Batangas City, Philippines (Nov 9, 2006 18:18 EST) President Gloria Arroyo has enacted a new national conservation policy for the Philippines to protect the archipelagic country's unique and rich nature, with initial focus on the heart of Southeast Asia's Coral Triangle.

"It is the policy of the state to protect, conserve and sustainable use biological diversity to ensure and secure the well-being of present and future generations of Filipinos," said an Executive Order signed by Arroyo at a Nov. 8 ceremony on Verde Island in Batangas City.

KEY WEST - (AP) -- Want to leave your mark on the planet? Have an artificial reef named after you. But it will cost you.

A weeklong online auction started Wednesday for naming rights to an artificial reef project organizers hope to establish off the Florida Keys.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Nov 5, 2006 17:47 EST) Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island off Dubai, is bracing for the arrival of its first residents, even as questions remain about the environmental impact of the mega-projects under way in the Gulf city state.

"These projects are a positive thing for the country" since they have propelled Dubai to world fame, said environmentalist Ibrahim al-Zu'bi.

BERMUDA (3 Nov 2006) -- Bermuda features heavily in a new award-winning documentary film series about coral reefs that challenges many commonly held misconceptions of life under the ocean.

'The Reef Series' which includes 'The Perfect Reef', 'The Circle of Life' and 'Talking With Fishes' was produced by husband and wife filmmakers, Guy and Anita Chaumette of Liquid Motion Films.

The couple jetted in from Fiji last week to be on hand at a special Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) showing of two of the films at City Hall. Reader advisory: Those of our readers who would prefer to believe that fish don't have feelings or intelligence, should probably stop reading.

Worldwide, researchers are reporting that corals are ailing and even disappearing. Amazingly, nearly 500 million people depend on coral reefs for their income (e.g., tourism) and/or coastal protection; about 30 million of those rely on coral reefs for their food. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that the decline in the world's reefs could seriously damage local economies that rely on them. To help protect this often-overlooked resource, last month, 7 government officials from 6 countries signed a declaration calling on the scientific community to cooperate with local governments and community networks for the management of coral reefs and tropical marine ecosystems. According to the declaration, "healthy coral reefs are a beautiful indicator of healthy coastal and marine ecosystems and an increasingly valuable natural resource." Moreover, the declaration thoughtfully pointed out the "economic, social and cultural futures of people of tropical coasts and islands are linked to the health of coral reefs." Among the declaration's signatories were:

Shadecloth may cover Barrier Reef

VAST areas of shadecloth could soon cover parts the Great Barrier Reef to prevent the future bleaching of coral.

The shadecloth is one option being developing by marine researchers in Queensland, who say the cloth would be held in place by floating pontoons.

Another option to protect important areas of coral is to spray the water's surface, breaking the surface tension of the water thus increasing the protection of the coral beneath from the sun.

Reef Check Executive Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson today announced the 2006-07 schedules for Training of Trainers sessions to be offered by the Reef Check Foundation in support of its worldwide EcoAction monitoring efforts. These 2006-07 trainings and class materials are available on a first come first serve basis to active status industry professionals.

The sea waters and coastline of Kien Giang province in southwestern Vietnam have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a world biosphere reserve.

The Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve covers an area of more than 1.1 million hectares, consisting of three core areas – the U Minh Thuong National Park, the Phu Quoc National Park, and a mangrove forest area named Kien Luong-Kien Hai.

Beginning November 1, 2006 and running through April 30, 2007, Seaweeds: Wonders of the Ocean Realm features a series of magnificent photographs of specimens from the Museum’s extensive collection of marine algae, as well as actual examples of the species displayed. In their delicate forms and colors, many of the specimens resemble Japanese paintings, and this exhibit is a celebration of these little-known but incredible organisms. They were among the first life forms on earth, and fossilized marine algae known to be at least 2.6 billion years old will be included in the exhibit.

Beautiful Oceans is an exciting new player in the coral reef ecotourism industry, offering state-of-the-art coral reef biology courses to scuba divers and snorkelers. Science Instructor Development Courses are available to all dive professionals, no prerequisites required. Beautiful Oceans’ courses take place in-class and in-water, and are designed to help your customers get more enjoyment from their coral reef exploration, while attracting new clients from the growing eco-tourism wave.

Washington, D.C. (Oct 30, 2006 18:16 EST) A former U.S. Coast Guard cutter, overhauled and refitted by World Wildlife Fund, began patrolling the waters of the Galapagos today as the first National Park Service vessel fast enough to outrun and catch poachers at sea.

By MAT PROBASCO
Associated Press Writer

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) A rapid decline in the world's coral reefs could damage economies that rely on underwater sea life for tourism revenue, researchers said Friday.

Tourists spend billions of dollars each year on hotels and tours to experience the marine habitats in areas including the Caribbean, Australia and the Pacific islands.

By Mica Rosenberg

CAYE CAULKER, Belize, Oct 30 (Reuters) - A rainbow-hued parrot fish nibbles on a veined purple sea fan in the tranquil waters of Belize's barrier reef, the largest in the western hemisphere.

But the fish stays well away from a large patch of dying coral, a white skeleton amid the bright colors of spectacular ocean life along the coast.