Fort Lauderdale, FL-The condition and shape that the different reefs along the coastline of the United States and in other areas controlled by the United States are in poor condition, according to a report by NOAA.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has observed that many of the reefs and Coral structures that are in waters near or around the United States are in fair or in some cases very poor condition.
This is from a number of different causes, pollution, marine debris, coral bleaching, disease, ocean acidification, and even climate change, according to the NOAA report.
“Even some of the most remote coral reefs are at risk,” said the NOAA released report.
NOAA released a brand new comprehensive 569-page document at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The reefs in the Pacific Ocean currently are in better health than the ones found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Many of the reefs have been so badly damaged that if action is not taken soon, they will either disappear completely or be so badly damaged that they will never be able to be restored to full health, according to the NOAA report.