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SAVE OUR PLANET… Fishing threatens coral ecosystems. An 18-year study of coral reefs
off the coast of Kenya conducted jointly by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation
Society and University of California in the USA found a significant connection between
fishing and declining health of coral reefs. In particular, the researchers found that
the removal of especially certain species of fish upset the balance of the reef ecosystems
and resulted in an overgrowth of sea urchins. The urchins then were found to consume a type
of algae that normally assists in rebuilding the coral reef systems. In the study, regions
where fishing was banned were noted to have fewer sea urchins and correspondingly more
healthy reefs.
Besides their remarkable beauty, coral reefs are vital to ocean ecosystems, providing homes
to over a million fish species and 25% of all marine life, while also offering natural
protection from the damaging effect of storms. Lead researcher Dr. Tim McClanahan of the
University of California at Santa Cruz stated, “This study illustrates the cascading effects
of [fish] loss on a reef system and the importance of maintaining fish populations for coral
health.” Many thanks, Dr. McClanahan and associates at both the University of California
and Wildlife Conservation Society, for your insightful research on coral reef ecosystems.
Let us swiftly step to ensure the protection of all life for the survival of marine and
other natural habitats that are so vital to our planetary balance.
During an October 2009 videoconference in Indonesia, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke
as on many previous occasions of the problems caused by killing practices such as fishing
as she urged the foregoing of all animal products to save the environment and ultimately ourselves.
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Jakarta, Indonesia - October 22, 2009
Supreme Master Ching Hai: In your country, Indonesia, where overfishing is common in
the precious coral reef areas, one report has put it this way, I quote exactly from
that report: “Overfishing is causing more damage to the coral reefs than earthquakes
or tsunamis.”
Overfishing has caused the remaining fish to be smaller, so the mesh size of the nets
has been decreased to capture smaller fish, resulting in other fish being caught as well.
The other fish that the fishers don’t need are also being caught there. So, it destroys
even more marine ecosystems and destroys more fish life. The Indonesian government also
acknowledged the devastated oceans due to fishing, and also said that 94% of Indonesia’s
coral reefs are dying – just in your country alone.
So you can see the animal diet, the animals industry is killing marine life, killing our
sea, killing coral reefs, killing all that is important and protective to us just for
the sake of immediate profit, we’re killing our world and we are killing ourselves. If
we truly wish to see real harmony, we must be the harmony, which includes the act of
eating harmoniously each time we come to the table. Peace, compassion, mercy begin on our
plate�