Megatourism, intensive fishing, and sewage, sewage, sewage

To help save the reefs of Puerto Rico (U.S.), get active with these groups:

Instituto de Educacion Ambiental / Institute of Environmental Education

ReefKeeper International

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico

Smother Lode: Volunteer divers for Earthwatch study silt-clouded reefs under oceanographer Jack Morelock of the University of Puerto Rico. Photo: Earthwatch

Coastal mangroves have been depleted in Puerto Rico, and deforestation all over the island has significantly increased soil runoff, burying reefs and smothering corals. Sewage, oil-related pollution, and industrial wastes are significant threats.

There is some good news, though. In October 1997, Puerto Rico declared Mona Island, 40 miles off its west coast, a "marine protected area" with additional safeguards for its extensive coral reef ecosystem out to nine nautical miles from the island. The same month, a Thai shipping company agreed to pay the U.S. $1.25 million to help repair damage caused when its freighter, the Fortuna Reefer, slammed into the Mona reef line in July.