Reef Damage
(May 25, 2003)
On 5/25/03, Vone Research continued
it's monitoring of the coral restoration project. First we dove the area where
the dredge teeth were dumped on top of the third reef. Someone has moved most of
the remaining teeth to the sand in front of the reef damage that we reported on
04/27/03. Their is still a tooth in a sponge on a patch of reef just west of
this site. We have reported this at least three times. There is no longer any
need to hurry ,the sponge is > dead.
I have been told that the Hillsboro Inlet district has acted quickly and
efficiently to repair the reef damage without having to be brought to court and
that they should be commended. If they truly cared about the reef why weren't
volunteers allowed to help do the repair work? Why is there still hard coral
upside down on site #27? Why are they withholding information about reef damage
that was discovered by CSI in the video survey? Are they afraid of what we're
going to find?
If anyone knows of any other reef damage that was documented and recorded as it
happened I would really like to know about it.
The first possible cable drag was reported to the Hillsboro Inlet district on
7/29/2002. It was witnessed on Tuesday, July 23rd at 1:30 pm. To date we have
received no satisfaction regarding our inquiries about what occurred.
We have filed a public record request with Hillsboro Inlet district on
5/25/2003. Maybe now we will get some answers.