Podcast: Restoring Florida's Iconic Coral Reefs

The branches of fast-growing elkhorn coral provide important habitat for fish. Populations of this iconic coral have declined across the Caribbean due to disease, bleaching and storms © NOAA

Coral reefs provide crucial habitat and storm protection and economic benefits as destinations for diving, fishing, and boating.

Often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," they're essential in terms of species diversity and for the ecosystem services that they provide to humans. Mission: Iconic Reefs is an effort to protect and restore seven key reef sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.