Recent government studies have shown that coral reefs and marine fish are in great danger. Researchers have determined that within fifty years coral reefs existence will be cut in half. Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and biologically productive ecosystems on earth. They are unique among marine communities. In addition to being spectacular displays of nature's creativity, coral reefs are reservoirs of biological diversity and are truly the "tropical rain forests of the sea". These displays and marine lives are being destroyed each day primarily due to lack of respect for the ocean life. Everyone must work together to stop the pollution and destruction of our coral reefs and the environment around it.

Corals are animals, not plants and have very specific requirements for light, temperature, water clarity, salinity and oxygen. Housed in this magnificent underworld are the marine fishes, invertebrates, sea turtles and crustaceans. Both the corals and fishes are important to one another. In some instances the fish will feed coral that it thrives in, such as an anemone fish. When either of these lives is hurt they both suffer.

There are many benefits to keeping marine life

percent (Bruggencats 24). Coastal tourism is unknowingly annihilating the very reefs that they get great satisfaction from.

http://www.enn.com/enn-news-archive/1999/03/032299/creefs_2243.asp

Construction along the coast, inshore construction, mining or farming upstream, or logging in tropical forests causes soil to erode and rush downstream into the ocean and onto coral reefs. This dirt, silt, or sand can make the water cloudy or muddy, smothering the coral which can't get enough light to survive. Mangrove trees and sea grasses which normally act as filters for residue are also being destroyed. This has led to an increase in the amount of sediment that reaches coral reefs. Mangrove forests are often cut for firewood or removed to create open beaches. Prawn harvesters, who are people that hunt for edible crustaceans, will also clear tropical forests in order to create artificial prawn farms.

One person can make a difference in this growing problem. While traveling to areas that have reefs, do not purchase coral jewelry or other marine souvenirs unless you are certain that have been farmed or produced in sustainable aquaculture operations. If the situation seems to be odd, ask them where the jewelry was purchased. Most of these are illegally collected and killed. Donating time to coral reef conservation efforts can make a difference. Avoid "live-fish" restaurants where the fish may have been captured using cyanide. Tell resort, boat and tour operators to properly treat all sewage, and if they are not, like mentioned before, call the correct authorities. Support marine protected areas such as Marine Parks. Abide by all restrictions such as no anchor sites. Do not pollute water by throwing trash into it, and pick out trash to avoid letting it disturb marine life. Plastics are especially toxic to marine life.

Department of Commerce."Responses to the Global Reef Crisis." 11 December 2000.

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Another threat towards the ocean is global warming and ozone depletion. These are both major contributors to the destruction of reefs. Global warming is said to cause the effect of bleaching, which is when temperatures get too high and coral polyps lose the symbiotic algae inside them, causing them to turn white or "bleach," and eventually die. This happens when the water level is low, exposing the reefs too much more light than needed. In Hawaii temperatures have gone up two degrees in just one decade. Scientists say that the temperature effects will soon show through in negative aspects (Bruggencats 24). Global warming trends may also lead to more extreme and unpredictable weather. An increase in tropical storms could do extensive physical damage to coral reef ecosystems. And if the sea level rises due to the storms, coral reef atolls will be in great danger.

alive and abundant. Most people don't realize but reefs and the fish that thrive in the ocean are very important to mankind. Coral reefs yield approximately one-tenth fish caught for human consumption. Pacific Islanders use the fish for their source of protein, while obtaining the fish they take great care not to harm the reefs. Also some of the world's largest oil and gas fields are ancient reefs.

In order to control the water pollutants the government could monitor the barges and boat transports closely. Water testing can be done to ensure the quality is up levels that corals can thrive in. Have written standards for the boats that are carrying these toxic chemicals to make sure they are sealed and being correctly carried.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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