Maui Reef Fund

   > Maui's reefs
   > Maui at the turning point
   > Being a part of the solution
   > How it works
   > How the money will be used
   > How to be a part of the Reef Fund

> Maui's Reefs
The coastal waters of Maui are blessed with a vast diversity of marine life and miles of exquisite coral reefs, making them some of the finest diving and fishing areas in the world. The Maui Reef Fund is a private program designed to help ensure that the outstanding coral reefs that you are visiting today are protected and healthy for generations to come.

> Maui at the turning point
Hawaii has the fourth longest coastline of any state in the US, and fully one-quarter of our reef fish exist nowhere else on Earth. However, we rank 48th in the nation in funding for coastal and aquatic management. This is unfortunate, because our fragile marine environment faces many serious threats, including:

• Overfishing
• Spread of alien species, particularly coral-killing algae
• Destruction of ecosystems due to coastal development
• Pollution
• Damage to reefs from boats and anchoring

> Being a part of the solution
To counter these threats, a concerned group of conservation-minded individuals and organizations is actively working to protect Maui’s coral reefs and fish population. We have created a program that requests each visitor who dives, snorkels, fishes or otherwise makes use of the area’s marine resources to make a contribution to help protect Maui’s coastal environment.

Based on the average annual number of visitors who use our marine resources, even a dollar per person could total more than a million dollars a year, all to conserve marine resources in Maui. One dollar - PENNIES! you say? It’s true, it is not a lot of money, but it will add up to make a big impact.

Your contribution will go into a private, non-governmental fund which is managed by a Council of partner agencies including marine recreation operators, the Malama Kai Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and other conservation organizations.

> How it works
The program begins with your contribution. Your Membership Card will identify you as a participant in the Maui Reef Fund. If you contribute $5 or more, you will receive a membership gear tag as our gift to you. Your contribution will go into a fund that will be distributed to Maui conservation groups working on a variety of marine enhancement projects.

> How the money will be used

• Raise public awareness about the importance of marine restoration
• Protect coastal areas
• Set up and maintain anchoring and mooring systems for marine recreation operators
• Install a sewage pump-out system for boats in Ma‘alaea Harbor
• Support local schools through outreach education
• Work to stop the spread of alien algae that damage coral reefs
• Support research and conservation efforts involving marine life

> How to be a part of the Reef Fund
  Click here to make a donation

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