Sponsoring or being involved with Reef Check

[minfinger]

Members,

http://www.reefcheck.org/

Let me know what you think and be honest. I'll email them our thoughts and see if there's some way we can help.

[skipm]

What are the available options other than a monetary contibution? The nearest chapter that I noticed is in SE Florida. If we are talking about supporting them through a contribution, how much are we talking about and would this be a one time or recurring contribution? Skip

[minfinger]

Good questions....I'll ask when I email.

More questions please :D

[Troy182]

I looked at some of thier reports and this seem to be on the up and up, But....
I always think that those guys go in with the preconcieved notion that the reefs are going to die if humans exist and they are just working on excuses to close them off to divers and collectors.

Having said that I do suggest people volunteer for such projects as scdnr's SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Rehibitation and Enhancement) project or Local River Sweeps.

For more additional information about SCORE go to
http://www.csc.noaa.gov/scoysters/

For info on River/beach sweeps go to
http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/
Click special Programs to find a link to an upcoming beach/river sweep

I have to say I had a great time. I worked hard and got put away wet and I can't wait to do it again next year. I even got my picture in the Beaufort Rag. I thought it was pretty Cool.

Anyway I will look into it more in the AM and give my more educated opinion then sorry to run on

[Troy182]

Clipping from a google cached Article By Gregor Hodgson Director
of Reef Check Here
http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:plPfCawl-pUJ:www.circop.com/Conf/US/Hogdson.html+Gregor+Hodgson&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

"The solutions are simple but require a new political will and socioeocnomic incentives that facilitate the involvement of everyday people in coral reef rehabilitation efforts"


GREGOR HODGSON: MAN ON A MISSION...
"He is an ardent advocate for more and larger marine parks, bans on the export and import of juvenile fish and shellfish, bans on poison and blast fishing, and reduction of carbon emissions to reverse global warming which is killing off corals."
from here:
http://planet-hawaii.com/sos/winter_news.html#gregor

From His UCLA bio site here: http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/academic/M1Main.html

"This course "cluster" will inform the student about the many interactions between the environment and humankind, the worldwide environmental degradation currently being wrought by human activities and the environmental protection and restoration essential to the long-term well-being of Earth's human population."

A clipping of this http://www.reefcheck.org/releasequik2.htm
"Without the private sector the reefs are going to die, there's just no question whatsoever," Dr Hodgson said.

[Troy182]

"bans on the export and import of juvenile fish and shellfish"

BAN is a strong word

[minfinger]

hmm...Interesting...

Now see that's why I put it in the forum. I never would have knwon about his "opinions".

It's still up to the group, but I'm leaning more towards the SCORE or the River/Beach Sweep thing.

[skipm]

I think that we would be better off to serve a more local endeavor at this time due to the size of the club. Maybe we could do something for a larger group/cause like this one at a later date when our membership has grown. JMO, Skip

[Aquarius Lady]

personally I second Skip, JMHO. I'd rather do something local as well.

[minfinger]

Well then besides SCORE and the River Sweep thing, what else can we do...Lets get some ideas and get involved.

I was thinking about something at the DNR, maybe...Luke knows someone down there and I have an oquatance(sp) there too (Guy I met about a year ago).

[Troy182]

mike I will Pm you with a contact at SCORE.

[Troy182]

Your PM box is FULL

[minfinger]

Yeah I got it thanks...