Visiting the Coral Reef

Today we traveled with Keys Marine Laboratory personnel (Captain Bill and Captain Emily) to three nearby reef locations: Coffin Patch reef, the Elbow reef, and Volcano reef. There were many creatures to observe in each reef. We saw many hard and soft coral species, several Queen conchs (Strombas gigas), two nurse sharks (Ginglyostoma cirratum), spiny sea urchins (Diadema antillarum), a stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca), a sea cucumber, a moray eel, and many schools of fish (parrot fish, sergeant majors, yellow snapper, etc).

That doesn’t mean the corals are in perfect health; they aren’t. I could definitely see coral bleaching and other damage. This results from ocean acidification and warmer water temperatures. Fortunately, scientists are working hard to restore coral and sponges on the reef. After we returned to the Keys Marine Laboratory, we had a tour of the new saltwater systems they’ve built. Other marine scientists get accepted to conduct their research at this site. This research covers sponges, corals and even sharks.

After this experience, we believe in creating and finding balance between our human daily lives and our relationship with the environment.

– Dakota Cain, ’23