Coral reefs are beautiful, fragile marine ecosystems. Due to human ignorance and carelessness, coral reefs have been slowly but steadily declining for decades.

Scuba diving is a popular sport, and unfortunately the accessibility today’s divers have to previously wilderness marine areas coincides with the increase in damage to the fragile coral colonies. Many studies have been done worldwide, and links between diving and coral reef decline are illustrated throughout.

Coral reefs are made up of the coral animals, called polyps. They are soft-bodied invertebrates, shaped like tubes with tentacles around the mouth at the upper end of the body. The reefs are limestone cases and are created by the corals as they extract calcium from seawater. These limestone “cases” consist of floors, outer walls, and inner partitions. The coral individuals connect by tissue as colonies, and they can share nutrients. Some corals have a mutual relationship with a specific algae whereby the algae uses the polyps’ waste and sunlight to make oxygen and food, which leak into the polyps’ tissue, providing up to 98% of the polyps’ nutritional needs. These corals are found in shallow water, where sunlight is easily available. A great variety of fish find shelter in coral reefs.

To protect these lovely, fragile colonies, diver regulations and proper diver etiquette should always be observed. Take advantage of pre-dive educational lectures. No contact with corals or other sea life should ever be attempted. Marine animals should never be chased or grabbed. Nothing living or dead should be removed from the sea, except for recent garbage. Divers must maintain good buoyancy control. Improper finning near coral reefs causes damage, and good finning techniques and body control are a must. All diving equipment needs to be well-secured to avoid dragging or banging against corals.