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The reef is life. Anyone who lives near an ocean with a large coral reef off will tell you it unequivocally.
A healthy coral reef is alive, with its inhabitants often being the first to line up on a growing aquatic food chain. all the life of the ocean. Sometimes called "tropical forest of the sea", coral reefs are among the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to nearly 25% of all marine species.
The disappearance and disappearance of reefs worldwide The changing conditions, global warming and the encroachment of humanity mean a significant loss for creatures living in the seas, and ultimately for the rest of us who live on earth. We learned these facts during a snorkeling expedition organized by the Pacific Whale Foundation at Olowalu Reef, located off the southwest coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui. Olowalu is the largest and oldest reef in the Hawaiian archipelago and its revitalization offers the greatest hope for reefs throughout the island chain. Lanai. However, recent storms have stirred the bottom of the ocean, compromising visibility. Halfway, our captain redirected our boat to Olowalu, considered the "mother reef" of Hawaii.
Olowalu turned out to be a wonderland of the sea, with fish of all varieties and all coral formations. We floated about 10 feet above the reef at its lowest points, pleased to see that locals were going about their daily interactions, schooling on some occasions, darting in independent food research to others.
Unfortunately, sea turtles, octopuses and manta rays that also occupy the area were not evident that day. Nevertheless, we were happy with the variety we saw
We were more than mere shadows floating above the reef, and that is exactly what should have been.
Last year, Olowalu Reef was named Hawaiian Islands by Mission Blue, a nonprofit organization based in Napa, California dedicated to preserving marine areas around the world.
In Hawaiian history, the coastal area of Olowalu, where a small community exists today, was considered "uhonua or sanctuary, where the people could take refuge, think and find time to heal. According to Blue Mission, less than 6% of the ocean is protected in any way against 12% of the land. We hoped that the historical influence of the region would continue to help the healing of the reef.
Much of Olowalu's reef suffers from the same bleaching and human encroachment that kills other reefs around the world. The Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research has made efforts to help Olowalu and other island reefs come back from the edge.
The coral outcrop on Flynn Reef near Queensland, Australia, shows how many reefs are colored.
Building New Reefs
Another way to support reef life is to build new reefs, often using sunken ships as a base. A day later we made another trip, this time to examine a new reef under construction from below.
We embarked the 48-passenger submarine of Atlantis Adventures to examine the wreck of The Carthaginian II – Three-masted schooner and replica whalers that once were wet in the port of Lahaina, the most historic whaling village in Maui.
The original Carthaginian, a 1920s ship used in the 1965 film version of James Michener's novel Hawaii sank on the Lahaina Reef in 1973 and was later destroyed. A substitute was found, refitted and served as a floating maritime museum in Lahaina harbor for 32 years
Eventually, the ship disintegrated and became too expensive to repair. In 2005, he was towed half a mile off Puamana Beach Park and deliberately sunk to lay the foundation for a new reef.
13 years later, the wreckage begins to show signs of coral growth. In fact, the hull had become a nursery for reef sharks, and many of the six-foot fish were seen sitting in the sand and swimming in and out of the wreck with the trumpet fish, the orange unicorn and the occasional eagle ray
Viewing the developing reef at eye level at 97 feet below the surface gave us a new appreciation of the role played by the evolving structure. The reef serves as an anchor for its aquatic community, a refuge for smaller fish and a refuge for anemones, sea urchins and other life forms that do not have the power to move.
Without reefs, many of these life forms unable to exist in the vast empty expanse of the ocean.
Earlier this year, the state of Hawaii banned sunscreens that are not safe for reefs. camphor poses a reef hazard and helps facilitate "reef bleaching" which is harmful to coral larvae. Natural and organic brands avoid these chemicals and are safer for the reefs and life that they support.
Once you have seen the reefs and realized their vital importance, you will realize why even the smallest steps can be important. 19659022] (function (d, s, id) {
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