Why would any sane and civilized society put huge economies at risk for oil?
Anyone want to guess at the monies and 'work hours' that goes into protecting these fish and the reef ecosystems?
There are currently two species of coral in the USA that are threatened and may possibly be endangered now.
The people that allow offshore oil drilling are a penny wise and a pound foolish and the international implications to policy toward the USA is immeasurable.
Staghorn coral occur in back reef and fore reef environments from 0-98 feet (0 to 30 m) deep. The upper limit is defined by wave forces, and the lower limit is controlled by suspended sediments and light availability. Fore reef zones at intermediate depths of 16-82 feet (5-25 m) were formerly dominated by extensive single species stands of staghorn coral until the mid 1980s.
NMFS designated critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals in November 2008 in four areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, St. John/St. Thomas, and St. Croix.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/staghorncoral.htm
Elkhorn coral was formerly the dominant species in shallow water (3 ft-16 ft (1-5 m) deep) throughout the Caribbean and on the Florida Reef Tract, forming extensive, densely aggregated thickets (stands) in areas of heavy surf. Coral colonies prefer exposed reef crest and fore reef environments in depths of less than 20 feet (6 m), although isolated corals may occur to 65 feet (20 m). NMFS designated critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals in November 2008 in four areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, St. John/St. Thomas, and St. Croix.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/elkhorncoral.htm
