Coral reefs are the most diverse and con~plexc ommunities
in the marine environment. Hermatypic corals
play a key role in forming the structure of coral
reefs and providing substrate and shelter for a wide
variety of organisms. Acute damage to corals may
result in a collapse of the complex comn~unity of
organisms, which live in close association with the
corals. Concern for damaging effects of oil pollution on
coral-reef communities is currently growing. For
example, even before any incidents occurred in the
Great Barrier Reef, oil-exploration permits were suspended
and two Royal Commissions of inquiry into the
effects of oil drilling on these reefs were convened