Coral reefs which have existed for over 250 million years are the nurseries of the ocean. Healthy reefs are vital for human health. The variety of living resources is far greater in a healthy tropical coral reef system than in any other habitat, but this ancient and beautiful world is quickly vanishing.

Over 10% of the world's reefs have been destoyed and scientists project that 60% more will be destroyed in the next 20 to 40 years.

We will miss the beauty and vitality of these diving playgrounds and millions of people who depend on coral reefs for food and a coastal breakwater will face famine and lose their homes to erosion and flooding.

The recreational use of coral reefs, if not properly monitored and controlled, can be a serious threat to the life of reefs in the area where such use takes place.

The increased number of people around coral reefs can result in excessive sedimentation and pollution from sewage disposal when uncontrolled tourist development is allowed to take place.

The removal of mangroves and dredging for marinas associated with resort development can conribute to increased sediment in the water and can slo alter water circulation patterns.

Recreational users themselves, mainly tourists, have tremendous impact on reefs. Boats which ferry divers to the best dive sites can increase sediment loading by resuspending sediments within the lagoon if it is shallow, as is the case in the Florida Keys, USA.

Large numbers of boats create pollution in the form of exhaust fumes, which is a serious threat in overdeveloped areas.

Inexperienced boathandlers who are unfamiliar with water depth patterns may run aground on the reef, causing coral breakage.