With marine conservation on everyone’s minds, Brunch chatted with Rajasuriya on coral reefs in Sri Lanka, the issues they face, and how they can be conserved. Understanding the role coral reefs play in our marine environmentPut very simply, coral reefs are very important for coastal protection, marine biodiversity, and fisheries. Coral reefs are built by and made up of thousands of tiny animals – coral “polyps” – that are related to anemones and jellyfish. The threats that coral reefs faceSpeaking to Brunch, Rajasuriya explained that the biggest threat to coral reefs is rising ocean temperatures because of climate change and global warming. Other threats to coral reefs are largely man-made, Rajasuriya explained, listing activities like destructive fishing, pollution, and increased sediment in oceans as other major threats to coral reefs.

Source: The Nation August 07, 2021 18:33 UTC