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Planetary Coral Reef Foundation
Overview
The Coral Reef Crisis
The Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (PCRF) was founded in 1991 to address the global coral reef crisis.
An estimated 25% of the world’s reefs have already disappeared and an estimated two-thirds of all coral
reefs are at risk today. In Southeast Asia, more than 80% of the reefs are at risk and more than 90% of
the reefs in the Florida Keys have lost their living coral cover since 1975. Threatened by pollution,
over-fishing, dynamite and cyanide fishing, sedimentation as well as bleaching caused by global warming,
coral reefs are now endangered on a planetary scale. If immediate action is not taken, coral reefs could
disappear from Earth within this century. The future of life on our planet depends on the health of our
oceans and the health of our oceans depends on the health of our coral reefs.
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Healthy vibrant coral reef
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A coral colony that has bleached
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Why Coral Reefs Are Important
Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystem and the greatest expression of ocean life.
Home to more than 25% of all fish species, reefs and their habitats play a vital role in the global
economy, providing resources and services worth an estimated $375 billion per year including:
food for an estimated 10% of the world's population, fish nursery habitats, shoreline protection from
erosion, pharmaceuticals and tourism. The prospects of a world without reefs are devastating – for the
global economy, for a hungry and ever growing world population, for the sustainability of the oceans and
for the life of all future generations.
PCRF – Meeting the Planetary Challenge
PCRF continues to aspire, more than
15 years since its inception, to contribute to the body of knowledge about coral reefs, to further marine conservation
initiatives, to inform the curious public on its findings in the field free of charge and to educate by both hands-on
experience and virtual transmission. PCRF approaches projects and tasks from a combination of angles including science,
adventure and art. The program schools apprentices in a way of life; teaches participants how to live at sea; and inspires
leadership and stewardship of our earth’s biosphere.
PCRF researcher monitoring coral reefs in Southeast Asia
Research and Educational Program at Sea
 In support of its mission, PCRF chartered a research vessel and is now completing year fourteen of an
ongoing expedition to map and monitor the world's coral reefs. Crewed by an international team of scientists,
officers, and students, PCRF is the only organization with a ship continually at sea studying coral reefs on a planetary basis.
PCRF-Singapore
In 2006, PCRF joined with Francis Lee, the President of Raffles Marina, Singapore’s premiere marina, for
long term cooperation on marine conservation initiatives. As a first step, PCRF will now base its operations
not only in Los Angeles and on board its research vessel, but also in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Website Output
PCRF’s websites include an integrated and comprehensive world map with data from 48 science study
sites, as well as an educational/information hub that is centered on coral reefs, and features films,
photos, and expedition logs for the public to Join the Voyage!
Studio of the Sea
Studio of the Sea is a production studio onboard the ship that produces short films and still images from the sea.
Over 30 films and 250 photographs are posted online to illustrate the beauty and the challenges of our biosphere.
Coral Reef Satellite Mission
Today, there is no comprehensive baseline map of living coral reefs, and this information is urgently needed
if we are to have a chance of saving this endangered ecosystem. To accomplish this critical goal, PCRF is also
pioneering a Coral Reef Satellite Mission in cooperation with scientists at College of Charleston, M.I.T., Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, SeaSpace, the Stevens Institute of Technology and USC. This will be the first satellite
mission dedicated to coral reef stewardship.
Demonstration Island Project
PCRF is working towards creating a tropical island demonstration project that will merge together traditional
island technologies with hi-tech sustainable solutions. This long-term vision includes coral reef conservation
initiatives, a marine research field station, sustainable development practices, and a center for hosting community
education/outreach programs.
Join us at www.pcrf.org!
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