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Wounded military veterans join forces with professional divers and marine scientists to help repair and replenish Florida’s distressed coral reef system.
The diverse team was all smiles after the hard underwater work.
Damaged yet resilient” can describe both wounded combat veterans and ailing coral reefs off Florida. Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory brought the two together on a mutually beneficial mission that drew the attention of CBS News.
In July, military vets from Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) were paired with professional divers from SCUBAnauts International for the challenging underwater work of hammering in anchors and maintaining coral trees that are essential for the health and sustainability of the coral nurseries. Efforts like this from Mote and other groups support the growth and propagation of coral fragments, which are the building blocks for restoring damaged reef ecosystems.
Corals safely growing back at Mote Marine Laboratory.