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Tom Goreau to Speak at DEMA Cambridge, MA, April 18, 2003—Dr. Thomas Goreau, President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance (GCRA), spoke at the DEMA Show in Miami Beach, Fl (October 8-11). Dr. Goreau’s session topic is titled: The Future of Coral Reefs Prospects for Conservation, Restoration, Growth and Sustainable Management Experienced divers know that pristine reefs are quickly becoming a relic of the past. Lots of factors are involved. Around the world, corals and entire marine ecosystems are dying from global warming, disease, sewage, agricultural runoff and many other causes. Marine parks, though noble in their goals, often just protect dead and dying corals. Studying these areas doesn't fix the problem and cannot hope to restore fisheries in damaged natural habitats. Only large scale restoration of degraded coral reefs will work to bring back corals, reef fish and shellfish populations. A remarkable new technology, called the Biorock™ method, is able to restore coral reefs and fisheries, even in areas where environmental stresses prevent natural recovery. The Biorock process directly increases coral growth rates, boosting coral reproduction and its capacity to resist environmental stress. The result is rapid coral growth, even in badly degraded environments. Dr. Goreau will briefly discuss the science behind the Biorock process and show dramatic videos documenting how reefs in the Maldives, Indonesia, Panama, and other places around the world are actively restoring coral reefs and fisheries-all to the benefit of local hotels, dive shops, fishermen, tourism, and shore protection. Thomas J. Goreau, Ph.D. is President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, a non-profit organization for cutting edge work on coral reef conservation and sustainable management, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He led efforts to protect coral reefs at the negotiations for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Conference on the Development of Small Island Developing States, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. His research currently focuses on the effects of global warming and pollution on coral reefs and on coral reef restoration. His work has taken him to coral reefs all across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. The Global Coral Reef Alliance™, GCRA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group made up of scientists and other dedicated professionals who work with foundations, governments and private firms to build, restore and maintain coral reefs, nurseries and marine sanctuaries. Projects include restoration and construction of coral reefs for mariculture and tourism as well as breakwaters for shore protection. For more information: contact Global Coral Reef Alliance, 37 Pleasant Street, Cambridge MA 02139 USA. E-mail: goreau@bestweb.net, Web site: http://www.globalcoral.org Biorock™ is a trademark of Biorock, Inc., ©Global Coral Reef Alliance, 2002
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