Exploring Hawaii's Coral Reefs, Part – 2

Hawaii’s Coral Reefs Are Unique

 

Hawaii was created a millennia ago, by volcanic activity in the middle of the ocean. It is the most isolated island chain to be found anywhere, and is over 2,000 miles away from any other island group or land mass. It is this isolation that has, over the centuries, insulated the islands from the environmental changes that have affected the rest of the planet. Located in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean the islands are away from the major ocean currents, so, many forms of marine life are unable to reach the islands. The wide variety of these life forms cannot be found anywhere else. About a quarter of the fish species, reef building corals, sponges and marine snails that can be seen here, are not to be found anywhere else in the world.

Along with the centuries old reefs that are going through their natural life cycle, recent lava flows, particularly on the Big Island, are contributing to the formation of new reefs and new communities of sea creatures. What you will find, when snorkeling here is unique, and is an experience to be treasured.

How You Can Protect the Coral Reefs

Hawaii’s coral reefs are fragile and visitors need to take care not to damage them. Here are a few tips you can follow, when diving and snorkeling, to protect them.

• Do not walk or stand upon the reefs. Any pressure of this kind will destroy the living coral that work to build and replenish the coral structure.
• Do not touch or try to break off a piece of coral to take home as a souvenir. Not only will you be destroying the reefs, these actions are illegal in Hawaii.
• Do not feed the fish. Any artificial food source that enters the ecosystem can have a huge impact on their natural cycle. The food you give could hurt the fish and even if it does not, it could lead to them becoming dependent on artificial sources of sustenance, which will change their metabolism. It can also cause normally passive species to become aggressive in their demands for food.
• Do not touch, pick up or hold any of the marine life you may come across. Many of the inhabitants of the reefs have very delicate suction systems to adhere to the coral and pulling them away can cause serious injury. Many of the inhabitants of the reef depend on camouflage to protect themselves and disturbing them can upset their natural life cycles. It should also be noted that some marine creatures will attack if they feel threatened. For instance, the normally quiet octopus can bite hard with its sharp beak if it feels itself in danger.
• When buying coral, fish or other marine items to take home, ensure that your purchases are only done from approved sources that use sustainable collection methods.
• Perhaps the most important action you can take to protect the reefs is to charter a qualified and experienced boat and crew, to take you snorkeling. They not only know the best places to visit, they understand the need for using sustainable snorkeling practices so that when you leave, the coral is as beautiful as it was when you arrived. A simple case in point, will explain the kind of damage carelessness can cause. An anchor dropped on top of the coral can shatter it and destroy a huge volume of marine life.
• The basic thumb rule is to see, take photos, do not touch and leave only bubbles behind when you depart.

Exploring Hawaii’s Coral Reefs, Part – 1

The mysterious and fascinating depths of the ocean and ocean life has lured many explorers to take the plunge. The Islands of Hawaii situated in pristine, clear, blue Pacific waters is manna to every scuba diver and snorkeler. Hawaii offers all kinds of water sports and marine life, of which the coral reefs that surround the islands form a unique ecosystem and are worth exploring.

Know Hawaii’s Coral Reefs before Diving

When the Earth was a young planet the volcanoes that created the Hawaiian Islands were still buried under the sea. The heat and gases that these volcanoes emitted attracted all kinds of life forms, which made their homes here. When they died, their skeletons were deposited on the sea bed. Over the millennia the volcanoes rose towards the surface and when they reached a depth of about 300 feet, light from the surface was able to filter through. This enabled plants to grow and mingle with the skeletons. As centuries passed by, these calcium rich animal skeletons, plants, shells and algae all combined to form the coral that we see today.

The coral reefs are not just a lifeless feature of the oceans. They are home to myriad types of fish and other water creatures. Exploring these reefs is an unforgettable experience. You will need to be a competent swimmer and have knowledge of scuba diving equipment. Further you will also have to know where the reefs are and where accessing them is easiest, so as to get the best of experiences. This is where an experienced charter boat operator plays a big role. Not only will they be able to take you to the right spots and provide you with the scuba gear you need, they will also take all the necessary precautions needed to ensure your safety.

The Four Types of Coral Formation

Before you take that underwater dive, familiarize yourself with the types of coral reefs found in Hawaiian waters. There are four distinct type of zones of coral formation and these are:

• Reef Flat. These coral formation are found close to the shoreline and where the water is only 6 feet deep. This part is sparsely populated by the Reef Flat, as the surge of the waves is strong here and washes away some of the loose layers of coral. The corals in the reef flat are known as rose or cauliflower corals and are formed primarily from algae. The Reef Flat Coral is home to a few species of small fish and a variety of invertebrates that prefer to stay near the shoreline.
• Surge Swept Reef.  This zone covers that part of the reef that is between six to twenty feet under the surface. Although there is a constant roll of the waves, the depth reduces the force and a variety of coral types can be found here. Invertebrates like sea cucumbers and urchins live in this part of the reef, along with a wide variety of fish and eels, many of which cannot be seen elsewhere. This is also where you can find green sea turtles.
• Reef Slope Zone.  Located at between twenty one to hundred feet down, where the impact of the waves are not that much, the Reef Slope Zone is representative of the more delicate of corals like the finger and rice corals. A large variety of fish, different from those found at lesser depths, cam be seen here, along with the white tip reef shark (which is generally harmless unless it is provoked).
• Rubble Zone. This is located in the deepest part of the ocean and where the rubble of the coral that is broken off from the higher zones can be found. Although not as exciting as the other zones, it is home to the deep water fish and eels that live here.

The coral reefs of Hawaii offer an incredibly beautiful world to explore and one that should not be missed.