* Remember that even the lightest touch with hands or equipment can damage sensitive coral polyps.

* Snorkelers should wear float coats to allow gear adjustment without standing on the coral.

* To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers should only use the weight needed to practice proper bouyancy control. Lifeless areas may support new growth, if left undisturbed.

* Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting marine life. Most tropical fish captured die within a year. Queen conch is a protected species.

* Please don't feed the fish; it destroys their natural feeding habits.

* Remember, it's illegal to harvest coral in Florida and buying it at local shops only depletes reefs elsewhere.

* Accidental boat groundings damage the reef. Prop damage destroys shallow seagrass beds. Consult tide and navigational charts and steer clear of shallow areas. Remember, "Brown, brown, run aground. Blue, blue sail on through."

* Use reef mooring buoys or anchor in sandy areas away from coral and seagrasses so that anchor and chain don't damage the coral or seagrass beds.

* Use sewage pump-out facilities, biodegradable bilge cleaner and never discharge bilgewater at the reef.

* Practice good seamanship and safe boating. Maintain safe distances from fishermen. Observe size & catch limits; release all fish you can't eat.

* Avoid wildlife disturbance: stay 200 feet or more offshore; keep speed, noise and wakes to a minimum near mangroves.

* Camping, campfires and collecting of any kind are prohibited on all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys.