Fins, Friends, and Stars of Fragile Reefs - Hardcover

by Neil S. Hornung (Author)

The coral reef ecosystem remains obscured and hidden to those of us confined to land. My goal has been to reveal its beauty to readers-and perhaps to new divers-who have yet to witness it firsthand. For those who can and wish to dive, this vibrant undersea world beckons to be explored and enjoyed. Once you've mastered the gauges and basic dive technology that keep you safe, you'll discover the Zen-like calm and deep relaxation that diving can offer. Like any new skill, becoming comfortable with the equipment may take a dozen or more dives, but curiosity and a sense of discovery will reward you. A world of living color will unfold, revealing its many stars and stories. All the better if you have a trusted friend and dive buddy at your side to enjoy the show. I am grateful to have shared so many of these experiences with Bob. I hope I have encouraged readers to see, enjoy, and protect this remarkable natural treasure.

I did not begin underwater photography during my first years of diving. At the start, I took pictures simply to help me remember what I had seen-an aid to my own education. Over time, my photography evolved into a way to document beauty. A good photograph still triggers vivid memories of a dive and allows me to relive the experience. Assembling this book has brought back many fond memories of friendship and marine adventure. I hope my experiences serve as both a guide and an enticement for new divers, helping you identify many of the reef's familiar stars and learn a few fast facts about what you may encounter. My hope is that this knowledge will make your first dives on a coral reef more interesting and enjoyable.

If diving has taught me anything, it is how complex-and how fragile-the marine ecosystem truly is. These coral reefs may well be the ocean's equivalent of the canary in the coal mine. In just twenty-five years of diving, I have witnessed the beginnings and progression of troubling changes to the reef and its wildlife. If one never sees and understands this hidden world, there is little motivation to protect it. The coral reef ecosystem is a wondrous place that took eons to form, yet in my two and a half decades underwater, I have seen its decline. These fragile reefs, with their colors, stars, and stories, may be lost to future generations. This silent beauty is worth understanding and saving-even for those who never dive. I hope this book has helped cultivate an appreciation for this extraordinary place.

Once again, I appeal to all to help protect the coral reef-for my very young grandchildren and yours-so they may one day enjoy the same marine splendors Bob and I have witnessed together. I believe this is possible if we first understand what we stand to lose. Then, by reducing plastic and pollutants, recycling, reusing, and being more mindful of our environment, we can begin to make a difference. These changes must start locally, with small individual steps that, taken together, create a powerful collective impact. As the Chinese proverb reminds us, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Take that step.

As we say on a dive boat, "Pool's open."