World Reef Awareness Day 2023: Interesting Facts, and Where Can Coral Reefs Be Found in India?

WORLD REEF AWARENESS DAY 2023: Coral reefs are called rainforests of the seas. They provide food and shelter to many key marine lifeforms. Coral reefs block powerful waves from hitting the shore and protect coastal areas and people who depend on them. They are, however, facing the risk of extinction. World Reef Awareness Day is observed on June 1 to highlight the importance of coral reefs. Below, we look at the theme of this day, key facts and share where coral reefs are found in India.

World Reef Awareness Day 2023: Theme

The theme for World Reef Awareness Day 2023 is “Reef Resilience: Protect, Restore, and Sustain.” The key theme of the day is the protection of coral reefs and spreading awareness about them.

World Reef Awareness Day 2023: Facts

1. World Reef Awareness Day is also known as World Reef Day.
2. World Reef Day was established by Brian Guadagno, the founder of skincare brand Raw Elements USA. The day was first celebrated in 2019.
3. Coral reefs are structures made up of polyps that secrete a limestone exoskeleton that gets attached to a rock or other dead skeletons of polyps.
4. Coral reefs take anywhere between 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 years to form fully as their rate of growth is just 0.3 to 2 centimetres per year, for massive corals. Branching corals may grow up to 10 centimetres per year.
5. Three types of reefs, namely, fringing, barrier and atoll, exist. Fringing reefs are the most common and grow seaward from the shore. Barrier reefs on the other hand are separated from the shore by a lagoon. Atolls grow shaped like a ring around islands. It forms following the erosion of an old volcano.
6. Roughly 25 percent of the ocean’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs.
7. The estimated value of coral reefs is about $375 billion per year.
8. By 2050, there might be a 70-90 percent decrease in coral reefs if global temperatures rise by more than 1.5°C.
9. Coral reefs have become contaminated with 11 billion plastic pieces, a study in the Asia-Pacific region finds.
10. Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep Islands and Malvan are the areas where coral reefs are found in India.

World Reefs Awareness Day 2023: Coral Reefs In India

1. Gulf of Mannar
   Located in the southeastern tip of India, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, the Gulf of Mannar is home to a rich and diverse coral reef ecosystem. It is recognized as a Marine Biosphere Reserve and a National Park.
2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
   The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated in the Bay of Bengal, are known for their stunning coral reefs. Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park are popular spots for diving and snorkeling.
3. Lakshadweep Islands
   The Lakshadweep Islands, located off the southwestern coast of India in the Arabian Sea, have several coral atolls and reefs. The marine ecosystem here is protected as the Lakshadweep Islands Marine National Park.
4. Palk Bay
   Palk Bay, located between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, is another region with significant coral reef formations. It is a productive marine ecosystem and provides important habitats for various marine organisms.
5. Netrani Island
   Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, is a small island off the coast of Karnataka. It is known for its coral reefs and is a popular spot for diving enthusiasts.