Time is running out to save them
Coral reefs are among nature’s most stunning creations.
Their brightly-coloured seascapes look like they could be from another world, and they serve as a vital refuge for an astounding array of marine life – from turtles and sharks, to eels and crabs, and fish of every imaginable colour.
But due to human activity, more and more of our reefs are being destroyed, leaving behind only their bleached, broken and lifeless skeletons.
Since the 1950’s, over half of the world’s coral reefs have been lost, and the rate of the destruction is only accelerating.
Please donate now to support our marine projects – together we can conserve coral reefs for generations to come.
© Zafer Kizilkaya
A healthy, thriving reef in Indonesia. Sadly, such scenes are becoming ever scarcer.
Why are coral reefs important?
Coral reefs are by far the most biodiverse areas of our ocean. Although they inhabit just 0.2% of the ocean floor, they’re a home to an astonishing 25% of all marine life.
This means that losing our coral reefs would likely cause a major collapse of the world’s marine ecosystems, the consequences of which are impossible to predict and would be irreversible.
They’re also heavily relied on by many of the world’s coastal communities, providing vital income through fishing and tourism. Additionally, reefs can absorb up to 97% of energy from waves, protecting shorelines from erosion and flooding.
By some estimates, coral reefs are worth $350bn a year to the global economy – although it could be argued that the role they play in supporting ocean life is worth more than any amount of money.
© Zafer Kizilkaya
A magnificent sea anemone, spotted on a reef in Indonesia.
Why are coral reefs under threat?
Coral reefs face a number of serious threats, almost all of which are caused by human activity.
One is destructive fishing practices: methods such as blast and poison fishing, as well as the use of fishing nets which drag on the seabed, can be catastrophic to the health of reefs.
Tragically, in some areas, coral heads and tropical fish are also harvested for sale in the aquarium trade, causing both direct and indirect damage to the reefs. It’s crucial that local law enforcement agencies are empowered to patrol and protect coral reefs effectively.
On top of all of this, climate change and pollution are causing our ocean to become warmer and more acidic. This can cause the notorious bleaching effect which can lay waste to entire reefs almost overnight.
© Zafer Kizilkaya
Bleaching can turn a thriving reef into a sombre graveyard.
How can your donation help save coral reefs?
Your donation could help support our ambitious marine conservation programme.
This includes 53 projects and covers 2.3 million hectares of ocean, many of them located in key coral strongholds such as Southeast Asia, Central America and the Caribbean.
With your support, we could step up our work to protect vital marine protected areas and put an end to destructive fishing practices, keeping coastlines safe for coral reefs and all the unique life that depends on them.
But we can’t do it without you.
Please donate today – the health of our ocean depends on us all.
Matt Glue / Fauna & Flora
Rescuing a coral catshark from a ghost net - Koh Tang, Cambodia.