Old-time Florida divers tell stories of reefs with coral so vibrant and marine life so abundant many of today's newer divers might not recognize them. By the middle of the 1980's though, people who had spent years diving the keys noticed a drastic decline in reef populations, particularly in elkhorn and staghorn coral numbers. Today, those same corals and many other species common to Florida's reefs are on the endangered species list, due to overfishing, climate change, and pollution. Fortunately, however, an incredible group of dedicated people are taking steps to reverse the trend. Here, we'll take a moment to salute the Coral Restoration Foundation, plus provide some insight into ways anyone can help restore the reefs we all depend upon.
Why Rebuild Reefs
Coral reefs are sometimes referred to as the ocean's rainforests. They attract higher concentrations of life than any other geologic structures, simply due to the fact that they offer the most shelter and the best habitat. Scientists are concerned that the world's reefs could disappear as soon as 2050. Communities are concerned as well, because reefs protect coastal areas and help keep local economies healthy. In the Florida Keys, over 50% of the economy is directly tied to healthy marine environments.
The Coral Restoration Foundation
The Coral Restoration Foundation is a non-profit organization powered by a staff of volunteers who maintain the largest coral nursery in the wider Caribbean region. The nursery covers over an acre of ocean floor, where young corals spend about a year growing before being transplanted to a wild reef environment. The foundation focuses on encouraging the corals to reproduce on their own in order to repopulate areas where they no longer exist.
Through raising awareness and providing public education, the Coral Restoration Foundation has taken drastic steps to bring reefs back to health. In collaboration with other organizations, including the Nature Conservancy and NOAA, the foundation helps to engage members of the public in the process of rebuilding reefs. They've managed to make a noticeable impact. In areas were nursery-grown corals have been added to reef environments, fish numbers have increased and other marine life has returned.
While some corals take many years to grow, elkhorn and staghorn corals can be grown quickly. The Coral Restoration Foundation is successfully growing and transplanting thousands of corals in the Keys, amounting to the larges reef restoration of its kind in the Caribbean. In addition, it is spearheading a national and international movement toward restoring compromised reef systems worldwide, using simple, affordable methods and relying on divers who wish to volunteer their time.
Want to make a difference? You can learn more about volunteering with the Coral Restoration Foundation here, and if you're so inclined, you can make a tax-deductible donation. The important work this foundation does is so incredibly simple, any qualified diver can help. Undergraduates and recent college graduates can take the opportunity to participate in the foundation's Coral Restoration and Conservation Internship program, which is based out of Key Largo.