Page 239 - Coral Reef Teachers Guide

BEAUTIFUL TIPS FOR DIVERS TIPS FOR BOATERS JOIN

& FISHERMEN
AND SNORKELERS
& ALIVE • Snorkel aware, dive with care! Before booking a reef trip, check • Before heading out, check weath- Reef Relief relies on memberships, contributions
and volunteer efforts. Join our grassroots efforts
er conditions. It’s best not to go out in rough seas.
out weather conditions. It’s best not to go out in rough seas.
Coral reefs are delicately-balanced underwater environments Poor visibility, strong winds and waves reduce safe interaction • Dumping trash at sea is illegal; plastic bags and other debris to save coral reefs.
home to fish, hard and soft corals, sponges, sea jellies, snails, at the reef. can injure or kill marine animals. Try to retrieve fishing gear
crabs, lobsters, rays, sea turtles and other sea life. They are the • Remember that even the and equipment, especially monofilament line. BEA SEA FAN! $15–$99
oldest ecosystem on earth, yet they cover less than 1% of the lightest touch with hands • Use sewage pumpout facilities and biodegradeable bilge Join Reef Relief for a minimum of $15.
total ocean. Corals have existed for over 400 million years and or equipment can dam- cleaner and never discharge bilgewater at the reef.
reached their current level of diversity 50 million years ago. Florida Keys state waters are a No Discharge Zone BEA SEA TURTLE! $100–$249
age sensitive
Corals are made of millions of tiny slow growing animals called coral polyps. for boater sewage. A powerful and beautiful partner on the reef!
coral polyps. It takes years for some corals to grow an inch. They • Use reef mooring buoys or anchor in sandy areas away
grow on the limestone remains of former colonies to create the • Snorkelers should wear from coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and BEA DOLPHIN! $250–$499
massive reef formations. An algae called zooxanthellae gives the BCs—inflatable snorkel line do not contact or damage coral or seagrasses. Graceful and carefree, these are certainly one
coral its color and lives within the host polyp. vests—to allow gear • Practice good seamanship and safe boating. Accidental of the smartest partners of the coral reef.
adjustment without
Corals are divided into two kinds. Hard corals such as brain, star, standing on the coral. boat groundings damage the reef. Consult tide and BE AN EAGLE RAY! $500–$999
staghorn, elkhorn and pillar corals have rigid exoskeletons, or Never stand up on navigational charts and steer clear of shallow areas. Boat
corallites, that protect them. propellors can cause seagrass scars, damage coral and Majestic, magnificent, silent and strong,
a coral reef! result in fines. Avoid reefs and seagrasses that appear a memorable partner of the coral reef.
Gorgonians, or soft corals, such as sea fans, sea whips and sea • To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers should only use brown; stay in white sandy areas.
rods, are filter feeders that sway with the currents and lack an the weight needed and practice proper buoyancy control. • If you run aground: turn the engine off, and tilt it up BEA CORAL HEAD! $1000 +
exoskeleton. The Coral Reef Ecosystem includes coral reefs, if possible. Do not try to motor off. Wait until high tide to The very foundation of life on this planet.
mangroves and seagrasses and each depends upon the other. Areas that appear empty may support new growth if left
undisturbed. remove the vessel. Call for assistance when necessary.
North America’s only coral barrier reef lies approximately 6 to 8 miles • When in a dive area, slow down to an idle speed. Fishermen,
offshore and parallels the Florida Keys, a 158-mile string of islands. • Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting marine life. do not troll over or near divers. Stay at least 100 feet from a ADDRESS INFORMATION New Member Renewing Member
Most tropical fish captured die within a year. In Florida, Queen
Coral reefs deserve protection for their intrinsic natural value. conch and coral are protected species, and cannot be taken. red and white diver down flag and watch for bubbles. Name ________________________________________________________
In addition, they provide food, economic and tourism benefits to Buying them at local shops only depletes reefs elsewhere in Boaters, maintain safe distances from fishermen.
mankind, protect our shorelines from storms, support indigenous the world. • Florida law requires a fishing license. Applicable size, bag Address ______________________________________________________
communities, provide habitat for endangered species, and limits, and seasons must be observed when harvesting
improve our quality of life. • Resist the temptation to feed fish; it changes the natural seafood. Release all the fish you cannot eat and consult City/State/Zip _________________________________________________
behavior and diet of the fish and is illegal in Florida waters.
state and federal authorities for current regulations.
FRAGILE & ENDANGERED • Avoid wildlife disturbance; stay 100 yards or more offshore; Telephone ____________________________________________________
keep speed, noise and wakes to a minimum near mangroves.
Camping, campfires and collecting of any kind are prohibited Email_________________________________________________________
Corals are fragile and vulnerable. Reefs can only on all National Wildlife Refuges. Personal watercraft and
survive in clean, clear, nutrient-free tropical airboats are illegal in all National Parks and Wildlife BILLING INFORMATION
oceans, usually between 25 degrees Refuges in the Florida Keys. Check enclosed, payable to Reef Relief
north and south of the equator.
They depend on sunlight for • The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a Please charge my credit card $_______________.
photosynthesis. Any condition marine protected area for Florida Keys coral reefs. VISA MasterCard American Express Discover
that reduces the clarity of the A zoned management system is established
with certain rules for special areas
water, such as sediment and regulations. Card #__________________________________ Expires ______________
or pollution, prevents For more information,
healthy coral growth contact the FKNMS at Signature _____________________________________________________
making the coral more www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov,
susceptible to disease. call (305) 809-4700, or By signing above, I authorize Reef Relief to charge the card I have
listed the amount specified above.
Coral reefs around the visit the Nancy Foster
world are experiencing Eco-Discovery Center, Get involved! Join Reef Relief’s free online
severe decline 33 East Quay Wall community at www.reefrelief.org.
due to multiple in Key West. Become a volunteer; we can always use help.
impacts.
Encourage others to get involved.