F. Alternatives Regulating Anchoring 



1. Status Quo: Unrestricted anchoring within the three boundary 

 options. 



At the present time, there are no Federal laws regulating the 

 location or type of anchoring in the Looe Key area. 



Branching coral growth forms such as elkhorn ( Acropora palmata ) and 

 staghorn ( Acropora cervicornis ) in the Fore Reef system are especially 

 susceptible to anchor damage. Fortunately, however, these species appear 

 to have the greatest potential for regeneration. Recovery of other damaged 

 coral, however, is slow since, as discussed in Chapter Three, growth rates 

 of coral in the Florida Reef Tract are about one-half that of the Central 

 Caribbean. The draft Coral and Coral Reef Resources FMP (CNA 1979) states, 

 within this context, that: "coral growth rates are so slow in most species 

 that recovery rates after harvest, human impact or natural stress 

 are far slower than observed in most resources". Moreover, as has been 

 pointed out by Antonius (1975 and 1977), even slight mechanical injury 

 to large stony corals can initiate a series of events manifesting in 

 widespread pathology or even death of an entire colony. 



Evidence of anchor damage to stony corals and octocorals is widespread 

 within surveyed areas of the proposed sanctuary boundaries. Broken pieces 

 of elkhorn and staghorn coral are easily visible in the Fore Reef and Reef 

 Flat zones where the water is shallow and the more spectacular coral is 

 found. Entire octocorals can be observed lying on the bottom, obviously 

 ripped from their substrate. 



Much of this damage was fresh during observations in 1976 and 1977 

 and its occurrence and distribution is likely a result of a combination 

 of anchor damage, wave damage and other natural factors. Numerous 

 observations have been made of boat anchors lying in living coral and of 

 anchor ropes and chains chafing corals. Comparable information on cond- 

 itions in the Deep Ridge and Deep Reef zones is not available because 

 the depth of water makes these areas less accessible. However, it can 

 be reasonably assumed that the coral and benthic organisms have suffered 

 some damage from boats anchoring in deeper water. 



Recreational and commercial boat anchoring damage observed at the 

 Looe Key coral reef has been found in other reefs. Damage to the benthos 

 and living coral in the Flower Garden and 28 Fathom Banks has resulted 

 from improper anchoring practices. Sand anchors, properly located in 

 the rubble and sand grooves between the coral spurs, or in deeper sandy 

 bottom seaward of the major coral formations, create the least disturbance. 



Methods of anchoring in reef areas are discussed in the Draft Coral 

 and Coral Reef Resources FMP. This report cites a number of specific 

 anchoring problems which can cause damage to corals; anchor fluke span, 

 length of chain relative to water depth, and anchor placement. 



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