Healthy coral reefs support a thriving tourism industry. Every year, millions of scuba divers, snorkelers and fishermen visit U.S. coral reefs to enjoy their abundant sea life.

Despite their great economic and recreational value, coral reefs are severely threatened by pollution, disease and habitat destruction. Once coral reefs are damaged, they are less able to support the many creatures that inhabit them. When a coral reef supports fewer fish, plants and animals, it also loses value as a tourist destination.

There is still much we can do to protect our remaining coral reefs for the people and organisms that rely on them for survival. To find out more about reef-friendly recreation and organizations that support sustainable recreation, see the following links:

Guides to Coral-friendly Recreation. These guidelines embrace the most commonly accepted "best practices" around the world. They give essential advice on how to protect coral reefs while enjoying activities in and around them. www.coralreefalliance.org/parks/guidelines.html.

Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) exists to develop programs that encourage and fulfill the public interest in recreational scuba diving and snorkeling worldwide. www.padi.com.

Project AWARE Foundation (Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility and Education) exists to cultivate interest in programs and initiatives within the diving community to preserve the aquatic environment and its resources. www.projectaware.org.

The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is a grass-roots, nonprofit organization of recreational divers who regularly conduct fish biodiversity and abundance surveys during their dives. These surveys are conducted as part of REEF's Fish Survey Project, and become part of a database that is publicly accessible via its Web site. www.reef.org.

Reef Condition Monitoring Program (RECON) is a coral reef monitoring program that trains recreational divers to observe and record valuable information about current conditions at selected coral reefs. www.oceanconservancy.org/dynamic/learn/programs/coral/coral.htm.

Reef Check Foundation. In 1997, Reef Check teams completed the first global survey of coral reefs, subsequently providing evidence for the worldwide destruction of these vital habitats. Reef Check is the largest international monitoring program involving recreational divers and marine scientists. www.reefcheck.org.

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