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Getting close to a coral reef is an incredible experience, but visitors need to do their part to protect it. Here are the basic rules:
Look--But Don't Touch!
As a boater:
Do not dispose of trash, bilge washings, and other debris on or near the reefs!
Tie your boat to reef mooring buoys, or anchor in sandy areas; don't anchor in coral.
Consult tide and navigation charts, and steer clear of shallow areas
As a fisherman:
Avoid shallow coral reefs when trawling. Hooks can scar and injure the coral, and leave live coral vulnerable to infection by microscopic organisms.
Try to retrieve all fishing gear, especially monofilament line, which animals can swallow or become tangled in.
Observe size and catch limits
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