Reefs: the rainforest of the ocean. This vast ecosystem is home to thousands of varying species of fish, coral, marine plants and marine mammals. Not only are the reefs beautiful to admire, they contribute so much to our world on a local and global level. Locally, the reefs support tourism and food. Globally, they act as a carbon-sink, a source of cures, and food. Small-scale and worldwide, the reefs support jobs.

The reefs, however, are becoming destroyed. While spending three weeks on a boat in the British Virgin Islands checking the reefs with a program called SeaTrek, I met Trey Sherard, a marine biologist at the University of North Carolina. I sat down with Sherard and asked a few questions about the destruction of the reefs.

"The causes are mainly manmade," Sherard said. "Global carbon dioxide levels are rising, especially greenhouse gases. The reefs have been known to outgrow global warming, but the sea level is rising, which results in disastrous effects."

Dynamite fishing and over fishing also contribute to the reefs' demise. If fishermen wipe out a large amount of fish, the food chain becomes thrown off, resulting in overpopulation of small fish or vice versa. New coral cannot grow on top of dead coral because a variety of fish eat the dead coral. Even simply touching the coral contributes to the reefs' destruction. As a matter of fact, sunscreen wiped off the skin and onto the reefs could kill the coral. Farming, cruise ships, anchors — all of these are contributing factors. There also are a variety of natural causes. Diseases such as black band and yellow band disease kill reefs at a rapid pace. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, sweep through and ruin the reefs.

With much luck, I discovered the reefs of the British Virgin Islands to be in pristine condition. Sharks are an indicator of a healthy reef, along with other predatory fish (groupers, barracuda) and I found a plethora of these. However, I also found a few cases of black band disease, which is coral tissue degradation, but for the most part this was rare. Some statistics show that by 2040, the reefs will be completely annihilated, but this is entirely up to us, bringing me to my next point.

What can we do to help?

"Research and education," Sherard said with excitement. "Research is the key to education, especially of the public. The more you know the more you can help."

You don't even have to be a diver or sailor to get involved. When booking a trip on a cruise or with a dive operation, ask what they do to protect the reef? What organizations are they involved with? Find out if they operate ethically and listen to their briefings. Join Reef Check, and they will send you information about global reefs and a "Seafood Watch" card that lists the fish that are in peril, and those that are safe to eat. In terms of teenagers getting involved, look into programs that strive to educate in the importance of this ecosystem.

Everything helps. We have to work together, a step at a time, and put an end to the destruction of the reefs.

Charlotte Smart is a junior at Santa Fe Secondary School. You can reach her at charchar@cybermesa.com.