Marine Restoration: Top 5 Ways You Can Get Involved
November 11, 2024
As divers, we experience the beauty of the oceans, from vibrant coral reefs to thriving seagrass beds. Yet, these ecosystems are threatened by climate change, ocean pollution, and other human activities. It can seem overwhelming trying to tackle these problems, but it is not too late. You can make a difference by turning your passion into action for the ocean. Ready to get involved? Get inspired and learn how to contribute to marine restoration efforts here.
Why Does Marine Restoration Matter?
Marine ecosystems are the heart of our oceans. They support a vast array of marine life, protect coastlines from erosion, regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, and provide food and livelihoods for millions of people.
However, these ecosystems are under severe pressure. Coral bleaching, overfishing, and plastic pollution are just a few challenges threatening marine environments. Engaging in marine restoration helps reverse some of the damage, promoting biodiversity and resilience in our oceans.
Restoration efforts can revitalize coral reefs, restore seagrass meadows, and clean up marine debris, creating healthier habitats for marine life and ensuring the longevity of these vital ecosystems.
Why Should Divers Get Involved?
Divers possess a unique skill set that can easily be used in marine restoration. As divers, we have experience in underwater navigation, buoyancy control, and marine life identification. All of which makes us ideal candidates for restoration activities like coral planting and debris removal.
Divers also have a deep connection with the ocean and its inhabitants, which can be a powerful motivator for conservation efforts. By participating in marine restoration, you can turn your love for the ocean into tangible actions that protect and rejuvenate marine ecosystems and the dive sites you love.
Divers often report that participating in marine restoration adds a new dimension to their lives, adding purpose and impact to their dives.
Getting involved in marine restoration can also enhance your dive skills and knowledge, making your dives even more rewarding. You gain a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems, leading to a greater appreciation for the underwater world.
How Divers Can Contribute
You can get involved in marine restoration in a variety of ways at home and on vacation. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Coral transplanting and restoration
Coral transplanting and restoration efforts such as those led by I.CARE in Islamorada, are a prime example of how you can make a difference. I.CARE is dedicated to restoring coral reefs, including the renowned Alligator Reef. They partner with Mote Marine Laboratory to involve local businesses, residents, and visitors in reef restoration.
Divers can participate in activities such as coral transplanting, where fragments of healthy corals are planted on damaged reefs to promote new growth. Since 2021, I.CARE has out-planted 18,699 corals and educated 3,482 people.
2.Join underwater clean-up dives
In addition to coral transplanting, you can join underwater clean-ups to remove plastics, fishing gear, and other debris that threaten marine life. These events often provide training on safe and effective debris removal techniques.
Participating in clean-ups not only helps protect marine life but also raises awareness about the impact of pollution and the importance of reducing waste. Ask your local dive center if they have any clean-up dives planned for the near future and get involved.
Not a diver? No problem! Clean-up dives often have a surface support team that helps collect and record the trash brought up by divers. You can also join beach clean-ups, organize your own community clean-up event, or simply collect trash from your local beach the next time you visit.
3.Contribute to citizen science
Divers can also contribute to scientific research by participating in reef monitoring programs. These programs train divers to collect data on reef health, marine species, and water quality. This information is vital for scientists and conservationists to track changes and plan restoration efforts.
4.Plant seagrass and mangroves
Divers can also help restore other critical habitats like seagrass beds and mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for carbon sequestration, coastline protection, and providing nursery habitats for many marine species.
Restoration activities may include planting seagrass or mangrove saplings and monitoring their growth. By restoring these habitats, divers can help enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change.
When you plan your next dive trip, find out if there are any local marine conservation organizations or planting efforts you can join on your non-diving days.
5.Become a Blue Oceans Diver
Looking for something positive you can do from the comfort of your home? Become a Blue Oceans Diver. The SSI Blue Oceans program is a free educational resource that anyone can access to learn about the challenges facing our oceans.
By joining this program, you will learn all you need to become an ocean advocate and start making a difference. Also, check out our Ultimate Guide To Being An Eco-Diver for easy changes you can make at home to reduce your environmental impact - whether you are a diver or not.
Get Inspired to Make a Difference
Get inspired to start your marine restoration journey with Dr Katey Lesneski’s inspiring story about I.CARE. This organization is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada and the Florida Keys:
"While I have done quite a bit of coral out-planting for research and restoration projects, every dive I get to spend working with coral is always special! I met I.CARE co-founder, Mike Goldberg, back in 2014 working part-time as a Divemaster at Key Dives, a local dive shop in Islamorada, Florida.
Mike and I stayed in touch over the years, and when I moved to the Keys for my current position with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I immediately began volunteering with I.CARE.
After meeting the amazing interns, and I.CARE co-founder, Dr. Kylie Smith, I knew I would become a regular volunteer. It has been so exciting to see how much they have accomplished and grown!
I.CARE outplants an awe-inspiring array of coral species, and my first time out planting was on a volunteer dive. My most memorable dive was when I first helped rig PVC pipe nursery trees with sponges, which are underappreciated but important community members on reefs.
Sponges not only filter immense quantities of water and provide homes to thousands of marine species, but they also act as the glue on reefs and can secure coral fragments back onto the reef. It is incredible to see how I.CARE has expanded into this work, and I cannot wait to see the results of this sponge restoration and research efforts.
I.CARE’s impactful work looks to restore the coral reef ecosystem because of the value coral reefs provide to so many organisms and even humans. Coral reefs provide so many incredible economic and ecological benefits to folks who live near and far!
Do you like to eat seafood? Do you enjoy exploring a new dive site, brimming with vibrant colors and diverse reef creatures? Do you live near the coast in the tropics and have seen how storm waves break at the reef crest?
Perhaps you have friends who rely on reefs for their livelihood or know someone who has recovered from cancer thanks to a new experimental medicine. Well, then you have coral reefs to thank for all of those examples!"
The Role of Organizations Like I.CARE
Organizations like I.CARE exemplify how community-based approaches can drive successful marine restoration. By partnering with local businesses and engaging residents and visitors, they foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the marine environment. Their collaborative model not only accelerates restoration efforts but also educates and inspires people to become lifelong advocates for ocean conservation.
Their work shows how collective efforts can lead to significant positive impacts on marine ecosystems.
Through participating in marine restoration, you will not only enhance your own diving experiences but also help protect the marine environments you love. Every dive becomes a chance to protect and rejuvenate the ocean, turning passion into action.
Be a part of the solution!