Happy World Reef Awareness Day 🪸
World Reef Awareness Day on June 1 serves as a call to action for consumers, businesses and organizations to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of our ocean's coral reefs. This important awareness day brings together the general public, influencers and opinion leaders to create active change through education and engagement.
Coral reefs are living communities of colonial organisms made of individual polyps that excrete a bone-like skeleton. This skeleton forms large rock-like structures that are homes for thousands of organisms.
The health of a reef tells us a lot about the health of an ocean. Many fish and ocean animals rely on the protection of the healthy, living reef for spawning season. The reef also provides more than protection; it supplies a rich, thriving food chain, too. From plankton and algae to the largest sea creatures, the reef ecosystem is a significant life support system.
Benefits of a Healthy Reef
The benefits of a healthy reef ecosystem go far beyond the ocean. Coral reefs, specifically, provide coastal protection from waves, biodiversity support for ocean species, and economic opportunities for communities in tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs teem with diverse life. Thousands of species can be found living on one reef. Coral reefs are:
•Essential to the plant and fish life.
•Contribute to a lively fishing industry.
•Protect beaches and coastlines from erosion.
•Act as the oceans filter.
•Provide life-saving medicines.
•Possibly the one animal on the planet capable of consuming plastic.