Coral Conservation: Florida Divers Document Hope Amid Global Reef Crisis
Benjamin Hadfield Oct 17, 2025
Coral Conservation: Florida Divers Document Hope Amid Global Reef Crisis
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — South Florida’s coral reefs are fighting to survive—and local divers are on the frontlines of understanding how.
Every summer, as ocean temperatures rise, a team of research divers from the Palm Beach Zoo takes to the waters off Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Their mission: to study how coral colonies are coping with mounting environmental stress, and to collect the data that could shape future conservation strategies.
Florida’s coral reef tract, the third-largest barrier reef system on Earth, stretches approximately 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas to the St. Lucie Inlet. It supports over 500 species of fish and 80 species of coral, and generates billions of dollars annually through tourism and coastal protection. Yet this vibrant ecosystem is under siege.
A Race Against Time
According to The Nature Conservancy, the world could lose up to 90% of coral reefs within our lifetime due to rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and the spread of coral diseases. Florida’s reefs have already suffered major bleaching events, and some southern sites show widespread mortality.
But in the northern reaches—specifically off Palm Beach and Martin Counties—divers are finding cautious optimism. Data collected last season showed that many corals were healthier than the year before, with fewer signs of disease and a resurgence of species once considered highly vulnerable.
“The deeper, cooler waters in these northern sites offer a bit of a refuge,” explained Mike Terrell, Coral Conservation Coordinator for the Palm Beach Zoo. “It’s encouraging to see these reefs holding strong when so many others are declining.”
Life Beneath the Surface
During recent dives, researchers documented 24 different coral species, carefully laying survey lines to measure coral growth, record color loss, and note species interactions. Among the coral heads, divers also observed thriving marine life—Goliath groupers, nurse sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and countless tropical fish—all signs of a balanced reef ecosystem.
“Those animals depend on healthy coral reefs for survival,” said Terrell. “When we see them in abundance, it tells us the ecosystem is functioning as it should.”
While encouraging, these findings come with a warning: the clock is ticking. Warmer, shallower reefs to the south continue to suffer catastrophic loss. Coral restoration and careful monitoring remain critical to preventing Florida’s reef system from collapsing altogether.
“People don’t realize that coral reefs provide more than beauty and recreation,” Terrell added. “They protect our coastlines from storms, support fisheries, and even produce oxygen. Every other breath we take depends on a healthy ocean.”
Stuart Scuba: Teaching the Next Generation of Ocean Guardians
At Stuart Scuba, the mission to protect coral reefs doesn’t end with research—it begins with education. Through its comprehensive dive training programs, Stuart Scuba teaches new and experienced divers how to explore the ocean responsibly and act as stewards of the underwater world.
From Open Water certifications to adaptive diving programs for individuals with disabilities, every Stuart Scuba course emphasizes environmental awareness, reef-safe practices, and respect for marine ecosystems. Students learn to maintain buoyancy to prevent contact with coral, use reef-safe sunscreens, and understand how small choices can impact entire habitats.
“Every diver we train becomes a potential advocate for ocean health,” said Benjamin Hadfield, Owner of Stuart Scuba and the in-house instructor Trainer. “When you’ve seen the reefs up close, you understand what’s at stake—and you want to protect it.”
Beyond Florida’s Treasure Coast, Stuart Scuba’s divers carry these lessons across the globe—joining reef monitoring initiatives, supporting marine sanctuaries, and spreading the message that a healthy ocean is vital to life on Earth.
Because at Stuart Scuba, we believe that learning to dive isn’t just about exploration—it’s about preservation.
