 |  Photo credit to Colin Williamson |
Brain Corals are one of the primary building blocks of the ocean reef ecosystems. Although they may look like a rock, they are actually living organisms made up of millions of genetically identical polyps. At night, they extend tiny tentacles to feed.
A 6 foot specimen can take up to 900 years to grow, yet can be destroyed in minutes by negligent and uneducated actions.
Brain coral thrives in water temperatures of 25C to 29C and lives in the shallow areas where light can penetrate. Because of this, it is commonly found at many popular diving and snorkeling sites. These areas are generally the first introduction to the underwater world that people are exposed to.
As divers, we must encourage a hands-off policy for all our marine life. We must protect our reefs so future generations can enjoy the beautiful underwater world. Tour operators must be encouraged to not allow snorkelers to touch, as it destroys the organism and the beauty of the reef for all future visitors and in essence is detrimental to their future business.
Through education and awareness we can preserve our oceans for the benefit of all.
Bill
A 6 foot specimen can take up to 900 years to grow, yet can be destroyed in minutes by negligent and uneducated actions.
Brain coral thrives in water temperatures of 25C to 29C and lives in the shallow areas where light can penetrate. Because of this, it is commonly found at many popular diving and snorkeling sites. These areas are generally the first introduction to the underwater world that people are exposed to.
As divers, we must encourage a hands-off policy for all our marine life. We must protect our reefs so future generations can enjoy the beautiful underwater world. Tour operators must be encouraged to not allow snorkelers to touch, as it destroys the organism and the beauty of the reef for all future visitors and in essence is detrimental to their future business.
Through education and awareness we can preserve our oceans for the benefit of all.
Bill
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