However, these activities have the potential to seriously damage coral or seagrasses. Careless anchoring can severely damage coral. Even the lightest touch of a hand or fins can damage sensitive coral polyps. Monofilament line wrapped around coral can smother, abrade, or break them. And boats that stray into shallow waters can stir up the bottom, uprooting seagrasses.
Commercial fishing is another significant activity in the sanctuary.
Eighty to ninety percent of the value of this amount is from the crustaceans. A limited amount of treasure hunting, professional and amateur, in shipwrecks primarily from the 16th and 17th centuries continues in sanctuary waters.