San Francisco, CA ­ Tsunami Alert! Coastal communities around the world should brace for a big splash this week as thousands of people "Dive In to Earth Day". Volunteers from over sixty countries and territories will take action to protect their local marine environment by organizing beach and underwater clean-ups, educational workshops, fish and reef surveys, and exciting fundraising events to support marine protected

"We can all take a moment out of our busy lives and do something ­ ANYTHING ­ for our marine environment," says William Shatner, Hollywood celebrity and Dive In Ambassador. "We can join a beach clean up or even just pick up trash off the street or a local park. The more we are aware of our environment the more we can do something about saving it." Each year Mr. Shatner joins other celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Peter Benchley, and World Champion Freediver Tanya Streeter, in the Dive In activities.

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) launched Dive In To Earth Day in 2000 to ensure that the underwater world is represented during the annual Earth Day celebrations. In just five years, over 1000 Dive In activities have been organized in more than 90 countries and territories around the world, generating over 20 percent of all registered Earth Day activities worldwide. Through Dive In, people have come together to make a real difference in turning the tide on ocean destruction while raising awareness of the need for urgent action.

"It is critical that we take steps to protect the marine environment today," says Brian Huse, CORAL's Executive Director. "All across the planet marine ecosystems and fisheries are collapsing as the result of human activity. Moreover, scientists predict that 30% of the earth's remaining coral reefs will die in the next thirty years if human threats continue at the current rate." More diverse than rainforests, coral reefs shelter a quarter of known marine species and provide protection, food, and income for almost a billion people.

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a non-profit coral reef conservation organization based out of San Francisco, California. CORAL coordinates Dive In To Earth Day in partnership with Project AWARE Foundation and with the support of West Marine, Air Pacific, Earth Day Network and the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN).

For more information about how you can participate visit: http://www.coral.org/divein