Life is Not a Beach

Mining for beach sand minerals poses a threat to the economic and social fabric of fishing villages along Tamil Nadu’s coast.
What Happens to a Coral Reef When an Island is Built on Top?

Seven such coral reefs are being turned into islands, with harbors and landing strips by the Chinese military, and it is destroying a rich ecological network. “It’s the worst thing that has happened to coral reefs in our lifetime.”
Sand Being Hauled Aways from the Cagayan Beaches in the Philippines, Shipped off to China

At least 2.5 million metric tons of the country’s magnetite were shipped to China from almost five years of controversy-ridden blacksand mining operations in the province of Cagayan, government records showed.
Documentary ‘Sand Wars’ Highlights Local, Global Sand Crises

The environmental documentary ‘Sand Wars’ was shown at The Center for Ocean Health in Santa Cruz on Thursday, preceded by a presentation by UCSC professor Gary Griggs. As Gary Griggs and “Sand Wars” demonstrate, sand has become a valuable resource worldwide due in large part to continuous construction.
Suspended Sediment Makes it Harder for Fish to Breathe

Researchers have discovered that suspended sediment damages fish gills and can increase the rate of disease in fish. Suspended sediments result from flood plumes, coastal agricultural and industrial development and from dredging operations and are increasing in coastal waters worldwide.
Former Liberia Minister Ponders Lawsuit Over Buchanan Ongoing Beach Sand Mining

The ongoing beach sand mining in Buchanan communities seem to be undermining government’s and her partners collective efforts to prevent reoccurrence of the devastation of sea erosion in Buchanan City. “On a daily basis, trucks are seen hauling sand from the beach… this is scary and environmentally dangerous.”
The Ecological Effects of Beach Sand Mining in Ghana Using Ghost Crabs as Biological Indicators

Sandy beaches are habitat to many invertebrate biodiversity and threatened vertebrate species. However, extraction of sand is widespread along many developing nations’ beaches destroying the ecosystem services the area provides.
Great Barrier Reef: UNESCO Recommends World Heritage Site Not be Placed on ‘In Danger’ List

World’s largest coral reef to remain on UN’s watchlist as draft ruling calls on Australia to ‘rigorously’ implement its conservation commitments. Environmental groups consider the reef – regardless of the Unesco ruling in June – technically in danger.
U.S. Hopes Chinese Island-Building Will Spur Asian Response

Washington hopes Southeast Asian nations to take a more united stance against China’s rapid acceleration this year of construction on disputed reefs.