Two critically endangered reef building corals, Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn Coral), and Acropora palmata (Elkhorn Coral), that are indigenous to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary need our help!
These species help build the three-dimensionality of the coral reef system, which then provides a multitude of ecosystem services to many different fish and invertebrate species.
Amoray and I.CARE have partnered to begin twice-a-month (1st and third Saturday of each month) coral planting trips at select locations on Elbow Reef in Key Largo! These trips are a full day filled with education, training and, of course, diving!
The day begins at 8:30 am with an educational training where you will learn about corals, their environment, and how you will help underwater (read more to get started). If you have participated in the training within six months of your scheduled coral restoration activities, you do not have to attend the morning training session.
In the afternoon, you will make 2 dives to assist the I.CARE team by transplanting coral, maintaining the reef, removing snails and algae from our sites, and monitoring previously transplanted corals!