What can I do to protect coral reefs? (2024)

FAQs

What can I do to protect coral reefs? ›

They create hard exoskeletons around themselves to protect their soft bodies. Coral polyps live in tight colonies, building their exoskeletons — made from the calcium carbonate found in seawater — on top of one another.

They create hard exoskeletons around themselves to protect their soft bodies. Coral polyps live in tight colonies, building their exoskeletons — made from the calcium carbonate found in seawater — on top of one another.

Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.

Clean Water

Most reef-building corals depend upon zooxanthellae (tiny little algae that grow inside of them) to photosynthesize and provide food. If the water becomes cloudy or murky, or if corals are covered in sediment, the sunlight can't get to the zooxanthellae and the corals lose that important food source.

The Reef 2050 Plan is Australia's overarching strategy to improve the Reef's health and resilience. Its focus is delivering coordinated local, national and global action in key areas.

Coral reefs provide a buffer, protecting our coasts from waves, storms, and floods. Corals form barriers to protect the shoreline from waves and storms. The coral reef structure buffers shorelines against waves, storms, and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion.

The growing combination of rising water temperatures, poorer water quality from sediment run-off and pollution, as well as more severe cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, are just some of the threats creating a perfect storm for our reef and the iconic animals that depend on it.

Our efforts include activities such as: Planting nursery-grown corals back onto reefs. Making sure habitat is suitable for natural coral growth. Building coral resilience to threats like climate change.

Because of their hard, jagged structure, coral reefs can reduce wave energy by 97% and serve as a natural flood defense along nearly 45,000 miles (71,000km) of coastline worldwide. Nearly 200 million people depend on coral reefs to protect them from storm surges and waves.

What would happen if you touched a coral? ›

Touching coral can kill hundreds

By touching coral to stabilize yourself or to take a photo you could kill hundreds of polyps. Corals can get sick and vulnerable for infections because they have a protective layer of (coral) mucus as well. Breaking off pieces of hard corals is another huge risk.

The Coral Reef Conservation Act promotes wise management and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems and develop sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and threats to them.

Coral reefs are hotbeds of biodiversity, acting as sites for shelter, reproduction, feeding, and nursery areas for a diversity of marine species. Although these reefs make up less than 1% of the ocean floor, they support an estimated 25% of all marine species.

Up to half of the world's coral reefs have already been lost or severely damaged. And the negative development continues. Scientists predict that all corals will be threatened by 2050 and that 75 percent will face high to critical threat levels.

It is important to protect them by reducing waste, sustainable fishing, and conserving coastal and forest areas.

Donate. Working alongside local communities and partners—from fishers and government leaders to SCUBA divers and scientists—CORAL protects one of our most valuable and threatened ecosystems. Your generous donations support our vital work.