Beneath the shimmering blue surface of the southern coast of Florida lies a paradise unlike none other. Florida’s coral reef tract, once a bustling underwater wonderland teeming with fish and all sorts of lively sea creatures, is now on the brink of extinction. Two species of coral in particular, staghorn and elkhorn corals, have officially been declared functionally extinct. Although time is running out, we have the power to beat the clock and save the reefs before it is too late.

You may be wondering why I am phrasing this in the present tense. Blame it on my optimistic mindset, but regardless of the challenges the coral reefs are facing, I have hope for the future of the once-vibrant idyll under the waves. 

What does this mean for the Ocean?

The ocean without coral reefs would be a very scary place. Think of it as living in a world without trees. It is not the prettiest picture to envision, and that is how the ocean would look once the reefs die. Coral reefs provide home for around 25% of all living things in the sea, making them a crucial part of marine biodiversity.

If corals become extinct, the fate of the ocean would change drastically. Many species of fish and marine invertebrates rely on coral reefs for habitat and food, and if that is gone, the ecosystem would plummet into chaos. 

There is Hope 

Coral reefs may be facing a staggering decline and possibly death, but there is always the promise of hope. Across south Florida, restoration efforts are being done to restore the reefs and bring them back to life! Many coral biologists are working effortlessly to revive the reefs and save them before the clock stops ticking.

Across southern Florida, organizations such as the Reef Institute, Coral Restoration Foundation, and Friends of Our Florida Reefs are just some of the many nonprofits that are working hard to restore the coral reefs. 

As a former summer intern at the Reef Institute, I had the opportunity to participate in coral restoration initiatives, working in the front lines of reef restoration. The only land-based coral nursery in Palm Beach county, the Reef Institute maintains a coral bio bank, where different species of coral are preserved in a healthy environment for research purposes. They also are home to a coral nursery, where coral larvae are kept and raised until they have matured and become ready to be outplanted into the sea. Since this organization has a land-based facility, the staff strives to mimic the conditions of a healthy ocean as best as possible so that the corals will have a good chance of survival once outplanted. 

Looking to the Future with Optimism

Being part of this mission to save the reefs was a life-changing experience that made me look toward the future of coral conservation with optimism and hope. With the impending threat of climate change and other dangers harming the state of Florida’s coral reefs, I see a glimmer of light thanks to all the hard work being done to save them.

With all the restoration efforts being done throughout south Florida, we can be hopeful that the coral reefs are getting a second chance—a chance at a healthy, thriving ocean that will impact generations to come.

an article by Nicole Castilla

titel photo by Sabine M. Probst Saavedra, all other photos by Nicole Castilla