Use navigational charts to locate coral reefs.

While reefs are not always well marked on navigation charts, refer to the charts to see if you are boating in a known reef area. Every year, inattentive boaters run aground, destroying coral colonies that are hundreds of years old. From the water's surface, reefs appear golden-brown. If you see brown, you may hit a reef. Remember: Brown, brown, run aground; blue, blue sail on through.

Anchor to mooring buoys or anchor in sand.

Be cautious when anchoring your boat. Do not deploy the anchor directly in coral. Reefs are usually composed of coral and sandy areas; be sure to anchor in the sand. Many popular reefs have special anchor buoys for mooring. In these areas, tie up to the buoys rather than anchoring.

Stash your trash.

Do not dispose of trash, bilge washings, or other debris on or near the reefs! Be sure to pump out and dispose of trash only in marinas and designated areas.

Don't touch coral. Coral is made of a hard skeleton, but coral polyps are fragile.

When diving or snorkeling, look, but do not touch! Don't collect souvenirs or grasp, stand, or sit on living coral. You may damage the fragile coral polyps and cut or bruise yourself in the process. If you see environmental disturbances or damage at your dive sites, report them. Remember, your interactions with coral reefs and their inhabitants can have lasting results. Use caution and have a great experience!

Avoid trolling for fish above a reef.

Anglers should avoid shallow coral reefs when trolling. Hooks can injure and scar the coral, leaving it vulnerable to infection by microscopic organisms that can kill the coral.

Use caution when catching lobster near coral reefs.

When harvesting lobster, avoid touching coral reefs. Never use chemicals near a reef. If you use traps, avoid placing the traps on reefs. Heavy traps break coral and damage the surrounding habitat when the traps are pulled.

Be a smart consumer.

Remember, shells and coral you buy were once alive on a reef. If you purchase aquarium fish or corals, make sure they are aquaculture-raised and harvested. Look for the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) stamp of approval. Learn and observe Florida and federal fishing regulations. Learn more about coral reefs.

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.