Fireworks will go on near Florida reefs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 21 (UPI) -- Florida officials say they will reach out to boaters to protect sensitive coral reefs during offshore Fourth of July fireworks shows.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced late last week they will still issue permits for shows in Fort Lauderdale and four other South Florida cities even though the shows draw large flotillas of boaters to waters that are home to two coral species were recently listed by the federal government as threatened.

The permits will be welcomed by tourism officials who had worried that their fireworks shows could be canceled, disappointing locals and causing tourists to stay home.

The Miami Herald said Sunday that state and local officials will get the word out to recreational boaters about exercising caution before tossing out their anchors on July Fourth.

''We just ask that people do not anchor their boats over hard bottom areas where the reefs are found," said Gabriella Ferraro, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.