Gorgonians and pelagic fish fill the scene. Huge purple sea fans catch the currents, joined by sea rods , whips , and plumes of gorgonians . Dead stumps of pillar coral testify to the sad harvesting that decimated coral populations on this reef decades ago. Conch Reef is the home for the University of North Carolina-Wilmington's Aquarius Underwater Habitat . That facility has its own page in this website.
Researchers spend several days at a time underwater, doing long-term research.
Fishing and lobstering as well as any other collection activity is strictly prohibited. Note that collection of any kind of coral or conch anywhere in Florida is strictly forbidden by state law.