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Seagrass Beds

Seagrass Beds

The park is a popular cruising ground for thousands of pleasure boaters. In the 1980s, dramatic increases in the number of boats resulted in escalating damage to some of the very features that visitors travel here to enjoy. The coral reefs, seagrass beds, and algal plains of the park have been heavily damaged by the anchors and anchor chains of boats. Although the weight of the anchor crushes marine life, the greatest impact is caused by the anchor chain sweeping and scouring the area clean of plants and animals as the boat swings with changes in wind direction. This damage has been well documented by the park’s research staff. With the input and support of the local community, the park has installed moorings and established protective zones around several of the more sensitive reef and seagrass areas.(NPS.GOV)

U.S. National Park Service

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Susanna Pershern%2C Submerged Resources Center

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Office of Education and Outreach, Code: NRSS-OEO

NPS.gov Collection

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Friday, January 5, 2018 5:12:35 PM

Friday, January 5, 2018 5:12:35 PM

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