[1] The Pinnacles reefs consist of a lush fauna of hard, soft and, black corals, fixed sea lilies and sponges.

[4] Coral damage at The Pinnacles from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the subject of a new study (2015) conducted by Florida State University and NOAA.

The study revealed sick and dying corals due to oil that was sprayed with chemical dispersants which caused it to settle over the reefs.

The study also determined a tropical storm that passed over the area during summer 2010 churned up the sea and caused oil to reach the corals.

[6] The Pinnacles is one of nine coral banks and hard-bottom areas stretching from Texas to Florida that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tried in 2008 to get designated a marine sanctuary called Islands in the Stream.