Beau M Crowley
After my first dive on the untouched coral reefs of the Caicos islands, I could not understand why they were labeled the most pristine reefs within the Eastern Caribbean.
I had only seen schools of fish and some of the coral knolls here and there, but nothing spectacular. Luckily before I departed I learned that I had been diving in the wrong zone. I had been diving in the back reef zone of a fringing reef.
At the time I did not understand the anatomy of coral reefs, therefore I was lost in finding the coral colonies in which I believe are the most extraordinary. If you are looking for a certain coral or species, then it is best to know where it can be found according to its needs. This is why some corals and inverts live in shallow regions of the reef and others exist in deeper waters.
As a Marine Biologist I hope that I can give you some insight on what to look for, and the best way to get around on any reef, in order to make your visit worth while. It is also helpful to know what type of reef you will be visiting while diving. I will only discuss the three main types: Atoll reefs, Barrier reefs, Fringing reefs.
The definition of "reef" is a ridge near the under surface of a body of water, where coral colonies exist. If you have only visited the Caribbean, you have no idea what the horseshoe shaped Atoll islands have in store. The Atolls are found numerously in the pacific and scattered throughout the Indo-Pacific. When diving just remember to stay above the reef face, as it is there where an abundance of life will be found. Within the lagoons there are patch reefs that are also abundant mainly on the top surface of the patch.
The barrier reef defines one of the world's largest reefs: i.e. "Australia's Great Barrier Reef". This reef is characterized by two wall like structures that run parallel with a shore line. The top of the walls approach the surface in which many species of corals can be found.
Fringing reefs start at the shore with scattered coral knolls and a flat sea bed running out to sea often referred to as the back reef zone. There the sea bed rises to form the back reef and then the reef flats. Then there is a drop-off to form the reef crest and the fore reef, this is where colonies of abundant corals can be found. This area can be a few hundred yards out from shore, so this normally is not possible to get near without a water craft. When diving on a fringing reef make sure you tour the fore reef or you too may be disappointed. Help protect the reefs.
Visitors to the national park or coral reefs sanctuaries should use common sense and follow these park rules: navigate carefully, stay in marked channels, and stay away from reefs and sea grass beds.
Never motor through waters less than four feet deep as the propellers will uproot the delicate life. Use mooring buoys where provided and never anchor into the coral or sea grass. If buoys are not available anchor downwind of the coral patch you intend to visit.
Its illegal to take corals and tropical fish from national parks and it is harmful to even touch live corals. Scuba divers should adjust buoyancy so that they hover over the coral beds and never rest on the sea beds. Be careful not to stir up the sediment with diving fins.
End of Part I
Beau Crowley
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