Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

Title: REEF RELIEF Story By: Marsha Pardee Woodring Photo's By: Living Classroom Foundation Issue: Winter 2000/2001 The Islands of the Turks & Caicos are often described as a brilliant chain of pearls scattered in an endless sea. It is true that these lustrous isles appear luminescent from afar, but it's the setting that adds sparkle to these gems. Framed with a fringing lace of reefs submerged in emerald colored seas, the surroundings set the stage for the splendor of these jewels. Metaphorically speaking, this analogy symbolizes more than just a descriptive connotation. Undeniably, it is the watery realm that enchants the eye and captivates the crowds here. Although the land has its own indelible attributes, it is the lure of ocean life that attracts most people to these shores. For there is nothing ordinary about them. Our waters contain one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world --the coral reef. The tiny archipelago coined the Turks & Caicos is laced and studded with countless miles of fringing and patch reefs. A haven for multifarious troupes of water borne treasures, the reefs are a vital component in the complex ecology of the ocean system. But for most humans, it is merely a wondrous playground, filled with colorful fish and curious looking creatures. In a world that craves to be entertained, the reef is quite possibly one of the greatest shows on earth! The simple act of snorkeling can bring one face to face with all of life's dramas on one seemingly simple stage. Like a soap opera in full swing, there are murder and mayhem, courtships and caresses, and countless other acts unfolding before your eyes with a single flip of your fins. And the costumes are to die for! In this watery realm, every act is purposeful and perfectly choreographed to orchestrate the balanced cycle of life that brings death and death that gives life. Unfortunately, the growing audiences are beginning to play a part in the demise of the reefs, disrupting nature's fragile balancing act. The most offensive actions are those that impact the corals, the cornerstones of this impressive undersea empire. Corals are living organisms; architects and artisans in their own right. They are responsible for creating the massive coraline framework from which a multitude of other creatures can make their homes. As with almost everything in the marine environment, corals also play a part in the intricate food web. Once consumed, their remains take a role by turning into the sands beneath our feet. An Undersea Drama Unfolds The many miles of reefs that adorn the waters off of the Turks & Caicos Islands have taken millions of years to become the massive structures that we now see. Layer by layer, these minute organisms have laid down their lives to become the foundation for the next generation's growth. In the process, they have perpetuated the existence of much of the tropical marine world. As if these magnanimous efforts were not noble enough, the corals also act as a natural barrier, protecting the land from stormy surges and waves. And as an aside, they have become center stage for our burgeoning tourism industry, attracting thousands to see the age-old reenactment of life in the undersea world. Millions of dollars are generated annually to see nature's free production, yet few are spent in the protection of its sustainable outcome. Of most concern are our nearshore patch reefs --meaning those that can be accessed from the shore without use of a boat. On Providenciales, the tourism hub of the Turks & Caicos, Smith's Reef and the Bight Reef accommodate most of the pedestrian traffic. This is apparent in more ways than one. The effects of snorkeler impact are finally taking their toll. The corals appear literally battered and bruised with great gaps of dead white skeletons where once there was living tissue. Although still considered a snorkeler's paradise, these reefs are on the decline. Little by little, the cancerous process is crippling the growth of the reef system, resulting not only in fewer corals, but less of all the creatures that depend upon them. Efforts have been made to try and slow this debilitating drama. In 1997, underwater snorkeling trails were installed on both reefs. The purpose of the trails is duo-fold. The series of markers act to educate the snorkelers on the rules of reef etiquette while steering them on a path that has the least potential for damage to the reef. By following the trail through deeper waters on the outer rim of the reef, snorkelers are less likely to traumatize the corals. This also tends to localize any impacts to a given area, protecting the more shallow interior zones. Although these efforts may have assisted in slowing the initial decline, the problems continue to increase as more and more tourists arrive each year to snorkel these same two reefs. Another option has emerged on the scene in hopes of deferring the impacts. The alternative is the construction of an artificial reef in a nearshore area that is easily accessible for beachgoers. The alternate reef site should take some of the attention away from the other sites, thereby decreasing the potential number of impacts to the original reefs. Eventually....