APPENDIX University of New England HILLS BEACH ROAD, BIDDEFORD, MAINE 04005-9599 [207] 283-0171 May 1, 1992 Rosemarie Gnam Subcommittee on Environment Dear Rosemarie Gnam: I am writing in support of the House of Representatives' Bill # 4537 entitled the "Coral Reef Environmental Research Act". I recently spoke with our mutual friend Chuck Carr regarding his testimony at the recent hearings in Key West. Chuck suggested that I might expand briefly upon his remarks regarding the long-standing conservation objectives of Wildlife Conservation International as they relate to the magnificent barrier reef ecosystem of Belize. My scientific training lies primarily in the field of coral reef fish ecology. I have been conducting research on the conservation and biology of both coral reef and freshwater fishes in Belize for over a decade. Under the auspices of WCI of the New York Zoological Society I am working closely with scientific colleagues at home and abroad, fisheries personnel from the government of Belize, and coral reef park planners such as Ms. Janet Gibson, to implement a long-term and far reaching conservation strategy for the Belize coral reef ecosystem. As Chuck described in his written testimony, WCI has purchased Middle Cay, one of 6 tiny islands on Glovers' Reef Atoll, and committed it to conservation. We hope that future educational and research activities on Middle Cay will serve as catalyst and seed crystal for a new order of research directed towards conservation and sustainable management of these precious resources. Hence, Chuck's invitation to gather those who will implement this remarkable legislation for an interlude of careful thought and discussion on that precious island. Our hope for a new order of marine conservation research lies with our proposal for long-term ecological research on Glovers' Reef Atoll. We propose nothing less than a longterm, large-scale experimental ecological study in which a socially managed fishery harvest is the major experimental variable. The time has come to apply the vast body of modern ecological theory and knowledge to problems related to maintaining the integrity of our coral reef ecosystems world-wide. We believe that management models that employ the single-species population based maximum sustainable yield approach to fisheries and coral reef management are fatally flawed. Such a strategy ignores the interdependence of nature, its expensive to implement, it over-regulates people's lives, and it discourages the involvement and shared responsibility of the local people, and most importantly it simply doesn't effectively conserve natural resources. The alternate strategy we propose requires significant social and economic change and no small amount of courage. Over the past several decades a virtual sea of excellent technical and detailed information concerning the biology of coral reef ecosystems has been assembled by the world's scientific community. American researchers have played a major leading role in this pursuit of knowledge. Sadly though, too little of this vital knowledge is translated and made readily available to those whose job it is to conserve and protect these resources. Furthermore the design of many scientic studies of coral reefs with conservation objectives implicit by the very nature of the disciples involved, often exclude most people who do not have the training, specialization or expertise in a particular field of coral reef biology. We believe this approach to conservation research must change. It must be multidisciplinary and encourage the participation of all user groups (fishermen, landowners, government, etc.) in the design, implementation, and conclusion of the study. Basic research on coral reef communities by itself, void of any connection to the sociɔ-economic issues of local people, will fall short of saving these vital resources. Therefore, as the particulars of this legislation unfold, we invite those responsible for its implementation to take a careful look at what we are trying to do in Belize. We stand ready to contribute in what ever way we can to the process of this legislation. Should you be interested in more detail regarding the specific design of our proposed studies in Belize, or simply want further information or input, please don't hesitate to contact me. Again, I commend the work of the subcommittee and take pride in such efforts by my government to improve the quality of live for us all. Sincerely, Enclosure Jacque Carter, Ph.D. |