TRAVEL Florida Keys Coral Restoration Success – by Dr. John Christopher Fine
Dr John Christopher Fine is a Master Scuba Instructor and Instructor Trainer. His research as a Marine Biologist has brought worldwide attention to ocean environment issues. He is the au- thor of 28 published books and contributes regularly to magazines and newspapers about mar- itime affairs.
“Four billion dollars a year. That’s the valuation of reefs including the Keys, Miami, Broward County and the
added. It is clear that coral reefs are rainforests of the sea. Glob- ally, 25% of all marine species depend on reefs. “This is what divers want to see, what commercial and sport fishing depend on. Loss of reefs means loss of biodiversity,” Lesneski concluded. With this imperative, the continuation of I.CARE and its partner Key Dives throughout their relocation emphasizes the importance of work that has been undertaken by dedi- cated people. A landmark dive operation for twenty years at Tea Table Key, Mike Goldberg, founder and owner of Key Dives, has
Dry Tortugas,” Kathryn Lesneski averred as a scientist and NOAA’s Research and Monitoring Coordinator for Mission Iconic Reefs. “That’s a pretty staggering number. Money talks across all sectors, including political,” Lesneski added. The valuation in terms of dollars spent by divers and tourists that come to the Keys to dive and snorkel includes their hotel stays, restaurants, shopping, and spending in every venue. Diving is money, and money talks. Divers come to the Keys to see coral reefs and enjoy healthy marine ecosystems. This is the driving incentive for I.CARE and
recently relocated to Strahl Plaza, bay- side at Mile Marker 86 on Plantation Key. Their 42-foot Newton dive ves- sel is docked right behind the shop on a canal that gives immediate access to Snake Creek and some of the best ocean diving in the world. Mike Goldberg and Mike Ryan, Key Dives’ longtime Operations Manager, con- tinue their commitment to ocean conservation, working closely with scientists attached to I.Care (Island Coral And Restoration Education) a non-profit created by Dr. Kylie Smith and Mike Goldberg. I.Care’s new, spa- cious education center adjoins Key Dives. To gauge the success of I.Care’s work in coral restoration, Mike Gold-
Key Dives to not only work on clean- up dives but on coral and sponge restoration projects. “NOAA is the lead. We are partner- driven with private sector participation. We are working on seven reefs through- out the sanctuary. We’ve taken a holistic approach long-term that includes restoration of coral and ongoing mon- itoring. We have been restoring Caribbean king crabs and sea urchins that eat algae,” Lesneski said. Funding comes from the federal and state governments, as well as from grants and private donations. Lesneski tries to dive with Key Dives, working with I.CARE as a volunteer as often as her work allows.
Mote Marine Coral Lab
Emphasizing the importance of reefs, NOAA has insti- tuted wave sensing on the Eastern Dry Rocks off Key West. Wave sensors are deployed to measure wave frequency and height as well as wave energy. “We’ve collected data that re- veals that 90% of wave energy is reduced over coral reefs. Reefs are natural barriers to wave energy. This results in sav- ings from storm and flood damage from hurricanes in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year,” the NOAA scientist
berg says, “Look at the coral we put down. Of about 300 grooved brain coral outplants at Captain Arno’s reef, one of I.Care’s restoration sites, we have close to 100% survival. We put those down about two years ago. These corals are only about the size of a half-dollar now. They grow slowly - in ten years they’ll be the size of a flapjack. That’s incred- ibly encouraging.” It is more than encouraging, it is progress made by the caring dedication and teamwork of volunteers,
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