Five Year Research Expedition gets Underway to Survey Coral Reefs Worldwide

MIAMI, April 22 /PRNewswire/ - An unprecedented five-year, world-wide assessment of the health and resilience of coral reef environments gets underway from Miami, Florida this Monday, April 25^th.  The team of coral specialists will survey a 6000 sq kilometer shallow reef named Cay Sal Banks, Bahamas, from 27 April through 18 May.

The ambitious and privately funded Global Reef Expedition will undertake research in oceans and seas around the world to help thwart the assault on coral reef ecosystems and to assist resource managers in their efforts to reverse the trend of deteriorating coral health.

Under the banner of Science Without Borders®, the Expedition is being outfitted, equipped and financed by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.

The Foundation's primary research platform is the Motor Vessel Golden Shadow, a full ocean capable, scientifically equipped, 220 foot research ship, which will be the operating headquarters for the Global Reef Expedition.

Throughout the five-year research program, the Foundation's core team of marine scientists and professionals will be joined by local scientists to collaborate on management-driven coral reef research.

Coral reef ecosystems in The Bahamas and the southern Caribbean will be the focus of research during the first full year of the Expedition. Future legs of the expedition will take place in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

About Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, founded by HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan, was incorporated in California as a 501(c)(3), public benefit, Private Operating Foundation in September 2000. Headquartered in Washington DC, the Living Oceans Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of living oceans and pledges to champion their preservation through research, education, and a commitment to Science Without Borders®.

Science Without Borders^® is the overarching theme and trademark of the Foundation, where scientists come together from different countries to solve a common problem -- the threats to the world's coral reefs. Science Without Borders® is registered to the Foundation for financial sponsorship of marine conservation programs and scientific research and to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect and restore the world's oceans and aquatic resources. For more information, visit http://www.livingoceansfoundation.org, or http://www.globalreefexpedition.com

Note to editors: The Golden Shadow will depart its temporary home-port on the waterfront of the Epic Hotel in Miami, Florida (270 Biscayne Boulevard Way) at approximately 10:30 am, Monday, April 25.

SOURCE Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation