A plastic bottle or floating chunk of styrofoam is obvious plastic pollution. But to fragile coral reefs, it could be the tiniest bits of microplastic that are most devastating!
Coral reefs worldwide are under threat from natural and human-made stressors. These stressors are tough to avoid when dredging and plastic pollution are added to the existing climate change. At EPA’s Coral Research Facility – an indoor wet lab in Gulf Breeze, Florida – scientists are focused on the study of how stressors like sedimentation, ocean acidification, and microplastics are impacting corals’ health.
Recently, EPA scientists studied how microplastics impact two different species of coral and found that long-term exposure to microplastics impaired the corals’ growth. Specialized lab equipment at the facility allows researchers to estimate corals’ 3-D surface areas using 2-D photogrammetry. Unlike other measurement methods that can destroy coral samples, photogrammetry is non-destructive and allows researchers to measure the growth rate of corals without harming them throughout experiments.
“What is still unknown are the exact mechanisms that are causing adverse effects,” EPA Coral Biologist, Cheryl Hankins explains. “Ingested microplastics could block the corals’ digestive tracts, which would either leave them feeling satiated, like they have a full stomach, or prevent digestion of their natural diet.”
Between our threatened corals and the mighty environmental role played by mangroves it’s important that we all stay aware of both the threats – and the ways that we can support large scale advocacy and actions. For instance, one company you can support and follow is Starboard. Learn more about their “plastic “blue” sustainability programs here. Lots of great stories.
Be a “blue” force all summer – pick up plastic during and after paddling, bring your reusable water bottle and reef safe sunscreen. Our Ocean/lakes/ rivers, streams and coral reefs will thank you. #starboardsup #bluetiki #coracoragoesgreen
I fell asleep last night dreaming about the day Ed and I had out in the Pacific exploring the backside cliffs of Lana’i and hunting for fish in the cobalt blue waters beyond.
Some people that have inspired me would be my friend Nappy Napolean, who still paddles well into his seventies. He just loves to paddle! And he is such a great ambassador for the sport. I think the fountain of youth is to keep moving, and he is a classic example of what you can do.
I came in 8th out of 24 in the Molo solo and won two M2M races on the one man this summer. I also participate in the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Racing series with Team Hui Nalu. We sail the entire main Hawaiian Island chain over the course of the summer. I have been canoe sailing for 18 years and it is just amazing. I raced the Napali one man race and the Napali Challenge 6 man race recently.
SO! I had been escorting people for the M2O for a few years, Armie Armstrong from NZ, Annabel Anderson, and a Brazilian Prone paddler last year. I have crossed the Kaiwi channel more than 50 times between OC1, 6man and sailing canoe, but never on a SUP. Kristin Thomas and Jen Fuller from California were my Facebook friends and I knew they were good paddlers, so I threw it out to them to do a team together.
It is possible to standup paddle all the way from Maui to the Molokini “seems like a crater but isn’t” area off the coast, but the weather and your paddling buddy need to be spot on. So we were fortunate to get aboard the 
The snorkeling was great in spite of hundreds of people in the water. Once eyes were aimed at the reef and the antics of the wide variety of tropicals it seemed like we had the area to ourselves. On board, we were served fresh fruit, breads, juices and coffee by highly experienced crew, all with degrees in some form of marine biology and environmental studies. They were personable and shared information in the most engaging manner. 
Huge mahalos to Emily, Karin, Mel, Liv, Jamie and Mariah!!! After our second dive at Turtle Arches (wow, even cooler diversity of tropical fish) we had the best cookout! Veg burgers, ballpark steaks (beef hotdogs) and grilled chicken – with sides … and there were cookies! Can’t get all that on a SUP!
So it was on one of those gray, foggy days on the Pacific NW coast. Morning dawned semi-cloudy, then on and off the fog rolled in, reminding us of the proverbial NE “pea soup,” but thicker. The ocean seemed to be taking a Fall reprieve, resting calmly, with glassy rolling waves, but no swell to speak of. With the air temp in the low 60’s and the water about 7 degrees cooler it seemed a good day to hike the dune at Cape Kiwanda and call it good.
I could not even see the HUGE haystack rock that sits like a crown jewel off the beach because the fog had gobbled it up. Because of that, it was difficult for me to determine my favorite spot to wait for a swell to roll in.
Usually I hunker over to a shoulder of the swell to keep my standup out of the way of the prone surfers, but on this day the stoke was warm – and that was cool! Very cool.We all bantered about the weird weather and the length between sets. There seemed to be room for all on the waves that came through. Share and respect made the day! 
Elder SUP 