Although measures have been taken to preserve the reef, much more drastic changes need to be made if we really want to see an improvement. The Eilat Reef has been declared a national preserve, and because of this only a limited number of divers are allowed in the area at a time. Furthermore, the Jewish National Fund is planting coral nurseries to stimulate new growth in the reef.
Looking towards the future, Israel should adopt the Precautionary Principle and assume that anything that can possibly cause harm does until proven otherwise. Thus, all further project devlopment should be rejected. No more hotels or other large buildings should be built near this reef and any new developments should be setback away from the coastline. The run-off and sewage from any new and existing developments needs to be properly controlled and treated. One way to mitigate current sewage and run-off issues is to test the water and link any contaminates back to their source so the problem can be dealt with directly.
Likewise, intensive fish farming should be banned. Although it has not been definitively proved that this practice harms coral reefs, under the Precautionary Principle it should be stopped until it is definitively proven that it doesn't harm coral reefs.
The biggest issue affecting the reef is most likely diving, since the Eilat Reef attracts so many divers. Thus, strict and numerous laws need to be made and enforced to make sure that this enterprise does not kill the reef. Less divers should be permitted to dive at once, a guide should always accompany divers (whether they are experienced or beginners), dive training should be held in areas outside the reef, and there should be large fines for anybody who touches the coral. Thorough enforcement of these laws is imperative.
Oil spills are less common now, because there has been a huge decrease in the amount of oil tankers in the port of Eilat, due to political issues, and the Israeli Ministry established the Pollution Prevention Control Station. However, ships can still cause damage. Shipping lanes should be created that direct boats far enough away from the reef so that the boats nor their anchors harm the coral.
Perhaps the most important weapons against coral reef degradation are education and awareness. Spreading the word and making people aware of how we are destroying these beautiful ecosystems may lead to a large-scale effort to protect these areas. Making more people conscious of what to do and not to do to help reefs thrive will little by little help the quality of life for the reef. Historically. propaganda and getting people to band together is the best way to get anything done.
