Key Efforts
Here is a brief overview of what we’ve accomplished in just three short months (as of May 2005)! Click on each link and you’ll be taken to a short overview and images of each effort and project hero:
General
- Debris removal and restoration: working with local people to seed projects: Thailand, Sri Lanka
- Providing scientific and technical assistance
Thailand
- Entire Thailand report
- Phi Phi Island — 40 tons of debris taken off the reefs in 4 weeks
- Khao Lak and the Similans
- Supporting local scientists
- Sending volunteer scientists and divers
Sri Lanka
- Entire Sri Lanka report
- Sri Lanka east coast divers and fishermen. From dynamite fishing to reef protection
- Consortium of divers, conservation organizations and local people form a reef debris removal community
- Center for Conservation Research Sri Lanka (CCR): supporting local people to better understand the tsunami’s effects
We are making a difference. CCR called our help a “God-send” to them. A consortium of scientists, divers, and conservation groups told us that our help ensures that they will get the debris off the reefs and save the corals in the marine parks and nearby coast. Our scientific knowledge saved the day for scientists trying to repair sea fans ripped out by the tsunami. Read more about our efforts on sea fan repair and restoration, and follow a personal account on Dr Brosnan's blog about her visit and work in SE Asia.
But the need is great, and we need your continued help. I get ongoing requests for assistance in restoring the marine environment and rebuilding communities. These requests come from individuals and communities who have suffered terrible tragedies and yet have energy and passion to rebuild. All they need is a little support. Please help us to get the word out. Small amounts of cash can make a profound difference in these communities. 100% of funds received will be sent to the field to support local employment, provision of equipment, use of boats, etc (SEI takes no overhead and we volunteer our time). Others may wish to provide help in other ways: equipment, supplies, expertise, etc. We welcome it all.
Those of us who work and play in nature know how much humans depend on healthy ecosystems. It falls on us as ecologists, conservationists, divers, and outdoor enthusiasts because we know just how important these systems are, to lead the fight to save them. And for all of us as citizens of this planet it falls to us to support our fellow-citizens in their hour of need. We, too, have benefited from others reaching out to help us.

