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Puerto
Morelos’ Coral Reefs National Park
“A
Spectacular Paradise!”
RESPONSIBLE
REEF BEHAVIOR
for Divers, Snorkelers and Sea Lovers
Written
by: Dr. Jere J. Hallenbeck,
1990
| 1 |
THE
CORAL REEFS ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL BUT FRAGILE!
Do not touch or stand on coral.
Be careful not to break it in any way.Holding onto or
brushing against the coral will kill the living polyps.Scuba
divers must maintain neutral buoyancy at all times. Watch that
your instrument console is not dragging over the reef or
delicate plants.
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| 2 |
Do
not drop an anchor on the reef or allow the anchor chain to rub
against the reef.
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| 3 |
Refrain
from kicking up the bottom with your funs.The sediment created
can suffocate the living animals that make up the coral colony.
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| 4 |
Avoid
chemical, gasoline, oil or bilge spills in the water and on the
shoreline.
A reef is only as healthy as the water around it.
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| 5 |
Please
do not litter. Plastic
bags and six-pack rings entrap fish.Flip tops from cans are
ingested by fist and kill them.Pick up trash when you see it if
at all possible. Organize trash clean-up dives.
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| 6 |
Do
not remove anything from the sea.Seemingly dead coral and shells
are often the home of smaller critters.If you must take a dead
sheel, first make sure nothing is living inside.Sea fans make
lousy souvenirs anyways.They bleach when they dry and stink
badly in the process.Picking up shells on the beach does no
harm.
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| 7 |
If
you are a boater
be very careful not to hit the reef.Always watch for snorkelers
and divers in the water when boating.Learn to recognize the red
and white divers flag that means divers are below.
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| 8 |
Support
local and international efforts to preserve the marine
environment.
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Thank
you for obeying the above rules.
We will do our best to protect the local reefs in your absence and hope
that you will return soon.
Yours
friends at MARAND TRAVEL AGENCY, Puerto Morelos
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