Did you know ...?

• Coral reefs have existed for millions of years. Corals are alive.
• Coral reefs are made by colonies of thousands of tiny, living, tube-like animals called polyps. New colonies constantly grow on top of the skeletons of older ones.
• Thousands of coral colonies of many types form coral reefs.
• Coral reefs are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
• Most of Florida's sport fish species and many other marine animals spend significant parts of their lives around coral reefs.
• People all around the world are working to save their coral reefs.
• Southeast Florida's coral reefs are threatened by many natural events and human activities.

Coral Reefs in Florida

• Florida has different types of coral communities.
• Coral reefs off the Florida Keys are protected within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
• Only about 50% of Florida's coral reefs have been mapped.
• The existence of corals off southeast Florida is less well known.

This page was derived from information in a brochure produced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in cooperation with federal, regional, state, and local agencies.