You’reonaboatoffthecoastofCancún,Mexico.You’regettingreadyforareefdive.Youcheckyourgear.Thenyoudiveintothecool water.
Youswimdown.Youseesomethingneartheseabed.Youswimcloserandsee... aface!Itispartofastatue.Whatisitdoinghere?It’spartofanunderwatermuseum.It’salsopartofanartificialreef.Itwasmadetohelpprotectnaturalreefs.Manyhavebeendamagedby divers.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_2/884981/sea_hedgehog.400_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_2/884984/01285716.480_0_1.jpg)
Bigeyesliketheselivenearcoral reefs.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_2/884980/NGX1120_EE_19.720_0_1.jpg)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_2/884982/shark.480_0_1.png)
Thisnaturalreefisfullof life.
ReefsinTrouble
Thisreefwasdamagedbypeopleblastfishingwith dynamite.
CoralreefsarethelargestlivingstructuresonEarth.Reefsplayabigroleinkeepingouroceanshealthy.Theygivefood,shelter,andprotection.Yet,reefsarein trouble!
Humanactivitycanbehardonouroceansandreefs.Carelesstouristsandpollutioncanhurtreefs.Climatechangeaffectsthem, too.
Forexample,thousandsofdiversvisitthenaturalreefsinCancúneveryyear.Manyarebeginners.Someaccidentallycausedamageduringtheir dives.
MUSAisanunderwaterartmuseum.Itwascreatedtodrawpeopleawayfromnaturalreefsandtowardartificialones.Manypeoplenowvisit MUSA.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_2/980463/cloudinary_2_jane_20goodall_20id_20chimps.960_0_1.jpg)
Adiverswimsaboveanunderwater statue.