The United Nations announced on February 28th a new initiative aimed at protecting the vital coral reefs located off the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. These reefs, which support 25% of all marine life while covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, are increasingly threatened by pollution and climate change.
Over the past 15 years, the world has lost 14% of its coral reefs, some of which are over 5,000 years old. Rising sea temperatures, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices are major contributors to this destruction.
The UN's Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) is implementing projects to mitigate the damage. These include introducing king crabs to combat macroalgae overgrowth, a threat exacerbated by warming oceans. This initiative also aims to provide a new income source for local fishermen.
In Mexico, another project transforms sargassum seaweed into raw materials for biofuels, animal feed, fertilizers, textiles, and cosmetics. This prevents the seaweed from suffocating coral and marine life, and reduces the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, which contribute to algae blooms and dead zones in the ocean.