Our coral reefs have been declining for some time, and recent record water temperatures have only worsened the situation. The boating industry is recognizing the work of the University of South Florida and its research efforts to counteract the decline.

Coral reefs are referred to as the “crown jewels” of the ocean. The largest reefs in the United States are in Florida. In addition to providing a shoreline buffer from storms by absorbing wave energy, reefs also provide critical economic benefits.

The Florida Keys are home to the largest reef system in North America and one of the world’s largest coral reef systems, covering 1,120 square miles. It reportedly brings an estimated $7 billion annual economic value to the state from fishing and tourism. So the initiative to bolster reefs will benefit communities and industries that depend on them, such as boating.

Florida has the industry’s highest annual boat sales, and the state’s current boat registrations top 1 million. Coral reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species of fish, crabs, lobsters and more. In addition to world-class fishing, diving and snorkeling opportunities, the importance of reefs as fish nurseries is obvious. Moreover, reefs act as a filtration system to maintain healthy water quality, which also pivotal to the boating experience.

Sadly, we’re in a time when the reefs have degraded beyond the capacity to recover on their own. Water temperatures around South Florida and the Keys reached historic levels this year. Enter the value of the USF program.

As outlined by Axios climate reporter Andrew Freedman, the USF team of researchers is preparing to reintroduce thousands of corals rescued from the heat waves and record water temperatures that have resulted in massive bleaching. Bleaching occurs when the symbiotic algae that live within coral tissues expel themselves, turning the coral white and removing the coral’s ability to access key nutrients. Bleached corals are even more susceptible to heat stress.

At the USF-hosted Florida Institute of Oceanography-Keys Marine Institute, a team executed an extreme conservation measure that created and will eventually be returning to the water corals that were rescued before the extreme heat occurrence. Most are rare and endangered, and are currently placed in some 60 tanks holding up to 1,000 gallons of water.

It’s all aimed at ensuring that genetically diverse coral species will survive bleaching. So far, USF reports its Keys Marine Laboratory has housed more than 5,000 rescued corals. When water temperatures return to more normal levels, plans call for the return of the coral to the reefs. However, they will initially reside in controlled underwater nurseries to grow under the watchful eyes of the USF research team. Ultimately, they will be reattached to natural reefs.

This past summer, water temperatures in South Florida and the Keys reportedly reached historic levels pushing 101 degrees. NOAA issued its highest level of coral bleaching alert. Historically, the water temperature peaks in the mid 80s.

It’s more than appropriate that USF get a shout-out for its marine sciences programs (coral rescue is just one), which benefit our boating industry and the $4.5 billion in annual sales of boats, engines, trailers and accessories in the Sunshine State.