For this contest, we asked participants to send in emails describing how the hobbyist can help to protect and preserve coral reef ecosystems.  Entries were judged by the #reefs channel operators, and four prizes were awarded.  The top three entries were ranked, and one entry was chosen for the wild card prize.  Here are the winning entries:

Grand prize was awarded to Tri Tran:

The answer can be best summed up in one word: EDUCATION!!!

There are many sources contributing to the destruction of the coral reefs.  Among them are direct coral collection for humans' usage (e.g. coral skeletons used as foundation to pave roads, gorgonians for beauty products,...), pollution released into the oceans, and natural events (e.g. volcanic erruptions, hurricanes, global warming, etc...).   Somewhere near the end of the list of sources that contribute to reef destruction is our hobby.  Besides the natural events which we have little control over, the ongoing destruction of the world's reef ecosystems by humans' activities is being fueled by the lack of education.  In other words, lack of knowledge and understanding of the reef ecosystems directly results in their ultimate death.  As a
hobbyist, we must get the words out to others.

A passive hobbyist:

At first glance, it seems that the only thing a hobbyist can do to help the reef ecosystem is to either stop buying corals and other marine animals or to keep fatalities down to a minimum.  Agreeably, if hobbyists stop purchasing a particular specimen that often doesn't do well in home aquaria (say, Goniopora sp.), its import will eventually cease and that does have an effect on preserving the reefs in the oceans. One may argue that all hobbyists should stop purchasing all marine animals to save the reefs in the ocean, but we all know that reef addiction will not cease.  Our immediate responsibility is to do our very best to create an environment where the animals we purchase will thrive in, and thus keep the number of fatalities low.

In order to create such an environment, a hobbyist must educate himself/herself by doing some research about the animals he/she is about to purchase and then create an appropriate environment.  There are quite a few books with misleading information (also outdated or not adequately written) on sale at a typical local fish store and at many bookstores.   I recall seeing several books recommending under-gravel filters and 1 NO flourescent bulbs and claim this will keep almost any invertebrates!!!  This is where the power of the internet comes into play.  Readers of a newsgroup can immediate point the hobbyist in the right direction.  A good local fish store (especially the ones dedicated to only aquaria) with successful display tanks will more than likely have some good sources for information.  It is even better if the hobbyist acquire information from several sources before concluding what's best.

A well researched hobbyist succeeds.  I have never met one (or even heard of one) who doesn't.  A hobbyist without the necessary knowledge fails.  I have met, heard of, and seen too many to list.

An active hobbyist:

Due to the fact mentioned above that there are existing misleading and inadequate information, an active and successful hobbyist can help spread the necessary information to successfully maintain these delicate marine animals.  This can start from helping a friend to having a web site about his/her aquarium.  Writing articles or perhaps a book might be better.  Help researchers and scientists with our reef keeping abilities (even anecdotal evidence is helpful).  Basically, let others know exactly what you do that make you successful.  If the information you give go to the right hands, it will go even further.  The accuracy of information is ever so important here.  We will be taking two steps in the reverse direction if false information is being passed on to others.

A hyper-active hobbyist:

There's no stopping a hobbyist from joining an organization that specializes in preserving reef ecosystems worldwide.  In addition, this hobbyist can travel to the at-risk reefs and along with other scientists, we can empower the locals with our knowledge.  

We can start teaching fish catching techniques using nets instead of cyanide, and explain why is it that catching fish with nets is better than cyanide.  Tell the locals that what they're doing has an impact on the ecosystems, which has a direct impact on their own living environment.  Show them the current problems and that the oceans do not provide limitless supplies.  No one wants fish-less oceans.  Show them alternatives.  How about farm-raised fish and corals?  I give very high praise to the existing fish and coral farms.

We can lobby the local government to pass laws to prevent mass destruction of reefs.   How about setting a standard on the level of pollution to the local factories?   How about finding an alternative to using coral skeletons to pave roads?   However, I feel that the laws are just immediate bandages to stop the bleeding.   The actual cure is only available through proper education.  With the advent of the internet, information can be passed on more easily to others.  We should take advantage of this awesome technological advancement.

Summary:

Imagine a world where reef keeping is no longer a difficult task.  Every individual with an interest in the coral reef has access to the necessary information and everyone is a successful reef gardener.  Such a world will no doubt raise awareness of the importance of the reef ecosystems.  Although our hobby itself has relatively little direct impact on the reef ecosystems, it can help contribute to the much needed awareness the ecosystems deserve.  With such high awareness stemming from the much needed education, the sources for the much larger impact can be eliminated or significantly reduced and the world's reef
ecosystems will be saved!

Visit Tri and Maria's Reef Garden at http://reality.sgi.com/tritran/reef

The grand prize awarded for this entry was a 175W Metal Halide ballast and Icecap Metal Halide hood, donated by Reefers - A Marine Aquaria Store

Second prize was awarded to Eric Borneman:

There are many things which the individual is empowered to do to help prevent destruction of the world's coral reefs.  All of them are available to us, as aquarists, but an aquarist also has several overlying advantages which can be drawn upon.

First, and perhaps most simply, is awareness.  Being enlightened as to the issues and events which are occurring to coral reefs is tantamount to further effort.  Taking time to read and understand about various issues enable all further efforts to be more worthwhile.

Second, also an easy method, is to sponsor groups and organizations through volunteer efforts and financial contributions; those organizations working to prevent further degradation to coral communites.  These groups include not only those which work actively in direct conservation methods, but those which address the economic, scientific, and educational needs of countries with tropical marine resources.

Third, and perhaps more directly, is to actively participate in vocational efforts that directly affect conservation efforts.

Fourth, and perhaps with the least direct but most profound impact, is to change deleterious behaviors that ultimately affect coral reefs.  The information gained in step 1 allows the individual to assess and prioritize threats to tropical coastal areas.   In so doing, it can be seen that land based runoff, pollution, spills, gloabal warming, excess CO2 production, farming (herbicide and pesticide use), overfishing, recreational acitvities and collection for curio/food/aquarium trade all play significant roles in
coral reef degradation.  Robert Buddemeier, in a course of several articles, outlines his views of the relative imapcts of each of these activiites, and many others address various aspects of each in the lay and scientific literature.  By analyzing our own impact, we may make conscious changes in our lifestyles and consumerism that impact these threats.  The use of organic
lawncare and gardening methods, reduced use of fossil fuels, lowered aerosol and ozone depleting chemical use, non-sponsorship or non-participation with industries/local sponsors of reef degrading activity, combined with sponsorship of sustainable enterprises are but a few.   Support of activities which do not entail destuction of indegenous forests that, in the process, create runoff that eutrophies coral reefs.   Even reduced consumption of beef, for which vast tracts of land are grazed to allow room for grazing lands (along with the water, fertilizer and pesticide use that is concurrently entailed) makes a difference.  On vacation, this may mean staying at smaller village hotels rather than vast resorts which frequently dredge reef habitat for water activities and empty large sewage effluent into coastal areas.  It means not supporting cruise ships who, depsite stiff penalties, are still dumping their waste in coastal and ocean areas as it is economically feasable to risk fines.  These monstrous ships also have requirements for piers and channels which destroy reef areas.   It also means supporting local trade; for example, eating at Ebank's Jerk Joint restaraunt, rather than the McDonalds when in Grand Cayman.  These are but a few examples, for our own lives are certainly capable of improvements.

Fifth, it also means educating others as to our own decisions and pertinent issues, to better enable them to make proper decisions.  We cannot force or compel others' behavior, but can teach by example.  It is like a ripple of a tide pool that spreads outward to the ocean.

In addition, we, as hobbyists, have vastly more personal interest and abilities than "everyman."  We surround ourselves with the coral reef every hour of every day.  Obviously, education in our own endeavors is, once again, a key to all other efforts.  We must teach others, both hobbyist and professional/retailers alike.   We must share our cumulative experience for the benefit of all.  We must not falter or be led astray by other temptations.  There is no reason that profit and benevolant behavior must be separate.  We must make every effort to ensure that the lives with which we volunterily entrust ourselves are provided their requirements for a long and healthy life.  We must not take the attitude that such simple creatures are expendable or objects of vain display.  We have as much to learn from them as from all our talking and typing and reading.  We must ensure that their needs are not ignored or compromised, thus releasing much undue stress from both ethical and unethical collection techniques.  We must vote with our heart and our dollars.  In terms of financial voting, we cannot support such operations that do not
share the same ethic.  We cannot simply "buy just this once" from a store which knowingly perpetrates undue harm of reef resources.  Being a conscientious consumer does not mean being a foolish spender, but it often entails patience and investigation.  It means wisdom of consumerism.  It also means realizing that reefkeeping, at its most basic, is an expensive venture.  If one cannot afford to support right thought and action, one should learn contentment with the beauty already present.  More support and effort should be made of both local and far-away breeding and propagation efforts.  I think that great strides could be made on individual levels in terms of rearing presently "unbreedable" life.  By picking a few organisms, learning all there is to know about these animals, and providing proper conditions and habitat, breeding efforts could likely increase exponenetially.  If this is out of the abilities of some, support of others who have such facilties and abilties seems prudent, if not mandatory.  Finally, using our own small reef habitats, which we certainly cater to with utmost diligence and (hopefully) truth in
rendering accurate facsimiles of small niches, should be used as much as possible for real, anecdotal and observational learning, and employed to teach and allow others to experience the wonders of reefs they may never see.  The future is now, and I have no doubt that the wonderment in the eyes of all of us as we stare at our aquaria in no less than the wonderment of the neighbor's child as he gazes into our tank with a myriad of questions.  That same child was us, is us, and may soon be one to guide others towards the preservation of the most awe-inspiring creations in nature. 

"In Wilderness is the Preservation of the Wild"  Thoreau

The second contest prize, awarded for this entry, was a SPS Trio - 3 species of farmed SPS fragments in 3 color morphs, donated by Coral Farms

Third prize was awarded to Nicole Gallagher:

Coral reefs serve as a barrier preventing the erosion of our seashores and are responsible for an extraordinary bio-diversity in our ocean, the production organic matter, the removal of global waste matter, and sustaining the economies of many countries. Sadly, our natural coral reefs are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Over harvesting, using dynamite and sodium cyanide in fishing, sewage and other pollutants, physical damage by tourists and boaters, the proliferation of natural predators, global warming, rising sea levels and ozone depletion has impacted our reefs in widespread and catastrophic proportions. As reef
aquarium hobbyists, the most directly related thing we can do to help to prevent the destruction of our reef ecosystems is make sure we are not supporting companies and people who use dynamite and sodium cyanide as methods of harvesting animals.

With the demand for beautiful reef fishes and invertebrates growing, the use of dynamite and sodium cyanide in harvesting animals has become popular. Cyanide fishing involves squirting enough cyanide into a reef to stun the fish long enough for them to be collected to be shipped off and sold by the pound to dealers in live saltwater aquarium fish. The use of dynamite involves loading a reef with dynamite and blowing it apart to collect the small percentage of corals, rocks and other animals that survive
the explosion. Both methods are quick and easy and eliminate the tedious task of harvesting animals one by one. Unfortunately, companies who use these methods don't realize in trying to make a quick buck they are "killing the goose that laid the golden egg." Much worse than that, they are killing incredible amounts of diversity in our oceans and are robbing the world of the biogeochemical processes reefs provide. Cyanide fishing, although not directly poisonous to humans in this quantity, can turn a vibrantly colorful and thriving reef into a graveyard in a matter of weeks. Dynamite in a reef is instant demolition. There is no slowing to the growing demand for such fish and animals in sight, and harvesters in some areas have even worsened their already devastating methods by dumping 55 gallon drums of cyanide in the ocean in order to quicken the harvesting process and meet the incredible demand these animals are under.

We as reef aquarium hobbyists can do our small part in lessening this destruction by carefully investigating how the fish and corals we buy are being harvested. There are numerous places to buy aquacultured livestock and places that harvest their livestock in a manner which will allow our reefs to continue to grow and propagate into the future. Instead of blindly buying fish and corals from wherever you can get a good price, do some research, find out your store's wholesaler, find out who that wholesaler buys from, and follow down the chain of dealers until you identify the people who do the collecting.   Then, do some research to make sure that whoever collects these organisms, does their collecting safely. If they do not collect safely, or you cannot establish that they indeed do collect safely, then do not buy livestock from them. If you uncover a business that sells fish and corals that come from collectors who use cyanide or dynamite, then advertise it to the whole world. Tell everyone you know and contact a local environmental group to alert them of this. It is our responsibility to do what we can to not allow this to happen and to not feed into the murdering of our coral reef ecosystems. Eliminating business from a person who collects animals in a destructive manner will eventually shut them down.  If you are not into the work that is involved in tracking down who collects for a particular store, play it safe and buy from aquaculturing facilities.   There are many to choose from and their prices are amazingly close to stores who buy from people who harvest from the ocean.

In addition to using discretion on who we buy livestock from, we can learn to frag our own corals and trade amongst ourselves. We can also educate ourselves about the fishes and corals we buy and the environment they need in order to survive before we purchase them to prevent unnecessarily killing our livestock. If we care to preserve our right to own reef aquariums and more importantly, if we care to preserve our reef ecosystems, we must exercise responsibility and accountability in our practices.

The third contest prize, awarded for this entry, was two tank raised clownfish and a candy cane - striped xenia, donated by Premium Aquatics

The remaining entries were placed into a "wild card" draw - the prize for which was awarded to Eric aka "Pygmey":

As a Reef hoobyist I could first off shop at stores that are only using the best equipment suited for the species the are selling.  Therefore the store is not buying 4 or 5 of the same coral because they died in the tank.  This is very unnecessary and is a reason I feel for any decline in the corals of the wild.

Also the hobbyist needs to be sure to provide the equipment that best suits the specimen and not to make quick decisions on whether they can keepit or not. Because in optimum conditions the coral should multiply or can be propagted to share with other hobbyist and other local fish shops.  This will increase the number of tank raised speciemens and therefore decrease
the number that are needed to be taken from the wild.

As a hobbyist it is my respnsibility to do what is best for the animal and nothing else.  If that is not the number 1 priority then the hobby is not for me.

The "wild card" prize for this entry was a six pack of Red Sea Fish Pharms test kits, donated by Reef Fanatic

Honorable Mention Entries:

From Leslie Mackeen:

I would Surf the Web and see what other organizations are doing and how you I can help them.

- I would Share my concerns by writing the editor of your local newspaper.

-  I would Take part in a beach or stream clean-up. Help with storm-drain   stenciling.

- I would never pour motor oil on the ground or into the street. Recycle oil and air conditioning fluids.

- I would Join an environmental club. Organize a school recycling program.

- I would only use only natural, biodegradable soaps and cleansers on dishes and clothes.

- I would Conserve water.

From Alfredo De La F麼/em>

There are several things a hobbyist can do to help prevent the destruction of the world's reef ecosystems:

1.  As hobbyists, we must realize that we are responsible for the organisms in our care.  This means that we should do everything we can to provide them with proper care.  Some of the ways in which we can do this is:  a) Be well read on the various subjects pertaining to our hobby.  b) Join your local aquarium society.   c) Observe your organisms, and your system parameters regularly.  d) Obtain organisms which you are capable of caring for, do not take home that beautiful Acropora if you know that your lighting is not adequate.

2.  Report/share your observations of your reef system.  The reef keeping hobby has made several contributions to "science" with respects to the care and information about the organisms which we keep.  This can be done through your local aquarium society and obviously the various internet usenet groups.

3.  Support the efforts of vendors that are offering propegated corals, and support your aquarium society and fellow hobbyists by trading/provided fragments of your own corals.  Let your Local Fish Store know that you would prefer such corals when available.  Fragments are usually best in the long run anyway.

4.  Become enviromentally aware, we have a unique opportunity available to us.   Not many people have access to a coral reef or go to their local aquariums.  I take every opportunity I can to educate my guests/visitors to my home about the organisms in my living room, and the current issues of concern.  (Obviously you don't want to bore them to death, but general information can really go a long way. ;)

5.  Do not support vendors, companies, or products which are destructive to the reef ecosystems.  As aquarists we are also in the position to learn about these issues, and we are in the position to let the above know that we do not support their practices, and will make every effort to make others aware of them.

The #reefs channel operators would like to thank the following people for making this contest possible:

First, thanks to everyone for entering.  A great deal of thoughtful repies came in, all made for enjoyable reading.  We would also like to thank our sponsors at Reefers , Coral Farms , Premium Aquatics , and Reef Fanatic .  Their support for this contest was outstanding.