Cruise Ships And Coral Reef Destruction. A Simple Plan To Save Shallow Water Coral Reefs

     Even though coral reefs are necessary for the survival of a high percentage of fish and other marine life, even though hundreds of millions of people depend on healthy reefs for their livelihood and food, and even though coral reefs provide protection from typhoons, hurricanes and other weather related events, they are still being destroyed at alarming rates. Changes in ocean temperature and acidity, pollution, plastics and other garbage are already wreaking havoc.
      With so much pressure and damage already being done to coral, there are concrete steps that must immediately be taken to protect what is left. Restrict swimming, snorkeling and fishing in all areas where there are shallow water coral reefs. Most near shore coral reefs in shallow waters are already dead or damaged beyond repair by human activity. People walking and stepping on coral, boating, fishing, and anchoring boats on coral reefs, collecting coral, swimming on coral and hitting coral with their fins, hands or feet, and raising sediment by all of these activities, have done irreparable damage..
        The cruise ship industry now takes thousands, even millions of people to coral reef locations and exotic islands, taking no responsibility for what these people do at these destinations. The industry must take responsibility for ensuring that wherever they take people, the coral reefs are adequately protected. In days past, distant reefs might have had a few adventure tourists swimming on the reefs. Thanks to the cruise ship industry, now thousands of people make their way to the same destinations. Many coral reefs have died or are dying from this assault.
          All coral reefs in shallow waters must be protected while there is still time. This means restricting human activity. Water trails can be created, as they have been already in some protected coral reefs, where people follow trails that lead around the coral reefs, not on top of them.
           No longer allowing unlimited access to shallow coral reefs will ensure these coral reefs have a chance of surviving. Having local people work as wardens to protect coral reefs will provide employment. Coral reefs are a huge tourist draw. It is in the interest of the cruise ship industry to see that they are here for future generations to see. Big monied conservation and animal/wildlife organizations can also help pay for coral reef protection and in the hiring of wardens. The money this will cost them pales in comparison to the money they pay in executive salaries and in their self promotion and marketing. Coral reef protection can also be funded by entrance fees to coral reef areas.
              Coral reefs are a rare and dying asset. More precious and colorful than jewelry and gold, but not nearly as valued. Unlike jewelry and gold, coral reefs are vital to the health of humans, marine life and the oceans.