Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Former U.S. Geological Survey geologist Gene Shinn has been documenting coral reef conditions in the Florida Keys for 50 years.  During those decades coral conditions have changed dramatically in the Caribbean and Florida Keys.  Coral disease and bleaching events have led to the decline of certain types of coral species.  Ocean acidification could lead to further impacts on coral reefs.  These videos show Shinn snorkeling in the Keys on the 50th year since he began documenting coral reef conditions and taking photographs of coral reefs in their current state.  Sea fans and gorgonian corals are seen in abundance in the area as well as various types of coral diseases such as black band disease.