Coral Cay Conservation Special Statement
Added to website: 18 January 2005
Aftermath of the Asian earthquake and tsunami disaster
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) extends its heartfelt condolences to all those in the Asia and wider Indian Ocean region devastated by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami disaster on 26 December 2004. Fortunately, none of CCC’s expedition operations were directly affected. However, as an organisation committed to the alleviation of poverty through the sustainable use of tropical natural resources, we are now acting to support communities and NGOs that face the considerable tasks of not only rebuilding livelihoods, but assessing the environmental impact of the catastrophe.
How CCC can help
Through our registered charity, the CCC Trust, options are currently being explored for assisting locally based re-development agencies to help repair the damage caused by the event. In addition, through a series of collaborative ventures, the scientific and technical resources of CCC are being offered to governments and re-development agencies to help them assess the impacts of the tsunami on vital natural resources and provide recommendations for recovery programmes. On the request of local NGOs, the CCC Trust will also raise funds to rebuild local infrastructure, such as research stations and education centres.
How you can help
Supporting humanitarian relief efforts is still the number one priority. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a donation to the DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal (PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA, tel: 0870 60 60 900, www.dec.org.uk). In the medium and long-term it is crucial to assess the environmental degradation caused by this natural disaster and the ecological and economic ramifications this will have on the countries affected. Please visit our website, www.coralcay.org for the latest news on collaborative ventures that CCC is invited to undertake in order to assist local agencies. Your support of these projects will be crucial for starting the long process of recovery for communities and coral reefs destroyed by one of the greatest natural catastrophes in living memory.
Impact on the environment
The region affected by the Asian earthquake and tsunamis supports several ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, salt marshes and lagoons - all of which play a vital role in sustaining the natural resources on which many millions of people in the region depend. James Comley, CCC’s Director of Marine Science, said:”The task now is to urgently formulate an understanding of the condition of these ecosystems post-event. It is anticipated that such an understanding will assist in the mitigation of long-term detrimental effects and will provide guidance in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged areas to ensure the sustainable redevelopment of the coastal zone.” According to an initial report by the World Conservation Union (IUCN),’The effect of the tsunami on these ecosystems is likely to be very severe ecologically as well as economically, although very varied in the region. Environmental damage to the inter-tidal and sub-tidal area is expected to be extensive. This will include drastic change in the health of coastal marine ecosystems, with potentially irreversible destruction of some areas,as well as immediate loss of living coastal resources such as fish, lobsters and crabs. This will have serious implications for fisheries, as many fishermen in the region are dependant on near-shore resources. The pelagic environment is unlikely to be severely affected. Many coral reefs may have lost both their structure and biota, and are now reduced to rubble due to mechanical damage. The force of the tsunami can move enormous boulders and sections of reef… Further, there is significant contamination by run-off from land, with large quantities of wastes and pollutants, debris, soil, and organic matter.’ (www.iucn.org)
