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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 19, 2014 - 09:04am PT
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I chose to put this here, as opposed to the surfing-climbing thread, to hopefully reach more of those on this forum. I wouldn't put this up if I didn't believe this type of study (and educational oppertunity) was necessary. I was lucky enough to become intimately familiar with a number of the reefs in Clintons Master's thesis Study in the 90's. I saw both the pristine and the damaged reefs up close and personal during many free dives, scuba dives, and surf exploration in the tropical Pacific. So, the whole topic has a personal connection for me and I am just trying to do what I can to help, including this little bit. Anyway, thanks in advance for bearing with me on this.
As background information, I have a friend (Clinton Edwards) who studies coral reefs. I had first crack at reviewing his masters thesis (UCSD), which was dominated by collecting a wide range of coral reef data data from all over the Pacific Basin by many different researchers, then going out and spot checking various locals (diving on said reefs and collecting data). The goal was to assess the health of these various reef systems all over the pacific basin. This study led him, and a fellow scientist and waterman, to realize what a huge impact we surfers have on reef systems, both directly and indirectly. So they decided to do something about it.
They wanted to collaborate on a study of coral reefs that are surfed to try to quantify potential impacts we have on these reefs. Clinton Edwards and Clifford Kapono from the Scripps Instituition of Oceanography and UCSD, are proposing a 1 year project to visually map (think Google-Earth) the health of the coral reefs under the world’s most famous waves. To get funding for the study, they entered a National Geographic Society contest where they were competing with over 700 other projects. Their project was chosen as one of the Top 10 finalists for the Expedition Granted contest.
That is where you can help if you want. Funding will be determined by a public vote. If you feel this is worthy, please support the effort with your vote. Voting is underway and continues until Sept. 29th. They are hoping that you'll consider casting your vote and sharing this through social media, your contacts and as many people as you know! Each person can vote once from any device they own, every day, by going to: http://goo.gl/FRwMUE
edit: finally got the link to work
Thanks for your time.
Chris
Project summary written by the co authors
Coral reefs around the world are in dramatic decline and there is urgent need to raise public awareness and participation to support conservation activities against rising threats such as coastal development, overfishing and climate change. Few activities draw as much attention to reefs as surfing and the allure of surfing and the appreciation for the beauty of breaking waves stretches well beyond the surf community. Despite this attention, the structure and health status of the reefs that create these waves are seldom studied by scientists. Surfers and the general public are largely oblivious to changes in reef ecosystems because they simply aren’t able to spend the necessary time studying and exploring to understand the chemical and visual signs of reef health. The vast majority of surfers have never actually seen the reefs they surf over. Further, good waves do not necessarily equate to healthy reefs. As a result, the surf community is under involved in conversations of coral reef conservation. Yet, the health of these reefs directly influence the communities that depend on them. Without a healthy and growing coral ecosystem, the reef will eventually erode and the life it supports will disappear. Given their intimate contact with these reefs, the global surf community is ready to be a powerful advocate if it can be motivated to act. To do this we first need to inspire and educate.
We will use new and groundbreaking large scale (think Google-Earth) underwater photo-mosaic technology to image the reefs at some of the world’s most famous waves including Pipeline, Teahupoo, Cloudbreak and Palikur Pass. Each of these waves are located in areas in critical need of conservation, and we will also visit nearby locations to document both healthy reefs and those in decline. Travelling to these areas will also allow us the opportunity to access nearby locations and compare these well-known waves and reefs to unexploited ones. In turn, informing both scientific and public perspectives of what relatively “pristine” reefs looks like. The products we produce are highly detailed, continuous images of the reef floor and will spark the interest of the surfers who would ride these waves as well as millions of other people around the world who will also be inspired by the images of these reefs. By making these images and information publically available, we will educate surfers and non-surfers alike. We believe that this project will dramatically increase engagement and inspire support for coral reef conservation.
We strongly believe that we can motivate the surf community to become an active and important partner in coral reef conservation. The high resolution photo-mosaic images and chemical profiles of the reefs under world’s most famous surf spots will provide the surfer and non-surfer communities an exciting interactive interface to explore the reefs under their favorite waves. The National Geographic Expedition Granted Award will allow us to see our project successfully exhibited on the world stage and provide the public with impactful and relevant coral reef conservation data. By educating the public through hard science and inspiring imagery we will raise awareness and change the way the people view and ultimately interact with these reefs and inspire change.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Sep 19, 2014 - 09:15am PT
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BuMP!
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TLP
climber
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:31am PT
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There's a scientific problem with this that may be addressed in the full proposal, but as described here, it would be incorrect to ascribe any observed reef differences just to the impacts of surfing. Not only are these famous spots subject to surfers, jet boats, etc., but they are also subject to the fabulous and powerful waves which correlate directly with presence of surfing. Would you conclude that skiing was the cause of forest destruction where there are steep slopes and lots of snow? Of course not, it's self-evident that it's avalanches. But the size or other aspects of the wave regime at the great spots could trash the reef in less obvious ways, or select for different reef-building or -inhabiting organisms than at a nearby reef with different flow regime. I'd be very wary of any conclusions, due to the extreme difficulty of finding valid reference sites.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:36am PT
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Unfortunately this one could go in the climate change thread. Coral reefs are going to be one of the major casualties of the warming and acidification of the oceans. The evidence is everywhere to be seen right now. The coral reefs are at the base (literally) of an incredible underwater foodchain.
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:36am PT
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Living coral is in fact quite fragile.
The comparison to skiing would be more like having snowcats plowing early season parking lots in meadows.
Sounds like a necessary study.
I didn't see how they are going to control for the effects of global warming on the reefs which we already know is devastating.
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John M
climber
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:40am PT
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it would be incorrect to ascribe any observed reef differences just to the impacts of surfing.
I'm not sure where you read this as saying that surfing has an impact on the reefs. I read it as them trying to get surfers involved to help bring visibility to the problem of the deteriorating health of our reefs. Perhaps I am wrong.
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:43am PT
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Yes, as described, the study objectives are vague. Reading it again carefully I still appears to me it's about the impact of surfers.
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John M
climber
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Sep 19, 2014 - 10:53am PT
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Coral reefs around the world are in dramatic decline and there is urgent need to raise public awareness and participation to support conservation activities against rising threats such as coastal development, overfishing and climate change.
First sentence describes the need to raise public awareness of the threats to coral reefs. Surfing is not listed as a thread. Coastal development, overfishing and climate change are listed.
Few activities draw as much attention to reefs as surfing and the allure of surfing and the appreciation for the beauty of breaking waves stretches well beyond the surf community.
Second sentence describes why they are reaching out to surfers and using the background of surf breaks to highlight their desire to make this a more generally known issue.
at least that is the way I read it.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2014 - 11:02am PT
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Mostly, the study is about trying to understand what these impacts are. No studies (that I'm aware of) have been conducted to date. But some of these potential impacts are a bit subtle. For instance, building a resort right out in front of a reef and not mitigating for potential increase of sedimentation due to the change in landward conditions. Nothing to do with "global climate change", but sedimentaion will choke off a live reef. Shoot, we learned this in depositional systems when studying carbonate rocks in College. And you can see this in where and how reefs grow on these island systems. Anyway, that is just one example.
The other purpose is to educate people about reef health and what we know impacts them. With knowledge comes power to make informed decisions. This study (as I read it and have talked with Clint) would just be a first step. A one year collection of data.
edit: that is no studies have been conducted on these iconic and popular surfing reefs. Climate change is part of the study, but by all means, not the only potential threat to these reefs.
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Sep 19, 2014 - 11:06am PT
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so the pedantic question remains: Will the impacts of surfing itself be studied?
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2014 - 11:12am PT
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According to Clint. THis would include impact of housing at these surfcamps, boats (taking surfers to and from the breaks, and fishing to feed these guys. Anything related to the surf tourism industry. This may be one reason why the big boys have not signed on yet. But I don't know. IF you are utilizing a resource, you need to become a steward of that resource. Look at hunters and Ducks Unlimited (I'll probably get some jabs for that LOL). THis is essentially something we've ignored for decades.
tHere is something very different in going feral and living in a "primitive" village to surf the local breaks, essentially living like one of the locals, and running groups of frothing surfers over various breaks day after day. ANd supplying for their needs.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2014 - 12:12pm PT
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Be sure to check out the video on the National Geographic link.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Sep 19, 2014 - 01:24pm PT
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I like a good Coral reef.
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Sep 19, 2014 - 04:05pm PT
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I voted!
My wife and I have been scuba diving all over the world. The worst damage that I've seen was from the dynamite fishing in Central America and Asia. Sickening.
My lovely wife on the largest barrier reef in the world:
My lovely wife on the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world:
Here's a video I made of a very healthy reef system:
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 19, 2014 - 04:33pm PT
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Vote is in.
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WBraun
climber
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Sep 19, 2014 - 04:50pm PT
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Just save mankind from himself and everything else will be automatically saved also ........
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 20, 2014 - 07:00am PT
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Thank you all who at least looked at the OP, and a special thanks to those who voted!! Clint (and I) appreciate it tremendously. Believe it or not, this vote is like "American Idol" or some such, where you can vote again and again at least once a day. If you are so inclined, every day voting would help a lot.
Sierra Ledge Rat. Nice shots and video. Thanks for posting! I've never been to Cozumel, Galapagos, or the Great Barrier Reef.
These 2 young scientists/watermen have combined 2 passions and are trying to make themselves a path in this world. It's not easy these days, with all the "background noise" out there. I say cudos to them for trying to make a difference. Thanks again too all who voted, and please consider doing the daily vote :).
Chris
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 20, 2014 - 07:30am PT
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Palikir Pass, in Pohnpei. This is one of the spots on their study list. I first flew into Pohnpei in '92. We got to join in with the local people on a Sakau drinking sessions, take long drift dives, and got our first look and the reef pass waves along the North side of the Island. This included a little known right in Palikir Pass. We hired someone to take us out in his boat paying with a case of bud light (coin of the realm back then), and while he fished, we surfed a somewhat sharky (4 to 6 foot I think black tip) but amazing reef right. To us, this spot was totally pristine. But we were not the first to discover it, that's for sure. When I got back to Guam, I tould one of my friends on the island about it and he just smiled and said don't tell anyone but now you know. I got to go back a couple times over the next few years using the same boat guy and actually developing some friendships on the Island. This was one of dozens of spots I "found", but the only one that turned into a surf camp years later.
Pohnpei also has an amazing array of flora if you ever go there. I thought the drift diving was great, but then I was mostly a free diver back then. You used to be able to get there taking the Island hopper, which also took you to such lovely spots (depending on your take on lovely ;) ) as Johnston atol, kwajalein, Kosrea Island, Pohnpei and Guam.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 22, 2014 - 06:25am PT
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Putting it up front and don't forget to vote bump.
SLR said
The worst damage that I've seen was from the dynamite fishing in Central America and Asia. Sickening.
One of the "spots" they propose to study is just called the "Central Pacific". Well, that essentally includes Pohnpei and Kosrea, which I talked about above. Many of these islands were impacted by WWII and have unexploded ordinance. The locals will find the old ordinance, extract the explosive from it, then if they are still alive use it to stun the fish then bring it home for dinner. I can't explain it, but is somehow connected to their culture.
I mainly worked on Guam conducting RI/FS studies under the CLEAN contract for the Navy. The drillers almost to a man were from the islands of Palau. They drove my health and Safety officer nuts; you are not supposed to collect things from a potential HazMat site nor are you supposed to eat while you are working one. Says so in the SOP we were supposed to follow. But without betel nut between their cheek and gum it was hard to get these guys to work. Sometimes you just had to look the other way to get stuff accomplished.
One day, I noticed they were missing a drillers helper for maybe 30 min. I was wondering where he was when I started to hear a metallic ting ting ting sound. THere was (is) unexploded ordinance all over many of these islands, and this spot had been loaded with it too; so far the largest were 5"inch diameter. Some with crimps on the end, and some with rifleing. (My people had to take an ordinance class on the topic, where basically they showed you what the ordinance looked like and the bodies of locals who had been blown up trying to extract the explosive. ) Anyway, I knew what was happening immediately and ran to the sound where, sure enough, my missing drillers helper was taking a rock hammer to another unexploaded 5-incher and attempting to dig it out. Well, I stopped him and we were both bummed. Me because I have to stop work for the day and call an ordinance disposal unit, and him because he didn't get to go fishing with the explosive he was going to pull out of the thing.
Ah yea, the good old days. Ended up being a pretty fun day. No surf, but got off early enough to do some deep free diving at a pinnicle about 3/4 mi from the coast that usually had tuna swimming near it if you could get down to about 100 ft. I told Clint about this spot and I am pretty sure it is going to be included in the study as an example of a healthy reef system. It is just outside of Double Reef, an area documented with over 100 different types of coral, AND a rarely surfed right and left depending upon swell direction. The right can wrap almost 90 degrees; it can be fun to a pretty insane ride. The left is usually a fairly intense barrel if it is breaking.
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