Hi, My name is CoCo!

Remember me? I’m the mascot for the CNMI Organization for Conservation Outreach, the group that’s also called CoCo. If you’ve been reading this page over the past few months, you probably already recognize me. Anyway, you’ll see me a lot more in the next few months as I teach you about various environmental issues ranging from our uplands to our coasts. A lot of the articles you’ve read recently have focused on the threats to coral reefs, and the ways that they are being destroyed. But, in order to know why you should care, let’s explore some of the cool benefits we get from our reefs.

First of all, reefs help to protect us from big storms and even tsunamis, as the reef provides a natural barrier to waves. As a recent Wall Street Journal article quoted, “Reefs save lives.” (Dec. 31, 2004) In areas of the Indian Ocean protected by healthy reefs and mangrove systems, fewer lives were lost during the recent tsunami. Unfortunately, in many countries, coastal development and destructive fishing practices (among other causes) have taken their toll on these ecosystems, leaving islands vulnerable to the devastating effects of such a massive wave. However, it’s not just the tsunamis that we need to worry about. Even smaller events, such as typhoons or tropical storms can cause erosion of our shorelines. This damage is minimized by a healthy reef system.

Reefs are also an important home for fish, providing us with a source of both food and recreation…and money too, for the commercial fishermen. How many of you know someone who fishes at least once a week? I’d bet a lot. Can you imagine how different that person’s life would be if (s)he didn’t have the reefs to provide a habitat for all of the yummy species we like to catch here? Forget about eating palakse, tataga, or mafute. Boy, would that ever make a boring barbecue!

Now let’s stop and think a minute about our foreign visitors. One of the main reasons tourists come to Saipan is for diving and to enjoy our tropical beaches. Those tourists help to stimulate our economy and provide jobs for many of our residents. Thanks again, reefs!

Reefs are also extremely diverse. They are home to and habitat for lots of different species of corals, crustaceans, snails, and other animals. This diversity is not only beautiful (just ask anyone who has ever snorkeled or dived on a reef), but is also a source of important medicinal compounds. For example, AZT, a treatment for those infected with HIV, is based on chemicals found in a Caribbean reef sponge.

All of the services that reefs provide to us are worth an estimated $20.9 trillion dollars globally!! That’s A LOT of money…more than the combined economies of all of the world’s nations! But the scary thing is, if we lost these services, we could never replace them at any price. So let’s take good care of what we have, and make sure we keep our shorelines protected, our fish stocks high, our tourists spending their money, and preserve our biodiversity. To find out ways you can help, make sure to come to CoCo’s public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Garapan Elementary School’s cafeteria, at 5pm. There you can help set CoCo’s agenda, sign up for volunteer activities, and meet the folks that make CoCo tick. Hope to see you there!

Until next week,

CoCo