The negative impact on boating, fishing and diving hasn’t been quantified, but there’s no doubt that record-high temperatures in the Atlantic last year triggered a massive die-off of Florida’s coral reefs. The cumulative heat stress on precious corals in the Keys in 2023 was nearly three times the previous record.
Coral reefs support a whopping 25% of all marine life. The only such reef in the continental United States is in the Florida Keys. More than 45 species of stony coral and 35 soft corals live in Keys waters. Seven coral species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. These reefs are nurseries for many fish species, and as such are major drivers of fishing, scuba diving, tourism and, of course, boat sales.
Researchers have determined that 2023 saw the longest-lasting worldwide ocean heat wave in more than three decades. As a result, coral bleaching is now reported as the worst in U.S. history, surely not something our industry wants to experience.
We know a healthy coral reef is an incredibly vibrant place for marine life. But we also now know that when the water gets too warm, the coral expels its photosynthetic algae, or zooxanthellae, that gives it color. The result is they turn white, or bleached, which makes them even more susceptible to heat stress and death.
Recent surveys by teams from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the Sarasota-based Mote Laboratory & Aquarium have determined that less than 22% of the approximately 1,500 staghorn corals surveyed were still alive. As part of NOAA’s Mission: Iconic Reefs program, only the two most northern reefs (Carysfort and Horseshoe) had any living staghorn coral left.
It’s reported that last year was a particularly severe year for heat waves around the world. The combination of suspected climate change and the El Niño cycle contributed to the record-high ocean heat.
Fortunately, we can recognize and applaud that, for several years, scientists at NOAA, Mote Marine and many others have been aggressive in efforts to save reefs. For example, they remove corals from the warm water, place them in nurseries on land, and return them to the reefs once the water temperatures drop.
Still, large-scale coral bleaching has become more widespread and severe. The Florida Reef Tract continues to experience an historic disease event with stony coral tissue loss disease affecting half the reef-building species.
Coral reefs have been in decline in Florida and throughout the Caribbean since the 1970s. But now overall restoration efforts include coral rescue and nurseries, innovative techniques to speed coral growth and maturity, replenishing reefs, and holistic approaches to habitat and species rejuvenation. Even boaters, divers and snorkelers are encouraged to assist in monitoring the situation with a “Have You Seen This Tag” program.
Hundreds of tags have been placed on treated corals, specifically on reefs at Carysfort South, Key Largo Dry Rocks, Grecian, Molasses, Crocker, Sombrero and Looe Key reefs. Snorkelers are asked to take photos of the tag, the coral colony and any lesions or lines, and then upload them to Nova Southeastern University using its Citizen Science Photo Submission Form. These visuals will help scientists determine how the diseases are responding to their various treatments and programs.
Saving coral is no small undertaking, but the benefits to the marine industry are incalculable. Dealers and marina operators should make an effort to support such programs, and educate and encourage customers to participate in and support reef-saving efforts.
