Page 27 - Coral Reefs

Cup Coral
Coral Reefs Rainforests of the Oceans Turbinaria mesenterina

What can we all do as individuals?

Coral reefs are out there in the sea and it is not necessary we all may come in frequent
physical contact with them. However, our day to day actions do impact the extent and
health of coral reefs in big way. Small steps taken by us can not only make things better
for coral reefs but also help us secure our own long-term welfare.

What to do?

• Talk about coral reefs: read more
about them and tell your friends
and relatives of what you know and
understand.

• Setting an example: engage in
responsible behaviour while having
fun on the beaches or inside the sea.
• Help curb pollution: Walk, use
bicycles or take a bus. Emissions
lead to ocean warming, triggering
mass-bleaching of corals and often
widespread destruction of reefs.

• Adopt ecological or organic
fertilizers: Water runoff that ends
up in the water system, pollutes the
ocean and can harm coral reefs and
marine life.

• Watch your trash: Litter pollutes
water and harms reefs and fish that
live off them.

• Raise your voice : Destructive
fishing measures are reducing fish
populations. Ask for a labeling regime
that helps identify sea food from
sustainable sources.
Photo : Pete Atkinson/gettyimages
• Consume sustainable seafood:
Opt for consuming farmed seafood
wherever it is possible.

IUCN chairs the
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Network which works to strengthen
our scientific understanding of
these ecosystems

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