Raegan Carter
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University hosted marine scientist Dr. Harmony Martell to give a presentation March 3 entitled: “The State of Coral Reefs and What We Are Doing to Save Them.”

Martell, a scientist with over 20 years of teaching experience, spoke on a personal level with the Winthrop body on what they need to know about coral reefs, their impact, their abilities and how our particular reef-impaired community can do something.

“I think part of my job as a scientist is to help to translate some of the work that I’m doing and why it’s needed, especially right now. That feels really important,” said Martell.

“I think it’s even more important for communities that may not be next to coral reefs, that may not see the impact or the need for mechanisms that protect coral reefs.”

Martell went into detail on her and her team’s work helping the reef population in efforts to restore their former strength.

She says that human intervention is necessary to save the organisms.

“The way she’s working to relocate corals into better environments is really interesting,” said Elena, a Winthrop student who didn’t give her last name. “That’s something I honestly will look into after, because I do think that’s interesting.”

Though Rock Hill isn’t near a coral reef, Martell says that our community’s impact on the environment directly affects the reefs, which in turn directly affects us.

“You know, the environmental organizations don’t really do a lot of tabling,” said Caleb, another Winthrop student who didn’t give his last name.

“I think that could be something, you know…do it right here on Scholar’s…get the most traction. Get people to care more.”

Martell says taking advantage of a community like Winthrop is impertinent to conservationist efforts.

Martell is a postdoctoral research fellow at Florida International University and the founder and CEO of Ocean Harmony Consulting.