OCEAN CITIZEN’s Post

I used to: think coral reefs were just pretty underwater scenes. 🪸 Then: I learned they support 25% of marine life. 🪸 Now: I know they are vital ecosystems. 🪸 Coral reefs are truly incredible. They include fringing, barrier, and patch reefs. These reefs create unique habitats for many marine species. Reef-building corals grow slowly but steadily. Hermatypic corals, in particular, form large, thriving ecosystems. They need clear waters, sunlight, and warm temperatures. These conditions make them fragile, especially with climate change. Coral reefs face many threats. Rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, and overfishing harm them. Sustainable practices and conservation efforts are crucial. Protecting and restoring reefs can help balance ecological health with economic benefits. Coral reefs have significant economic potential. They support fisheries, tourism, and even medical research. Policies are needed to protect these ecosystems while maximising their benefits. Understanding coral reef importance is key. They are not just beautiful; they are essential. Conservation and sustainable management are vital for their future. ♻️ Please repost if you agree. 💚 #MarineBiology #Coral #Reef #OceanExploration #MarineScience #Discovery #Conservation #Research

🌊 Upcoming Webinars for Ocean & Coastal Conservation Enthusiasts! 🌍 Join us for a series of insightful webinars covering vital topics in marine and coastal conservation. Dive into groundbreaking tools, research, and sustainable practices for a healthier planet. 🌱 Webinar: Cerulean - Detecting Oil Pollution Throughout the Global Ocean 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 5 🕒 Time: 11 am US EST / 8 am US PST / 4 pm UTC 📍 Presented by SkyTruth 🔹 Learn how Cerulean uses satellite imagery to detect oil slicks, identify sources, and support conservation efforts. Register: https://lnkd.in/eWataQ9n Webinar: Seagrass in Southeast Asia - Status, Blue Carbon Potential, and Recent Trends 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 5 🕒 Time: Various (check your time zone) 📍 Presented by Milica Stankovic, Prince of Songkla University 🔹 Discover the role of seagrass in carbon storage and learn about restoration efforts in Southeast Asia. Register: https://lnkd.in/eumSEF4k Webinar: Assessing the Sustainability of Coastal Tourism 🗓️ Date: Thursday, December 12 🕒 Time: 9 am US EST / 6 am US PST / 2 pm UTC 📍 Presented by Ioannis Pappas, Global Sustainable Tourism Council 🔹 Explore tools and lessons learned for promoting sustainable tourism in coastal areas. Register: https://lnkd.in/e7wcvz3D Don't miss out on these important discussions that highlight new technologies, conservation strategies, and sustainability practices! 🌊 Join the conversation and be part of the change. #MarineConservation #ProtectOurOceans #ClimateAction #SustainableTourism #SeagrassRestoration #OilPollutionDetection #EPICCaribbean #SkyTruth

OCEAN CITIZEN PARTNER (#Spain) ~ Underwater Gardens International (UGI) is a company committed to the #regeneration and #conservation of marine ecosystems. Founded in 2016, UGI combines scientific knowledge with business efficiency to achieve a meaningful and #sustainable impact on the #environment and #society. UGI’s solutions focus on the urgent challenges facing the oceans, such as #climatechange and the degradation of marine habitats. The solutions are structured around three main pillars: 🔹 Ocean Regeneration R&D; 🔹 Sea Gardens integrative projects for habitat resilience and climate change adaptation; 🔹 the Underwater Gardens Blue Innovation Hubs allowing the financial sustainability of regeneration, through awareness raising #edutainment and regenerative #leisure. All info on the project's website: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dQ3gUhAt #UnderwaterGardensInternational #OceanCitizen #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #OceanLiteracy #2030Agenda #biodiversity #marinescience #ocean #marineecosystems #seagarden #underwatergarden

🌊 MPA Highlight: Lahemaa National Park, Estonia Known for its stunning glacial boulder formations—the largest in Europe—this marine protected area is a haven for marine life and a glimpse into Ice Age history. Beneath the waves, these boulders create thriving underwater habitats, sheltering species. 💡 Why Lahemaa stands out: 🌿 Diverse marine habitats: From rocky reefs to underwater meadows, Lahemaa’s waters teem with life, including migratory birds and fish species. 🗻 Ice Age boulders: These submerged giants support biodiversity and shape one of the Baltic’s most unique marine landscapes. 🐟 Critical spawning grounds: Vital for herring, sprat, and other species crucial to the region’s ecosystem and economy. But Lahemaa faces mounting challenges—climate change, pollution, and overfishing threaten its delicate balance. Protecting this extraordinary ecosystem is essential for the Baltic Sea’s future. 🌍 Discover Lahemaa’s untold stories and its role in preserving Baltic biodiversity: https://lnkd.in/dtS2ZHYx #MPAHighlight #ProtectBaltic #BalticSea #MarineConservation #Biodiversity #LahemaaNationalPark #Natura2000

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀? Coastal ecosystems in Croatia and Italy, though separated by the Adriatic Sea, face similar challenges in the battle against climate change. These ecosystems provide crucial habitats for birds, fish, and countless other species, yet they stand on a delicate balance. Threats like rising sea levels, salinization, and extreme weather events—droughts and floods—are tipping that balance, putting these vital ecosystems at serious risk. In response, April 2024 saw the launch of the project ACTION, with a budget of €2,402,734 funded by Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027. The project aims to increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change by implementing nature-based solutions (NbS). Focusing on four pilot sites within the Natura 2000 network in Italy and Croatia, scientists are identifying threats and developing tailored solutions to adapt these fragile ecosystems to new climate conditions over the long and medium term. The lead partner is the Ravenna Municipality in Italy, while the coordination of activities in Croatia is led by the Ruđer Bošković Institute under the direction of dr. sc. Sandi Orlic. Ruđer’s scientists will study risks and propose protective measures for sites like Park prirode Vransko jezero and the City of Ploče. Together with partners from Italy, including Po Delta Park and the Regional Nature Park Coastal Dunes from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, the project fosters international collaboration, blending scientific expertise with practical solutions. Over the next 30 months, ACTION will culminate in the creation of a Joint Action Plan, utilizing NbS such as wetland restoration, reforestation, and improved water management. This plan will not only safeguard the chosen sites but also serve as a blueprint for other regions facing similar climate-related challenges. #ACTION #CoastalEcosystems #NatureBasedSolutions #Italy #Croatia #Interreg #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Biodiversity

Happy World Biodiversity Day! Did you know that coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse and fascinating places on the planet? Despite covering less than 1% of the ocean, coral reefs provide a home to approximately 25% of the world’s marine species. Let's look at some other fun coral reef facts: 1. Corals are actually animals 2. Sunlight is essential for coral growth 3. Coral bleaching (when coral turns white) occurs when the water temperature is too warm and the corals expel their symbiotic algae 4. Coral reefs are natural barriers during storms and reduce coastal erosion 5. Not only are coral reefs essential to biodiversity, they are also indispensable to coastal communities and their economy by providing food and supporting tourism Fun fact: one of Oceanic Impact's mascots is a cat named Coral Photo credit: Lisa Chen from the Coral Triangle in the Philippines #BiodiversityDay #ForNature #BePartOfThePlan #Conservation #OceanEducation

CORAL WEBINAR: Restoring the future of coral reefs (Wednesday, November 13, 2024) Coral reefs are among the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. However, degradation of coral reefs is escalating worldwide. Currently, coral reef related ecosystem service declines are estimated at 2.7 trillion USD globally and there are predictions of ecosystem collapses and keystone-species extinctions by 2050. Given the multiple threats to coral reefs and the impacts of their loss not only in ecological terms but also societal, critical management of these ecosystems is required. Solutions for protecting and restoring coral reefs do exist but it is complex with knowledge gaps. We need to understand the stressors that lead to coral mortality, when and how to protect and restore remnant coral populations, and research and implement methods to help corals adapt to a changing ocean. Coral reef management, however, goes beyond unravelling the ecological and technology challenges. Many coastal communities, especially small island nations and low-income countries, depend on reefs for tourism, fishing and coastal protection. Therefore, careful evaluation of the impacts of coral reef restoration on coastal community livelihoods, whilst balancing the need for restoration is required. By bringing together diverse expertise, this forum aims to spark a conversation about the key scientific, socio-economic, and technological challenges to restoring and protecting coral reefs and explore ways of overcoming them. This webinar will be recorded to watch on-demand after the live event. Register for the event to join the discussion and receive notification when the recording is available. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eKQmwN8b #coralreefs #webinar #restoration #coralreefecology #coralscience #coral #networking #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #marinebiology

Sophie Coxon explores the unique and understudied turbid reefs of Koh Phangan. Unlike the vibrant reefs of nearby Koh Tao, these murky reefs show surprising resilience to stressors like climate change and sedimentation. Through her research with COREsea, Sophie highlights the critical role these reefs play in conservation efforts and the need for more attention on protecting them from tourism and environmental degradation. You can read “Where Blue Becomes Green: Lessons From Thailand’s Turbid Reefs” here https://lnkd.in/etmefsfc Photo below: A partially bleached colony of X, well on its way to becoming fully bleached, as was much of the reef in Mae Haad, Koh Phangan, by July 2024. Photo by Sophie Coxon, 2024. #OceanConservation #CoralReefRestoration #MarineEcosystems #ClimateAction #ThailandReefs #Biodiversity #MarineScience #ConservationResearch #TurbidReefs #SustainableTourism

Chumash Heritage Sanctuary: A New Era of Indigenous-led Marine Protection NOAA has designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the third largest in the U.S., covering 4,543 square miles off the coast of Central California. This sanctuary conserves the region's rich marine biodiversity and celebrates the deep cultural heritage of the Chumash Peoples, who have lived along this coastline for over 13,000 years. The new sanctuary protects diverse habitats, from kelp forests to underwater canyons, and enhances habitat connectivity critical for migratory species like humpback whales. It will also sequester blue carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation. A key feature of the sanctuary is its Indigenous-led co-stewardship model, where Chumash knowledge and history play a central role in its management and conservation. This designation not only fosters sustainable tourism, responsible recreation, and community collaboration but also strengthens the area as a hub for research and conservation. The sanctuary connects California’s network of marine protected areas, helping safeguard marine biodiversity for future generations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gmcX4qSe Press release: https://lnkd.in/gqw3q4D4 #ChumashSanctuary #MarineConservation #IndigenousStewardship #IndigenousLeadership #MPA

https://lnkd.in/dhbapJwg what you need to know aboutCoral regeneration 1. Biodiversity: Coral reefs are known as the "rainforests of the sea" due to their incredible biodiversity. They provide a habitat for a wide range of marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and plants. By regenerating coral, we can help support the complex ecosystem and preserve the countless species that rely on it for survival. 2. Coastal protection: Healthy coral reefs act as natural barriers, protecting coastlines from erosion caused by waves and storms. They absorb and dissipate wave energy, reducing the impact on coastal communities. Regenerating coral can help maintain these protective qualities and prevent damage to coastal areas. 3. Fishing and tourism industry: Coral reefs are vital for the fishing and tourism industries, which provide livelihoods for millions of people around the world. Reefs support fish populations, serving as nurseries and habitats for various species that are essential for fishing. Additionally, coral reefs attract tourists who come to explore their vibrant beauty through activities like snorkeling and diving. Reviving coral reefs helps sustain these industries and the economic benefits they bring. 4. Carbon sequestration: Coral reefs play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, which helps mitigate climate change. Corals absorb and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it in their skeletons. The loss of coral reefs results in reduced capacity for carbon storage and contributes to the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Regenerating coral can help combat climate change by restoring this natural carbon sink. 5. Medicinal potential: Coral reefs are a rich source of bioactive compounds that have the potential to serve as pharmaceuticals. Many novel drugs used in medicine today are derived from organisms found in coral reefs. By regenerating coral, we can continue to explore and harness the potential of these marine organisms for medical advancements.#marinesustainability #menaoceans Arivo Fz LLC Arivo.online