Coral reefs are essential to maritime ecosystems, and World Reef Awareness Day there to help people understand the importance of corals for the natural environment. Corals are of great importance for regulating the amount of oxygen in water, preserving various species of living organisms. Join eco-events scheduled for June 1.
The History
Corals have been around for 500 million years. They started as single organisms, gradually gathering in colonies. With the onset of the ice age, corals disappeared en masse. In Devon, they appeared with an increase in the biological environment’s temperature. They alternated between renewal and extinction due to the instability of changeable natural conditions. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia was formed 20 million years ago. Navigator James Cook discovered it in 1770. In actual conditions, the reef is protected by local authorities; there is a real threat it will reduce in size or even disappear completely. By 2016, a third of reef was destroyed. The creation of World Reef Awareness Day is focused on attracting activists to this issue.
Interesting Facts
The death of corals is provoked by warming and human activity. Tourists apply sunscreen. This then gets into the water, and turns into a damaging factor.
- Reefs are the permanent habitat of 25% of marine organisms: they provide shelter and are an indispensable food source.
- Australia takes strict measures to protect its reefs. A million divers visit the reefs every year. These activities are subject to nature protection laws.
- The green sea turtle and a rare species of whales live near the Barrier Reef.
Have you heard about the seven natural wonders of the world? The Great Barrier Reef is one of them; a unique natural object that cannot be restored in case of extinction.
How to take part
The best way to celebrate this holiday is to join ecological societies that strive to protect nature.
Make a donation, tell friends they need to follow the rules on any tour. It is forbidden to destroy any coral system, removing corals from their habitats, or fishing near a reef.
Scuba diving near reefs is not prohibited, and volunteers use the opportunity to undergo training, learning how to safely experience the beautiful sights hidden under a layer of ocean water.
Reefs are disappearing; we have to take measures to preserve these formations. Otherwise, there will be an ecological catastrophe: pollution, the warming of water due to human activity, depletion of the ozone layer, extinction of many species of fish, shellfish, and plankton.
When is World Reef Awareness Day celebrated in 2024?
World Reef Awareness Day is observed on June 1 each year.
Observations
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
| Saturday | June | 1 | 2024 |
| Sunday | June | 1 | 2025 |
