Shareholder Group: Private Industry

Environmental Consulting’s Concern/Perspective on Florida’s

Coral Reef Tract

EVERYTHING’S CONNECTED

Environmental Consulting’s Interactions with Coral Reefs

Indirect:Advising Clients: Avoid or minimize impacts to reefs, mangroves or seagrass – they’re all connected….

Direct:Surveys: Pre- & Post-Impact

Monitoring: Follow-up on transplanting or reconstruction of a reef

Research: Done by monitoring to show improvement or decline, number of corals in an area

Recreation

Environmental Consulting’s Key Concerns with Coral Reefs

I. Water Quality & Biodiversity:

Water Quality – Factor that is degrading reefsOutcome: Can cause excess algae growth - smothers corals

Biodiversity – declines as corals die since habitat cannot support fish, invertebrates, etc.Survival of the fittest.

Environmental Consulting’s Key Concerns with Coral Reefs

II. Economic Indicators:Reefs are an Economic Driver in South Florida:2000-2001 – Diving industry of S. Fla. generated:

$4.4 billion in local sales*~$2 billion in local income* 70,400 full and part time jobs*

“Gateway to the Caribbean”“Yachting Capital of the World”“Venice of America”

*NOAA CRCP: Tourism & Recreation

Comparative Studies for Preservation of Coral Reefs

1. Shark Finning vs. Shark Dives Finning: 73 million sharks killed annually primarily for their fins. We all know this is not sustainable and it is now illegal in many countries. Single dead reef shark would only bring an estimated US$108.

Shark Dives: Analysis of Palau’s shark-diving industry showed an estimated value of an individual reef shark was US$179,000 (annual) or US$1.9 million (over its lifetime).

Comparative Studies for Preservation of Coral Reefs

2. Mangrove Swamp/Forest vs. Shrimp Farm

Mangrove Swamp Functions: Provides $14,450/acre*1. Storm Protection2. Shore Stabilization3. Products (wood, fish)4. Nursery/Spawning Grounds5. Absorb CO2

6. Counteract sea level rise by building up the land

Shrimp Farm Functions: Provides $3,376/acre BUTPollution & land degradation cost $2,200/acre SO REALLYNet income of $1,176/acre*

*Wright, Boorse. Environmental Science, 2011.

Study Indicating the Value of Coral ReefsApril 9, 2014

Center for American Progress and Oxfam America Release New Report, Finds Every Dollar Invested by Taxpayers in Coastal Restoration Projects

Returns $15 in Economic Benefits-For 3 restoration projects funded in 2009 by stimulus grants from NOAA

Benefits of healthy coastal ecosystems:1.filter pollution2. buffer coasts against extreme weather3. serve as nurseries that sustain fisheries4. support tourism & recreation5. support the culture of coastal communities

Long-Term Payout of Restored Coastal Ecosystems:$1 million invested in coastal restoration creates 17.1 jobs on average VS.$1 million invested in offshore oil and gas creates 8.9 jobs on average

Environmental Consulting’s Desires/Wishes for Coral Reefs

Preservation

Help what is left of the coral reef and enable it to revitalize by:1. Reducing pollution via runoff on the reefs2. Lionfish rodeos3. Education: importance of the reefs, no anchoring areas

Sustainability

Create a preservation plan that helps the entire 100 mile reef tract, not just patches of it.