Taras Oceanographic Foundation www.coralcartography.org



Protecting coral reefs requires money and so we have begun a fundraising campain to create a map of an entire coral reef off Grand Bahama, comprising 200 km2. As contributions are made, the black and white image of a porcupine fish on a coral ledge will turn into a full color image that truly reflects the beauty of   our underwater world.
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This blog serves as a medium for everyone interested in our work on whales and dolphins and the mapping of critical habitats to share ideas and experiences

Coral reefs are among the oldest structures and have existed for millions of years. They contain approximately twenty-five percent of the ocean species diversity. They are invaluable to the ocean ecosystem and our economy where they account for billions of dollars in revenues from fishing and tourism.

In recent years, global climate change appears to cause additional stresses due to a rise in water temperature and acidity, which may cause the decimation of the existing reefs and the creatures that underpin the ocean’s food web before the end of this century. In turn, this would likely hamper the ocean's ability to filter nutrients, resist the spread of disease, and reduce the amount of seafood available for human consumption.

 

 

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION

Considered among the most complex and diverse environs on Earth, coral reefs play a key role in the health of our planet’s oceans. Caring for them will require us knowing far more about these extraordinary benthic environments and the associated ecosystems they host, and the establishment of baseline data against which future assessments of ocean health can be measured.

Creating a geospatial data-base and highly detailed and accurate maps for coral reefs and other benthic habitats does set a new standard in the field of marine science but also serves as an invaluable tool for monitoring, management, and preservation of such environments worldwide.

Throughout the Bahamas coral reefs are near crisis situation. This is why we have selected the coral reefs off the southern shore of Grand Bahama as our first major project. Over the next few years, we will create an underwater map of the entire 200 km2 large coral reef, thus providing the details knowledge all stakeholders need to make sensible and informed decisions that ensures the survival of both man and the ocean. For more information, click here.