Online Coral Reef Resource Now Available at reefrelieffounders.com

Reef Relief founders Craig and DeeVon Quirolo retired from the grassroots organization last July, only to begin an effort to provide an online resource on coral reefs. Their new website provides all the award-winning educational tools, grassroots strategies, project reports and images of coral reefs assembled during their work over the past 23 years in the Florida Keys and throughout the Caribbean protecting coral reefs. You can find it at http://www.reefrelieffounders.com.
“We just wanted to insure that others can learn from our experiences and continue the important work of saving endangered coral reefs,” noted DeeVon. “Craig’s image archive from all the years he monitored coral reefs, especially those revealing new coral diseases, are invaluable to researchers, students, media, divers and the general public to learn about coral reefs. We hope to inspire a new generation of sea fans!”
The Quirolos new website features blogs on reef news, science and even offshore oil, along with over 10,000 free images of coral reefs from coral surveys in the Florida Keys, Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas and elsewhere. Craig Quirolo has produced numerous reef videos on the Youtube site accessible from the webpage. So check it out, make it a favorite and return often to see new posts and add a link from your site to this new resource for saving endangered coral reefs. For more information, email dquirolo@gmail.com or go to http://www.reefrelieffounders.com.

Also: First post!

I was in KWest, USCG, in 1973 - 6 and they were working it then! I met Mel Fisher, hung out with his son, and now the grandson is working it. If the booty is big enough they’ll look for years, I mean decades. LOL

We were not ‘in the loop’ for the show production. Our crew shot one team - only underwater. As you know these things tend to be highly coveted.

I’ll post any further information. so far I believe they did a test with episode #1. I sure hope it was successful; we need more ocean on tv.

Paul

Paul Dymon Films, inc
hd2o.tv

Capt. Dave Ghidoni,Key West Florida

Sincerely, Reader

Obviously you feel strongly about the shark, as do we, and I do hear you on some Discovery programming. All in the name of money.
I tend to give some margin and flexibility in the name of science, however most of these shows are not real science. You are right, they are exploiting shark behavior for ‘entertainment value’ and ratings. That… does stinks.

The Discovery list is just that; a list from Discovery. I don’t agree with all they do either. There is lots to learn from the shark, mostly how the hell did they make it through the 70s? Jaws and other forms of sensationalism and exploitations draw upon fear, make that horror, and has created such terms as ’shark infested’ when the truth is really ‘human infestation’. How ridiculous it that? The nerve of Man, make that ‘Lazy People’ calling any piece of the Ocean domain ‘infested with sharks’.

We live in a culture of quick cheap thrills, unfortunately the shark is ideal for the lazy; just chum and cage dive. Lazy people want it now, right now.

I know underwater photographers and cinematographers whom I deeply respect. These pros spend the time and energy to capture the animals in a most natural state in their natural temperament and behavior. These are the people I respect and revere, and have modeled my own company and my crew prides themselves on touching ‘nothing but sand’ and we live by three words; DO NO HARM.

I hope we have common ground to agree. Perhaps this is where we begin. See this short video of my friend and world class photog Stephen Frink. It represents the passion you will appreciate.

http://hd2o.tv/flog/2008/intel.....ite-shark/

Thank you very much for your post and passion for the Earth’s most amazing creature. I want you to know we are more alike than different.

Best regards,

Paul

Since when did Discovery start outreach to help save sharks, or promote shark tourism. That post stinks.

As the oldest-living vertebrates, sharks may provide information on the origin and evolution of all vertebrate species, including humans.

Sharks affect shellfish-population counts, since many consume skates, rays, and other predators of scallops, crabs, lobsters, and more. When sharks decline, shellfish that many humans like to eat start to disappear, too.

Sharks rigged with cameras have provided important data on dangerous underwater sites, such as a Pacific Ocean nuclear-test site where sharks were deployed in 2003.

Sharks possess a highly developed immune system, with few species suffering from cancer and other disorders. If researchers can unlock its key processes, sharks may one day lead to preventative treatments, or even cures, for some of our most deadly diseases.

Shark fins and hammerhead shark noses have inspired high-tech adaptations to airline wings and jet bodies. The Langley Research Center has extensively studied sharks, along with whales and seagulls, for their potential design applications.

Certain sharks, such as the basking shark, are filter feeders that consume large quantities of zooplankton, such as copepods and krill. Some experts believe this helps to “clean” the water and may prevent red tide and other harmful algal blooms.

Shark blood contains special anticlotting compounds that scientists are studying for possible human heart-disease applications.

Sharks have the greatest electrical sensitivity of any creature on Earth. Since detection of magnetic fields can help with orientation and navigation, future research on shark electroreceptor organs may one day lead to better navigation systems in cars, planes, and ships.

Analysis of sharks, particularly the dogfish, has taught many researchers and students about fish biology.

Ecotourism, with sharks serving as a primary attraction, has improved local economies in many places throughout the world, such as in parts of the Philippines and Belize.

Sharks and humans once shared a common ancestor, so our tissues are not all that dissimilar. Optometric researchers are investigating the shark cornea, which may one day be used for human transplants.

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz modeled a “bionic car” after a tropical fish called the boxfish and other fish, including sharks. Its streamlined shape made the car one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles for its size.

Sharks always draw a crowd when they are safely contained in aquarium exhibits. While such displays remain controversial, they have earned millions of dollars, with some of the monies going to shark-conservation projects.

Many sharks are scavengers that consume dead and dying animals and plants. They help to rid the oceans of rotting carcasses and related waste materials.

Squalamine, a chemical extracted from dogfish, appears to kill bacterial microbes and removes potential tumor cells. This natural compound may one day be incorporated into treatments for human infections and disease.

Shark teeth, with their variety of different shapes, sizes, and cutting surfaces, are a marvel of nature. They may have inspired early human tools, some of which incorporated actual shark teeth, skin or both into the objects.

Sharks possess remarkable senses that enable many species to see in near darkness, smell from long distances, feel distant vibrations and more. Analysis of these abilities may one day give humans similar abilities through devices modeled after shark senses.

Recent studies indicate that sharks are highly intelligent, with advanced problem-solving skills, social complexity, and a natural sense of curiosity. Using neuronal activity-detecting devices, scientists have developed rudimentary ways of reading animal thoughts and feelings. In the future, we may better understand ourselves by learning how other intelligent creatures view us.

Some sharks, such as the spiny dogfish, never seem to go into a full sleep, since they can continue to swim while “sleeping.” Researchers continue to study sharks in hopes of learning more about what occurs in the brain during sleep modes, which may lead to treatments for human sleep disorders.

Researchers are experimenting with a new boat-surface coating based on shark scales. Due to their base shape, size, and bristles, scales help to prevent algae and other things from sticking to sharks, a quality designers hope to impart to ships.

http://hd2o.tv/index.php?main_.....mp;cPath=2