The current weather in Culebra

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Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: taz hamrick (---.prtc.net) Date:   01-15-09 14:16 This is a call for help..help from all of you who enjoy and love the reefs surrounding Culebra and Culebrita..Sea Dream 1 and 2, cruise ships which have permits to anchor in 'our' waters are systematically destroying our reefs! On at least two separate and recent incidents the total damage to reefs near Culebrita are at least 300 square feet and near Luis Pena island just outside of Lana's cove 790 square feet of coral reef has been destroyed. Marianne of Coralations has been trying to get someone, anyone with 'jurisdiction' to do something about the situation..And she has been met with the same old attitude, "Not my job"...Is anyone out there? The lady needs help! I have been trying to help by providing transportation, and tank support for both her and University of PR Dr Edwin..Who have videotaped both sites, but we need some help folks..We need folks 'mailing' the tourism board of PR requesting them to rescind the permits for these ships so they can't do any more damage. We need someone with some backbone to ENFORCE THE LAW ABOUT ANCHORING ON PROTECTED REEFS!!!! Let's hope the folks who enjoy the underwater world here will join with us to get this situation fixed..otherwise, .......

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar) Date:   01-15-09 15:30 Taz, thank you for posting this! I changed the title so people are aware, that something has to be done! Does anyone know whom to contact? Enjoy Culebra! Michael

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net) Date:   01-15-09 16:30 I just emailed her to see who she's tried and to see if I can find out who wrote the permits. I'm not sure if those reefs are in the preserve...isn't Lana's cove on the west side of Luis Pena? If they are in the Preserve, FWS would have enforcement authority. The problem may be no enforcement funding. Hopefully the incoming administration will remedy that.

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com) Date:   01-15-09 17:01 Taz, what caused the destruction? Was it the act of anchoring, or was it some kind of discharge?

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Mark Reynolds (---.ptld.qwest.net) Date:   01-15-09 19:25 Taz, is there a way to reach Julia Packard at the Monterey Bay aquarium in Monterey California? She knows all the legalities and support for reefs as she has achieved to make Monterey Bay and reefs along most of California into Marine Sanctuarys and probably would be of great help to you if you could talk to her. Contact the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I think she would help out. the cruise ships are fast becoming a nuisance to the reefs, why can't they anchor farther out or motor around . Hope this helps, I'll be at the Gran Melia in Feb.15th.

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar) Date:   01-15-09 19:28 The anchoring itself is destructive to the reef, not only the anchor, but the chain that is attached to it and moves over the reef with the movement of the boat at anchor.

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   01-15-09 20:36 Mort, It's my understanding from Taz (when I was there a couple of weeks ago) that it is anchor damage. All federal agencies have an obligation to protect coral reef ecosystems. Read more about it here: http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/coral/taskforce.html Like Taz said, it's about enforcement. If they continue to get away with it, they will continue to drag their anchor(s) where they shouldn't. Happy Diving! Debbie

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net) Date:   01-16-09 04:27 by the website it just seems really wrong. http://www.seadreamyachtclub.com/voyage_c.pl?act=&operation=&voyage_id=&filter=1®ion_id=2&filter_date=&yacht= just a really bad fit for the demographic and the place. their schedule seems to hit St. Thomas and Maartens more and I'd guess their guests would be happier there. bad customer service AND bad sensitivity (IMHO)

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar) Date:   01-16-09 06:09 Maybe it's possible to hit them with publicity? Even though they might just think any publicity is good. Also is it feasable for a 4000+ ton boat to pick up a mooring and how big would that have to be? If they can avoid bad publicity and can conserve the beauty, that they are obviously selling, maybe they can be convinced, it's better to put in a mooring rather than be the target of a very angry group of Culebrenses and powerful visitors alike? What's your take? These boats aren't going away any time soon, if we get rid of one, the next one is bound to come ... Thank God the harbour entrance is not big enoug for them! Enjoy Culebra! Michael

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: taz hamrick (---.prtc.net) Date:   01-16-09 10:21 The problem with enforcement is NOT 'funding'...We have FWS people here, we have DRNA people here, we have local law enforcement people here..the problem as I see it is what we in the military call LMF (lack of moral fiber) its called guts by your layman... No one in any capacity to enforce the law wants to for fear of the consequences..Can you actually see a FWS person going to the ship, requesting to see the captain and then informing him "Sir, I suggest you put your executive oficer in charge because you are under arrest"?????..Get real....

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net) Date:   01-16-09 11:25 Taz, I believe it is not as simple as you make it, but I like the way you think. Are both reefs actually in the protected preserve?

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Michael (---.fibertel.com.ar) Date:   01-16-09 11:39 I think only the Coast Guar actually has the power to board and that they have to get permission (which is usually granted) - we are talking Bahama territory they have to enter. No state agent would have that right - as far as I understand it .. Enjoy Culebra! Michael

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Teresa (---.prtc.net) Date:   01-21-09 05:40 Hi, the word from PR DNER is that they and NOAA (the two agencies with regulatory jurisdiction over corals in PR waters) were here last week to check the damages and found it less than described at Luis Peña and they think it was caused there by a vessel other than that cruise ship (maybe a sailboat). The damage at Culebrita they saw to be serious and described it as a near grounding. The permit granted by DNER supposedly authorized anchoring in the bay of Ensenada Honda only. You know that I don't work for FWS anymore but jurisdiction hasn't changed; basically, the Canal de Luis Peña Natural Reserve is not FWS, it is DNER. All marine waters in PR are DNER/NOAA. FWS is supposed to enforce regs within Culebra NWR (Terrestrial only). Hopefully one day agencies can work together to protect Culebra as it should be protected and prevent tragedies such as this from happening. Let's hope for a better 2009! Peace, Teresa

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com) Date:   01-21-09 10:42 Thank you Teresa for the update! Enjoy Culebra! Michael

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Re: Reef Damage - Call to Action!!

Author: Teresa (---.prtc.net) Date:   01-22-09 15:36 Most importantly, thank goodness that there are people in Culebra like Taz, Mary Ann from CORALations, and Edwin that are here to get that documentation that those agencies need to make a case and go forward. Without that video stuff there would be no case. Thank goodness for them Teresa

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