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 2008 has been designated “International Year of the Reef” to raise awareness of coral reef values, promote coral reef stewardship, and to strengthen coral reef management and conservation. There is no better place to celebrate International Year of the Reef than on St. Croix!
WE ARE CELEBRATING BY THROWING A GREAT BEACH PARTY & CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE REEFS AROUND ST. CROIX! COME CELEBRATE AND JAM WITH US ON MAY 25, 2008 AT RHYTHMS ON RAINBOW BEACH!We will have many activities though out the day including live music through out the day, fresh fish fry, raffle prizes, activity corner with fishing-related games and activities, USVI fisheries slideshow, an underwater photo contest, information booths and displays, local vendors selling their goods and much more... Our goal with the REEFJAM project is to educate our community on what we can do to protect our local coral reefs. Not only is our island surrounded almost entirely by coral reefs, but we all depend directly or indirectly upon coral reefs and their associated resources for their economic, cultural, and ecological services. Our Reefjam project will spread information about protecing and conserving our reefs through media advertisements, brochures and our educational out-reach program. Our out-reach volunteers will also have educational demonstrations in our local schools. All the proceeds from the REEFJAM concert will go towards these efforts to conserve the reefs around St. Croix! To learn about how you can donate towards this worthy cause click HERE! |
Coral reefs are important for many reasons. They provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish and other animals. Without coral reefs, the fish would not be able to live or reproduce. Coral reefs help control how much carbon dioxide is in the ocean water. Without coral and plankton, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water could rise dramatically and that could kill off the very food that they all need to feed on. Coral reefs are also very important because they protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it hits the shore. They protect our beaches and also attract tourism to our island. Without coral and the parrotfish that feed on them there would be no beaches here on St. Croix! Everyone living on an island such as St. Croix is directly affected by the health of our coral reefs. The treathened Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is one of our most important reef building corals in the Caribbean. This beautiful but frail colony was photographed in Annaly Bay on the north shore of St. Croix. Photo courtesy of