There is a whole new world underwater. The marine life’s citizens are small schools of fish with shrimp, crab, squid. And their home is the colorful coral reefs. This "house" is not only a shelter, a place to provide food, but also a lung to help regulate oxygen to bring life to the vast ocean world. Covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs support an estimated 25 percent of all known marine species(*). That is why many people often liken them as tropical forests under the sea.
(Photo by Tài Phạm)
For an ocean lover like me, the first thing I did in Phu Quoc was to register for snorkeling. It’s a must since this island is known for its large coral reef area and long coastline. Although my experience can count on the fingers of one hand, the excitement is enough for me to dive in deep without thinking much. The feeling of cool water surroundings, limited visibility but still clearly seeing the intense vitality of coral is unforgetable. Some small creatures stop to stare as if they see giants invading their territory. Wow, the marine life is so lively and full of life.
Recently, the news that corals bleaching all over the world makes me worried (**). The impact of environmental pollution is like a domino effect, increasingly, affecting many ecosystems. Global warming is killing life beneath the ocean. Without coral, the sea temperature will rise, the waves will push the shore harder, and the little underwater world will gradually disappear. If action is not taken in time, the consequences will be dire. Let us try to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable or recyclable waste while visit the coral reef without harming their "home". Start with small things just with the hope to experience the feeling of immersing yourself in the ocean more than once.
(*) According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov) https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/biodiversity.html
(**) According to The Christian Science Monitor https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2023/0123/Reefs-are-in-trouble.-Can-scientists-nurture-more-resilient-coral
Great Barrier Reef Foundation https://www.barrierreef.org/news/blog/coral-bleaching-its-not-too-late-to-save-the-great-barrier-reef
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