Conservation

General Public | Fisers, Divers & Other Uses

Reef Conservation Tips for Recreational Users

Use navigational charts to locate coral reefs.
Every year, inattentive boaters run aground, destroying coral colonies that are hundreds of years old. When boating, refer to nautical charts to see if you are boating in a known reef area. From the water's surface, reefs appear golden-brown. If you see brown, you may hit a reef. Remember: Brown, brown, run aground; blue, blue sail on through. Visit http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/staff/charts.htm for more information.

Tie up to mooring buoys or anchor in sand.
If you are boating near a reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available. If no moorings are available, be cautious when anchoring your boat. Do not deploy the anchor directly on the reef. Anchors can crush, dislodge and kill fragile corals and other living reef organisms. Reefs are usually composed of coral and sandy areas - be sure to anchor in the sand.

Be a marine debris crusader!
In addition to picking up your own trash, carry away the trash that others have left behind. More than just an unsightly nuisance, beach litter poses a significant threat to the health and survival of marine organisms, which can swallow or get tangled in beverage containers, plastic bags, six-pack rings, fishing line, fishing tackle and other debris. Do not dispose of trash or other debris in the water. Be sure to pump out your sewage and dispose of trash only in marinas and designated areas.

If you dive or snorkel, use care!
Take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the reef - contact can hurt you and damage the delicate coral animals. Disturbed sediments can smother and kill corals, so take care to stay off the bottom and avoid kicking up sand. Divers should tie up gauges so they are close to your body and don't "dangle" and harm corals!

Don't collect souvenirs and don't grasp or stand on living coral or harass marine animals.
If you see environmental disturbances or damage at your dive sites, report them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's 24 hour Law Enforcement Dispatch Line at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Remember, your interactions with coral reefs and their inhabitants can have lasting results. Use caution and have a great experience!

Avoid trolling for fish above a reef.
Anglers should avoid coral reefs when trolling. Hooks can injure and scar the coral, leaving it vulnerable to infection by microscopic organisms that can kill the coral.

Use caution when catching lobster near coral reefs.
When harvesting lobster, avoid touching coral reefs. Never use chemicals near a reef. If you use traps, avoid placing the traps on reefs. Heavy traps break coral and damage the surrounding habitat when the traps are pulled.

Use caution when spearfishing near coral reefs.
Spearfishers should take great care in removing a wounded fish from the reef. Do not use the reef for leverage when extracting a fish from a hole. Sometimes waiting a few minutes for less resistance will help. When using a line pull the fish up and away from the reef to avoid entanglement with coral. Always be sure to visually measure first and shoot second. Make sure you now what you are shooting at.

Follow fishing regulations.
Fish and marine invertebrates, like lobster, crabs and shrimp, are integral to maintaining healthy reef ecosystems. Learn and observe fishing regulations, seasonal closures and bag limits. Visit www.floridaconservation.org

#1:
Corals off Broward County, FL Photo:
Dave Gilliam, National Coral Reef Institute