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EPA JOINS CMC TO HELP PROTECT CORAL REEFS

Release Date: 03/12/99
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1999

EPA JOINS CMC TO HELP PROTECT CORAL REEFS


EPA has joined the Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) in a partnership to help protect coral reefs and the marine ecosystem through two volunteer programs to collect coral reef data. The first program, called Reef Ecosystem Conditions (RECON), is an innovative program that will engage recreational divers in collecting valuable information on the condition of coral reef systems. CMC and EPA will develop a pilot project with the assistance of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors for testing within the wider Caribbean region with cooperation from other numerous non-profit organizations, research institutions and universities, local resource managers and agencies as well as businesses and industry, such as dive shops and resorts. The second program, the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, is a five-year statistically-based marine debris study utilizing volunteer groups to monitor and remove marine debris from selected U.S. coastal areas to determine the major sources of the debris and whether or not it is increasing. For additional information, the general public can call Ken Potts, EPA, at 202-260-7983 or Susan Yum, CMC, at 202-857-3279. A CMC press release with additional details is available on the CMC website at: http://www.cmc-oceans/org. EPA also maintains a coral reef website at: https://www.epa.gov/ow.

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