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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Coral reefs are vital breeding grounds for many species, hosting some year round, while others return during migration or to reproduce.
Reefs protect coastlines and coastal communities from major storms. They provide food and income world wide.
Coral reefs are the most famous and probably the best studied type of reef. The are formed by the skeletons of ancient coral, with new corals fighting for room on top. As they die off, new coral add to the structures.
The sections after this will predominantly focus on this type of reef, as well as artificial reefs designed to host coral colonies.
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens
"The main characteristic of a coral garden is a relatively dense aggregation of colonies or individuals of one or more coral species. Coral gardens can occur on a wide range of soft and hard seabed substrata. For example, soft‐bottom coral gardens may be dominated by solitary scleractinians, sea pens or certain types of bamboo corals, whereas hard‐bottom coral gardens are often found to be dominated by gorgonians, stylasterids, and/or black corals" - OSPAW: Coral Gardens
Benefits of Coral
Benefits of Coral
Supports Biodiversity
Supports Biodiversity
Many economically important species rely on coral for reproduction, some even remain in coral reefs for their entire life span, while other species are migratory and only visit in passing. For example salmon and dolphins.
Financial Benefits
Financial Benefits
Not only do coastal communities rely on biodiversity for food, but those with vibrant reefs can also make decent money from tourism when people choose to visit these reefs or see other animals such as whales and dolphins.
Coastal Defense
Coastal Defense
Coral reefs function as a subaquatic form of living shorline. Futher out to see than oystr reefs, mangroves, or wetlands, they help reduce storm surges before they even make it to the shoreline.
Cleaner Water
Cleaner Water
When coral are not dangerously overwhelmed by pollutants, they actually act as a natural filter by consuming pollutants that would not otherwise dissolve in water. Many species of coral are filter feeders, helping to clean up pollutants before they can settle to the ocean floor and cause harm to other species.
Major Threats
Major Threats
Reefs in Peril: Coral Reef Degradation "Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world and also the most vulnerable. Threats to coral reefs fall into two principal categories: climate change-induced factors that threaten reefs on a global scale and local factors that cause damage within a more limited geographical area. In 2011, a study by the World Resources Institute reported that 75 percent of coral reefs worldwide were at risk from global and local threats, with a quarter of reefs already damaged beyond repair. Since then, the degradation of coral reefs has continued unabated on a global scale."
The following are not listed in any particular order.
Acid Rain and Ocean Acidification from livestock farming, fossil fuel emissions, and industrial practices.
Fishing & Aquaculture
Bottom Trawling
Cyanide Fishing is a common practice used to fuel the exotic pet trade, and is toxic both to the coral as well as the fish. Many of whom die in transit or shortly after reaching their destinations.
Dynamite Fishing
Ghost Nets harbor dangerous bacteria which spread disease to coral which are easily entangled and smothered by old fishing gear.
Aquaculture waste: fish feces, antibiotics and other medications or poisons harm all aquatic life, but in particular fecal waste has been found to smother reefs which (unlike mobile lifeforms) can't swim, crawl, or float out of harms way.
Slaughterhouse/Meat Processor Waste pipes of blood and other disease-contaminated waste is dumped into waterways and oceans.
Sewage
Livestock Manure
Human & Pet Sewage
Waste Including Sewage From Ships Cruise companies pay million in fines, which they consider the price of doing business.
Invasive Species these can displace species, over eat and cause trophic cascade, bring disease, etc.
Warming Ocean Temperatures cause bleaching
Sedimentation
Damage from Diving & Tourism
Oil & Chemical Spills
Coral Disease - at least one of these has been found to be spread by cruise ships.
Algae Blooms
Plastic & Other Marine Debris
Parrot Fish and other native species that feed on coral
Acid Rain
Acid Rain
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Acidification
Oil Industry
Oil Industry
Not only does the oil industry contribute to climate change, but their spills and extraction practices cause even more direct harm to coral and other ocean life.
Plastic Pollution
Plastic Pollution
We all know microplastics are working their way into the food web, but coral also face the threat of being smothered by larger pieces of plastic, including shopping bags and fish nets. Even worse is that plastic can carry disease and other harmful organisms which also harm corals.
Commercial Fishing
Commercial Fishing
Bottom trawling can tear delicate corals right off the ocean floor, turning it into useless wreckage. Dynamite fishing is generally illegal, and can demolish entire coral reefs in mere moments.
Cyanide fishing, used to catch exotic fish for the pet trade also causes serious harm to nearby coral.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture
Fish farms change the composition of the benthic layer, which in turn can have unfortunate impacts all the way up the food chain. These impacts can include antibiotics and pesticides used by fish farms that end up impacting the tiny organisms that coral feed on, as well as the smothering of corals themselves by the fish farms which are sometimes placed directly above reefs.
Water Pollution
Water Pollution
This comes from farms, roads, factories, mines, oil spills laundry and sewage to name just a few major sources. Water pollution can reduce the amount of oxygen in aquatic eco-systems, which can suffocate species including corals. Pollution is also linked to sedimentation, which can again suffocate these important water-cleaning organisms.
Water pollution can increase water temperature levels, combining with the effects of climate change to exaserbate coral bleaching events. In addition the nutrients and toxic chemicals associated with polluted water can cause serious harm and malnutrition in corals. - Coral: The Vital Link Why Water Quality Matters for Coral Reefs
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Invasive species can hitch rides on plastic pollution and ships including fishing boats and cruise ships. We have a few ways we can combat them, but prevention is always the easiest and cheapest solution. Once out of control, an invasive species can easily take over an area, eating endangered species such as coral or even the many species that help support coral health.
Solutions
Solutions
The following are listed (to the best of our ability) from most impactful and easier/cheaper to enact followed by less impactful/less accessible solutions.
Reduce Acid Rain Impacts
Reduce Acid Rain Impacts
First we need to stem the sources of acid rain which include fossil fuels used for energy and transportation, factory emissions, farming emissions (particularly livestock). With the help of those reductions of emissions, the solutions we have for reducing existing and reoccurring acid rain will be able to work better, since cheap, natural solutions such as oyster reefs are harmed by acid rain.
Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels
This can be done by reducing our energy use (this can be done with better insulation, timers to automatically reduce light pollution, and turning off items when not in use), which in turn help humanity more quickly meet our goals to transition to greener energy options.
Reduce Transit Emissions
Reduce Transit Emissions
Active transit ranging from walking to bike riding and canoeing can all help reduce the impacts of acid rains. Using public transport or reducing travel all together via options like work-from-home or taking online classes can all help reduce the emissions that cause acid rain.
Plant-Based Alternatives
Plant-Based Alternatives
Livestock production from fertilizers used to grow their feed and deforestation to make more room for farming them, to the methane and nitrous oxide produce by their digestive systems all contribute to acid rain and ocean acidification. By finding alternative products to farm, and eating less animal products we can make a big dent in acidification as well as other problems caused by the industry.
Oyster Reefs
Oyster Reefs
Shellfish reefs, such as clam beds and oyster reefs can be negatively impacted by acid rain, particularly in their juvenile stages, however, once they are grown, their shells (while being deteriorated by acidity) leach chemicals from their shells into the surrounding water, helping to create a less-acidic environment than surrounding areas that don't benefit from ample shellfish populations.
Reduce Water Pollution
Reduce Water Pollution
Consume Responsibly
Consume Responsibly
Consuming less products by refusing, reducing, re-using, and recycling we can reduce both acidification and general water pollution. In particular moving away from plastic and leather products can help protect both people and wildlife, including corals.
Sharing Culture
Sharing Culture
Instead of trying to own more than we really need, we can be more responsible consumers by engaging in sharing culture. This can include donating to those in need, using your local libraries (including tool and nappy libraries), or even joining your local buy-nothing group.
Diet & Lifestyle Tweaks
Diet & Lifestyle Tweaks
Livestock and their feed are globally the biggest user of safe water, also using the most habitable land, and driving the most deforestation. These factors in turn make livestock one of our biggest polluters, while at the same time reducing the amount of plant matter that historically has helped protect our reefs from run off pollution. Shocking amounts of pollution are caused at ever stage of production from feed spraying and transport to slaughter and meat processing wast that is routinely dumped in waterways. Even leather factories cause devastation, particularly in countries with poorer worker and environmental protections
By going plant-based both in diet and other areas of your life, you can help reduce various drivers of reef and ecosystem decline all at once.
Grey Water
Grey Water
Grey water systems take waste water and use low-tech methods to clean and store it for later use. These can include things like sinks on the back of a toilet, letting gently-used water be re-used for flushing the toilet, as well as bigger systems that let waste water flow through the landscape, reducing the reliance on using drinkable water for landscaping.
Personal Care Product Choices
Personal Care Product Choices
"In a 2013 study, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science researchers and their partners discovered that a sunscreen chemical commonly used in many soaps, cosmetics, and body fragrances is highly toxic to corals. The team's data show that even very low concentrations of benzophenone-2, or BP-2, can quickly kill juvenile corals. BP-2 is an additive used in personal-care products since the 1960s to protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
The team also found that BP-2 causes colorful corals to bleach, and can potentially induce or increase the frequency of mutation in corals by causing damage to their DNA. BP-2 is not removed from most municipal wastewater treatment facilities. This discharge is often directly released in coastal waters of the Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific, threatening near-shore coral reefs.
Although pollution is a major cause of coral reef degradation and is the easiest factor to mitigate, BP-2 as a pollutant has largely been ignored, according to C.A. Downs, lead author of the study.
"In the case of BP-2 pollution, there are a range of options that can be considered for reducing its impact to reefs—from working with manufacturers and innovating more environmentally sustainable products to educating consumers regarding product selection and product disposal," he said."
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Tourism
Coral-Safe Sunscreen
Coral-Safe Sunscreen
If you want to swim near coral, remember to use coral-safe sunscreen to avoid harming coral and other ocean species.
Improved Coral Conservation & Transplanting Techniques
Improved Coral Conservation & Transplanting Techniques
How Scientists Are Restoring The Great Barrier Reef
New Heaven Reef Conservation Program "At the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, we have been working with artificial reefs for over a decade, and in this article, we are going to explore the history of artificial reefs, and then look at some of the methods we have found to be the most or least successful."
1:21 minute video explains how biodegradable straw "forts" are being used to help protect land-grown coral transplants from parrot fish once they are placed in their new homes.
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
International
International
CoralWatch "integrates global coral health monitoring with education and public outreach creating reef awareness using simple and engaging tools. This provides people with accessible information about coral reefs and climate change, and hands-on experience collecting scientific data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart. The chart is an easy-to-use tool to quantify changes in coral colour associated with coral bleaching on the reef. It is so simple, no prior training is needed and anyone can get involved. The chart is used in the field and classroom, is available in 12 languages and data on >230.000 corals from >1910 reefs in 79 countries is publicly accessible.
CoralWatch also provides regular workshops for communities, teachers and students, and has developed a range of high quality educational materials such as books, dvd, curriculum linked lesson plans. Many of these are freely available."
Africa
Africa
Seychelles
Seychelles
Coral Reef Restoration Toolkit A Field-Oriented Guide Developed in the Seychelles Islands (PDF) "The purpose of this Toolkit is to describe how to complete a coral reef restoration project, using the ‘coral gardening’ concept. Coral gardening incorporates a two-step protocol. First, coral ‘seedlings’ (from fragments, nubbins or settled larvae) are raised in underwater nurseries. Second, the nursery-reared corals are harvested and transplanted onto damaged reef areas (Rinkevich 2006). We provide guidance on appropriate design, logistics, and execution of the project based on our own experience using field-tested methods (developed by us or others) in the Republic of Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)."
Asia
Asia
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
Coral Reef Restoration Toolkit A Field-Oriented Guide Developed in the Seychelles Islands (PDF) "The purpose of this Toolkit is to describe how to complete a coral reef restoration project, using the ‘coral gardening’ concept. Coral gardening incorporates a two-step protocol. First, coral ‘seedlings’ (from fragments, nubbins or settled larvae) are raised in underwater nurseries. Second, the nursery-reared corals are harvested and transplanted onto damaged reef areas (Rinkevich 2006). We provide guidance on appropriate design, logistics, and execution of the project based on our own experience using fieldtested methods (developed by us or others) in the Republic of Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)."
North America
North America
Caribbean
Caribbean
Tuckerman Reef: Caribbean Law This resource explores the current protections and legal frameworks concerning coral reefs. Select a specific island from the list on the right, to learn about the laws for that specific area.
Programs & Projects
Programs & Projects
International
International
CoralWatch "integrates global coral health monitoring with education and public outreach creating reef awareness using simple and engaging tools. This provides people with accessible information about coral reefs and climate change, and hands-on experience collecting scientific data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart. The chart is an easy-to-use tool to quantify changes in coral colour associated with coral bleaching on the reef. It is so simple, no prior training is needed and anyone can get involved. The chart is used in the field and classroom, is available in 12 languages and data on >230.000 corals from >1910 reefs in 79 countries is publicly accessible.
CoralWatch also provides regular workshops for communities, teachers and students, and has developed a range of high quality educational materials such as books, dvd, curriculum linked lesson plans. Many of these are freely available."
Africa
Africa
Seychelles
Seychelles
The Reef Rescuers Project "was developed to restore the fringing coral reef within Cousin Island Special Reserve. ... The project built and cultivated 12 midwater nurseries(9 rope nurseries and 3 net nurseries), filled initially with up to 40,000 coral fragments or nubbins (from donor corals and corals of opportunity) of 34 coral species (branching, massive and encrusting). A total of 24,431 corals were transplanted in an area of 5,225 m2 within the no-take marine reserve of Cousin Island Special Reserve. ... Funding from the European Union through the Indian Ocean Commission supported the cultivation of 2000 coral fragments in a restoration project with Six Senses Zil Pasyon Resort at Felicite Island."
Asia
Asia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Bali
Nusa Penida Island
SeaTrees: Restoring Bali's Coral Reefs "This project restores the degraded coral reefs on Nusa Penida Island in Bali, Indonesia. SeaTrees project partner, Ocean Gardener, employs local Balinese fishermen to restore the reef and monitor the regeneration until it can survive on its own.
In 2021, 6,000 fragments of coral were planted and in May 2022 we expanded the project to a new restoration site in Crystal Bay and are planting another 6,000 coral fragments. We also began the process of scientific monitoring using 3D mapping technology with Scripps Institute of Oceanography."
North America
North America
USA
USA
Louisiana
Louisiana Artificial Reef Program "includes planning documents and reef locations"
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Coral Ark "Your tank is the seedbank. Enlisting aquarists to help government and science conserve corals."
Greening Australia: Reef Aid "To improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef, we are working with landholders, communities and Traditional Owners to rebuild eroding gullies and restore vital coastal wetlands across the catchment."
Coral Labs & Nurseries
Coral Labs & Nurseries
North America
North America
Bahamas
Bahamas
San Salvador
Tabor Academy’s First Coral Reef Nursery blog talks about the new program and offers a video of students working on the problems facing coral reefs.
USA
USA
Florida
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary "permitted researchers grow corals in underwater nurseries."
Islamorada Coral Nursery "Discover the cutting-edge coral reef science and restoration led by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists at our campuses throughout the Florida Keys. Learn more about public and private tours, interactive hands-on experiences, and group educational programs below."
Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) "is 19,000 square feet of research, education, offices and dormitories, on almost an acre of Lower Florida Keys canal-side property. More than 300 feet of dock space and 120 feet of mangrove-fringed shoreline provide space for resident and visiting research support vessels. IC2R3 provides a base of operations for Mote's ongoing research and education programs in the Florida Keys, and it is also open to visiting collaborative marine research or collaborative marine education groups."
Hawaii
Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources: Ānuenue Fisheries Research Center and Coral Restoration Nursery "collect corals from construction sites, shipwrecks, and other opportunistic situations for study and research. Corals are brought to the facility, where they are rapidly grown—using a series of newly-developed techniques to help quickly generate large coral modules, which can be out-planted back on the reef. University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant researchers are also conducting experiments at the Ānuenue facility to further understanding of the environmental conditions, like light and water movement, that are most useful for quickly growing corals for restoring our local reefs after bleaching and other catastrophic events."
Coral Reef Organizations
Coral Reef Organizations
Organizations focused on coral reef conservation are involved in protecting and restoring these critical ecosystems. Their work includes scientific research, conservation projects, and community outreach, all aimed at addressing the threats coral reefs face. These efforts help preserve biodiversity, protect coastal communities, and maintain the health of our oceans.\
Click the Coral Reef Organizations button the learn more!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
International
International
CoralWatch "integrates global coral health monitoring with education and public outreach creating reef awareness using simple and engaging tools. This provides people with accessible information about coral reefs and climate change, and hands-on experience collecting scientific data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart. The chart is an easy-to-use tool to quantify changes in coral colour associated with coral bleaching on the reef. It is so simple, no prior training is needed and anyone can get involved. The chart is used in the field and classroom, is available in 12 languages and data on >230.000 corals from >1910 reefs in 79 countries is publicly accessible.
CoralWatch also provides regular workshops for communities, teachers and students, and has developed a range of high quality educational materials such as books, dvd, curriculum linked lesson plans. Many of these are freely available."
North America
North America
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Raising Coral Cost Rica: Volunteer "If you want to dive with us in Golfo Dulce... /Si le gustaría bucear con nosotros en el Golfo Dulce..."
USA
USA
Florida
Hawaii
Restore with Resilience "We are restoring coral reefs in Hawaiʻi using selective propagation of local, thermally resistant stocks to enhance future reef resilience, leading to the protection of our coastlines and conservation of these dynamic ecosystems. We hope this strategy will buy corals some time while climate change is tackled at a broader scale."
South America
South America
Bonaire
Bonaire
Become a Coral Reef Volunteer "Reef Renewal volunteers help the organization with a myriad of tasks, including assisting Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire staff in the coral nurseries, helping with maintenance activities, outplanting corals to restoration sites around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, and more! Each week RRFB updates volunteers with scheduled RRFB-led dives and opportunities for skills updates. Volunteers are also welcome to perform maintenance activities at shore accessible sites during their free time. Our flexible volunteering options make it easy to jump in at your convenience!"
Maps
Maps
International
International
CoralWatch "integrates global coral health monitoring with education and public outreach creating reef awareness using simple and engaging tools. This provides people with accessible information about coral reefs and climate change, and hands-on experience collecting scientific data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart. The chart is an easy-to-use tool to quantify changes in coral colour associated with coral bleaching on the reef. It is so simple, no prior training is needed and anyone can get involved. The chart is used in the field and classroom, is available in 12 languages and data on >230.000 corals from >1910 reefs in 79 countries is publicly accessible.
CoralWatch also provides regular workshops for communities, teachers and students, and has developed a range of high quality educational materials such as books, dvd, curriculum linked lesson plans. Many of these are freely available."Coral Watch: Maps (Interactive) Click on locations to learn about the types and health of the corals in that area.
North America
North America
Belize
Belize
Seagrass Conservation & Protection in Belize (PDF) "Guidelines for management, conservation and protection" Includes multiple maps, including the ranges of mangroves, reefs, and seagrass meadows.
USA
USA
Florida
South America
South America
Bonaire
Bonaire
Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Sites (Interactive) "Over the past 30 years coral reefs have faced a major decline. Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire's mission is to protect and restore coral reefs in Bonaire by developing new and innovative ways to restore reefs that are supported by research collaborations and shared worldwide, training, engaging, and inspiring the community locally and internationally through volunteering, educational events, and outreach, and demonstrating that through community efforts there is still hope for coral reefs. Right now more than 15,000 coral fragments are growing in the nurseries in Bonaire and more than 42,000 have been already outplanted on the reef."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
North America
North America
Coral Reef Conservation Financial Assistance Program "provides financial awards (grants and cooperative agreements) to support conservation projects and scientific studies that benefit coral reef management across seven U.S. states and territories, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Each year, we strive to award at least $8 million in grants and cooperative agreements, which are matched by nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, regional fishery management councils, commercial entities, community groups, and state and territorial natural resource management agencies. All projects focus on the reduction of primary threats to coral reefs—global climate change, land-based sources of pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices— and coral reef restoration as outlined in the Coral Reef Conservation Program's Strategic Plan. Funded projects also focus on priority coral reef regions and watersheds."
Caribbean
Caribbean
Caribbean Biodiversity Fund "At the national level, partner National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) lead the grantmaking process, implement projects and drive programs for the protection and preservation of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems within their countries."
USA
USA
National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program "is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent, emerging, and challenging issues threatening the well-being of estuaries within the 28 NEP boundary areas. This grant program funds projects aimed at addressing the following Congressionally-set priorities..."
Florida
Florida Sea Grant "supports the work of scientists and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines from institutions across the state. Our competitive funding opportunities address the critical issues affecting our coastal resources and economy."
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Great Barrier Reef Foundation: Grants and Opportunities "Apply now for open grants with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation."
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