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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GLOBAL REEF EXPEDITION TO FOCUS ON CORAL REEF HEALTH 
BARCELONA, SPAIN, October 16, 2008 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- An unprecedented three-year study on the health of coral reef environments worldwide is set to begin in 2010 by Washington.-based Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. The study, entitled “Global Reef Expedition – Science Without Borders®,” was announced at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain. (www.globalreefexpedition.com)
“Coral reefs are in grave danger of extinction,” said HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan, founder and Chairman of the Living Oceans Foundation. “They are declining worldwide due to steadily increasing threats from direct human pressures and indirect effects of climate change. Significant numbers of the world’s reefs are already lost, or are under either imminent or longer-term risk of collapse. Our goal is to join the efforts of countries in different parts of the globe to conserve, and hopefully restore their coral reefs and other marine resources.” The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is seeking letters of engagement from governments to partner with the Expedition's teams of scientists and professionals as they work towards a better knowledge of coral reef habitats and the ultimate goal of preserving and protecting the biodiversity, health, heritage and social and economic value of these precious resources. Letters of engagement are required by January 31, 2009. The expedition will be outfitted, equipped and financed by the Living Oceans Foundation with the resulting scientific information shared freely with involved parties and the scientific and regulatory communities. The primary scientific goals of the Expedition are to map and characterize coral reef ecosystems, identify their current status and major threats, and examine factors that enhance their capacity to resist, survive and rapidly recover from major disturbance events. This information is important for developing sound management strategies for coral reefs. “With our ocean-going research vessel, we are able to access any part of the world, however remote,” said Captain Philip G. Renaud, Executive Director of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. “Local scientists and managers will be invited to join the Foundation’s research team so that they may share in the experience, and provide local guidance and knowledge.” This latest expedition builds on the Living Oceans Foundation’s solid experience as a leader of underwater scientific research expeditions. Past expeditions, under the banner of the Living Ocean’s Foundation, have taken scientists around the world – to the Mediterranean, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Sea of Cortez, the Seychelles, Indonesia, and the Red Sea. For more information, contact: CAPT Philip G. Renaud, USN (ret), Executive Director Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (301) 577-1288 prenaud@livingoceansfoundation.org |
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