Coral Reefs

A coral is a tiny soft bodied animal that lives in a stony skeleton. Corals live close together forming a colony. Numerous colonies form a reef.

Types of Reefs

Barrier Reef - this is a reef that runs parallel to the shoreline and separated from the shoreline by a channel of water. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is world's largest coral reef system. The TCI also has a barrier reef system which is the third largest in the world.

Fringing Reef - these reefs grow near the coastline. They are separated from the shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Fringing reefs are the most common type of reef we see.

Atoll - An atoll is a ringed shape reef system encircling a lagoon.

The Importance of Coral Reefs

Around the world, coral reefs are important for many reasons. Here are some reasons why coral reefs are important to the T.C.I.

They protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms.
They provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms.
The fishing industry depends on coral reefs because many fish spawn there and juvenile fish spend time there before making their way to the open sea.
The tourism industry benefits from coral reefs as tourists come to our country to snorkel, dive and even study the reefs. In return, the money they spend provides revenue for the country and employment for residents.
They provide natural resources, such as foods and drugs (medicine).
They provide social, cultural and recreational activities, such as those found in our many National Parks.
The sand in the ocean and on our beaches is replenished when animals, like the parrot fish, excrete the ground up coral after feeding on the algae that lives on the coral.

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