A “magical” coral reef stretching as far as the eye can see has been discovered off the coast of the South Pacific island Tahiti. The beautiful reef took around 25 years to grow and was found in the “twilight zone”, where it is highly unusual to unearth such a find as there is barely enough light to sustain life. “It was magical to witness giant, beautiful rose corals which stretch for as far as the eye can see. It was like a work of art,” said French photographer Alexis Rosenfeld, who led the team of international divers that made the discovery. The acres of giant corals in pristine condition show no sign of being damaged by climate change and demonstrate just how little we know about the ocean, according to experts. They say it shows the need to protect the world’s remaining healthy reefs from environmental damage. Read the full story here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-new..
Tag Archives: Coral Reefs
Nature: Belize Converts Debt To Protect 30% Of Its Coral Atolls, Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef System features three of four coral atolls in the Atlantic, lush mangrove forests, numerous offshore islands, and one of the most extensive seagrass areas in the Caribbean. It hosts 77 species listed as threatened by the IUCN, including a sizeable population of West Indian Manatees.
Now, Belize has reaffirmed its environmental leadership by becoming the first country in the Americas to finalize a debt conversion for ocean conservation—and one that represents an impact investment for marine protection that’s unprecedented in scale. This commitment will enable Belize to restructure approximately US$550 million of external commercial debt—an amount that represents 30 percent of the country’s GDP—and reduce the national debt by 12 percent.
Travel & Photography: Underwater Beauty Of Coral Reefs In Timor-Leste
Go behind the scenes of SeaLegacy’s conservation journey, starting with an incredible Blue Whale photoshoot in the waters off of Timor-Leste. Photographers, filmmakers, conservationists and #SonyArtisan members Cristina Mittermeier, Paul Nicklen and Andy Mann share how impactful storytelling can make a positive impact on essential conservation efforts to protect our planet. Learn more about the conservation efforts in Timor-Leste: https://only.one/
Timor-Leste, or East Timor, a Southeast Asian nation occupying half the island of Timor, is ringed by coral reefs teeming with marine life. Landmarks in the capital, Dili, speak to the country’s struggles for independence from Portugal in 1975 and then Indonesia in 2002. The iconic 27m-tall Cristo Rei de Dili statue sits on a hilltop high over the city, with sweeping views of the surrounding bay.
Inside Views: The Making Of ‘David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef’ (Video)
Itching to explore but don’t want to leave the house? Behold these Peak Exploration moments from David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef! These moments plus so much more will start streaming March 4th on Paramount+.
Aerial Travel: ‘Bohol’ In The Philippines (Video)
Bohol is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region. It comprises Bohol Island and numerous smaller surrounding islands. Bohol is known for coral reefs and unusual geological formations, notably the Chocolate Hills. On the main island, near the town of Carmen, these 1,200 or so symmetrical mounds turn cocoa-brown in the dry season, contrasting with the surrounding jungle’s greenery.
TOP JOURNALS: RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM SCIENCE MAGAZINE (JUNE 19, 2020)
TOP JOURNALS: RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM SCIENCE MAGAZINE (JUNE 12, 2020)
New Photography Books: “The Coral Triangle” By Chris Leidy (May 2020)
Comprising the most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet, oceans are humanity’s life-support system, processing more carbon dioxide than rainforests. Featuring a passionate text by Fabien Cousteau, The Coral Triangle presents the underwater world as a complex realm filled with vibrant life, inviting readers to fall in love with its majesty, and inspiring deeper understanding of the fragility of coral reefs and the unparalleled importance of taking action to protect our oceans.
Take a breathtaking plunge into the colorful world of the Coral Triangle, the waters that cradle Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
One of the world’s most mature reef networks, home to 30 percent of all the world’s coral, this magnificent marine expanse boasts the highest diversity of coral and fish species on the planet. Underwater photographer Chris Leidy beautifully captures a vision of this wonderland through his lens and conveys the inherent complexities of each singular, fleeting scene, illustrating the vital magic of the Coral Triangle.
Christopher P. Leidy is the great-great-grandson of the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and the grandson of fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau. Over his career, Leidy has established his own legacy as one of the world’s foremost underwater photographers, finding inspiration in the depths of the world’s oceans.
The eldest grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau is an aquanaut, ocean conservationist, and documentary filmmaker devoted to furthering our understanding of the underwater world. An active member of multiple cause-driven and charitable boards, Cousteau works with local communities and children worldwide to help restore local water ecosystems. He dedicates much of his time to the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, a nonprofit founded in 2016.
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