10 Million Corals Threatened by Port Everglades Dredging Project

Ten million corals living beneath one of South Florida’s busiest shipping lanes face destruction from a proposed federal dredging project at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, according to a groundbreaking scientific study released this week.

The discovery by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium reveals a hidden underwater ecosystem that has not only survived but thrived in the shadow of cargo ships and cruise vessels that traverse the port’s main channel daily.

“There are still a lot of corals out there, and they need to be protected,” said Ross Cunning, a research biologist at the Shedd Aquarium who co-authored the study.

The findings carry extra weight given the broader environmental challenges facing South Florida’s coastal communities. Much like other environmental disasters that have impacted Florida’s waters, this potential threat strikes at the heart of what makes our region unique.

Among the 10 million corals identified near Port Everglades, thousands are endangered staghorn corals—fast-growing reef builders that create critical habitat for marine life and serve as natural barriers protecting coastlines from storm surge. These corals represent some of the last survivors of their species in South Florida waters.

The staghorn corals discovered near Port Everglades may be among the final remnants of what was once a thriving population throughout the region. According to research co-authored by Cunning, these corals have become functionally extinct elsewhere, wiped out during the devastating 2023 marine heat wave that triggered Florida’s ninth mass coral bleaching event.

That heat wave, which brought prolonged high temperatures to Florida waters, forced corals to expel the algae that fuel them, turning entire reef systems ghostly white. The Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas saw widespread coral mortality, making the Port Everglades population even more precious from a conservation standpoint.

The proposed expansion of Port Everglades would require extensive dredging operations to deepen and widen shipping channels, accommodating larger vessels as global trade continues to grow. The port serves as a major economic driver for Broward County, handling millions of tons of cargo annually and serving as a departure point for cruise ships carrying passengers from across the country.

Port officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding potential mitigation measures or alternative approaches that could minimize impact on the coral populations.

The coral communities near Port Everglades have demonstrated remarkable resilience over the past decade, persisting and growing even as most reef systems across Florida have collapsed from disease, coastal development, and rising ocean temperatures. This resilience makes their potential destruction particularly concerning to marine biologists.

The discovery highlights the complex relationship between South Florida’s economic development and environmental preservation. Port Everglades generates billions in economic activity for the region, supporting thousands of jobs in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities. Yet the coral populations beneath its waters provide ecosystem services that are equally valuable, protecting shorelines from erosion and storm damage while supporting marine biodiversity.

Federal agencies will need to balance these competing interests as they evaluate the expansion proposal. Under federal environmental laws, projects that could harm endangered species like staghorn corals typically require extensive environmental impact studies and may need to incorporate protective measures.

The timing of the discovery adds urgency to conservation efforts. Climate change continues to stress coral reefs worldwide, making healthy populations like those near Port Everglades increasingly rare and valuable. Scientists emphasize that protecting surviving coral communities has become critical for maintaining marine ecosystem health in South Florida.

Environmental groups are expected to closely monitor the federal review process for the Port Everglades expansion. The project’s scope and potential coral impacts could make it a significant test case for how federal agencies balance economic development with marine conservation in South Florida.

For Broward County residents, the coral discovery underscores the hidden natural treasures that exist alongside the region’s urban development. While sports and entertainment often capture headlines in South Florida, the underwater world just offshore plays an equally important role in the region’s identity and future sustainability.

The NOAA and Shedd Aquarium study represents years of underwater research in challenging conditions, with scientists working around commercial shipping traffic to document coral populations in the port area. Their findings will likely influence federal decision-making on the expansion project in the months ahead.

As federal agencies review the expansion proposal, the fate of 10 million corals hangs in the balance, representing both the resilience of South Florida’s marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to human activities. The decision could set important precedents for how similar projects are evaluated throughout the region.