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2004-05-26
Diving and Coral Awareness CaribbeanToGo.com Staff Writer
Coral Reefs are composed of tiny animals called polyps that support thousands of fish, plants, and animals and act as barriers that protect coastal areas. Reefs are comprised of two different types of corals, soft (gorgonians) such as sea fans and sea whips and hard such as brain, elkhorn, and pillar. Algae that live in the animals’ polyp provide oxygen for the coral to live and grow.

These delicate ecosystems require divers care to protect it for future generations as they take hundreds of years to form the kinds of structures we see today. These fragile systems can be permanently damaged by a touch of the hand, fin, or scuba equipment and can result in the death of an entire colony. All divers should use care to prevent accidental contact with the coral and never touch, stand, or collect coral.

Algae can be destroyed by the use of chemicals that reach the ocean such as chlorine bleach, fertilizers, and waste products. Some fishing chemicals and boat discharges can also damage the algae, which in turn destroys the coral. The fish and other marine life dependent on the coral will no longer thrive in the area.

Be aware of your interactions with sea life as touching or handling and feeding sea life can cause stress, disease, interrupt their nature feeding, mating, or interrupt their mating cycle.

The only souvenirs divers should bring back from their dive are photos. With millions of visitors each year visiting the reefs how quickly they would be depleted if divers did not resist the urge to collect coral or other sea life they encounter.

Before fishing be sure of applying for a license and obey the local fish and game laws that are designed to protect the survival of the sea life for future generations.

Practice conscientious diving:
· When Snorkeling, inexperience swimmers should wear a flotation device (placed under their chest)
· Never stand on coral, instead locate a sandy or coral free place to stand.
· Keep clear of the reef to avoid the possibility of kicking the reef when your head is out of the water.
· Divers should confirm they are properly weighted and maintain neutral buoyancy for proper body control.
· Always use a sand type anchor placed well away from any reef formation in sea grass or sand bottom and position up wind (or tide) from where you want to dive.
· Confirm your anchor is well secured in the sand before diving.

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