GOOD JOB HAWAII! Over 2 years ago, Hawaii started fining those individuals and companies that are damaging the reefs. The New York Times states that Hawaii is the home to 84% of all coral under American jurisdiction.
You wonder how much money are we talking? There is one scuba diving store that was fined for $396,000.00 because when one of their boats sank, it damaged more than 1200 coral colonies in the Molokini area.
The US Navy was just recently fined for $7 million dollars while they had to restore over 5000 broken coral colonies because the USS Port Royal ran aground.
If the companies do not be more careful, in a few years there will be no more corals and it is no secret that the states number 1 industry is tourism. So folks, puleeze be careful when you are snorkeling, lets set examples… Do not touch or stand on our beautiful corals. As the New York Times states “Careless ocean users, can kill 500 year old coral in 5 minutes.” Watch for updated video in our Snorkeling Guides category for more information on how you can be for careful.
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Great blog! I log snorkeling especially in Hawaii. Diving could be real fun. All it takes is a snorkel and a deep breath in order to enjoy the life undersea. Coral reefs around the world offer magnificent and colorful worlds to anybody who is willing to give in to water.