Coral Reefs: Human Connections

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Reefs Helping People, People Helping Reefs

A scuba diver explores elkhorn corals growing on a tropical reef.
A scuba diver explores elkhorn corals growing on a tropical reef.
OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)
Coral reefs are wondrous places, worthy of protecting for their own sake. But there are also practical reasons to preserve these unique ecosystems. Reefs may contribute up to 30 billion dollars worth of services a year. They provide food and jobs, serve as sources of new medicines, give early warnings of environmental problems, and shield coastlines from hurricanes and tsunamis—to name just a few of their benefits. What can we do in return? Follow local rules when fishing, boating, snorkeling, or diving. Never feed or handle animals, and never touch the reef! Corals and other animals are fragile and easily killed by a grasping hand or careless flipper. Choose souvenirs that don’t jeopardize reef organisms, and animals for your home aquarium that were obtained in a sustainable manner. The links below contain more reef-friendly choices.

Smithsonian Links

Get more ideas for how to help protect reefs and other ocean ecosystems
Find out what the National Zoo is doing to preserve coral reefs

Links to Other Sites

Learn what one nonprofit foundation is doing to rescue coral reefs—and how you can help
Find out about efforts to promote responsible trade in aquarium animals
Read about a campaign to reduce consumer demand for corals

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Comments

I think the information on all the pages is very good!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 11:02pm.

its sad the coral reefs arent going to stay much longer because of all of the pollution that is being put in the ocean and thats why i want to do something about when i get older i want to be a marine biologist

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 6:50pm.

Amazing photos it must be amazing to get to see these beutiful creatures in person. i wish i was old enough to go scuba diving. But the amazing detail of the pictures that just make you have that "wow" effect it's amazing i really would love to be a marine photographer and see the amazing sites of the world just down deep in the ocean! I do love to swim, and this is really inspiring!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 04/16/2011 - 3:10pm.

if i had the chance to save the coral reefs,i'd do.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 3:12am.

Rather depressing. Doing an essay on this, and my parents don't understand it's more important than going out to a function tomorrow!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 12/24/2011 - 7:09am.

If i had a chance to save the corals i would persist to do it!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 12/25/2011 - 2:11pm.
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