Even though it spans just 1.6% of our ocean, the Coral Triangle is massive in importance. It holds 76% of the world’s known coral species, over 3,000 types of reef fish, and 6 out of 7 of the planet’s marine turtle species. This extraordinary region is often called the Amazon of the Seas, or the beating heart of ocean biodiversity.🪸

A cornerstone of the Coral Triangle is #Bougainville—a marine paradise teeming with life and endangered species. But this place isn't just about marine life: these reefs uphold food security, support coastal economies, protect cultural traditions, and regulate the balance of the entire ocean’s ecosystem.

🛑 Yet, the #CoralTriangle is under siege by IUU-fishing.

That's why we're partnering with the Bougainville Police Service to protect what remains. Because protecting it isn’t just about saving fish or coral—it’s about securing the future of our #ocean, and of every life that depends on it.✊

📌 Read more about this campaign on our website.
Stop fossil fuel projects in Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle stretches across waters from the Philippines to the Solomon Islands. It's one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and home to endangered species like green turtles and manta

Ekō
Fossil fuel exploration is threatening an ever-expanding swath of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world, a report said Saturday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/environment/2024/10/27/sustainability/coral-triangle-fossil-fuel-threat/ #environment #sustainability #coraltriangle #un #oceans #emissions #oil #southeastasia #lng #cop16

The secret of the world's richest underwater habitat
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241015-the-secret-of-the-worlds-richest-underwater-habitat

"The #CoralTriangle in #SouthEastAsia is the most diverse place on Earth in terms of marine habitats. What caused the diversity? In the early 2010s, the team collected about 8 tonnes of fossil-rich rock from #Borneo, which yielded over 200 #coral species, from up to 30 million years ago. When they compared them to the species living there today, they made a surprising discovery: many of them are still there."

The secret of the world's richest underwater habitat

Could lessons from the ancient past help us protect the world's oceans?

BBC

I’m excited to share a collection underwater photographs captured off the coast of Siladen Island in Indonesia. These images showcase the vibrant and diverse marine life that thrives in this pristine environment. From intricate coral formations to exotic marine species, each photograph tells a unique story of the underwater world. Siladen Island’s clear waters and rich biodiversity make it a paradise for underwater photography and videography. And I’m thrilled to bring these treasures to the surface for everyone to enjoy.

Marine creatures that live in the sand on the ocean floor are a fascinating and diverse group, adapted to a life hidden beneath the shifting grains. These sand-dwellers include a wide array of species, such as burrowing crabs, eels, and various mollusks like clams and snails.

Click on any image to enlarge.

The images below capture an incredible experience I had during the week. As soon as I spotted the large turtle with two remoras attached to it, I began taking a few shots. Midway through, I noticed something remarkable—a crocodile fish resting right beside the turtle.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Indonesia’s waters are a fantastic place to spot sea slugs due to the region’s extraordinary marine biodiversity and favorable environmental conditions. The warm, nutrient-rich waters and extensive coral reef systems provide ideal habitats for these creatures, allowing them to flourish in large numbers and in diverse forms. The country’s complex network of islands and varied underwater terrain, ranging from shallow reefs to deep ocean slopes, offers a wide array of environments where sea slugs can be found.

Click on any image to enlarge.

The underwater ecosystem around Siladen Island, Indonesia, is exceptional due to its location within the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. This area boasts an incredible variety of coral reefs, supporting thousands of marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. The nutrient-rich waters, influenced by complex ocean currents, create ideal conditions for vibrant coral growth and a thriving marine food web.

Click on any image to enlarge.

The well-preserved and protected environment around Siladen Island helps maintain this rich biodiversity, keeping it largely undisturbed. As a result, the area is a sanctuary for marine life and a paradise for those who wish to explore it.

Share this:

https://scubahanknyc.com/2024/08/22/turtles-to-crocodile-fish-a-dive-into-siladen-islands-marine-world/

#coralTriangle #ecotourism #Indonesia #marineLife #Nature #Photography #ScubaDiving #seaLife #siladenIsland #Underwater #UnderwaterPhotographs #wildlife

#Indonesia and US seal $35 mln #CoralReef debt swap https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/land-use-biodiversity/indonesia-us-seal-35-mln-coral-reef-debt-swap-2024-07-08/

"The US has agreed to forgive $35 million of Indonesian debt in return for the country restoring, preserving #CoralReefs in the world's most biodiverse patch of #ocean... it is expected to fund at least 15 years of #conservation work in two key areas of what is known as the #CoralTriangle... a habitat for over three quarters of all #coral species"

#ClimateChange #CoralBleaching #Biden #USpol #NatureRestoration #Climate

#Wallacea is a living laboratory of Earth’s #evolution – and its #wildlife, #forests and #reefs will be devastated unless we all act https://theconversation.com/wallacea-is-a-living-laboratory-of-earths-evolution-and-its-wildlife-forests-and-reefs-will-be-devastated-unless-we-all-act-210890

"Take a look at incredible species such as the #KomodoDragon, #anoa, #tarsier, #babirusa, and giant #bees. These #animals are native to the scattered #islands of Wallacea. That’s before you even start to explore Wallacea’s marine wonders as a part of the #CoralTriangle, an area well known for its extraordinary marine #biodiversity."

Wallacea is a living laboratory of Earth's evolution – and its wildlife, forests and reefs will be devastated unless we all act

I have spent decades researching this unique region. Without serious conservation, millions of hectares of its forests could transform into desolate wastelands, risking wildlife like the tiny tarsier.

The Conversation

CatchOfTheDay:
Mexichromis multituberculata

AKA:
Bumpy Mexichromis

PhotoLookUp:
gbif.org inaturalist.org seaslugforum.net fb/nudibase Ryanskiy

MyLocalDiveShop:
balidreamdivers.com

#shoredive #coral #coralreef #dive #diver #diving #macro #macrophotography #marinelife #ocean #oceanlife #reef #scuba #scubadiving #underthesea #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterworld #uw #uwmacro #uwphotography #nature #seaslug #nudibranch #indonesia #bali #coraltriangle