Free Reef Photos from Malaysia

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Coral Reef Photobank
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” The Coral Reef Photobank helps educate the public about coral reefs and their amazing inhabitants, and raises awareness of the need for coral reef conservation. These images can be downloaded on a royalty-free basis at no cost for non-commercial use.

New Species Found in Remote Asian Sea

A square jaw and edgy brow give a distinctive profile to this boxfish, one of many exotic marine creatures recently found by scientists exploring Southeast Asia’s Celebes Sea. The international team of researchers recently returned from two weeks in the Celebes, a little-explored sea between Malaysia and the Philippines that is home to one of the world’s deepest ocean basins. The Celebes’s relative isolation and chilly depths make it one of the world’s most richly diverse marine habitats, likely hosting species that have lived in seclusion for millions of years, expedition leader Larry Madin told the Associated Press.

“This is probably the center where many of the species evolved and spread to other parts of the ocean, so it’s going back to the source in many ways,” said Madin, who is director of research at the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

The team found several species that are likely new to science, Madin added, including a swimming sea cucumber, a black jellyfish, and a spiny orange worm with tentacles growing out its head. Experts will be studying the hundred specimens brought back from the expedition to determine which species are new discoveries.

The research was partly funded by WHOI, the National Geographic Society’s Expeditions Council, the nonprofit Conservation International, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Philippine government.

—Photograph by Ocean Geographic Magazine through WHOI/ISSP/Michael Aw/HO/AP

How are coral reefs threatened?

How are coral reefs threatened?
In 2001, according to the World Atlas of Coral Reefs published by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 58% of the world’s coral reefs are under threat from human activities.
For more information visit:
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/
http://www.icran.org/
http://www.coralreef.org/
portals.conservation.org

Some of the major threats are:
Marine pollution from commercial sea vessels
Commercial shipping illegally dumps waste materials at sea.
Ballast and fuel storage tanks are emptied at sea, releasing fuel, oil and other chemicals.
Anti-fouling paints leach toxic chemicals.
For more information visit: http://www.imo.org/

Sewage from land-based developments
Tourist developments have inappropriate water treatment and sanitation systems.
Raw sewage is often dumped directly into the sea via outflow pipes that insufficiently long to prevent the sewage from being brought back to shore.
Effluent release results in increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous into the sea leading to eutrophication.

Sedimentation
Deforestation removes the root systems that anchor forest soils.
Heavy rains erode unstable soil, which is transported by rivers and streams towards the sea.
Mangrove removal leads to above normal levels of sedimentation smothering the reef system.
Root mats hold 99% of rainforest nutrients. When a rainforest is burned or cut down the nutrients are removed from the system creating unproductive soil.
The land is often abandoned and new areas cleared.
For more information visit:
http://www.aims.gov.au/
http://info.anu.edu.au/

Over fishing
Natural predator and prey species are lost.
The balance within the system is lost, usually with detrimental effects.
Destructive fishing practices

Dynamite and other explosive fishing methods destroy habitats and breeding sites.
Larger fish are stunned and removed by fishers, but many smaller or less desirable fish die and are left amongst the broken coral.

Coral mining
Coral is often mined for use as a building material in coastal town and tourist resort development.

Aquarium trade
1471 fish species are traded worldwide.
Many juvenile ‘aquarium sized’ fish are captured, sedated and shipped in plastic bags within polystyrene boxes. Most do not survive the long journey.
Future generations of potential breeding fish stocks are lost.
Only 1-10% of fish and less than 1% of coral species can be bred in captivity. This perpetuates the demand for wild animals.
Concern about over-exploitation has led the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to list many coral species on CITES Appendix II.
For more information see CITES

Souvenirs
Over 500 invertebrate species (other than coral) are traded as marine ornamentals.
Estimates place the value of marine ornamental trade at US $200-330 million/year.
Increased popularity of coral for use in jewellery is of particular concern as many are rare deep-water species.
Extraction involves destructive trawls and tangle-net dredges causing immense damage to the reef.
As yet, pink, gold and bamboo corals are not listed in CITES so trade is not adequately monitored.
For more information see CITES

Bleaching
Global warming and altered global climate patterns has increased the incidence of coral bleaching.
Bleaching arises from abnormally high sea temperatures inducing the coral polyps to expel their zooxanthellae removing the corals primary means of nutrient absorption and ultimately causing the death of the coral.
Sometimes corals recover their zooxanthellae and survive the event.
Prolonged stress from other factors such as salinity, ultraviolet light, sediment, or pollutants, means the corals are unable to cope and die.
Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide has further implications on coral growth as it affects the skeleton forming chemical reactions.
A link between temporary local hotspots and bleaching events has been identified. A series of monitoring systems identifying hotspots have been implemented using satellites, buoys and underwater sensors to assess sea surface temperatures.
In 1998, 75% of reefs were affected by bleaching related to global climate change, 16% died.
For more information see:

http://www.cites.org/
http://www.icriforum.org/
coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html
www.reefbase.org/threats/thr_bleaching.asp
www.cordio.org/bleaching.asp

Coral Reef ecology and facts

Coral Reef ecology and facts

Coral reefs are the most diverse, productive marine communities and create the biggest, most spectacular structures made by living organisms. Local communities exploit their high productivity and tourists admire their beauty and uniqueness.
What are coral reefs? Are they plants or animals?
A coral reef is a living system comprising of a symbiosis between the animal (polyp) and plant (zooxanthellae). Many polyps aggregate forming colonies that secrete calcium carbonate, creating a collective limestone “skeleton”. Successive generations of polyps build on top of previous generations “skeletons” leading to reef formation. Through symbiosis with zooxanthellae, reef-building (hermatypic) corals are the basis of life in reef communities.
Where do coral reefs live?
Coral reefs are present in the waters of over 100 countries. These are warm (18-29′C), shallow, sunny regions primarily between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. They support over 25% of all known marine fish species whilst only representing 0.25% of the marine environment.
Critical environmental variables affecting Coral Reefs
Reef survival requires temperature, light, depth, water clarity, salinity and water movement to remain within narrow limits.
Temperature:
Ideal reef-building temperature 25-29 ‘C
Within these limits primary reef construction occurs
Hermatypic corals can survive within the range of 18-36 ‘C and are confined to tropical waters
Ahermatypic (non reef-building) corals can survive down to 1 ‘C
Light:
Abundant light is required to enable the zooxanthellae to photosynthesise
Some deep sea corals have adapted to receive virtually no sunlight
Depth:
Light intensity diminishes with depth
Zooxanthellae must photosynthesise so few hermatypic corals are found at depths greater than 50 metres
Ahermatypic corals sustain growth with organic matter from deep sea currents and thus can live to far greater depths
Salinity:
Hermatypic corals tolerate a salinity range of 27-40 ppt
Preferred salinity is 36 ppt.
Water movement:
Refreshes oxygen and plankton supply
Assists the removal of waste products
How long have coral reefs been around for?
Reef structures have been around for 450 million years. The major reef building species has changed from blue-green algae to sponges and corals.Coral reefs as we know them date back 195 million years. Reefs have survived many mass extinctions, the most recent 136 million years ago, prior to which many more hermatypic corals were present (of 7500 known coral species, around 5000 are now extinct).
For more information see:
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)
The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)

Join a Marine Expedition, Coral Cay Conservation

Ever dreamt of diving the fish-filled tropical waters of the world plus contributing to conservation? Well if the ocean is your main ‘concern’, then a CCC marine expedition is perfect for you!
You will help survey coral reefs in remote tropical locations, making for an exclusive and worthwhile experience that you will never forget.
CCC marine expeditions are for those of you interested in diving, whether you have had no diving experience or you are a fully trained diver. You will gain familiarity with the untainted coral reef habitats which, like many in the world, are threatened ecosystems. Your CCC Skills Development training will teach you how to survey in groups and recognise an array of important species. From learning new skills through to meeting new people, there is no doubt that you will come away with many memories that are uniquely individual…
Who knows what marine species you will encounter when diving in the tropical waters of the world…
Click on the links below to find out more about our expedition sites:
Philippines (PH1)
Help survey some of the least disturbed and least researched habitats in the Philippines – the coral reefs of Southern Leyte!Tobago (TO1)
Starting in March 2007, volunteers can dive deep into Tobago! Volunteers willl be based on deserted beaches suveying the reefs of the Carribean island.
Related Links
Combination Project
The ultimate experience! Why not split your time between a CCC marine expedition and a CCC forest expedition in the Philippines?
Philippines, Negros Rainforest Conservation Project (PH2)
Explore some of the Philippine’s last pristine rainforest in search of highly endangered mammals, birds and insects found nowhere else on earth.

Thursday 18th October 2007
coralcay.org >
Marine Expeditions

Joining An Expedition
How do I join an expedition?
Joining a CCC expedition is straightforward.
Explore this website in detail to find out as much about CCC as you can. Read our Frequently Asked Questions. Visit the Before joining an expedition page where you can download and read the CCC Expedition Guide and Project Summary specific to the expedition of your choice. If you do not have Internet access please contact us on ++44(0) 207 6201411 to request a hard copy.
Or come along to an audio-visual presentation to learn more about CCC. If you are unable to attend, you can contact a member of the CCC team for an informal telephone discussion or to arrange an independent visit to CCC headquarters.
Decide upon which expedition you would like to join and when you would like to participate. Contact us to check availability. Your next step is to enrol onto the expedition of your choice(see below for details).
The Enrolment Process
Our comprehensive Enrolment Pack contains all the forms you need to complete in order to join a CCC Expedition.
Please note that we can accept late applications (minimum three weeks prior to a project start date). To find out more call us now on ++44(0) 207 6201411.

Frequently asked questions

Planning for an Expedition
I do not have UK citizenship- can I still join a CCC Expedition?
How long can I go on expedition for?
Can I extend my stay once I’m on expedition?
How far in advance should I book my expedition?
Are there any new CCC Expeditions planned for the future?
Can I choose which expedition to attend?
Can I join a marine and forest project?
When do CCC expeditions start?
What experience do I need?
Is the training difficult?
Can I go with friends?
Will I be in a group or on my own?
Is there a selection process?
Can I talk to someone who has already been on a CCC expedition?
What is the predominant age range of CCC volunteers?
Are there any opportunities for other travels during an expedition?
Can I be contacted while I am on expedition?
What is the enrolment process?
Do I have to attend a CCC pre-departure meeting?
Science
Where can I see examples of Science reports and publications produced by CCC scientists as a result of Volunteer efforts in the field?
Can I use CCC data as part of my dissertation?
Money and Fundraising
How much does it cost to join a CCC expedition?
Where does my Society Membership Fee go and what benefits do I receive?
What’s included in my expedition fee and what isn’t?
Why are CCC forest Expeditions such good value for money?
What equipment do I need?
How much does equipment cost?
Who should I make cheques payable to?
How much money do I need to take with me?
If I decide to cancel, will I lose my money?
I previously participated as a Volunteer on a CCC expedition. Am I entitled to a discount on subsequent expeditions?
Travel, Insurance and Visas
Can I travel independently?
Can you arrange my flights?
Do I need insurance?
Do I need a visa?
Health, Safety and Security
How does CCC ensure the safety of its expeditions?
What happens in case of an emergency?
How does CCC monitor the safety of expedition sites?
What medical advice can you give me?
Will I need a medical screening or ‘check-up’?
Diving
What additional courses are available?
What if I am already trained to PADI openwater?
What if my diving qualification was through BSAC or NAUI?
How many dives a week will I do?
What’s included in CCC’s Scuba Training Programme?
What’s NOT included in CCC’s Scuba Training Programme?
Can I rent dive equipment?

Wakatobi–Underwater Reef Photos

Amazing Underwater Reef Photos.

Quetzal, Sacred Bird of the Maya

Sacred to ancient Mesoamerican people, gorgeously plumed quetzals live in the mountains of Central America.

Quetzal Profile
The resplendent quetzal is an aptly named bird that many consider among the world’s most beautiful. These vibrantly colored animals live in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and other small creatures.During mating season, male quetzals grow twin tail feathers that form an amazing train up to three feet (one meter) long. Females do not have long trains, but they do share the brilliant blue, green, and red coloring of their mates. Male colors tend to be more vibrant.Resplendent quetzal pairs use their powerful beaks to hollow hole nests in rotted trees or stumps. Inside, they take turns incubating two or three eggs—though males have such long tails that they sometimes stick outside the nest.Young quetzals can fly at about three weeks of age, but males do not begin to grow their long tail plumes for three years.

Hear the Quetzal in the cloud forest.

Tukang Besi Islands, S.E. Sulawesi, Indonesia

Where the heck is Wakatobi?Wakatobi Resort is in far Southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, positioned in the midst of a remote island archipelago group known to adventure travelers as Tukang Besi. Wakatobi is named after the four islands that surround it, Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. Yes its location is remote, quite literally on the fringe of “civilization.”

Fijis Rainbow Reef

In the South Pacific a spectacular reef system takes an environmental walloping and lives to tell the tale. Scientists are listening closely.
Fiji’s reefs can take a punch and come back swinging Expert at being both whomped and resilient, these reefs are prime ground for scientists struggling to understand the catastrophic decline of Earth’s coral habitats. Though cyclones, disease, predators, and volcanic eruptions all harm reefs, corals tend to regenerate after such natural blows. But the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere humanity is brewing, and the resulting rise in sea temperatures, may cripple coral’s ability to recover.When water heats up, corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide nutrients and color, leaving the corals “bleached.” Some scientists theorize that bleaching evolved to help corals adjust to shifting temperature by swap-ping existing algae for others more heat-hardy. But as global temperatures rise, corals are reaching their upper limits of heat tolerance. In Fiji corals can survive in waters up to about 86°F. Beyond that, it’s like asking corals to shift into a gear they just don’t have. Fiji’s reefs took a major hot-water hammering in 2000 and 2002, leading to widespread bleaching. As a marine biologist long interested in coral reefs, I joined a recent expedition to Fiji to see how its reefs were faring after the heat waves. We found vast differences from place to place. Stripped of algae, some corals had starved and died, leaving denuded limestone hulks. But in some spots where staghorn and other hard corals had bleached white, new life blossomed. We saw gardens of baby corals sprout ting over fields of bare rock, multicolored sea life mobbing newly lush pastures, and some reefs that had entirely escaped bleaching. Big fish swam all around us—sharks, groupers, mantas, all evidence of a sys-tem with a hard-beating heart Fiji is like the patient who did not die of AIDS, and global reef health may depend on learning why. Support is growing to create protected areas around some of Fiji’s reefs, where scientists can hunt for answers. Protection will help ensure that bleaching events won’t be compounded by polluted runoff, over fishing, or eager tourists. But in the end, human ability to turn down the heat may ultimately determine either death or renewal.

Colorful World Below the Waves-Photos

Colorful World Below the Waves
Photograph by Tim Laman

For reasons known only to nature, color explodes across coral reefs, making them Earth’s most vivid landscapes. Here in the shallows of a Fijian reef, brilliant soft corals wave in reds, pinks, and yellows as schools of fairy basslets flash orange and violet hues. The basslets’ different colors aid in species identification, mate recognition, and even camouflage as individuals mass against the kaleidoscope of the reef. What humans see lighted by a photographer’s bright strobe may look altogether different in natural light through the eyes of reef creatures. Scientists are now beginning to learn how wavelengths of light (and therefore color) change through water at different distances, and—more important—how fish see colors and what messages they might communicate.

The Stories Stripes Can Tell
Photograph by Tim Laman

Bold horizontal bands of black, white, and yellow pop out on a well-lighted sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) in Indonesia. The pattern and colors actually help distort the fish’s outline when seen in natural light at a distance through water, helping the animal disappear from the view of potential predators. Nearby, a neon cleaner wrasse also wears stark stripes. These little fish eat parasites off the flesh and mouths of other fish. The wrasse’s stripes may signal that it is a useful helper rather than a ready meal. Neon wrasses vary in coloration geographically. A yellow cast near the head (as shown here) indicates an Indonesian species; in Fiji many neon wrasses have a yellow blaze near the tail.

Beware the Yellow Dart

Photograph by Tim Laman

The Pacific blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)—also known as the artist’s pallette surgeonfish due to the shape of the dark patch on its body—was immortalized by the character Dory in the film Finding Nemo. Unlike that benignly daft creature, this real-life surgeonfish in Indonesia carries a sharp retractable blade of bone near the base of its tail. The tail’s yellow blaze gives potential foes fair warning: Armed and dangerous.