Coral reefs are threatened all over the world, including Reunion Island. The Réunion Métis association reaches out to the population to make them aware of the impact of human activities or even global warming on this very particular and fragile biodiversity.
Global warming, behavior of sea users, or even the impact of human activities on watersheds, the coral reefs of Reunion Island are on borrowed time. All over the world, the collapse of biodiversity is observed.
In Reunion Island, coral cover has fallen by 40% since the 1980s. The reef measures 18 km², and the coral reef 25 km. 3,500 animal and plant species are sheltered there, including nearly 200 species of coral. In the 1980s, the latter occupied more than 65% of the reef, compared to 20% to 25% today.
Raising public awareness about the preservation of coral reefs is therefore essential. The Réunion Métis association organizes workshops, such as the one carried out in the heights of Trois-Bassins for seniors.
The opportunity to discover that coral is an animal. This is a polyp that creates a calcareous skeleton. When temperatures rise, the algae associated with it flees the coral, which weakens, sometimes to the point of dying. These episodes of coral bleaching occur regularly in Reunion Island, every 4 or 5 years on average.
Watch the report from Réunion la 1era :
Preserving coral reefs, the Réunion Métis association raises awareness among seniors.
The 5th edition of Récifs en fête will be held on Saturday November 23 on Hermitage beach, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the program: first-time dives, workshops and activities around the fauna and flora of the lagoon and even scientific presentations.
