- nbrhblog.com
VIVAnews – June 8th is World Oceans Day, the UN-designated day for the global community to celebrate and take action for the oceans. On Saturday, June 9th, Indonesia will hold a special event to raise awareness over coral reef conservation.
The Coral Triangle Day on June 9th will be enlivened with a celebration in Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran, Bali. Activists, organizations, and various parties will be gathering for making possible beach cleanup. A renowned chef, Bobby Chinn, will cook luxurious sea-food meals captured by applying an eco-friendly method.
According to WWF, the Coral Triangle region stretches for six million sqm with various coral reef species.
The Coral Triangle is home to 3,000 species of coral fish and high-economic commodities such as tuna. This region protects whales, dolphins, stingrays, sharks as well as six out of seven species of sea turtles in the world. This region is also home to 120 million coastal people who depends their livelihood in it.
The Indonesian waters are rich in biodiversity. The world’s largest stingray, the Manta rays, can be found in Komodo National Park.
According to a website, MantaTrust, a total of 67 percent of the protected area is located underwater. Manta rays have the ability to escape poachers. The species is wanted because it was reported to provide medical benefits. However, the benefits are not yet scientifically proven.
The Manta consists of three species. Manta alfredi has the average of 3 to 3.5 meters with a maximum size of 4.5 meters. This giant stingray can weigh up to 1.4 tons.
The giant sea manta or Manta birostris has the average of 4 to 5 meters. The largest specimen found reached the size of 7 meters and weigh up to 2 tons.
The smallest manta is known as Mobula Rays. This species is very shy, thus making it very difficult to observe.
The charm of this sea species has been seen by many divers in Komodo Island and Nusa Penida, Bali.
