Dr. Thomas Goreau has been diving since 1955.  His grandfather was the underwater photographer for Life Magazine, and his father was the first scientist to use SCUBA diving to study coral reefs.  Dr. Goreau runs the Global Coral Reef Alliance.  He is, like Dr. Michael Risk, a bit rough around the edges.  Which really just means, he tells us things the way they are.  Dr. Goreau formed the GCRA in 1990 to promote coral reef protection, find the cause of the reef's stresses, and to address a solution. Often, that solution has become GCRA's unique rapid coral-reef building structures.   Born in Jamaica into a family of marine scientists, Goreau watched the coral reefs of Jamaica die off due to sewage.  "I’ve seen that happen with my own eyes, very few (coral reef scientists) have."

Dr. Goreau's experience differs sharply from that of the residents of Guana Cay. 

These islanders have lived on this tiny island with an ethic of treading light.  So much so that reef scientists who visit the island are amazed at how fine a job they have done. 

Native inhabitants on tiny islands who must pass down that same small patch of land to their grandsons and granddaughters tend to have a very high regard for the land.  The reef treatment on Guana is a model for the whole world, and a reminder that the voice of the natives is essential.  That does not mean the natives are perfect (in our solutions section, we will discuss such details).

Guana Cay sharply differs from the vkuna_yale.htm" class="tropical_link">Kuna Islands of Panama as well. Those islands are incredibly small, and the islanders were able to set up a unique autonomy to end the constant misuse of their land by the Panama government. But despite that, the islanders have increased their population to such an alarming density, that now the sea around them is almost fished out, and most of the coral life is dead. The key to Guana Cay has been its low population density, a fact that will quickly change if the Bakers Bay Golf Club and Marina is built.  

Dr. Goreau explains that a golf course, no matter how eco-friendly it is, will invariably produce nitrates, ammonia, and phosphorous.  He explains that these solubles, once in the water, suck up everything they can get.   He says, "Whatever these golf guys do, they are going to put nutrients into the water.  Even if the water is safe enough for us to drink, it is not safe for the coral reef."

Remember that the coral polyp must maintain his symbiotic relationship with the algae inside his body.  The algae's side of the equation is to pick up nutrients from the sea.  But the sewage and waste and excess chemicals from the golf course will naturally suck up all the nutrients that the corals require for their survival.