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long it can take for an entire
coral reef to grow. On the Florida
Reef Tract in the United States,
it can take more than 100,000
years for the reef to form. Some
coral reefs have been growing
for over 30 million years! This is
despite animals like parrotfish
eating the coral, making some
of the sand that washes up at
the beach. Other animals that
eat coral include sea stars, crab,
and shrimp.
Coral reefs are just like rain
forests. Many layers of organisms
make up the reef, like fish, The coral reefs are affected by extremely harmful to coral, and
invertebrates (animals without more than just this disease. when people get in the ocean
a backbone), and algae. They As the overall temperature with sunscreen on their skin,
all live together in a delicate of the planet changes due to it can wash off into the water
balance. These balances are human impacts, it affects the where it does not dissolve.
important for the ocean, but temperatures of the ocean.
people also benefit from healthy The ocean absorbs the extra When we visit coral reefs, it is
and diverse coral reef systems, heat being trapped in our important that we don’t touch
because they can protect people atmosphere. Because corals the coral as oils from our skin
from storms, provide a source of are very sensitive, the rising can harm the coral, and it can
food, or simply be a beautiful temperatures of the ocean also break pieces of the coral
place to visit. All of these things can easily stress the symbiotic off. Protecting the animals that
WORLD OCEAN DAY also support the economy of the relationship between the coral live on the reef is important
townships near the coral reefs.
too. Without the balance of fish
and the zooxanthellae. If the
SEA OF VOICES Jenkinson’s Aquarium works stress continues, zooxanthellae and invertebrates on the reef,
hard to protect corals, will leave the coral and cause things like algae can grow out
of control and smother the reef.
coral bleaching. Without the
specifically from the Florida Reef zooxanthellae algae, the coral Protecting algae-eating fish
Mermaid Brizo visits Tract (FRT). In 2014, scientists will die over time because the allows those fish to keep the
realized that a disease severely
algae is a source of food for the
Jenkinson’s Aquarium impacted the reef-building coral coral. Using less single-use plastic is
algae under control on the reef.
on the largest tract, and while
another great way to project our
to learn about Coral Reef there is still little known about There are things people can do whole ocean.
the disease, many organizations
on land to help the coral reefs!
still work to save the reef.
Through the Florida Reef Tract Rainwater carries pollution to Of course, the easiest things to
do to protect the coral reefs are
the rivers, creeks, streams, and
Rescue program, aquarists bays that empty into the ocean. to educate others about their
at Jenkinson’s Aquarium are Reducing the pollution on the delicate ecosystem and need
BY: MERMAID BRIZO ©2021 by Mermaid Brizo caring for various species at land in fertilizer for lawns, trash, for preservation, or donate to
PHOTOS: SCARLET EMRATH/ZEE BLACKWELL (THEWANTEDDEPTHS) their facility in Point Pleasant, pesticides, and vehicle fluids will your favorite reef conservation
LOCATION: JENKINSON’S AQUARIUM NJ. These corals being kept safe help keep the waterways clean organization!
POINT PLEASANT BEACH NJ | JENKINSONS.COM/AQUARIUM in captivity will allow people to that feed back into the ocean. If you would like to see the corals
rebuild the wild reef when the
People can also wear reef-safe
Fins Magazine invited Mermaid lives in an anemone with long they will leave the coral. Without risk of disease is lower. sunscreen. Many sunscreens are from the Florida Reef Tract that
Brizo to celebrate World Oceans tentacles. Coral animals look the zooxanthellae or the coral Jenkinson’s Aquarium is caring
Day on June 8th at Jenkinson’s exactly like the anemone! animals, the coral structure is for, you can take a behind-the-
Aquarium in Point Pleasant, bright white and hard like a scenes tour!
NJ. In addition, Aquarist Jen Just like the jellyfish that seashell.
Lengares talked about their the anemone and the coral To learn more, visit Jenkinson’
work to conserve Coral Reefs in are related to, coral use their You might be wondering how Aquarium online at
Florida. tentacles to catch very small jenkinsons.com/aquarium.
pieces of food floating through
There are over 6,000 different the water and bring them into In addition, you can learn more
kinds of coral in the world! Coral their mouths. While they look about the Florida Reef Tract
are small marine animals that really colorful, did you know Rescue program at
live together like people in an that corals do not have their aza.org/the-florida-reef-tract
apartment building. own color? Zooxanthellae are
algae (little plant-like creatures) To learn more about Mermaid
You might be wondering what a that live with the coral and give Brizo, go to:
coral animal looks like up close. them their color. Just like house thebarnegatbaymermaid.com
For example, have you ever plants, they need care, and if the
watched Finding Nemo? Nemo zooxanthellae get stressed out,
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