Anchor Damage to a Coral Reef on the Coast of Florida
Davis GE. 1977. Anchor Damage to a Coral Reef on the Coast of Florida. Biological Conservation. 11:29-34
The author presents the evidence of extensive boat anchor damage in a 220 ha acre of staghorn coral reef in the Dry Tortugas National Park (formerly the Fort Jefferson National Monument). Twenty per cent of the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was damaged by boat anchors. The author suggests that this type of damage may also occur in other coral reef sanctuaries unless anchor-sensitive areas are identified and closed to anchoring. He also suggests that mooring buoys should be provided by sanctuary managers.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Davis, Gary
- Units
- BISC , DRTO
- Keywords
- Acropora cervicornis, Aquatic Sciences, Boating, Impacts, Management, Staghorn coral