To celebrate our Royal Reef event this Coronation bank holiday weekend, we caught up with one of our Aquarists, Seb, to find out more about corals.
Q: Why are coral reefs so important?
Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world. They are often called the “rainforest of the sea”.
About 25% percent of all marine life, including over 4,000 species of fish, depend on healthy coral reefs for their survival.
In addition to supporting marine life, reefs provide protection from storm erosion, and provide food and income for over half a billion people.
Q: What are some of the threats to coral reefs and how can we protect them?
Climate change is the biggest threat to corals. Increased ocean temperatures and changes in ocean chemistry are the greatest global threats to coral reef ecosystems.
Furthermore, coral reefs face many threats from local sources including: pollution, overfishing and physical damage.
Everyone can play a part to reduce the impact of climate change. Here's some steps you can take to help preserve our coral reefs:
Recycle and dispose of trash properly. (3R’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
Conserve water.
Choose sustainable seafood.
Educate yourself and spread the message.
Volunteer for an environmental organisation.
Q: What corals do we have at The Deep?
Some of the species of corals we have at The Deep include:
Acropora
Montipora
Pocillopra
Stylophora
Lobophyllia
Pavona
Porities
Plerogyra
Galaxea
Euphyllia
And many more!