Grand Cayman's coral reefs must not be destroyed

By Ellen Prager, Steven Miller and Carl Safina

Updated 1249 GMT (2049 HKT) September 29, 2015

The government of Grand Cayman is considering a huge pier development plan. If it goes through, it may very well destroy the area's acres of living coral reef.
Photos: Saving Grand Cayman's coral reefs
The government of Grand Cayman is considering a huge pier development plan. If it goes through, it may very well destroy the area's acres of living coral reef.
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Some people imply that Grand Cayman's coral reefs can be relocated. But there's a problem: relocating entire coral reefs is impossible. It can't be done, and the proponents of the pier project who suggest otherwise are wrong.
Photos: Saving Grand Cayman's coral reefs
Some people imply that Grand Cayman's coral reefs can be relocated. But there's a problem: relocating entire coral reefs is impossible. It can't be done, and the proponents of the pier project who suggest otherwise are wrong.
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Tourists enjoy Grand Cayman's nearshore coral reefs and crystal clear waters.
Photos: Saving Grand Cayman's coral reefs
Tourists enjoy Grand Cayman's nearshore coral reefs and crystal clear waters.
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A diver transplants colonies of the branching staghorn coral to reefs in the Florida Keys.
Photos: Saving Grand Cayman's coral reefs
A diver transplants colonies of the branching staghorn coral to reefs in the Florida Keys.
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Coral reefs are large, complex three-dimensional structures that form over thousands of years, but only when biology, geology, chemistry and physical factors align under special circumstances.
Photos: Saving Grand Cayman's coral reefs
Coral reefs are large, complex three-dimensional structures that form over thousands of years, but only when biology, geology, chemistry and physical factors align under special circumstances.
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Story highlights

  • The government of Grand Cayman is considering a huge pier development plan
  • Ellen Prager, Steven Miller, Carl Safina: Plan to relocate coral reefs is bad and impossible

Dr. Ellen Prager is a marine scientist, author, president of Earth2Ocean Inc. and a Safina Center fellow. Dr. Steven Miller is a senior research scientist at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. Dr. Carl Safina holds the endowed chair for nature and mumanity at Stony Brook University on Long Island, where he runs the Safina Center. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the authors.

(CNN)Once upon a time, on a small island in the Caribbean, there was a picturesque harbor and lovely town overlooking clear emerald-blue waters and spectacular coral reefs. Visitors enjoyed dining at waterside restaurants, diving, snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides and even a submarine tour of the nearby reefs. Local businesses thrived and made millions of dollars each year through tourist activities.

One day, the government decided to build a massive dock and pier to make cruise ship visits more efficient and to lure in larger vessels. They destroyed a historic shipwreck, acres of living coral reef and left the harbor