Good Habits Help Save Abaco Reefs

To help protect coral reefs from unnecessary damage, Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) and local volunteers partner with the Bahamas National Trust to maintain moorings at Abaco’s National Marine Parks, Sandy Cay Reef and Fowl Cay Reef, and independently maintains moorings at North Guana Reef and Mermaid Reef.

Anchoring on the reef can damage corals, which may take hundreds of years to re-grow. Coral reefs are a valuable habitat— they provide homes for marine animals and help protect shorelines from storms. Reefs provide food and shelter for marine life; by making sure that these habitats remain healthy we can help ensure there will always be fish to observe while diving and seafood to catch and eat through the future!

Mooring maps. Red stars indicate the positions of reefs that have moorings supported by our programs (North Guana Reef, Fowl Cay Reef, Mermaid Reef, and Sandy Cay Reef). MAPS COURTESY OF STEVE DODGE, THE CRUISING GUIDE TO ABACO, BAHAMAS.

Guidelines for mooring use:

  • Only small boats (up to 25 feet) should tie up to these moorings. There is a danger of the moorings breaking if larger boats tie up.
  • If you can’t attach to a buoy, then anchor in sand away from the reef and ensure your anchor does not drag.
  • Tie your bow line to the pick-up line of the mooring buoy and let out enough rope to give a horizontal pulling on the mooring.
  • Ultimately, you are responsible for your boat and passengers. It is always a good idea to dive the mooring and assess its condition.
  • Moorings are provided free of charge. If you see a damaged mooring at one of the reefs mentioned above please contact FRIENDS (telephone 242-367-2721 or email info@friendsoftheenvironment.org).
Mooring maps. Red stars indicate the positions of reefs that have moorings supported by our programs (North Guana Reef, Fowl Cay Reef, Mermaid Reef, and Sandy Cay Reef). MAPS COURTESY OF STEVE DODGE, THE CRUISING GUIDE TO ABACO, BAHAMAS.

While visiting the reef, remember:

  • Swimming above the reef, not stepping on or touching the coral, is the best way to view the reef and its inhabitants. Touching can injure or kill corals, negatively affecting reef health.
  • Please collect any trash you see, and ensure that your garbage makes it into the proper receptacle.
  • Take only pictures (and only leave footprints)! It is illegal to collect coral in The Bahamas. Also, the reefs at Fowl Cay and Sandy Cay fall within national parks. It is illegal to collect anything, living or dead, from these two parks.

To learn more, visit Friends of the Environment online at www.friendsoftheenvironment.org or call (242) 367-2721.