The Short Story

Based on the success of the voluntary standards developed for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, CORAL was invited by the State of Hawaii to establish a code of conduct for marine recreation on the island of Maui. In 2007, our efforts focused on creating the marine recreation voluntary standards followed by an evaluation of their acceptance, effectiveness, and affordability. We also developed the CORAL Reef Leadership Network to provide ongoing training for marine recreation providers, education programs for tourists, and increased protection for Marine Life Conservation Districts on Maui. Funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allowed us to expand our projects along the Kailua-Kona coast of Hawaii. Planning has begun for our next phase of work, which includes more standards testing, engaging the cruise ship sector in training focused on sustainable practices, and strategic support for the managed marine areas on Maui and Hawaii to create level-four Coral Reef Sustainable Destinations (CRSD) across the two islands.

More Progress in Hawaii

CORAL worked with a number of conservation partners including the State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources and Project S.E.A.-Link to launch the successful Take a Bite out of Fish Feeding education and awareness campaign, which is designed to eliminate the feeding of reef fish and the sale of fish food. The campaign created an outpouring of support from local businesses and members of the community; and more than thirty Hawaii-based marine recreation providers across the state have pledged their support. CORAL’s members sent notes of thanks to these businesses to encourage their continued support of sustainable tourism practices. More »

CORAL and its many local partners recently launched the Respecting Coral Reefs sign project. The interpretive signs, which are “adopted” by local businesses and placed in heavily-visited areas, teach visitors and residents alike how to respect and protect delicate coral reef ecosystems. The success of the sign project on Maui has led to its expansion throughout the state of Hawaii. The environmentally responsible and informative signs are also available in a poster form for display by local businesses, organizations, and schools. More »

Examples of Progress

  • Increased participation in voluntary standards development by Maui- and Kona-based marine tour operators.
  • Development of new education and outreach tools.
  • New collaborations created among local partners at project sites.