Dive In! Get involved in events in your community. Your
involvement can make a big difference.
• Don’t Use Chemically Enhanced Pesticides and Fertilizers.
Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef
ecosystem, these products end up in the watershed and may
ultimately impact the waters that support coral.
• Be An Informed Consumer. Consider carefully the coral
objects that you buy for decoration. Many reef
souvenirs are unsustainably or illegally harvested.
• Ask Your Waiter. Choose seafood from those fisheries and
fish farms that have the least impact on the ocean and its
inhabitants.
• Pump It - Don’t Dump It! Use sewage pumpout facilities and
biodegradable bilge cleaner. Never discharge bilge water at
the reef.
• Use Reef Mooring Buoys or anchor in sandy areas away
from coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and line do
not contact or damage coral or seagrasses.
• Know Before You Go! Carry and use nautical charts and
know the draft of your vessel. If you run aground: STOP! Do
not try to motor off. Wait until high tide to remove the vessel.
Call for assistance when necessary.
• Avoid Wildlife Disturbance. Stay 100 yards or more offshore;
keep speed, noise, and wakes to a minimum near
mangroves.
• Dive Responsibly. Coral-friendly divers have good buoyancy
control. The lightest touch with hands or equipment can
damage sensitive coral polyps or remove the protective
mucus layer.
• To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers
should only use the weight needed and practice
proper buoyancy control. Areas that appear empty
may support new growth if left undisturbed.
• Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting
marine life. Some species, such as queen conch and
cushion sea star are protected, and cannot be taken.
involvement can make a big difference.
• Don’t Use Chemically Enhanced Pesticides and Fertilizers.
Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef
ecosystem, these products end up in the watershed and may
ultimately impact the waters that support coral.
• Be An Informed Consumer. Consider carefully the coral
objects that you buy for decoration. Many reef
souvenirs are unsustainably or illegally harvested.
• Ask Your Waiter. Choose seafood from those fisheries and
fish farms that have the least impact on the ocean and its
inhabitants.
• Pump It - Don’t Dump It! Use sewage pumpout facilities and
biodegradable bilge cleaner. Never discharge bilge water at
the reef.
• Use Reef Mooring Buoys or anchor in sandy areas away
from coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and line do
not contact or damage coral or seagrasses.
• Know Before You Go! Carry and use nautical charts and
know the draft of your vessel. If you run aground: STOP! Do
not try to motor off. Wait until high tide to remove the vessel.
Call for assistance when necessary.
• Avoid Wildlife Disturbance. Stay 100 yards or more offshore;
keep speed, noise, and wakes to a minimum near
mangroves.
• Dive Responsibly. Coral-friendly divers have good buoyancy
control. The lightest touch with hands or equipment can
damage sensitive coral polyps or remove the protective
mucus layer.
• To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers
should only use the weight needed and practice
proper buoyancy control. Areas that appear empty
may support new growth if left undisturbed.
• Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting
marine life. Some species, such as queen conch and
cushion sea star are protected, and cannot be taken.
| How You Can Help Protect the Coral Reef Ecosystem What you do (or don’t do) can make a difference |
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All About Florida
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Florida Keys Diving
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