George Miller: “I'm pleased that we are considering House Concurrent Resolution 8 today. The global crisis in coral reef health is an…”

“I'm pleased that we are considering House Concurrent Resolution 8 today. The global crisis in coral reef health is an important issue that has received little recent attention in Congress. I commend the Fisheries Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Saxton, for introducing the resolution, of which I am an original cosponsor. Coral reefs are one of nature's wonders. While they provide important physical habitat for ecologically and economically important species, the reef itself is also a living structure. And, as a living structure, thousands--perhaps millions--of individual coral animals are dying and others are taking their place on the reef at any one time. The problem is that now human activities have shifted that balance and coral reefs are dying off at an alarming rate worldwide. Corals are very sensitive to water pollution, sedimentation, damage from boat groundings, and even simple physical contact by divers. Coral reefs are, in a sense, the canary in the coal mine of the oceans. A great deal of injury is being inflicted on coral reefs, mainly in southeast Asia, through easily preventable, largely illegal fishing techniques. Cyanide and other poisons are being used to stun and capture fish for the aquarium trade and for the live food fish trade. These chemicals kill nearby coral, and divers scrambling to get fish out of nooks and crannies in the reef often inflict further damage on the reef.”