendly tendencies in the district.

Given India’s recent industrial boom and the resulting pollution explosion, this new inclination toward ecotourism in Kanyakumari comes as refreshing news. The spiritual and eco-conscious already make their way to India (Kanyakumari included) with zeal and enthusiasm, so offering them ecotourist options should prove a hit. Hopefully this development will soon begin popping up throughout the region and beyond.

Airline food: plastic invasion!

I just flew across two hemispheres. Although I took a trip five months ago, it hit me harder this time: eating airplane food is awful both for your taste buds and the environment.

But is flying green (-ish) not possible?

Sure, flying green is still an oxymoron, unfortunately. But can’t we take little steps to lessen our impact?

I say we can!

I humbly present you with my budding ideas:

1)      Bring your own utensils. No, wait, the security people won’t let us. Okay: if you’re adventurous enough, bring hand sanitizer and eat with your hands. Honestly, I love eating with my hands. Not only pizza, empanadas, sandwiches, and so on, but also…just everything. Not that I ever really get to do it [without being stared at] except in Ethiopian restaurants and at home, but it’s a start! Another alternative could be to bring your own plastic utensils. Better than nothing, no?

2)      Skip the Styrofoam and bring an aluminum bottle for cold drinks and/or an insulated one for hot drinks.

3)      This one’s easy: don’t use paper towels to dry your hands. I always shake the water off unless I have a towel (which in public bathrooms would be gross). Or use your clothes as a towel. Best option: skip using water and towels altogether by using hand sanitizer. That stuff is magic. Love it.

4)      This one is a pain in the behind, but consider bringing your own food from home in some Tupperware. You won’t be generating waste by tearing apart plastic wrappings and so forth.

What am I missing?

Let’s make flying green (-ish) a priority!

What do you think?

Will you do it?

Manu Island, Fiji

The government of Fiji created the Fiji Ecotourism Association in 1995. One of its alleged aims is to “improv[e] the welfare of the local people.”

There are, supposedly, several eco-resorts and National Parks and Reserves to visit. You can learn about local culture by attending a talanoa (storytelling) session about traditional local medicines, legends, and history; you can attend their mekes, a cultural feast featuring traditional song and dance.

Now, the definition of ecoutourism relies partly on the concept of being respectful and furthering the welfare of local communities; and learning about their culture from a reverential perspective sounds great.

But can ecotourists really help locals with their business in a land ruled by a violent and oppressive military regime?

It’s a question worth asking, and I think the answer is a bold no.

By supporting ostensible ecotourism in Fiji (or any kind of Fijan business) we are supporting a regime guilty of human rights violations, widespread censorship, and a refusal to hold elections. Boycotting is a significant way in which we can pressure Fiji’s government to change its tactics, as the country is heavily dependent on tourism for GDP growth.

Let’s look at a couple of examples why the idea of ecotourism in Fiji may be an oxymoron.

Air pollution caused by cruise ships

Ecotourism in Fiji: Cruises

Tourism companies apparently get very excited about hosting “cruising enthusiasts” and even host cruise companies and operators. Ironically,

Cruise ships generate an astonishing amount of pollution: up to 25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets and 143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers each day. … Cruise ships dump untreated sewage from toilets once the ships is three miles from shore.

And you don’t think this crap (literally) is going to affect Fiji’s marine ecosystems? Exactly.

Here’s more:

Each cruise ship carries an average of 3,000 people and produces as much sewage and waste as a mid-sized city. Tons of raw sewage, garbage and even hazardous waste are produced and disposed of each day by a single ship. This constant discharge of waste into our oceans is multiplied by dozens of ships operating every day in our precious oceans.

Cruise ships do not have to comply with environmental and water quality protection laws that are required for municipalities. They are allowed to dump sewage and garbage directly into our oceans—and they do!

Incredibly, the most common practice of cruise ships is to dump waste at sea, usually at night. While they are not supposed to release raw sewage or other solid waste into state waters (3 nautical miles from shore), ocean currents can return discharged sewage, polluted waters and garbage to our shores. Fish do not know boundaries.

Cruise liners also impact air quality. Diesel engines spew out diesel exhaust equivalent to 10,000 cars each day per ship and are kept idling, even when in port.

Well.

Ecotourism in Fiji: Sports

Sports options on the island of Denarau include golf and tennis. But get this: runoff from fertilized lawns and golf courses causes nutrient pollution (nitrogen, phosphates, etc.), which in turn can cause algal bloom, sometimes known as red tide.

The effects of algal bloom, also caused by nutrient runoff from sugar cane farming in Fiji, include the production of neurotoxins that cause high rates of mortalities in fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and the litany of species that inhabit coral reefs, as the reefs die. This, as a result, impacts the Fijan communities that obtain their food and/or livelihood from the ocean.

More and more, it seems to me like “ecotourism in Fiji” is indeed an oxymoron.