​

Australia- Australian Coral Reef Society

Australia is home to the world's largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef. Climate change has killed ⅔ of the GBR, and many non-profit organizations have been founded to help protect what's left. One of the largest organizations that has been formed is the Australian Coral Reef Society. They were founded in 1922 to promote scientific research on coral reefs in Australia. The 

governments in Australia has sought this organizations views. However, in more recent years the society has witnessed coral bleaching. Since this is killing the coral and ruining ecosystems they want to help take action, and to do so they mainly rely on donations. The organizations president said that “The ACRS not only celebrates the natural beauty of coral reefs, but through its 300+ membership fosters a new generation of up and coming reef scientists, and provides objective advice to policymakers to secure the long-term future of coral reefs. Now, more than ever, coral reefs need our support.” They have since expanded their coverage of coral reefs around Australia. This organization also provides jobs and tuitions for Australians, which is yet another reason they want to show results in their coral care.

 

​

Indonesia- Coral Reef Alliance

Indonesia has had many problems with its coral reefs. It has some of the most coral reefs of anywhere in the world, but due to lack of education on environmental impacts many un-sustainable practices occur there. Environmentalists want to protect the coral from this mistreatment from humans. A global organization called the Coral Reef Alliance has created programs in Indonesia in order to help counter the effects of human impact by educating locals. They set up their organization in 2007. They stated on their website that “By working directly with local communities to create effective management plans that support local interests and ensure sustainability, we create win-wins for communities and coral reefs.” This has instilled a wanting for change in many of the inhabitants of these communities, and this new mindset helps to stop people from environmentally damaging practices such as blast fishing.

​

 

Maldives- Reefscapers/Various Hotels

The Maldives lacks in official government funded organizations for helping to protect its coral reefs. Certain environmentalist hotels have taken steps to protect their reefs. As mentioned earlier, The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort is working towards recovering the coral that has been affected by coral bleaching on its grounds. When asked if they had a solution to coral bleaching, the manager replied “No – the only solution is to reduce global warming. But the resort’s marine biologist, Caterina Fattori, is encouraging the house reef to recover by replanting corals.” I had then went on to say that they did this to support themselves financially, which is true, but they are also environmentalists. While they could've just helped their coral, they actually took steps to grow entire new corals and give the eco-system new life.

A grander hotel organization that was not mentioned previously was the Reefscapers. They have partnered with six different hotel companies in the Maldives. The hotels have all in some way been affected by the bleaching in 1998 that wiped out 90% of the shallow water coral in the Maldives. They were founded in 2000. The most successful location was at the Four Seasons resort in the Maldives. The increases in coral was astounding. There was a 20% increase in coral cover surrounding the Resorts. The Four Seasons resorts website said that “marine biologists around the world are taking notice – techniques developed through Reefscapers are now being used in the global development of artificial reef generation.” The other hotels they've worked with have also had their coral reefs recover somewhat. Business has increased, too.