Coral Reefs -- Rain Forests of the Sea
overfishing, and overuse have put many of our unique reefs at
Their disappearance would destroy the habitat of countless species.
It would unravel the web of marine life that holds the potential
for new chemicals, new medicines, unlocking new mysteries.
It would have a devastating effect on the coastal communities
from Cairns to Key West, Florida - communities whose livelihood
depends upon the reefs."
President of the United States,
was designated the International Year of the Coral Reef (IYOR).
United States government agencies and more than 50 other organizations
from around the globe sanctioned the 1997 IYOR to raise awareness
of the value of coral reefs and the challenges they face. The
IYOR was an effort to promote and pursue the goals of the International
Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a partnership of nations and organizations
to protect and sustainably use fragile coral reef resources world-wide.
should we care about coral reefs? Coral reefs are important to