Coral reef etiquette when snorkeling in Hawaii

FILE – In this Sept. 6, 2017 photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fish swim in a reef at Pearl and Hermes Atoll…

FILE – In this Sept. 6, 2017 photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fish swim in a reef at Pearl and Hermes Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. A decade-long effort by the world to save the world’s disappearing species and declining ecosystems has mostly failed so far, with fragile ecosystems like coral reefs and tropical forests in even more trouble than ever, according to a United Nations biodiversity report released on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Jacob Asher/NOAA via AP)

by: Kaile Hunt

Posted: Oct 28, 2022 / 02:48 PM HST

Updated: Oct 28, 2022 / 02:48 PM HST

HONOLUU (KHON2) – Snorkeling in Hawaii can be a very enjoyable experience. You get to see the beautiful sights of marine life underneath the ocean.

Coral reefs and other marine habitats are bucket list items to see when visiting Hawaii. However, it is important to remember corals and the marine life they support can be threatened or damaged by visitors who come to admire them.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) came out with coral etiquette for visitors to consider and follow.

Tips to enjoy coral reefs responsibly:

Leave corals and shells in their place
Observe corals from a safe distance
Don’t litter
Be a cautious boater
Be reef smart

NOAA encourages visitors to not take corals and seashells home for souvenirs. Corals are alive and seashells can be a home for many marine life animals. It is important to keep them where you find them.

For those wanting to learn more about the corals and marine life NOAA suggests a quick visit to a local dive shop, marine park center, aquarium or you can head to their website.

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It’s important to not litter along the beach or near the ocean. Anything left on the beach gets swept into the ocean and can be very harmful to marine life.