09/03/16 – Staff Recommends Ocean Users Apply Only Reef-Safe Sunscreens

DLNR and You

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE
CHAIRPERSON

MEDIA ADVISORY

STATE RECOMMENDS OCEAN USERS APPLY ONLY REEF-SAFE SUNSCREENS
Growing Body of Scientific Evidence Suggests Detrimental Impacts on Corals

A compound commonly found in popular sunscreen products has been shown to cause serious harm to corals and the Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking all ocean users to avoid sunscreens that contain oxybenzone as an active ingredient.  Scientific studies suggest that this chemical causes deformities in coral larvae, making them unable to swim, settle out and to form new coral colonies.  This also increases the rate at which bleaching occurs and reduces coral resiliency to climate change.

WHAT:            News Conference and Media Availability

WHEN:            Saturday, Sept. 3, 2015,  1:45-2:15 p.m.

WHERE:         World Conservation Congress, Hawai‘i Convention Center
                            Room 320 (Small auditorium)

WHO:             Alton Miyasaka, aquatics biologist, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
                          Jeff Bagshaw, outreach specialist, DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife
                          Dr. Robert Richmond, research professor, University of Hawai’i Manoa
                          Senator Will Espero, Hawai’i State legislator

This is the 12th of 19 daily DLNR & YOU news conferences associated with the IUCN World Conservation Congress Hawai’i 2016, Sept. 1st-10th.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dan Dennison
Senior communications manager
(808) 587-0407’

 

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