The Transect Line - September 2007

The Transect Line – September 2007

A big thank you is extended to all those who submitted entries for our “name the newsletter” contest! After much debate, Reef Check has decided to name the monthly electronic communication The Transect Line. Congratulations to Deidre Pilotte for the name suggestion!

Reef Rescue 2007
	Reef Check honored Dr. Sylvia Earle and Daryl Hannah for their marine conservation efforts at our annual Reef Rescue fundraiser held in Malibu. Thanks to all who made the night such a great success! Click here to view pictures from Reef Rescue 2007. Video interviews from Cliff Baldridge: Dr. Sylvia Earle Daryl Hannah Irmelin DiCaprio Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Conley Ulich
Reef Check 2006 Annual Report
	Reef Check 2006 Annual Report is now available In 2006, with your help and the support of thousands of people in over 90 countries and territories, Reef Check has continued to grow and prosper. Reef Check teams surveyed more than 700 reefs around the world using our standard technique. A ten-year report on coral reef health will be published later this year.
Reef Check California
	Reef Check California receives grant for emergency Oxygen kits from Diver's Alert Network (DAN)
	Reef Check’s California program is proud to announce that RCCA has received a Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen Grant. The DAN Grant provides RCCA with 3 Rescue Paks and 1 Extended Rescue Pak which include emergency oxygen cylinders and delivery devices.

	Reef Check California continues to add new divers to its expanding program
	Check out the links below for full training and survey reports from Los Angeles and Monterey. Los Angeles Training Monterey Coral St. Survey Monterey South Monastery & Stillwater Surveys
International Year of the Reef Update
	International Declaration of Reef Rights reaches new milestone
	The Declaration takes a monumental leap forward with its first official Governmental signings! Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, Emanual Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia and Kessai Note, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, have all pledged to protect coral reefs by signing the Declaration. Over 5600 have signed from 110 countries Click here to sign the International Declaration of Reef Rights Click here to find out what others around the world are saying about the International Declaration of Reef Rights

	Reef Check Unveils its official IYOR song by Thin Ice in Manhattan Beach Concert
	The International Year of the Reef, being held throughout 2008, is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the beauty and wealth of coral reef ecosystems. In addition to the International Declaration of Reef Rights, Reef Check has incorporated an official International Year of the Reef song and will be featuring it at different events throughout 2008.

Reef Check Teams in Action

	DUCARE and Reef Check team to establish coral reef health in the Philippines
	In collaboration with multiple Philippine-based NGOs, The Coastal Dynamics Foundation, Durham University and the Royal Geographical Society, the DUCARE project led a successful expedition to the Visayan Sea region of the Philippines to establish coral reef health and possible strategies for the conservation of these reefs. Using a multi-faceted approach to gain as much information as possible, the two month expedition completed 76 Reef Check surveys as well as conducted multiple detailed anthropological studies and raised awareness of the importance of coral reefs and their conservation through numerous educational talks and presentations. Their successful expedition highlighted the importance of the reefs in this Visayan region, determined to be the epicenter of marine biodiversity.

	Reef Check Indonesia teams with National Geographic to survey reefs affected by the 2004 tsunami
	Reef Check Indonesia held a special training for several National Geographic Indonesia staff members to create a large-scale joint survey of coral reefs in the tsunami-affected region of Aceh, Indonesia. This massive survey event will initiate a continuous reef monitoring exploit to track the long-term effects of tsunami events on coral reefs.

	Reef Check conducts EcoAction training course in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
	Reef Check welcomes ten new divers from 5 Caribbean countries to its list of certified instructor trainers at a special training of trainer’s course in the Dominican Republic. With funding from the United Nations Environmental Program, Reef Check brought in ten lucky individuals to attend this training course.

	Reef Check Australia is featured on the cover of the Townsville Eye for its continued efforts in coral reef monitoring and conservation
	Reef Check Australia received special attention in the Australian magazine Townsville Eye. Click here to read the full story.

	Reef Check Indonesia distributes children's comic notebooks to earthquake-affected areas
	RCI aims to increase knowledge of coastal ecosystems and highlight warning signs of impending tsunamis by distributing these comic notebooks to as many children in tsunami prone areas of Indonesia.
Mark Your Calendars!
	September 22: Reef Check Ocean Festival & Movie at the Bluffs: “Surf’s Up!” Bring your blankets to Malibu's Bluffs Park for a special outdoor screening of Surf's Up! Prior to the movie, the Reef Check Ocean Festival will feature a number of family oriented and educational booths, special appearances by Nickelodeon stars, a special performance by Monet Monico, as well as dance and entertainment from a variety of international acts.