- Target: The United Nations
- Sponsored by: The Marine Conservation Institute and Chantecaille Beaute
Corals create spectacular undersea ecosystems that are home to thousands of plant and animal species. The integrity of these “rainforests of the sea” is threatened by human activities including illegal and unsustainable fishing, global warming and pollution.
Less than 1.2% of the world’s oceans are protected – far below the 10% target set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The best ways we can save corals from disappearing are by creating Marine Protected Areas to extend these protections, and phasing out bottom trawling – the world’s most destructive fishing technique. By taking these two steps, the United Nations can safeguard coral ecosystems and their diverse marine life.