Reefs are connected

Science commentary 11

Fish, coral and other reef animals (and even algae) sometimes move from reef to reef. Many animals have babies that spend some time floating out in the water and they drift away from their home reef and on to another reef. But we now know that some don’t just drift, but actually are able to tell when they are near a reef they like, and can choose to settle there and call it home. We have been able to find brothers and sisters of fish from Federai in Falalop! That means that when one island decides to manage or protect a reef, it can help reefs on other islands too. If Federai makes rules or taboos to protect some of its reefs and fish, they will also be helping some reefs and fish on Falalop and other islands. But also, if one community decides to sell its fish, or does not take care of its reef, that can affect neighboring reefs, making them less healthy. This is true even between neighboring Atolls, so in some ways the Yap outer Islands and Atolls are all connected! We need to work together so each island, and all of the outer islands have healthy reefs, healthy fish and healthy people for the future.