What You can Do

Coral restoration helps repair damage to coral reefs but it can’t fix the big problems that are causing these damages. These problems include:

  • Climate change
  • Coral bleaching
  • Coral Disease
  • Human caused physical damage
Bleached Staghorn coral Photo credit: Wikipedia

Bleached Staghorn coral Photo credit: Wikipedia

So what can be done, how can we tackle these somewhat overwhelming issues?

  • Educating people can help with reducing physical damage from boats, harvesters and divers.
  • Creating and maintaining marine protected areas  can allow coral reefs to strengthen and multiply.
Photo credit: Katelyn Dick

Photo credit: Katelyn Dick

Overall strengthening of reef health through coral restoration is important because it increases their ability to be resistant and resilient in the face of damage and changing conditions .  It is important to protect the coral we have and attempt to restore what we have lost while we tackle the bigger problems at the same time.

What Can You Do to Help Protect Coral Reefs? 

 Here are some suggestions provided by NOAA:

  • Using energy-efficient light bulbs help to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.  Climate change is one of the leading threats to coral reef survival.

  • Don’t send chemicals into our waterways.  Try using naturally-derived and biodegradable detergents and cleaning products.

  • Corals are already a gift. Don’t give them as presents.
  • Be a marine debris crusader – pick up after yourself and properly dispose of other garbage you come across – wherever you are.

  • Recycle. This helps keep trash out of the oceans and also out of landfills where it can have an adverse impact on the water quality of our rivers and oceans.

  • Volunteer for a reef or beach cleanup. Don’t live near a coral reef? Then consider volunteering for a beach, river, or stream cleanup, if you live near one.

  • Coral reefs are alive. If you dive, don’t touch! Take only pictures and leave only bubbles.

Spread the word! Let other people know why they should care about coral reefs.


(Ok so it may not be the most accurate representation of a coral reef, but it was probably what first inspired many people’s love of the ocean, and it just makes you want to live under the sea!)

 

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