WWF: Coral Triangle Day Green waters are seen around a coral reef, Turtle Islands. The Philippines . © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon A school ...

WWF: Coral Triangle Day

Green waters are seen around a coral reef, Turtle Islands. The Philippines . © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

A school of Bigeye Barracudas (Sphyraena forsteri) swim in the Tubbataha Reef, Sulu Seas, Palawan, Philippines. © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

This photo shows fluorescence inside a coral polyp, (Favites abdita), New Britain, Papua New Guinea. © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

This phows the beautiful Friant's Sea Star (Nardoa frianti), New Britain, Papua New Guinea. © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

Bluestriped Fangblenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) looks out from a worm hole, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), also known as the Harlequin mantis shrimp or painted mantis shrimp, scuttle across the ocean floor.. New Britain, Papua New Guinea. © Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

The first-ever Coral Triangle Day will be celebrated on June 9, 2012, to highlight the importance of marine conservation and to raise awareness of marine biodiversity. T

he Coral Triangle is a six million square-kilometer ocean expanse that contains the highest number of reef building corals on the planet. Its spectacular coral reefs are home to thousands of whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, six species of marine turtles, and the world’s largest populations of commercially important tunas.

However, coastal development, destructive fishing and overfishing, unsustainable tourism, the illegal harvest and trade of endangered species, and climate change, among many others, are taking a heavy toll on this fragile ecosystem.

WWF works to address these issues to ensure that the Coral Triangle’s diverse marine habitats remain vibrant and healthy, providing food and livelihoods for generations to come. Please visit www.thecoraltriangle.com/day to learn more.

(Agencies)