| Entering 2010
So here's the latest...
MARINE DEBRIS
We are now in the 2009/2010 humpback whale season in Hawaii and we have already had an entanglement. A young whale was spotted in the channel between Maui and Molokai with approximately 500 feet of polypropylene rope trailing behind it. The rope was wrapped thru the whales mouth and around it's head near it's blow hole. After several attempts, the rope was removed by a NOAA disentanglement team. In the pictures below, you can see the rope wrapped around and trailing behind the whale. The NOAA disentanglement team used a knife on the end of a long pole to cut the rope. It has been estimated that over 300,000 cetaceans (whales and dolphins) die each year worldwide as a result of entanglements. To report a whale in distress, call 1-888-256-9840.
  
CORAL REEF MONITORING - ISLAND OF MAUI
After a year and a half of waiting on permits from the Hawaii Dept. of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), we finally received our scientific permits to install 18 permanent transect pins to mark 3 long-term monitoring sites. The sites are all located along Maui's south shore. Starting on a reef nearly devastated by invasive algae and going 4 miles south to a site in comparatively healthy coral reef.
Our rationale for selecting these particular sites for monitoring is 2-fold: First, we are filling in gaps in DAR monitoring. Maui DAR personnel are among the best marine biologists and marine naturalist in the state. However, without help from nonprofits like the American Reef Coalition, gaps in monitoring and certain DAR missions are not accomplished or have to be postponed. It's always the same problem...just not enough money in the state budget.
Second, The northern most section of the monitoring area is choked with invasive algae. The next site is 3 miles south and downstream. This reef is in relatively good condition considering the amount of daily human interaction. The last site is 1 mile further south. This is another relatively healthy reef. This is not to say the same invasive algae that devastated the northern most sections are not present in the southern sections, it is. The prevailing current moves from north to south in this 4 mile stretch. Assuming whatever is upstream will eventually go downstream, monitoring these particular sites will, in theory, provide an early warning system for the southernmost sections of the island's reefs.
The invasive algal situation in the northern most sections of the south coast reef system cost the state an estimated $20 million a year in clean-up, lost revenue and devalued real estate. The reasons for the bloom have been blamed on nutrient loading thru run off from agriculture, development, storm drains and seepage from the water treatment plant injection wells. Had there been an ongoing upstream - downstream monitoring system on the reefs prior to the algal bloom, perhaps it could have been seen, stopped or surpressed prior to destroying coral reefs and becoming a burden to the state, business's and people of Maui.
ISLAND OF LANAI
By comparison, the coral reefs off Lanai are in substantially better condition than South Maui. Some of the coral reefs here are absolutely breathtaking. There are many reasons for this; less people and less development can mean cleaner water. Fewer people mean fewer fishermen, which allow for more herbivorous fish to keep algae in check and therefore a better balanced ecosystem. With that said, Lanai's coral reefs are not without problems. The shallow reefs are showing signs of coral bleaching. Blamed on global warming, the warmer water kills the algae which has a symbiotic relationship with the coral polyps. In July of 2008 while surveying a reef off East Lanai, we discovered the largest bloom of Neomeris Annulata (algae) ever recorded in the state of Hawaii. Strange days indeed. These events need to be discovered, reported and monitored to better understand the effect, research the cause and devise a remedy. Working in cooperation with the Maui office of the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, an Ulva cage has been set in the area. Ulva is an algae also known as sea lettuce. The Ulva will uptake nutrients in the area and later when analyzed will tell us what additional nutrients are in the area that could have stimulated the sudden growth of Neomeris Annulata. Take a look at the algae picture, it had covered the reef like a thick shag carpet. The bloom was all in shallow water generally less than 15 feet. We'll wait 'till the Ulva test results are in, however my money is on a failing septic system that caused the nutrient loading in this area.
Ulva Cage Neomeris Annulata algae
 
ISLAND OF MOLOKINI
Located 3 miles off Maui's south shore in a channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, Molokini is a crescent shaped islet of only 24 acres above water. Ranked as one of the top dive destinations in the world, this amazing caldera sees over a thousand SCUBA divers and snorkelers every day. And yet, even with all the daily human interaction, Molokini's coral reefs are still in pristine condition. As part of our mission, the American Reef Coalition helps government agencies and other nonprofits involved in marine conservation and are proud to say we were called upon to help the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources perform their latest fish and coral survey at Molokini. Having 45% of all the legally installed day-use moorings for all of Maui Nui, we visit Molokini quite often to assess and maintain these moorings. While there, we are always watching for any changes in the health of the ecosystem.
 
RESEARCH
We finally received our scientific permits to transplant coral. The coral will come from growth on day-use mooring buoys. During routine maintenance and replacement, these corals in the past have ended up in dumpsters along with the old buoy. We are now able to remove these corals and transplant onto barren areas of reef or artificial reef and study their growth and new colonization of coral reef critters.
ARTIFICIAL REEFS
The American Reef Coalition provided boat and dive support to American Marine and the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources for the latest addition to the Keawakapu Artificial Reef off South Maui. This deployment of 1,500 modules adds to the existing artificial reef. Keawakapu Artificial Reef was created in 1962 and stretches across approximately 52 acres. It includes about 150 cars, 2,250 tire modules, 35 concrete slabs, and one vessel, the "St. Anthony." The modules were deployed at a depth of 75 feet. Each "Z"-shaped module measures eight feet long by four feet wide, with 12-inch legs at each end facing in opposite directions, and weighs about 2,200 pounds. New coral and algae will grow on the forms, which will provide additional habitat to new communities of reef fish, become an additional SCUBA diving destination and help de-stress our natural reefs. We will use the new modules as a class room for studying coral reef colonization.
Fully loaded barge just prior to deployment. American Reef Coalition boat in foreground.
First to dive the new reef
 
DAY-USE MOORINGS
Day-Use Moorings are perhaps the quickest, easiest and most cost effective ways to protect living coral reefs in popular SCUBA and snorkeling destinations. The American Reef Coalition has been involved in the permitting and installation process of new day-use moorings since 2002. We assess and maintain Maui, Lanai and Molokini moorings in cooperation with other concerned non-profits and commercial operators. At the time of this January 2010 update we are two months away from receiving permits to install 15 new day-use moorings around Maui. The permitting process began almost 4 years ago. We'll keep you informed.
Aloha,
Terry Hunt
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