TRAVEL TIPS/SUSTAINABILITY
Ways to Raise Awareness
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Reefs are of enormous value to us. They protect coastal cities from storms and support fisheries. A recent study found that revenue from reef tourism alone is $36 billion per year globally.
Coral reefs are like underwater cities, inhabited by thousands of species, built up by the calcium carbonate skeletons of corals. Since the early 1980s, we’ve lost roughly two-thirds of the world’s reef-building corals. Most of the Caribbean reefs are now dominated by the skeletons of recently deceased corals, with living colonies sparsely distributed among the dead Corels.
Ocean warming due to sewage and sediment are degrading reefs but are not the only culprits destroying corel reef. Impacts related to intensive tourism, mostly caused by anchors or people standing on corals, also need to be managed.
Here are some actions you can take to help save coral reefs and the marine life that depend on them.
1. Dive responsibly
Snorkel or diving with a responsible guide. Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. Contact with the coral will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill it. Ask your dive or snorkel operator what they do to support reef conservation. Let them know this issue is important to you.
2. Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen
Several common sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been shown to be toxic to corals. Sunscreens that use non-nano zinc oxide as their active ingredients do not contribute to coral bleaching.
3. Do not litter on the beach
Don't leave unwanted fishing lines or nets in the water or on the beach. Any kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and fish.
4.Take Action and contact your marine conservation representatives:
Demand they take action to protect coral reefs, stop sewage pollution of our oceans, expand marine protected areas and take steps to reverse climate change. Support your local marine conversation group and participate in activities to reduce ocean warming on Corel Reefs
5. Use biodegradable and non-toxic products at home
The products you use at home will eventually flow into the water system and oceans. Research green alternatives for pesticides, toxic cleaning detergents that won’t harm coral reefs and marine life.
6. Raise awareness of the importance of corals
Raise awareness about the importance of coral reefs.