The Process

1.The first thing that needs to be completed is that you and your partner should become familiar with coral reefs. Look up the information outlined in the resource section. You will need to have as much information about coral reefs as you can before moving on.

2.Now that you are experienced Marine Biologists; you may begin to gather information from the local people. Find out what they have noticed in the last few years that might be out of place or different. See when they noticed the fish catch going down. Is nobody catching fish, or is it just a few unfortunate fisherman.

3.Interview some of the scuba divers that you see. Find out if they have been diving here in years past, maybe they notice something different. Are the reefs the same as they have been or do they look different? What do they look like now?

4.Check out the links associated with coral diseases and healthy coral. Which ones look like the description of the scuba divers? This information can be found on the Reef Relief Mission page, click on healthy corals and coral diseases to read and view photographs.

5.What are the biggest problems that coral reefs encounter? What can we do to prevent or slow down the destruction? These answers can be found at the following links: Threats to Coral Reefs and What Can One Person Do.

6.At this point, you and your partner should have a pretty good idea of what the problem, or problems, are in Finith. Put your heads together and see if you both agree. If you do agree, proceed with the assignment. If not, discuss the reasoning that you both are using and do more research until consensus is reached.

7.Now it is time to make a plan of action to save the island. Using the resources provided, find out how to save the reef. Form an action plan for the citizens of the island. This will be displayed on a poster, which can be used to inform the local islanders of the problem.

25 POINTS

Identification of at least two causes of the slow destruction of the coral reef.

25 POINTS

Poster for the islanders.

20 POINTS

What disease, if any, does the coral reef have?

10 POINTS

Have at least 2 new regulations that the islanders can put into place that would slow or

end the destruction.

20 POINTS

Verbal presentation of your findings.

Include pictures of the coral reef and tell why these particular photos are important. List all the things that you have discovered that could be leading to the destruction of the reef and how these can be halted or prevented in the future. Cover the reasoning behind your action plan and see if they want to put it into place.