Research

• • Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel algae due to coral stress, turning them white and making them vulnerable to disease. This stress is caused by factors like high sea temperatures, pollution, low tides, and excessive sunlight.

  • With 75% of the world's coral reefs affected, the loss threatens marine biodiversity and species that depend on these ecosystems. Coral reefs are vital for human food security, tourism, and natural storm protection. Their decline worsens overfishing and disrupts marine food chains, leading to costly alternatives for community protection.

Microplastics are small plastic particles, less than 5 mm in size, formed from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and from sources like synthetic fibers, microbeads, and industrial processes. They are widespread in marine environments, posing risks to aquatic life and potentially entering the human food chain. For more information, resources like the NOAA and scientific journals on environmental pollution are recommended.

Source: NOAA Marine Debris Program - https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/plastic.html

Overfishing is a serious problem that depletes fish populations faster than they can reproduce, disrupting marine ecosystems and affecting the entire food web. Driven by high seafood demand, advanced fishing technologies, and weak regulations, it threatens the livelihoods of fishing communities and global food security. Implementing sustainable fishing practices and stricter regulations is crucial to protect marine environments and ensure their long-term health.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - https://www.fao.org/state-of-fisheries-aquaculture