Florida Keys Coral Restoration

Help save our planet! 

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Coral reefs are some of the most important ecosystems on the planet. They support more species per square meter than any other environment. These delicate habitats include some 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard coral, and millions of microorganisms. Our goal at Black Flag Dive Center is to get the information out to the divers so they are aware of the challenges that the Florida Keys reef systems face daily. We hope every diver participates in some Looe Key nursery dives and area coral planting!

We work with two nursery programs in the Big Pine Key/Looe Key area – Mote Marine Labs and  Reef Renewal USA. We will be taking divers into each. Participants will not only gain more diving skills but will also be eligible for a specialty certification, NAUI Coral Restoration Diver. Divers will learn about the biology of corals, the importance of the Florida Reef tract, how corals are grown in the labs, how to clean coral trees and structures without causing damage, how to fragment corals, how to cut corals, how to out plant, and how to set anchors in the nurseries for future structures through a short lecture and hands-on course.. Upon completion divers will be taken to the nurseries and do the work they just learned about during the lecture and course work. If you don't want to take the advanced course but still want to dive, you can elect to participate in a two-tank reef dive on Sunday instead.

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**MUST be Open Water Certified Diver**