The island of Barbados was once a livingcoral reef
Corals are tiny animals (not plants) called polyps
Corals belong to the same Class as jellysh (Class Anthozoa)
Coral polyps build their skeletons on the outside of their bodies. These skeletons join together to create colonies, so when you look at a clump of coral, it's actually many tiny animals living together.
Coral Reefs are the largest structures on the planet created by animals
There are many different types of corals; hard corals like brain coral and gorgonians like sea fans
It is illegal to damage or sell coral
Corals take a very long time to grow (0.5 – 2cm per year)
Many of our corals spawn, all at once and only once per year
Coral reefs around Barbados protect the beaches from erosion and wave action
Reef fish need the coral for shelter and survival
Our white sand is primarily derived from coral reefs; no coral, no beach , no tourism!!!!
There are at least 34 named coral reef and wreck dive sites around Barbados
Nutrients from fertilizers and other land-based chemicals encourages macroalgal growth which can kill corals
Atlantis Submarine dives on the west coast on Freshwater Bay aka Clarkes Reef
