The coral reefs off the coast of Florida are home to many beautiful and endangered species. They provide protection for our coastlines, habitats for marine organisms and produce nutrients essential for our oceans to sustain life.
But coral reefs around the world are under continuous attack by pollution, illegal fishing practices, disease, warming oceans and destructive hurricanes.
Force Blue, a non-profit organization founded by vets with Marine Recon, Coast Guard and Army Special Operations backgrounds, has created a mission which is helping the coral reefs survive and veterans thrive.
“I came to this from the marine conservation side,” explained Force Blue, co-founder Jim Ritterhoff. “When we started the program years ago it was largely because my friend Rudy Reyes, had a hard time assimilating after returning from multiple combat deployments. (Reyes, a former Special Operations, Recon Marine made several combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan) I had a chance to take him diving and show him a healthy coral reef but explained the devastation reefs are experiencing worldwide. We quickly realized that we had found something for our Special Operations veterans who are looking for a positive mission.”
CBS News recently documented their efforts to repair damaged coral reefs. The dying reefs needed seedlings carefully replanted and giant pieces of coral ripped apart by hurricanes needed to be repositioned. "It's really warrior stuff, a warrior takes action and that's what we're doing with Force Blue," Reyes told CBS.
PODCAST: Interview with Force Blue founders Jim Ritterhoff and Sean Moore
As their dive missions continue to preserve and restore essential reefs, Ritterhoff sums it up best by saying, “Are 7 guys transplanting coral and learning about marine conservation going to change the world by themselves? No. But what they have the opportunity to do is become a force multiplier and tell people who otherwise wouldn’t listen, or wouldn’t care, because of their status we can create this mercenary force for good.”
To learn more about Force Blue click here.