Save The Reef Foundations?

[Rock Anemone]

There seems to be a lot of talk about the destruction of Coral Reefs these days, but I really don't see much happening with the issue.

Is there a Save The Reefs Foundation that actually spends donations to make a difference? I'm not saying some aren't, but I want to know I am sending my donation(s) to a place that is going to do whatever it takes.

Rock Anemone

[naesco]

I would recommend the Coalition of Coral Reef Lovers as the best bang for your buck. Mike King does really good work.
www.corl.org

I think it is great that you are asking where you can help.

[Rock Anemone]

Thanks for the link naesco, looks like they are doing a very good job and I would feel great sending in a donation to them.

Rock Anemone:D

[mkirda]

Originally posted by naesco
I think it is great that you are asking where you can help.

What... You aren't asking for donations to REEForm ?

Regards.
Mike Kirda

[GreshamH]

SHH, RC hasn't heard about REEForm yet Mike.

CORL is doing some great work, and I only expect we'll hear more from them soon. Mike Kings has been inactive on the internet as of late, so he's probably working of reef issues some place in the south pacific.

[Mike R King]

FAAFETAI LAVA
(Thank You Very Much!)

Oh I'm just a bit busy.......
Lot's of things happening……
The next CORL news letter will be sent to CORL sponsors via E-mail in a week or two. If you’re not a sponsor it will be posted on CORL's web site sometime in October.
There's a lot going on and this Issue will be focusing on community based coastal resource management and the start of CORL's Community Based Coral Reef Restoration projects here.
CORL-AS will also be issuing a news letter this summer in both English and Samoan and copies will be downloadable via the web site.
We have several educational videos completed and as soon as I can start producing them on a DVD they will be made available to the public at a low cost. I haven't had much time to work on hobbyist video, there's nearly 30 min of footage so far but my computer here at home can't cut the editing and the computer I'm using at the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources doesn’t have the Hard Drive space to handle such a large project.
Todd will be upgrading the web site in the near future so everything just may work again soon
:)

Oh here’s something new too...
You at RC asked me about doing this so here it is.....

Talofa from Samoa!

I have been asked by several hobbyists / Divers If it might be possible to put together a group trip here to American Samoa. I have a short hiatus in the grant writing so I have spent some time doing some preliminary checking and have come up with a cost estimate and a 10day one Island Tour- package.

I still have to see what villages would welcome the group for a traditional ava ceremony and meal, a must do in AS!!!. I'm working with several villages on community based coastal resource management so I think at least one will set up a Fono (meeting with us) and ava ceremony. The floor show at the Shark and Turtle lodge where most will be staying is quite good too.

It would cost between 2,700.00 and 3,700.00 including airfare, tank rental, Dives, group transportation to dives and activities (on one of AS's famous busses), meals and hotel (Double Occupancy) ( Cost varies greatly upon route taken, Polynesian air through Apia-Western Samoa is 1000.00 cheaper than Hawaiian air through Hawaii, downfall to Poly.air is the flight from Apia to Am. Samoa is on a twin engine Otter ( the jet may be running by the trip date with luck) and weight restrictions suck.)

10 days would give participants 7days of diving and 3 days of snorkeling (rain or shine)- (3 or 4 days of boat dives, 3 or 4 days of shore dives 2 snorkeling trips on Sundays (inner harbor.))

If some wish to stay 2 full weeks a trip to the outer Islands (OFU, OLOSEGA, or TA'U might be possible) the flight there is between 70.00-100.00 and hotel there is 60.00/night there's no dive shop on the outer Islands so snorkeling would be cheapest otherwise SCUBA tanks can be sent over ahead of time on the ferry.

By the way I'll make sure you see the good and the bad reefs and you best be ready for a few lectures on Samoa's Coral Reefs their Problems and how we are trying to find some answers to them! I'll also put you all to work replanting a damaged reef area! OK I promise just 1 day of fun labor !!

If some are up for an open ocean dive to a submerged reef (40'-80'+) I may be able to talk John at Tutuila Dive shop into diving on Tima Bank. You can help us determine if the rumors are true and Blue Face angels really do inhabit it!! It's also hot spot for large clown triggers and sharks!!!


By the way I do have enough room at my town house for two or three people also so I can put a few who can’t afford the T&S resort up for the trip.

Best time for me would be March-April 04 for but it can happen sooner if interested parties wish.

Well let me know if you’re interested so we can start working on a date and reserving accommodations send me E-Mail mike@corl.org Phone # here is 011-684-258-4380

Trip will be at 0 profit for CORL , all we will ask for is that 1 day of coral restoration work and that's totally voluntary (were just trying to help educate the divers and hobbyist on what's happening to the reefs).

Fa' from the front line to save the reefs

Mike King
The Coalition of Reef Lovers

[Rock Anemone]

Mike R King,
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

It's a great honor to be able to welcome you to RC!

Thanks for the information & updates, I can't wait to send my donation in. Boy would I love to go to the American Samoa with you guys and help out. Perhaps in a year or so!

Rock Anemone:D

[naesco]

Thanks for the update Mike an best of luck with the good work you are doing.