Coral Triangle

Current Context : A recent report at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) raised concerns over oil and gas activities in the Coral Triangle region.

About Coral Triangle :

• Known as the “Amazon of the seas,” the Coral Triangle is a large marine area covering 10 million square kilometers.
• Location: It includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.
• Biodiversity: Houses 76% of the world’s coral species and supports the livelihoods of over 120 million people in the region.
• Threats:
  • Unsustainable fishing practices.
  • Pollution from coastal development.
  • Coral bleaching driven by climate change.

What are Corals?

• Corals are marine animals that stay attached to the ocean floor. They have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, which provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
• Structure: Corals use their tentacles to catch food. Each coral is a polyp, living in colonies of identical polyps that together form a coral reef.