"Healthy oceans should be everyone's business. Greater awareness and engagement are needed to protect and restore the global treasures that are coral reefs. How the world rises to this challenge is a reflection of our commitment to one another and to the natural world that gives us sustenance, wisdom and a reflection of our souls. "

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, NOAA

• Contact your representatives about pollution, chemicals, and global warming, and ask them to support Marine Protected Areas and other environmental stewardship
• Demand that your government lead, support and comply with international treaties regarding oceans and marine sanctuaries
• Support an urgent transition to a clean renewable energy future

• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Cut back on your own fossil fuel use
• Use only natural and biodegradable detergents, cleaning and personal products, and fertilizers
• Choose sustainable seafood: www.montereybayaquarium.org
• Conserve water
• Never litter, and pick up trash you find
• Avoid plastic water bottles, and other unnecessary plastic products
• Make sure that sewage from your home and boat is correctly treated
• Volunteer for reef, river, stream and beach clean up www.projectaware.org
• Report dumping and toxic runoff
• Respect local guidelines while visiting reefs -
  • do not touch
  • anchor away from reefs
  • use reef mooring buoys when available
  • try not to stir up sand and sediment near reefs
  • never take parts of reefs as souvenirs
  • Support reef-friendly businesses