Did you know that coral is an animal? We had no idea.

We sat down with some of the top biologists from The Florida Aquarium to understand why the colorful creatures are so vital for us Tampans and what we can do to protect them.

Senior Coral Biologist Keri O'Neil's No. 1 passion is saving the reefs. | Photo by TBAYtoday

The importance of corals

The Florida Reef Tract, stretching ~360 miles from St. Lucie to the Dry Tortugas west of the Florida Keys, is the world’s third-largest barrier reef — and it impacts us way up here.

“Often, it serves as a natural barrier, protecting the Tampa Bay area from hurricanes and major floodings like Hurricane Ian,” said senior coral biologist + leader of the Coral Conservation Program, Keri O'Neil.

Right now, the Tract faces rising water temperatures and ocean acidification, which is killing the corals.

Blink, and you'll miss the coral's annual spawn. | Photo via The Florida Aquarium

Efforts by The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium has been at the forefront of coral conservation for years.

Under the guidance of Keri, the Aquarium’s coral growing lab in Apollo Beach has achieved groundbreaking success. Most notably, she and her team conducted the world’s first induced spawn in a laboratory back in 2019.

In lay-fish terms, the team’s main goal is to grow + care for thousands of coral babies, only to set them free, giving the little polyps a fighting chance to start new colonies and reefs.

What we can do

Minimize sunscreen usage: Certain chemicals in sunscreen harm coral reefs. Cover up with UV-protective clothing like these long-sleeve swimsuits. Pro tip: "Reef-safe" sunscreen could potentially be harmful to the environment too, according to the team.
Embrace reusable items: Reduce plastic waste by using reusable shopping bags, like totes. Plus, use metal and multi-use water bottles and utensils.
Donate to the Coral Conservation Program.