When we think of the Maldives, we usually think of white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and luxury resorts. But what many people don’t know is that the Maldives are also a major hub for coral reef exploitation. The Reef is a controversial offshore resort development in the Maldives that has been mired in controversy since it was first announced. The development would entail the construction of 1,200 luxury villas on coral reefs that are home to some of the world’s most diverse marine life.
The allegations against The Reef are numerous. Some say that the development will damage coral reef ecosystems, while others argue that it will create jobs and increase tourism in an economically struggling country. In light of all these concerns, how can you make an ethical decision about where to vacation? Let’s take a look at some of the issues at play and see what you can do to have an impact on this complex issue.
Background
The Palm Beach Post reports that the developers of The Reef, a proposed luxury golf and hotel development in Boynton Beach, FL, have been criticized for hiring lobbyists to influence city council members in order to win approval for the project.
Critics say that this is an unethical practice because these lobbyists are receiving compensation from the developers while they are working on behalf of the city. Additionally, some opponents argue that this type of lobbying is actually a form of corruption because it allows special interests to undue democratic processes.
This controversy comes as the Trump administration is looking to make significant changes to how federal projects are approved and regulated. Because The Reef would be financed with taxpayer money, critics worry that this development could set a precedent for future projects – including those involving infrastructure – that could wind up being influenced by private interests.
The Reef: A Scam-ridden Business
When scuba divers hit the water off the coast of Florida, they might be diving among colorful coral reefs. But if they want to learn more about these ecosystems, they may instead find themselves learning about a shady business empire built on shaky ethics.
Dubbed ‘The Reef,’ the business employs a number of dubious methods to lure in tourists and make money. Some of these tactics include promoting questionable environmental practices like growing fish farming in fragile coral reefs, and enticing divers with exaggerated claims about the beauty and safety of the dive sites. In some cases, The Reef has been caught using illegal fishing methods, bribing government officials, and lying to customers about the quality of their services.
As a result, The Reef has faced multiple lawsuits over allegations of fraud and deception. And while it may be tempting to dismiss this business as nothing more than a scam, there is evidence that it is doing serious damage to some of Florida’s most precious marine resources.
The Philosophy of the Reef
The Reef is a documentary exploring the fragile balance of nature and human interaction on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The film follows activists, scientists, and government officials as they debate the ethics of developing the reef.
Critics argue that development on the reef will destroy its ecosystem, while proponents argue that it is essential to preserving this natural wonder. Whichever side you take, there are few things more murky than the ethics of ‘The Reef’.
The Marketing of the Reef
The marketing of the reef has been a source of contention for years. The documentary, ‘The Reef’, which aired on CNN in 2016, outraged many viewers with its exaggerated depiction of the environmental crisis on the Great Barrier Reef.
The documentary suggests that climate change is to blame for the degradation of the reef, when in reality it is human activity that is causing most damage. While some people believe that the reef should be preserved at all costs, others argue that advertisement campaigns like ‘The Reef’ are perpetuating harmful myths about Australia’s natural resources.
The Queensland government has responded to ‘The Reef’ by commissioning its own report, ‘The Health of the Great Barrier Reef: A Report Card 2017′. This report found continuing declines in coral cover and significant coral bleaching events since 2015. Despite this alarming news, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reaffirmed her commitment to developing the reef economy despite these findings.
While there is no easy answer to solving the environmental problems on the Great Barrier Reef, we need to be open to discussing different ways forward. We can start by challenging damaging myths about our natural resources and promoting more accurate information about what we can do to protect them.
The Ethics of the Reef
The latest Hollywood blockbuster to come out is “The Reef,” a film about a team of treasure-seekers who find themselves in the middle of a corrupt and violent world. The story follows their journey as they fight to survive in an underwater paradise ruled by a ruthless drug lord.
While the movie may be fictional, the premise is based on a true story. In 1986, three treasure hunters named Ron Howard, Peter Zuker, and Bob Woodward discovered an extensive pirate lair on the reefs of Belize. The discovery made them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams, but it also raised questions about their ethics.
At the time, Belize was ruled by dictator General Noriega and his army of thugs. The pirates had been terrorizing local villages for years, robbing them at gunpoint and extorting money from businesses. Howard, Zuker, and Woodward decided to take matters into their own hands and end the piracy.
They formed a private military company called Enterprise International Limited (EIL), hired some mercenaries from Spain, and began raiding pirate ships off the coast of Belize. Eventually they became so successful that they were able to negotiate peace treaties with all of the major gangs in Belize and bring stability to the region.
While “The Reef” may be fiction, its underlying story is based on real events that changed the course of history. Howard, Zuk.
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Conclusion
“The Reef” is an upcoming documentary about the stunning coral reef that exists just a few miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The film has already attracted controversy for its frank discussion of environmental degradation and human exploitation of the reef. Some viewers have accused the filmmakers of exploitative filmmaking that distracts from more important issues by glamorizing life on a luxury resort. While it’s clear this topic is complex and sensitive, we believe “The Reef” deserves to be watched and discussed with open minds.
