Barrier reef off Grande Terre, New Caledonia, France

Under the sea. World Reef Awareness Day

'Life under the sea is better than anything they got up there,' Sebastian the crab once told Ariel. But are we doing enough to protect that underwater world? On June 1, we celebrate World Reef Awareness Day, a time to recognise the beauty—and fragility—of coral reef ecosystems. One magnificent example is the New Caledonian barrier reef, which wraps around Grande Terre, New Caledonia's largest island. At over 1,400 kilometres long, it's one of the longest continuous barrier reefs in the world.

India's coral reefs are among the country's oldest and most vibrant ecosystems, offering shelter to diverse marine species while acting as natural barriers that shield coastlines from erosion. These reefs are primarily found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Strait and Lakshadweep. While most are fringing reefs, the Lakshadweep reefs are distinct atolls. Additionally, patchy coral formations can be seen along the intertidal zones of the central west coast, including areas like Ratnagiri and Gaveshani Bank.