Barrier reef off the island of Grande Terre in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia

© Karsten Wrobel/Getty Image

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 recognize 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 930 miles long, it's one of the longest continuous barrier reefs in the world. Its vast 9,300-square-mile lagoon is home to over 2,300 fish species, endangered dugongs, green sea turtles, and migrating humpback whales.

Reefs like this face growing threats—from pollution, mining runoff, rising ocean temperatures, and even harmful chemicals in some sunscreens. Increased tourism can also strain these fragile ecosystems. This World Reef Awareness Day, commit to reef-friendly choices: use reef-safe sunscreen, reduce plastic waste, and support conservation efforts in your community or online.